My Small Boat

The day began badly. However, by lunchtime, moods had improved. Despite the wind that was blowing too hard for my liking, we hitched Oomoo (on the trailer) to the van and drove to Toogoom.

I spent the 30 kilometres looking anxiously over my shoulder at the ropes holding Oomoo to the trailer. By the time we got to Toogoom, we were all in serious need of lunch before we could continue.

The water at Toogoom was whipped up by the wind - it was rougher than I'd ever seen it. M and Small Brother thought it was still going to be OK. I said I doubted it. Luckily, M asked the lady who was making our lunch, whether there was anywhere better to launch from. She suggested a little boat ramp into Beelbi Creek that was just off the highway. That's where we went.

I would have liked to get a picture of Oomoo first hitting the water, but as soon as I got into the boat, Small Brother shoved me out into the middle of the river. M was left flapping on the bank, shrieking "..but...but...I was going to give her some instructions!!"

My upper arms have the strength of over-cooked pasta - but still, Oomoo wasn't hard for me to row at all. The oars seemed perfectly balanced, and the whole boat was floating beautifully. I pulled back into shore against the current.

M and Small Brother put the outboard motor on the back and climbed aboard. Oomoo sank lower into the water, but held up admirably. After a very quick lesson on 'reverse' and 'forward' we putt-putted our way down the river! Bliss!

There were a few hiccups - mostly with propulsion. After about ten joyful minutes, the little 3.5 Suzuki died, and didn't seem eager to be revived. M struggled with is, while murmuring 'poor little thing' and 'it's the carbie' - but it was all over. Small Brother then demonstrated that all that work he's done on the rowing machine at gym was not in vain. He rowed us back to the launching place.

M rowed us further down the river, and I decided to row us back. Just as we went under the bridge - my rowlock snapped! And it wasn't anything to do with my brute strength - just the dodgy equipment. I'll be going back to the shop on Tuesday! Other than that - Oomoo is a brilliant success!

The First Adventure:- The Launch
	The day began badly. However, by lunchtime, moods had improved. Despite the wind that was blowing too hard for my liking, we hitched Oomoo (on the trailer) to the van and drove to Toogoom. I spent the 30 kilometres looking anxiously over my shoulder at the ropes holding Oomoo to the trailer. By the time we got to Toogoom, we were all in serious need of lunch before we could continue. The water at Toogoom was whipped up by the wind - it was rougher than I'd ever seen it. M and Small Brother thought it was still going to be OK. I said I doubted it. Luckily, M asked the lady who was making our lunch, whether there was anywhere better to launch from. She suggested a little boat ramp into Beelbi Creek that was just off the highway. That's where we went. I would have liked to get a picture of Oomoo first hitting the water, but as soon as I got into the boat, Small Brother shoved me out into the middle of the river. M was left flapping on the bank, shrieking "..but...but...I was going to give her some instructions!!" My upper arms have the strength of over-cooked pasta - but still, Oomoo wasn't hard for me to row at all. The oars seemed perfectly balanced, and the whole boat was floating beautifully. I pulled back into shore against the current. M and Small Brother put the outboard motor on the back and climbed aboard. Oomoo sank lower into the water, but held up admirably. After a very quick lesson on 'reverse' and 'forward' we putt-putted our way down the river! Bliss! There were a few hiccups - mostly with propulsion. After about ten joyful minutes, the little 3.5 Suzuki died, and didn't seem eager to be revived. M struggled with is, while murmuring 'poor little thing' and 'it's the carbie' - but it was all over. Small Brother then demonstrated that all that work he's done on the rowing machine at gym was not in vain. He rowed us back to the launching place. M rowed us further down the river, and I decided to row us back. Just as we went under the bridge - my rowlock snapped! And it wasn't anything to do with my brute strength - just the dodgy equipment. I'll be going back to the shop on Tuesday! Other than that - Oomoo is a brilliant success!