Sorry, we are a bit out of sequence. This was 17th March, 2008 and attempts to show the emotional swings of a day on-the-road.We had limped into Port Augusta during the heat wave, having made it across the Nullabor wilderness successfully only to peter- out of power outside Ceduna. Today the van was to be repaired. We did not know what the problem was and the diagnosis could affect our travels considerably as we now had far too much stuff to carry.
The phone alarm went off at 6.30. as the van had to be at the garage for 8.30. I was warm and comfortable. I noticed that the van was beginning to get warm as the sun burned through the glass and metal. I went off to the shower block then came back to have some cornflakes, sitting in the gazebo. The atmosphere was tense and we were sharp with one another. There was an air of gloom. We could put it off no longer! We began the task of taking the gazebo down. The heat was increasing and the flies began annoying us by constantly flying into our faces. We rolled up the net covers. My clean clothes were covered in red dust! My sandaled feet were already dusty too, in fact, they never felt clean. I had only showered and dressed half an hour before!
Lee headed for the garage, with the casualty, and I headed with our day-bag to the recreation room. I was to wait for him to come back.I headed for the swimming pool. It was warm and I was not joined by the fat, bright beetle that had insisted on joining me the day before, thankfully. I rescued a small dragonfly and floated around in the sun. After 15 minutes I went off to listen to the news. Lee arrived back after walking back from the garage. He looked hot and cross.We were both tense in case it was declared a wreck! Nothing was said. We head off for the town, leaving the pass key in reception. I took pictures of the sparkling waters of the port as we crossed the bridge. It felt strange without the van,incomplete; just us two and a bag.
The sun was relentless and the walk into town was long. I had used my mobile to book our computers in the library for 11am. We were only five minutes early. I uploaded pictures and Lee did his blog. We forgot about the van.The library was cool and quiet, the ladies were very helpful. For once the Internet was free! Lee was frantically tapping away.
At 1pm we headed out to ring about the van. It was ready! The pipes had been cleaned, a section of exhaust replaces and she was ready to roll! We were very relieved. The garage we had bought the petrol from had low tanks and the subsequent build up of condensation had caused the problem. It had not been as bad as we had expected and we had not lost our full tank of petrol either. I bought a blouse to celebrate as we headed into the town center. I was beginning to feel less tense.
We had an awful lunch in the Peppermint Cafe, then Lee walked back, in the scorching sun, to collect the van. I joined the RAC, via a number that a wonderful Aussie guy had given us at the campsite, while I waited for him to return. We then made our way to Big W to return our fridge that wasn't a fridge, but a cooler, a whistling kettle that didn't and the electrical flex that was 10watts instead of 15watts. They changed everything without a fuss. We bought an electrical kettle and an Esky, (cool-box. This was an exciting innovation. Maybe we could have some cold beers now???? We also bought some proper tent guy-ropes and pegs for the gazebo in an attempt to stop it continually trying to transform into a hot-air balloon!! We even got ice.
We set off happily for the nearby Port Piri, safe in the knowledge that the van was okay and hopeful that life on the road would become a bit easier with our purchases. The sun was at 40 degrees now and it is 3.45.
We arrived at the beach campsite at 5.30. It looked a bit forlorn.The van seemed okay though and the thought of a cold beer upon arrival spurred me on. Port Piri is a small industrial town, known for its iron smelter! Not promising, but on our route and as far as we wanted to go for that day. We arrive with a cheerful Greek family from Melbourne. We all set up camp. As we were only staying one night we decided not to bother with the gazebo. We had a cup of tea and I went off for a shower. The Greek grandfather was wandering off after his shower, heading in the wrong direction. His granddaughter whistled him back!
As the sun was setting we set out for the town to find the fish and chip shop. A screeching car passed us and headed along the beach road as we walked back.We could hear it in the background as we reached our van. We returned with our tea but as we sat down we felt a million tiny pin-pricks on our skin-the place was alive with mosquitoes!!!! We could not sit still!!!We could have passed an Irish dancing competition without trying.
Lee pulled the van off the grass and on to the nearby tarmac. This was better. We sat and watched the Greek grandfather trying to open the ladies shower room with his key. We wondered whether to tell him. His wife appeared from around the corner. We left them to it. The night sky was glorious. I can pick out the Southern-Cross, from the Australian flag, and the milky way is an awesome sight without the usual light pollution, however, we were beaten by the mosquitoes. We sprayed the insides of the van and retired for an early night.It was not as hot as I had imagined and the little fan did a brilliant job. I did get up in the night. Once again, the sky was awesome but my wonder was short lived when I spotted a million mosquitoes dancing under a street lamp. I quickly hopped back into the van and shut the door firmly.
When we talked to the Greek family the next morning they had all been bitten a lot so they had decided to move on. The grandfather had been trying to get his wife's shower room key to work but had been unsuccessful. I had gained 37 fabulous bites and was glad to head to Mount Gambia, at the far eastern side of South Australia.
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