Jen and I met Robin and Jacqui early one morning in 2009, in a Darwin hotel reception, waiting to be collected by our "Crocodile Dundee" guide for a three day trip round the Northern Territories National Parks. We were expecting to be part of a larger group but as it turned out there were just the four of us with Dave, our guide, in a Toyota Landcruiser. Recipe for disaster? On the contrary, as I am sure anyone who knew Robin could have told us.
He was a person that it would have been impossible to take an instant dislike to, ditto Jacqui. Friendly, intelligent, interesting, full of fun and a good raconteur: the three days were a total delight. Heading into the outback our first lunch was beside a pleasant tropical river. Our guide prepared lunch as we sat at a picnic table admiring the riverbank scenery. Dave shouted " if you see any croc's don't worry unless they start heading towards the bank." In no time at all a very large Croc could be seen swimming up and down the centre of the river, edging ever closer to our side of the bank. Those who knew Robin will appreciate the philosophical element of the debate that followed as to how close we should let the beast get to us before we ran back through the bush, to the safety of the Toyota screaming "Croc!" Fortunately a bunch of locals appeared on the other side of the bank about 100 yards downstream and the Croc moved off towards them.
Another highlight of our trip was to swim in a pool similar to the one Crocodile Dundee lured Linda Kozlowski into in the film. This involved a long trudge through the bush in 45 degree temperatures. During the walk our guide told Robin and I that in past days Aboriginals lived in dread of swimming in the inland pools for fear of the Big Crocs getting stuck there after the rainy season was over. Their solution was to get their wives to swim in the pools first. We had great delight in not telling J & J and persuading them to enter the water first. As the picture we posted shows we had a great time.
Robin and I shared many of the same interests and conversation never flagged, whether we were discussing Sport, Work, Chocolate Wars, German Engineering. Beer, Shopping, Ladies Shoes etc. We shared so many stories of our different life experiences and since returning from Australia have kept in touch by email, meeting up for an occasional meal as our travels took us up and down the country. His consoling remarks on Aston Villa's latest disaster were always much appreciated.
Robin was a very straightforward, honest man and in a strange way I was honoured that he chose to tell me of his diagnosis almost immediately he had it. He faced the prospect courageously and embarked on his treatment positively. He told me that the Doctors said that by the Median outcome it would be touch and go that he would get to see Christmas. Blew that out of the water then! Rest in Peace Robin.