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Mighty Murray Paddle 2022

By Glynis Taylor

Please Help Me
Reach My Goal

Raised

$18,854

My Goal

$14,000

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If not me then who? If not now then when?

WHAT: On 1st FEBRUARY 2022 I will put Capt. YODA (a BAY SPORTS Expedition 3 single seat kayak) in to the Murray River at the Hume Dam in NSW, to begin a  2220kms SOLO paddle to the Murray mouth near Goolwa, South Australia. 

The expedition is expected to take between 6-8 weeks (not including lockdowns). 

I will be 60 years old.

WHY: Prostate cancer threatens the lives of 1 in 6 Aussie men. I’m raising funds today to save men’s lives tomorrow.

In 2005 my Step-Dad (who married my Mum and became my Dad in 1976) died from aggressive prostate cancer, which had been first diagnosed less than 12 months earlier. He was 79 years old and had up until then never spent a day in hospital, or had much more than a bad dose of flu. I still miss his Dad-jokes and the endless stories of his days in the Royal Signals Corp serving in the Middle East at the end of the Second World War. Recently another and much younger very close family member has been diagnosed with this insidious disease. 

My Mother died from pancreatic cancer, my Uncle from brain cancer, and my beloved grandmother (who raised me) from cancer of the stomach.

Cancer in all of its forms is the true scourge of humanity. To advance research into effective treatments, and one day to hopefully find cures, research bodies need our help with funding. To provide extensive treatment options and care facilities, providers need our help with funding. Help me to help THEM to shape a better future for all of us.

WHO: You can make a massive difference by committing to give a tax-deductible donation today.

If I can train (since January 1st 2021) to paddle 2220kms SOLO - surely you can donate just a few dollars?

On behalf of the 16,700 men who will be diagnosed this year – thank you!

My Updates

Where next?

Sunday 14th Aug
This journey is over, and with Jamie’s passing there is time to grieve and time to think. 

What comes next? 

Well the fight is not over. Nothing has changed regarding fundraising for prostate cancer research, so it’s time to construct a new challenge. 

The next challenge will be at the beginning of 2024. I will be 62 but that doesn’t put me off at all. 

Will I choose a long walk?
A long cycle?

Or something completely different! 

If you have an idea get in touch glynis@glynistaylor.com 

Jamie - meeting me at Wellington 22nd March

Saturday 14th May

In memoriam - Jamie Hancock

Saturday 14th May
On Feb 1st 2022 I put my kayak in the Murray River at the Hume Dam weir in NSW, to paddle 2220kms to the Southern Ocean in SA with one cause and reason in mind - raising money for prostate cancer research. 

I knew in such a short space of time anything raised, would never be enough to build the research pool so quickly a cure could be found during my trip, but raising awareness stimulates others to take action. 

Having already lost my Dad to aggressive stage 4 prostate cancer in 2005, a year after an initial diagnosis, when my cousin Jamie was diagnosed with the stage 4 some 16 years later, I feared research hadn’t advanced enough. Perhaps it isn’t so much about advancement in treatments, it’s about getting every man in to the testing system earlier in their life. With both my Dad and Jamie, they had very few symptoms. Both began to have issues with urine flow which prompted further investigation. No other “traffic light” symptoms or warnings. First investigations produced a devastating diagnosis. My Dad chose to go on a three week Caribbean and east coast of the USA cruise instead of treatment, and gradually moved towards death just over 12 months later. Jamie chose all treatments currently available, after an initial conversation which suggested a maximum of five years of life left. 18 months later, with his wife by his side, on 27th April 2022 he passed away at home in his sleep. 

I reached Sugars beach on Hindmarsh Island in SA on Saturday 26th March. 54 days paddling solo, unsupported, carrying everything I needed to survive. My kayak carried my tent, sleeping bag, air bed, camera equipment, clothing, dehydrated food and a professional  grade water filter (filtering river water), and my emergency beacon and first aid equipment. It was my longest ever paddle and was designed to get people to reflect on what it must be like to feel as though there’s no one there to help. To not know what’s round the next corner. To be alone even when in locations where there are large numbers of people. A cancer sufferer, even surrounded by family and friends is alone in a very personal journey. 

I documented my journey using video which you can watch at my YouTube channel : https://youtube.com/c/GlynisTaylor

VALE Jamie, gone too soon but never forgotten, and forever held in our hearts. 

Sugars Beach : Hindmarsh Island

Wednesday 30th Mar

Final 25kms - DONE - Sat 26th March 2022

Wednesday 30th Mar
MIGHTY MURRAY PADDLE = 2220 kms DONE

Hume Dam Weir to Sugars Beach, Hindmarsh Island

The winds held off till the very last minute and only picked up as I landed at Sugars Beach.

Paddling days = 47

https://fundraise.pcfa.org.au/fundraisers/glynistaylor/massive-murray-paddle-2021

Marathon Completed

Wednesday 30th Mar

23rd March

Wednesday 30th Mar
Having met all the conditions for completing the River Murray in a single run - I am now officially entered on to the:

INLAND RIVERS NATIONAL MARATHON REGISTER
No. #428 (unpowered)

The register was started in 1954 by Frank Tuckwell who still oversees it today. It was a great pleasure to meet him and his team today at the landing beach at the end of Goolwa wharf.

23rd March

Wednesday 30th Mar
UPDATE : this is NOT the end……

Today started so well leaving Murray Bridge marina into still waters and no wind, but it only lasted a bend. As I neared White Sands after 7kms up came the mighty blow yet again, and of course it was a headwind. Anyone looking at the river could easily think it was nothing but slight ripples but battling through it with damaged hands just became a total nightmare. Onward, onward, onward. All I could do was ride the swells and paddle. It was only to be 34kms but felt like 60. Great friends came down at Tailem Bend pontoon to take photos and drone footage, and a bit further downstream more amazing people had been to the bakery for gluten free cakes and had made coffee. It was raining but hey…… I will only float past this once. Eventually Wellington Boat Ramp came in to sight and the battle to get there was real, but land I did at 4:30pm.   

What can I say about the forty or more people who turned out to the Welly pub last night for my penultimate night on the water…… Thankyou one and all for your incredible support along the whole 2195kms. 

Today is NOT what was planned. I will NOT be landing on Sugars Beach today, instead I have to sit out the next few days until the onshore Antarctic winds gusting in the 40s die to below 10kph. At some point hard decisions have to be made and my hand strength is almost completely gone. Saturday MIGHT be the day to complete the journey. Only 25kms to go. 

The Goolwa channel is 4 to 5 times wider than the river and my hands will cope admirably with low swells but not South Pole torment. So now, I wait. Instead I will be at Goolwa Wharf to meet the Inland Rivers National Marathon Register team as I have indeed completed the journey and will be able to register as a successful participant. More later…..

21st March

Wednesday 30th Mar
UPDATE : ready/set/go = full on headwinds 

Packed up and ready for the 48kms day, on the water 8am. Got to bend one ready for heavier winds! Oh my god. From the first bend - headwinds of 20-25 with gusts 40 kph. 

In the kayak 8am, nowhere to land, arrived 6:30pm. 10.5 HOURS - IN the kayak without a break. 

Sooooo - start of the morning, designated campsite (phone call) ended in = “no, we only have full time permanents”! Help me Farmer Chris. Thunderbirds to the rescue. Yep in NO time he’s found a donga. OK so it was 7kms before my designated camp! Hmmmm. 

5 hours in to the paddle, it a was NOT getting easier or faster. 

I stopped for lunch on a slightly less windy straight 8kms from Mypolonga. Middle of the river, slight gap in wind, energy bar and litre of water - PAY ATTENTION = MID RIVER - and my kayak was completely STATIC….. ZERO FLOW. Yes that’s right NO FLOW. Not reduced flow, not slow flow = NO FLOW AT ALL. 

In some places it felt like I was paddling upstream. So since lock 1 there has been NO FLOW downstream. I don’t care what they state, what shit they spout - from LOCK 1 the river is a huge set of massive wide static lakes - dear South Australia you’ve been screwed. 

I can’t wait to get off this river. It is now a static, wind blown pond. A wide river is a troubled river. 

Because I soak my cap in river water to stay cool, I also note how salty it tastes. Yep, salinity is noticeable BIG TIME.

In the end I did 41kms over 10.5 HOURS….. that’s less than 4kph! Oh my god! 

7kms less today is added to tomorrow (27 + 7 = 34kms)! Forecast = SAME. Desperate times. I am worn out and at the end of the rope. There is no rope to feed out. My body is on overload, over used, spent, burnt, low in fuel and resources. 

34kms tomorrow and 25kms Weds! If it wasn’t for the fact Capt.YODA is plastic - I’d have a ceremonial funeral pyre!!

20th March

Wednesday 30th Mar
UPDATE : 100 kilometres left to paddle - 48, 27, & 25. 

Todays headwinds 20-25 steady gusting around 38 increasing this afternoon. Only 41 kms to paddle which took me 7 hrs 15 mins. My body will never be the same again. It takes me some 10.6 minutes to paddle a kilometre so averaging 5.5kph 🤦‍♀️

To think on the upper reaches I was doing 7kph ! 

What I need is just a bit of leeway with the wind tomorrow…… how about it River?

It’s not helped by a river left to run wild. Nowhere at all to land because the banks are totally covered in willows and reeds. Areas which are cleared are littered with “no trespassing”, “private keep out” etc. I feel sorry for the endless houseboats hunting for somewhere to tie up.

Three more days, two more nights = counting the minutes 🛶

Big Bend

Wednesday 30th Mar

19th March

Wednesday 30th Mar
UPDATE : Swan Reach to Caurnamont / Purnong Ferry
…………
Nope this wasn’t the landing place I’d picked! I’d picked a patch of green grass with what looked like a boat ramp 4kms upstream. It says it’s crown land but when I got there the family hitting golf balls from one side of the river to the other said “no, I own it”! No point arguing, Capt.YODA could have been the next hole in one! 

Just keep paddling, ignore the pain. My right hand is a lot more flexible and almost pain free. My left hand - lets not talk about my left hand! Shacks and more shacks, jet skis and more jet skis. Did I mention no flow. Since lock 1 the river is like a giant lake. There is next to zero flow which makes paddling extremely hard at the best of times. No wonder South Australia complains about “no water”.  Eventually all that was left open to me was near the ferry with the worst landing on tree roots I’ve had to deal with. Can this trip get worse! 

Farmer Chris, my knight in shining armour is coming out to me in the early morning with pain killers, a new shirt, and fresh water. I’m right alongside the ferry terminal (designated camping) so I can’t exactly pop down for some “not so fresh diesel enhanced water”. This also gives me a chance to off-load the excess dehydrated food packs I won’t use, although I need everything else.

Almost dark now. I’m sitting in a BBQ shelter near the ferry, which has light (& moths, & mozzies), eating Mexican chilli beef. Plus there’s a toilet block AND bins! 

Night all x

18th March

Wednesday 30th Mar
UPDATE : just when you thought…….

The humidity in the upper parts of South Australia is beyond funny now. I get in to my sleeping bag and have to get out of it a minute later drenched in perspiration - and I mean drenched. Then a cool breeze freezes me and forces me back in to the sleeping bag, to be forced to get out of it two minutes later covered in perspiration! No wonder I don’t get any sleep.

High winds overnight blowing dust in to my face and in to everything else too. 

Woke at 6:30, on the water for 8:00am. Only 32kms to do I thought. It was windy from the first paddle stroke. Then it got gusty. So it kept up all day. It took me 7.5 hours to cover 32kms, that’s a stroke rate of 4.2kms per hour. 

I did spend a lot of time on the phone today and when I arrived at where I didn’t intend being, a driver was waiting to take me to the nearest doctors for steroid injections in to both wrists, and a muscle relaxant in to my left hand. 

The wind is supposed to drop tomorrow to sub 10kph which I need, if I’m to cover the expected 50kms. Getting in the kayak at all tomorrow will depend on my hands being able to grip the paddle. 

Wish me luck 🍀

Morgan’s old wharf.

Thursday 17th Mar

Made it to Morgan - 319 to go

Thursday 17th Mar
UPDATE : arrived at Morgan boat ramp and checked in to a simple cabin. Showered and clothes are in wash 🧽 yippee! They were extremely 👃 smelly! 

Leaving Holder Bend yesterday morning at 7:45am it was truly touch and go as to whether I would reach lock 2 before the 11:30 deadline. It was indeed hard work (24kms), and I phoned the lock master at 11:25 having just turned the corner with the lock coming in to sight. Come ahead he said opening the lock, and I hard paddled in at the stroke of 11:30. Had I not made it I would have to sit it out until it re-opened at 1pm. Phew. 

Yesterday afternoon I landed at Hogwash Bend. Lots of sand and a bit of a walk to get to the camping area with not many places not under trees. Downside of popular camp sites like this, are caravans and camper vans, which means an extra long walk with the shovel! It also means it’s difficult to sit in front of a GoPro and do a daily “tales from the riverbank” without multiple ears focusing on my “where’s she from” accent.

I got in early at 2pm and had camp set up and dinner cooking when the wind gradually began to climb. Eventually (6:30pm) I pegged out the guy lines and pushed everything inside the tent. Then there was an awesome lightning show sadly followed by loud thunder and strong winds. Now my tent is not exactly ALDI, but nor is it up there with the best on Everest either. All the same the little one person tent held fast and stood firm. I must have trusted its capacity to take on the extraordinary storm winds as I fell asleep not waking till 1am, hoping everyone was in bed so I didn’t have to bypass the roos and possums on my way to my bush loo. Back to sleep 💤 waking as always at 6am. I lay there listening to the winds wondering what my paddle would involve today. 

I was up by 7am and on the water by 7:45. The forecast was for increasing winds, so my plan was to paddle hard to land early. The wind is worst on sharp bends. It almost lies in wait for the turn. All the same I landed at 12:50pm and that’s a record for a 33kms paddle. 

My cabin is basic but the white sheets are crisp and very clean. I have towels and soap and coffee sachets. 

Now my clothes are drying at various locations around the cabin, and once my shorts and a bra is dry, I’ll be off to one of the pubs for fooooooood. 

I’ve got a couple of long days coming up (50kms) with the longest on Tuesday. It’s been a while since I had a late afternoon arrival. Still on track for the beach (midday?) Wednesday 23rd. 

Thanks to EVERYONE of you for the incredible donations. It is truly now, mind over body weakness, but this time next week I hope to be dizzy on bubbles. I’m currently at 319kms from Sugars Beach. 
🙏 

Overland Corner campsite

Monday 14th Mar

Moorook to Holder Bend via Overland Corner

Monday 14th Mar

Holder Bend had a low and lengthy boat ramp and waiting on it was a good friend from work days and what a catch up we had. The paddle was short, but the day made longer as I waited till 9:30am to leave, watching all 31 Ski 4 Life boats pass safely through Moorook. Then I arrived at loch 3 just after the lock closed. I sat and drank water and ate a protein bar and was ready to go at 1pm, except a houseboat travelling upstream was having a very slow entry to the lock on account of the whirling currents. I didn’t get down and through the lock until 13:45! I didn’t arrive at Overland Corner until close to 3pm and it was only a 26kms paddle for the day. 

This morning a nearby beehive woke me early. I instinctively can hear them starting their forage. I was on the water by 8am and for most of the first four hours it was like glass. The problem with it though is the slow to no flow and the aches it brings. Nevertheless I put up a good stroke and for all the frustrations of the lack of flow arrived at Holder Bend a short while after 2pm. That’s still a good pace for a flat 40kms day (6.6kms/hr). 

On arrival - an awesome surprise visit from Sandra Douglas with BUBBLES X 2 (heaven). 

It’s been a hot day and now the wind is picking up and storm clouds are brewing on what is, a very dusty site. Is 5pm too early to go to bed!

Tomorrow - 35kms onwards to Hogwash Bend and another boat ramp.

Made it to Moorook

Monday 14th Mar
UPDATE : Learn something new everyday! 

Lake Bonney is north-east of where I’m sitting at Moorook, but it can’t be seen from the river. The town of Barmera, a relatively young town enjoying lakeside life. Barmera earned world repute in the 1960s with Donald Campbell attempting world speed records on it in his jet powered Bluebird. It was later thought the inconsistent inflows from the Murray may have hampered his attempts. 

Opposite Moorook to the east is Loveday, which was chosen as a huge World War II prisoner of war centre for mainly Italians, who worked at vegetable growing. 

It’s been another challenging day. Leaving Loxton the river was flat and quiet except for the whistling kites, the crows and the awesome Kookaburras. Then the boat crews came alive and it was none stop, end to end jet skis and water skiers nearly all of which were respectful, and kept well away from me. 

Landing on the boat ramp at Moorook with more than a few dozen pairs of eyes looking in to my soul, was a challenge but honestly, I’m kind of used to it by now. Even though the kayak is on the water not bottoming out on the fabric of the ramp, as long as I sit on the paddle across the back deck (which has a blade braced against the ramp), I can get a foot on to pavers or cobbles before Capt.YODA has a chance of capsize. It’s strange because as a 13 year old in and out of kayaks every weekend hour upon hour at a time, landing and launching from a bank was all I knew. That however, was in a bat, a somewhat tippy trippy kind of lunatic at the best of times, happiest in white water and training pools. An expedition craft, designed for straight lines and not much else, is a totally different beast. Landing a 2-3m white water bat is very different to landing a 5.3m expedition kayak especially where boat ramps seem to be around 3-4 metres wide. The novelty for the onlookers wore off as I disemboweled the kayak so I could lift him on to the cart, then refilled him with everything I’d taken out to push him to a nice piece of empty grass. It appears to have been left empty as the dozens of motorhomes, caravans and trailer tents were keen on river frontage. 

I do try and get on the water for 8:30am at the latest, but tomorrow will see me sit it out until all of the Ski for Lifers have gone through and whatever support craft brings up the rear, gives the all clear. Given they have to get to Renmark tomorrow, with official stops at Loxton and Martins Bend (home of Berri ski club), with luck they’ll be through by maybe ten! I do expect similar caravan numbers at Overland Corner - there’s a boat ramp there too - as are here but caravans were still turning up here at 5pm and getting a spot, so surely there’ll be room for lil’ole me! 

Now, as the sun sets, I have a few sherbets (alcoholic ginger beer and a can of lemon and lime UDL) & litres of water to hydrate with so I’ll say good night. 

Everything on target for the amended arrival date of  Weds 23rd March around lunch time to Sugars Beach. 

Also FANTASTIC NEWS : my target of $14k has been met & passed, but let’s try to get to $15k 🎉🍾🙏

Martin’s Bend to Loxton

Monday 14th Mar
UPDATE : Friday 11th - arriving at Sugars Beach 23rd March (12 paddling days to go)! 

Yesterday - Paddled to Martin’s Bend Council campsite through yet more wind 💨 😞 Met some great people including Linc (Friends of Martins Bend FB) & Eathan and Jacinta https://youtube.com/channel/UCwRZFExYp0o0tHH8U-Y-Wew - at different times in their lives both Linc and Eathan have kayaked the Murray! 

Onward today through a couple of attempts to capsize me (caught on video both occasions). Yep, tinny towing knee boarders purposefully attempted to soak me (succeeded) and capsize me (unsuccessful). Once the footage is downloaded and the boat reg picked up this will be reported to the police. 

Now, farmer Chris has picked up the “Ski for Life” event from Murray Bridge to Renmark this weekend 🤦‍♀️

Today I made it to Loxton. Tomorrow I aim to be at Moorook 🤞 and the skiers (30+) will make it to Cobdogla. So on Sunday morning I won’t be leaving until they have gone through Moorook then I can head off to Overland Corner 🤞- thankfully it’s a twenty - something day! 

Tonight I’ve enjoyed a hot shower, and a meal at the totally amazing refurbished Loxton Hotel.

Could things get worse!

Tuesday 8th Mar
UPDATE: it’s been an epic few days paddling through stupidly high winds (as if the kilometres weren’t enough)!

4th March : My predicted camp after Fort Courage was underwater as have every other camp site, beach and landing point. I should have done 53kms to Carr’s Creek but had to keep going, and going, and going until a mud bank completely infested with ants appeared on one corner. I didn’t know about the ants till I’d landed but I’ve never seen so many ants nests in one place. The other side of the river looked better, so I climbed back in to Capt. YODA and paddled across a stupidly strong headwind which nearly had me over twice, but no matter how hard I tried I could not get out on to the bank which was a metre above me. Back to the ant side and a bit further down. Just slightly less ants! The bank was only half a metre high but a gust of wind caught me as I sat on my paddle and tipped me off the boat in to the river. I let go of Capt. YODA instinctively not wanting him swamped or worse. There was no bottom to the river, I had to kick a foothold in to the mud bank (up to my neck literally) to get any kind of purchase, grabbing on to a tree root. At the same time trying not to let my paddle, which is connected to my PFD, pull me off the bank in the wind - and not let go of Capt. YODA! I think I burnt a whole muscle group on my right arm hauling myself out, but out I got - soaking, cold wind, ants filling my crocs. Yes, this was the worst day of my f——ng life. Did I mention it was 7pm by now. 

First - strip naked and hang everything on tree branches and hope it all didn’t blow in to the river. It semi-dried by morning. Find clothes and put them on to warm up including my waterproof paddling jacket. It was of course getting dark! Next, tent up plus sleeping bag etc. Losing light now. Haul Capt. YODA out of water. Find food and stove and quickly heat water for food pouch. Drink a litre of water. Stow everything not needed back in to kayak because it looked as though it was going to pour down, and the other side of the river had a full on rainbow! Get in to tent keeping as many ants out as possible. The tent could have been no more than a metre from the rivers edge because behind me was total devastation of broken trees with nowhere to put up a tent. Eat food. Smother face in cream, any cream, get in to sleeping bag and listen to the rain. Sleep? No chance. There is a tiny tiny gap where the zips meet in the tent inner door and the ants had found it! I kid you not, I spent ALL night squashing biting ants. (I now use a tiny bit of elastoplast between the zips so they can’t get in.) 

5th March : I was waiting for daylight at 6:45 and I was up and packing. Shaking the ants out of my clothes, the tent and sleeping bag as I went. Put on wet paddling clothes and get in the kayak the old fashioned way - using the paddle across the boat to create a bridge between land and water to sit on while swinging legs in. I wasn’t get this wrong! The wind had died down just enough to allow me to paddle out in to the river, then it started again , relentless howling headwind. 

This day I would go through lock 8 and 7. The lock keepers are so accomodating and always want to chat. At lock 7 I said I was hoping there was a beach just outside. No chance…… but…….. he told me to turn right just out of the lock and head up the Rufus River and I’d find a beach and somewhere to camp. Eureka. I slept for a solid ten hours waking, packing and launching by 8am. I am so grateful to the lock keeper. 

6th March : wind, wind, wind, wind. Some great video of some amazing red cliffs. Wind, more wind, more wind. I spotted in the charts book I have with me a boat ramp just after a cutting (short cut). As I exited the cutting (which is actually the designated route as the small loop in the river silts up) I crossed the river paddling upstream against a headwind to a boat ramp built for a tinny, not for 5.3m Capt. YODA - but I WAS getting out on to that ramp come hell or high water. 

7th March : from Higgins boat ramp to a beach 4kms downstream from lock 6.   It was another hard day with increasing winds and I was grateful for low level mud to land on, even if all of the sand was still underwater. I listened to the wind all night, as it increased in strength. 

8th March : lock 6 beach to Renmark. The hardest day with 50kms wind gusts and never ending winds. 48 kms in total  mostly in headwinds. I can not do that again. My body is spent. My muscles are hurting and I ended today dangerously dehydrated. 

9th March : a rest day at Renmark and a rethink on distances for the final two weeks of the paddle. I can do the distances IF the wind levels are low. If wind is higher than 15-20 I’m going to have to stay put until the wind levels drop. 

How’s the body? Hands, wrists and fingers hurting like hell. Seriously hurting but I’ve got pain killers and lots of them. At the moment the schedule shows 13 more paddling days. Im at 566kms from the ocean. Now is the time to reflect and plan to guarantee a safe landing on Sugars Beach opposite the entrance to the ocean. 

Tomorrow, will be my last bush camp of this stage before I paddle to Renmark. I’ve already taken advice from Amy Outdoors about where and the likelihood of it actually being a beach - so I have my target. After that, 2 nights in a BED in a cabin so I can do my washing, clean everything (mostly my feet), have showers and actually sit on a TOILET. 

Still here folks, still paddling, I might have done my fair share of screaming at the wind, the river, the lack of landing places - but I’m still here 34 days done, 16 left to go. 

I’m at 656kms from the river mouth - I’ve paddled 1564kms. I’m very tired. My wrists and hands hurt like hell but I’ve broken the back of this now. 

Belsar Island Sand Bar

Monday 21st Feb
1175kms to go. The river isn’t getting any easier and the landing locations are just as challenging. Having said all of that, I’m still on schedule. My body is the worse for wear. My bottom lip is chapped, cracked and bleeding. My heel has the remnants of a blister that will not heal. My left wrist is burned and scabbed. Plus now, an old injury from a motorbike accident, my unheeled left collarbone is grinding and sending shooting pain to my left hand. As long as I don’t hold the paddle shaft tight, there’s no pain (!!!!!!). Tomorrow night I will make it to Robinvale Riverside where I’ve got a cabin with a real bed waiting for me for one night. Hot shower here I come. Putting up and taking down the tent, air bed, sleeping bag and packing, unpacking and stowing everything on the kayak is laborious and repetitive. To have a “night off” is a true treat. 

Finally somewhere to land at lunch time!

Monday 21st Feb

801kms paddled - 1419 to go.

Wednesday 16th Feb
My first full day off from paddling and what a treat - I’m in a cabin courtesy of PENTAL ISLAND CARAVAN PARK. With the river so high and the banks so damaged with fallen trees and mud this is an extreme endurance marathon, not a fun run. I am carrying a satellite connected emergency personal locator beacon & my husband is tracking me via other means. This is not a journey for the untrained or the unfit. At 60 years of age I have trained for over a year to be able to complete this challenge and yet it is still pushing me to my limits. In the words of my beloved grandmother : “never, ever give up”. Help me to help those who probably don’t even yet know they have prostate cancer within their body. A much under funded cancer please help me to help them towards a cure and better care. Please DONATE.

Lockdowns and emergency surgery

Sunday 31st Oct
With lockdowns and border closures, rules and laws which impact movement around Australia, I could never have predicted a delay would be forced by emergency surgery! 

Well my husband Chris was admitted Weds 27th October in order to remove two discs pressing on his spinal cord - the C5/6 and C6/7 discs. Prosthetic pads have been inserted and his spine stabilised with a metal plate screwed in place. He's always had issues with neck pain but who would have predicted this would come to sudden surgery! Over the last month or so he has found his fingers and toes, and finally the pads of his feet have gone completely numb. The consultant surgeon considered this to be an emergency in order to relieve the pressure on his spinal cord before lasting and permanent damage could happen. A week later, he was admitted. 

With a lengthy recovery ahead of us, I have no option but to add a slight delay to the start of the MIGHTY MURRAY PADDLE. The brand new date is FEBRUARY 1st 2022.

We have a farm. We have lots of animals to feed. Feedbags weight between 20 and 30 kilograms. At the moment Farmer Chris is only allowed to lift 2 kilos! You can see the problem. The prognosis however is excellent. We have 3 full months to work on his fitness and strength.

Do not despair - I am 100% committed to the new date.

If you have not already donated - PLEASE donate.

Thank you to my Sponsors

$105.50

Dean Wilson

Such a great effort! Congratulations Glynis

$50

Pauline Merritt

Amazing job Glynis.

$1,000

Tailem Bend Auto Club

“The majority of our members are middle aged to senior men who are at high risk of Prostate cancer. Some of our current members have had or are undergoing treatment for this type of cancer and we have some who have passed members because of it. As a club we want to be involved in helping with the research and break through treatment of this horrid type of cancer.” Michael Holliday on behalf of the Tailem Bend Auto Club committee & members.

$116.05

Lisa Schutz

Glynis, this is such an awesome trip for such a good cause. Jamie is so much missed by so many people - one of so many men who suffer. I wish I could chat to him again. Vale Jamie!

$500

Tailem Bend Progress Association

$52.75

Nathan & Deb Schutz

Congratulations on achieving your goal. Really hope those grubs in the tinny got a visit from the law!

$50

Allie P

My friend Sue Morgan spoke of you and your amazing marathon a month or so ago. I have been watching your Youtube videos since then and although we have never met, I am in awe of what you have achieved. Much respect to you!

$58

Anne Savage

To Jamie and all those gone too soon.

$100

Richard Hancock

$20.88

Madeline Syrette

$104.40

Mr Jeffrey Vasey

Great cause. Fantastic effort

$60.55

Peter Nicolaci

Hi Glynis, well done, a very good cause and commitment from you. I missed you at the Council Meeting re: Amphitheatre but I know you were there in spirit. Fours years ago I discovered I had Bowel Cancer on literally the same day my sister died of a Brain Tumour. We will keep fighting and enjoying life. Best of luck. Pete

$15.66

Val & Vince Elkington

Well done Glynis! You are an amazing human being with unbelievable willpower and incredible compassion. Vince and I are truly proud of you. Lot's of love XX

$20.88

Barbara Hoffman

Well done Glynis raising funds and awareness for such a worthwhile cause. Your hard work is remarkable. Thank you xx

$26.10

Kevin Howard

Good on ya!

$20.88

Mark Davis

Great work.

$10

Annette Carter

Congratulations, well done, good on you, and thank you, so very much for not only the initiative, but having the absolute balls to succeed, i applaud you, respect!!!

$60.55

Elizabeth McGregor

Wonderful achievement Glynis for such a worthwhile cause.

$5.22

Kylie Thorsen

Well done Glynis for an important cause!

$5.22

Anonymous

$515

Wendy Bradshaw & Co

What an incredible journey! We are so proud of the woman you are. your strength, determination and courage to complete this adventure all in the name of bringing value to, remembering & honoring those who have and are enduring this dreaded disease! Well done you! Well done!

$100

Brenton Qualmann

$60.55

Dave Porter

An amazing achievement Glynis. Congratulations.

$104.40

ROBERT GOULD

$20

Judith & Trevor Johnson

$50

Peter & Margaret Squires (Old Tailem Town)

$100

David Buckland

$208.80

Liz Haby

Well done! Crazy trip. Thanks to Julie Rogers for posting what you were up to so we could follow along.

$208.80

Sue Morgan

An outstanding effort dearest friend. Enjoy your well earned rest!

$200

Julie & Murray

Just two more days to go till you hit the finish line. Absolutely awesome effort. Truly a selfless adventure from an inspirational lady

$60.55

Robert Alexander

We're seriously impressed Glynis, well done.

$500

Waikerie Men's Shed

Well done, good effort for a good cause

$10.44

Patrick John McNeill

Well Done - a very good cause.

$110

Lesley Reeve

You are a true inspiration XXX and have made so many people proud xxxx

$20.88

Anne Galliford

$61.60

Louise Long

What an inspirational effort!! Well done

$135

Julie & Murray

43 days done (6 weeks) 270km for week 6 – and just 386km to go. What an extraordinary effort from an extraordinary woman. Not long now and you’ll be home with the menagerie. Keep paddling, stay safe and give that river hell.

$135.72

Marmon Pastoral

Amazing journey and determination. I also lost my dad to prostate cancer.

$20

Steph Lee

$40

Linc : Friends Of Martins Bend

https://www.facebook.com/groups/673503947191045/?ref=share

$110

Marie Peterson

Truly inspirational, you are super woman!

$50

Meta Lambros

My friend Heidi who owns At The Hall cafe in Wellington told me about you and when she read your blog out about your ant night, I was in awe! You've inspired me Glynis on International Women's Day.

$20.88

John, Kylie & Ash

$128

Julie & Murray

35 days done… Week 5 - 256km. 1564km done, 656kms to go. Keep going, you're on the home stretch

$110

Rhonda Mik

$114.84

Jo Payne

Your determination at everything you do is astounding! Thinking of you all the time! x

$131.50

Julie & Murray

28 days done.... Battered, bruised, sunburnt, windblown and sore - but still paddling. All we can do is donate; you’re doing the hard work. Keep going Glynis and paddle through the pain. You’ve got this. Week 4 – 263km | Week 3 – 283km | Week 2 - 368km | Week 1 - 394km | Total for 28 days on the Mighty Murray = 1308km - over half way now.

$141.50

Julie & Murray

21 days done.... Week 1 - 394km - Week 2 - 368km - Week 3 – 283km - Total for 21 days on the Mighty Murray = 1045km. Nearly to the half way mark!!

$68.90

Rene Blanc

Life’s short …. Paddle hard

$60.55

Allison Semmler

Hi G, you are doing an awesome job and am super proud of you! Keep going you can do this.

$60.55

Sharon Rich

You are an inspiring and amazing lady Glynis !

$100

Betty & Mick

$114.84

Sue And Neil Rhodes

What an amazing thing to do!

$170

Pental Island Holiday Park

$62.64

Ross Allan

$184

Julie And Murray Rogers

14 days done.... Week 1 - 394km Week 2 - 368km What an awesome effort from an extraordinary woman.

$26.10

Rene Blanc

$20.88

Robin Roach

You got this Glenn's!!

$20.88

Shirley Drew

Hi Glynis, you are an inspiration. I wish I could give more. You got this. : )

$52.20

A New Dawn Cleaning Services

You’re amazing!!! ❤️🥰

$52.20

Helen Luke

Glynis, I am in awe of your amazing trek. Stay strong, be safe. Prostate cancer has affected my family as well. You are doing something awesome and we are super proud. Helen

$58

Emily Morgan

Go Glynis!

$205.67

Julie And Murray

I know you're hurting, but keep on paddling. 7 days and 394 km - Awesome effort. All good here on the home front. Stay safe.

$10.44

Annie Galliford

You are such an inspiration! You go girl

$114.84

Glenn Howells

$52.20

Mo Johnson

Hello Glynis - as the mother of my scientific doctor son who is research fellow in the Mechanisms in Cell Biology and Diseases Research Group at UniSA and who has been developing early detection markers for prostate cancer for many years (early days yet but possibly not too far away), this specialty is severely underfunded and grants for this sort of research are hard to get as PC is definitely not "fashionable" with those that give the money away. Thank you everyone who has donated and thank you Glynis for raising awareness of this devastating men's disease. Best wishes.

$52.20

Nicholas Zervas

Hi Glynis, thank you and enjoy ! I am a Dragon Boat Paddler ! Love the spirit in you !

$52.20

Linda Longmire

A worthy cause Glynis. My Dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer in December 2007 and passed away in January 2008 I applaud your courage in this challenging adventure ♥️

$100

Rodney & Jenny Bolt

Well done Glynis. More power to you. Cheers.

$60.55

Steve Clark

Thank you for doing this. I am a PC victim myself.

$104.40

Sandra Douglas

Stay safe and Enjoy the adventure ... it is for a great cause

$41.76

Fiona P

$20.88

Anonymous

Go Glynis 🥳

$104.40

At The Hall Cafe

Good luck Glynis, I hope you have smooth paddling all the way :)

$10.02k

Jamie

What your doing is adventurous, brave and generous. Prostate cancer needs more funds for research and this is the leastI can do to help.

$50

Jacki Baldacchino

All the best Glynis! I thank you on behalf of the men in my family that have been affected.

$26.10

David Deane-Freeman

Well.done and good luck. Will see you in Goolwa on your last day!

$26.10

Lynette Fatchen

Good luck, not that you will need you are an awesome inspiring, strong, can do woman.xx

$114.84

Paul Kennedy

$25

Alison Platt

Best of luck with your exciting adventure to raise money for such a great cause (my Dad died of prostate cancer too...).

$25

Jeanette

$25

Jan

$50

Helen (CWA)

$50

A FRiENd ……. ;-)

$108.58

Hazel Dymock

Good luck mate. I know you can do it xx

$26.10

Amy Outdoors

All the best mate! I look forward to hearing how it goes, and well done for the fundraising aspect too.

$50

A & J McPherson

$25

Janine W

You’ve always had the biggest heart..& true Yorkshire spirit !👏

$108.58

Lisa Rowntree

Paddle like the wind G. You've got this :D

$52.20

Pria

What an amazing adventure to add to all your other ones

$100

Elizabeth Huntley

2220kms SOLO kayak trip FFS woman! If it were anyone else I’d say “you’re off your rocker” but I’ve known you all of my life and you are one of only THREE people on my life who DO precisely what they say they’re gonna do. Total INSPIRATION. I’d say good luck but I know you don’t need it so I’ll say “be safe, be seen and don’t ——ing drown you mad fart”. Love always Liz.

$20

Bree GOLDER

$104.40

Mandy And Caro

You are awesome!! Great cause and we are here for you if you need support. As Yoda says, “Do or do not. There is no try”.

$30

Jimwy, Chelsea, Archer And Baby

Save them we must!