It was a real plus staying at our first location for a couple of months. Getting used to the van was important and we were constantly fine tuning our routines We also decided we needed to road test all our camping equipment. The Murray River was only 70 klms from where we were staying. There was a lull in between the apricots and the pears so we left the van, packed the car fridge and headed up  to Cobram on the border with NSW for a few days. Finding a spot in the middle of the school holidays was proving tricky. We were following a map and each time it was packed. Amazingly, we spotted an indentation in the shoreline, followed our nose and found a sliver of tranquility on an otherwise cluttered shoreline.
For all intents and purposes, we were alone. Well, apart from the passing speed boats, jet skis and fisherman types, we were alone. We had the usual teething problems on our first set up but avoided throttling each other. Check out our little piece of paradise.
On the last but one day, a couple and their teenage son set up an elaborate camp on a flat area above our site. We followed strict protocol and invited them down for drinks by the campfire. A special shout-out to Paul and Michele Tabone. A lovely couple whom we hope to see again on the road.
WORKING FOR THE MAN
Doc, approached me a few weeks after we arrived at Broken Creek with an offer. Free rent in return for odd jobs around the place, and to run the camp while they took a precious few days off. How could I refuse? It was a hoot! Had a great time driving a serious tractor, doing the meet and greet with new arrivals and a lot of yard work. Also got me a couple of days off the fruit, which was welcome.
DOWN FOR THE COUNT
Tamika also got a few less welcome days respite at the end of January. She did herself an injury after the Australia day weekend, a slight tear in the right knee meniscus. At the same time I was starting to feel stiff and sore in the left elbow area. Pears need to be twisted off and we were going hard. Four bins a day became five and then one day we did six. We were paying a terrible price that was extracted later by doctors, osteopaths, acupuncturists, exotic balms and pain killers. We were over it. It was time to have some fun.