MONDAY 6 - THURS 9.10.2014: The pack headed for 7 Oaks, a privately owned property 19km out of Inverell to fossick for sapphires and camp in the bush. We met the owner Peter as we drove in the gate and he provided us with two instructions, "look for Bob a man with a beard, and oh, take the road slowly down to camp it's a bit rough." It was a 2km drive down to the bush camp which took us 30 minutes to complete - bit rough, it would have to be the worst road we have encountered!
Carole has discovered Fossicker's Paradise - fall out of bed and walk 50 metres to start your fossicking day. Mind you, by Day 4 it was a case of collapse out of bed due to exhaustion! We found Bob and his 'staffie' dog Bill - not difficult. Bob is 'sorta' the caretaker and will instruct you on how to find your fortune. 
Had planned on a three night stay, but as one knows Peel and Turner can make any situation competitive and fossicking is no different. Labourer Sybil was dutifully filling the buckets with river wash and noticed a rather large sapphire specimen. The find was reported to Fossicker Carole who confirmed its authenticity. We are now staying an extra day so that the "serious" fossicker can find a larger gem! Did not happen - Decision: biggest stone - Sybil, best quality stone - Carole (Carole's adjudication).
Irony of the stay - Fossicker Peel and another couple were the only ones working. The couple sought advice from Carole so the process was explained. First turn - nice sapphire that went unnoticed so Carole pointed it out. Carole had not had one chip all morning!
As always there were many highlights:
Junior Farmer Peel again provided our camp fire ambience.
We watched "a total eclipse of the moon" and managed out of fifty shots to actually capture the event! One negative - the burrs! The daily de-burring of the poodles - those good old fashioned round burrs with spikes that work their way to the skin. We slowly made our way back to the main road, but not before picking up two bags of virgin wash to take home for 'THE' fossicker to 'play' with!
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