We knew we had a big day as Josh wished to film the arrival at Hells Gates as well.
The dinghy was prepared the night before so as not to wake the rest of the crews.Tere was stirring noises at 6am.
The dinghy crew departed a little after.We dozed back of but soon the blog got the better of me so I finished it off then snoozed for a bit longer.
We noticed after a while the radio receiving noises but no transmission,bugger I wonder if they are in strife and need help.I went over to Garth and got him to put his radio on as his mast is a lot higher and may get a signal.One problem was we were using channel 13 which I believe is a short range one.VHF radio is almost line of sight so is notoriously unreliable in a gorge like the river here is.
Well I thought Ben is resourceful enough to send me an SOS on the radio if he is in real trouble,these transmissions were only brief,not like a message.I said we will give them another half hour and then put Garth's dinghy in off my flybridge and go and look for them.About twenty minutes later they showed up full of what they had seen.
We think the transmission button must have been bouncing around in the holder we made for the dinghy.Should either lock it or turn it off if not required.
All crew back now for breakfast,up early so things starting to move.Garth needed to get going so we loaded the drone with Ben,Gary and Gilly into the dinghy and sent them over to Warner's Landing on the other side of the river.
The farmers on Solquest and Josh on Masterpiece.We cast Garth off and he motored off down river with the drone hovering above him.
Next we cast off and picked them up in the dinghy to follow and take some boat to boat shots.
Gilly and Josh on the foredeck again.Gilly was keen to get some mist photos but the river would not produce any for a while.Down to the big boulder in the river,still no mist.
We were approaching the Marbled Cliffs and Gilly wanted a shot set up where we waited around the corner and moved slowly up river as they came down,us to play chicken almost with them.
I called Garth and informed him of the plan and made sure we would pass green to green,no accidents required.Well it went a treat the background was stunning.
We turned and followed them for a while and when Gilly was happy we went alongside and retrieved the farmers as we had more filming to do up at the waterfall.Garth continued on his way.
Back up to the jetty to finish the shots.
We had just tied up when the seaplane went over,watch up river I said he will be in here soon.
A bit of an anticlimax as he landed quite a long way up the river.
Had a talk to the young pilot while his passengers,a cane farmer and his family from Queensland,The rest went down the little track to film the old hut and small beach,chattering away as they do.
The family returned and were suitably impressed ,the pilot shoehorned them into the plane and they went up river to take off.It is always impressive to see them come roaring down the gorge and as they go past at full tilt bank as they take off.This time the farmer was quite large and I think the load was about the maximum the plane could take.
We saw him twice more during the afternoon around the harbor.We sent a video of him taking off to the office in the hope the cane farmer might get it.
Heard voices as the farmers and crew moved up to the waterfall to finish up.
Ben fed the mob and we started off to catch Solquest.
They watched the scenery for a while but when I looked after a while they were all sound asleep.
Tiring business this,we are all getting tired,it has been quite a long job.Not long to go now.
However it is always interesting with plenty to do.
Took Toby to Strahah to his van and got the required stuff for cook ups on Solquest .They went ashore for half an hour,most up to the icecream shop.The other plane arrived with the young pilot giving us a wave as he escorted his passengers ashore.He told us it is his last day here as he is off the Broome tomorrow to fly seaplanes out to the horizontal falls for the season.
He hopes he might get a job flying the Beavers in Hobart next year.Only workers up north in the dry season.
Left Strahan for the last time with all except Rod ,Toby and Garth on board to catch up to Solquest waiting in Pilot Bay to film the arrival.Transferred all except Josh.The did a bit of pottering around before heading for the breakwater .we followed getting some shots of them with the lighthouses in the background.Quite calm and at high tide no current to speak of.
We went along side and retrieved our crew and headed for Double Cove for the night.
Really a bit far as we are due to leave early next morning for Hibbs Pyramid.
Arrived at dark and had some special snags Josh had bought to try.
Into the bunk early .
The boy from Brissy answers Mathews challenge and jumps in.Much mirth,not any warmer than yesterday!
Brilliant reflections,I bet Gilleys shots will be excellent.He has really enjoyed the experience up the river.This one only with my IPad .
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