There are many ways for people to escape life’s often mundane activities, some hook the van on and head to warmer climates, others traverse the globe to far flung destinations. These three couples decided to do it in style, sailing down the mighty Murray.
Two local couples, David and Anne Laughlin and Colin and Linda Bray, joined former locals, Iggy and Rhonda Mays, embarking on a six-week trip down to Wellington.
The Laughlin’s vessel was recently manufactured in Barham by HMF Pty Ltd, and this is its first overnight trip.
“We have had little day trips, but this is the first overnight trip away,” said skipper David.
“We’re going to Wellington and we’ll see what the weather is like. If the weather is good, we might wander out into the big expanse of the lake.”
The lake, Lake Alexandrina is Australia’s only fresh water estuary, despite a long history of first nations, early explorers and settlers’ accounts, former fishing industries and scientific evidence, and of course, being directly connected to the Southern Ocean.
“I think it has to be very, very good conditions before you can venture out.”
While the Laughlin’s home afloat was manufactured by Jarrod and his team, it also has some family touches.
“We’ve got remodelled office desks from David’s office into the kitchen by our son, Bob,” said Anne.
“We have the security system done by our son, Tom.”
Without an office desk to return to, it seems a life on the water may be the future for the Laughlins.
This article appeared in The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper, 31 August 2023.
