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Happiness Is The Road
It had been lovely in Venus Bay with the pelicans but the mozzies had got me in the night and it was raining when I got up. The forecast though was for hot and sunny weather later. I got packed up and ready to go and started the camper's engine. It started but then stalled. I thought nothing of it and turned the ignition again. It started but sounded a bit juddery. I drove to the reception and handed in my ablutions key and all was okay now. I started the engine again and all was normal and fine. I set off in the direction of Coffin Bay which was my intended destination. I got about 5 k's away from Venus Bay when the engine jolted and lost some power. It did it again straight after so I pulled over and the engine then stalled, it wouldn't restart!!! I decided that the best plan of action was to keep calm in a crisis. I am pleased to say that I managed to keep to this plan perfectly. This is something that I may have struggled to do in the past. Luckily though I realised that the back of the van wasn't full of ******* parcels that all needed delivering today! This took the pressure off. I was in no hurry and had all day to sort this. It was only half ten. I checked my phone first. Luckily and much to my relief I had a signal. I then got all my paperwork for the van and phoned the RAA breakdown people. They said that they would send somebody and that they would be with me in about an hour. They also informed me much to my amazement that since I had only standard cover, and that I had broken down in a remote area, I had a $160 excess to pay! Whilst I was waiting I phoned Travellers Autobarn about this excess. They said it was correct and that an excess is applied only in remote areas. I told them that I was annoyed about his as they hadn't told me about there being an excess and also that it wasn't mentioned in any of their forms or leaflets. I let it go for now but will probably write to them about it later. At about quarter to twelve I had a phone call from the recovery guy checking exactly where I was. He was with me five minutes later. I explained what had happened and he reckoned it was the fuel pump that was faulty. He said that he'd get me back to his garage where one of the mechanics could have a look. He had been called out from Streaky Bay so back to Streaky it was then! He was a really nice guy and I had a good chat with him on the hours drive to the garage. He said that I was lucky to get a phone signal as the coverage is sporadic in that area. Once at the garage a mechanic called Martin, a Manchester United fan would you believe!, came to have a look. He said it was definitely the fuel pump but it may just be electrical or a blown fuse and that a new pump might not be needed. After a lot of tinkering it was decided that a new pump would be needed though. The cost of this was $400 plus $180 labour. I had bought a warranty policy when I got the camper. I had cover for up to $300 for fuel pumps so I rang the warranty company. They agreed that they would contribute $300 to the cost which was good. All the guys at the garage, Crowders Tyre Service, were really nice, I had a bit of a laugh with them and they looked after me well. As a new fuel pump had to be delivered overnight I asked them if I could sleep in the camper in their yard. I had already clocked that their toilet was outside and didn't lock so I could use this. This wasn't a problem at all, so no camp site fees tonight. At least this would offset some of the cost! On the downside today I've had a frustrating day and I'm £300 down. On the upside I've met some lovely people and got to see Streaky again, which is a great place. It could have been so much worse as I could have broken down on the Nullarbor or on a road without any phone coverage. The predicament then would have been a whole lot more challenging! I've just been super chilled about the whole thing as this stuff happens and is just part of the adventure. I had a walk round Streaky at about 5pm and took a photo of the main street without a car on it. There is no rush hour here and the pace of life is just great. All the guys at the garage had lived here most of their lives and wouldn't live anywhere else. They didn't like the big city. They said I'd be fine in their yard as Streaky didn't have crime and people there very rarely lock their doors, such is the safe nature of the place. I needed some food comfort tonight and I really fancied a pizza as I'd not had any since leaving for Australia. I wandered over to a pizza takeaway that I'd noticed earlier and ordered a huge BBQ Chicken one with the works. I devoured it with a couple of VB's. It was a great end to the day. I chilled in the van and watched the beautiful red dusk sky and then watched an electrical storm come in. No thunder or rain just a wondrous display of lightning flashes in the sky. I had a very peaceful night at the garage. In fact this place was better than a couple of the camp sites I've stayed on! Went to sleep and had lovely dreams whilst my new fuel pump winged it's way across the night time bush. Nite nite.
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