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Guess What? You'll never believe it...
The stars have aligned, fate is smiling on us again, and all is right with the world. It's the most wonderful day of the trip so far, better even than Mother's Day or any of the birthdays. It should be declared a national public holiday...
PIXIE IS BACK!! YES, YOU HEARD RIGHT, PIXIE IS BACK !!
Insert Star Wars theme, or Indiana Jones theme, or Rocky theme, or whatever it is that makes the hairs stand up on the back of your neck, cause our baby has come home and the relief and sense of freedom that gives us is absolutely liberating, and our joy is palpable... All bets are off, this changes everything!
And, like all good stories...
The day began like any other of the last couple of days. We dragged ourselves out of bed, reminding ourselves to be positive and affirmative about the day, and to go out and do most of the things we said we would. I started cooking bacon and eggs on the park BBQ, while the kids and Jo all had showers and so forth, and then we normally talk about what would happen during the day. I was deep in thought, but not so deep that the bacon would crisp out, (there's nothing worse than too dry, too crispy bacon), when Jo and Jeremy came rushing over from the van. She asked me what was the name of that pillar thing that I'd mentioned I wanted to see, and automatically, I responded "Chambers Pillar, but we can't get to it without a 4wd!" (We've been through all this! Why don't you bloody listen?) "Well", she says, "would you like to go see it?" About now, I start to get a little bit cranky, as it's depressing constantly having to talk about what you can't do any more, but I try not to let it show... "Jesus!! Don't you blood listen? How many times do you have to be told we can't go there in a hire car, we need a 4wd, and in case you've forgotten, ours is stuffed!!" (Ok, I probably wasn't too successful not letting my anger show...)
It was then that she smiled. A sly, secretive, "I know something you don't" kind of a smile... "Would you like to go and see it?" Ok, this time I stop and take notice. Even she's not that silly to ask again, there's something going on... She can see my mind ticking over, she'd probably tell you she could hear it... "The dealer called. The car's ready to collect. It's been fixed and we can have it back." I'm quite sure I didn't hear her correctly, so the natural question... "What did you say?"..."We can pick the car up today, they've fixed it!"..."What? How? What was wrong?"..."I don't know all that, I didn't even ask, cause I knew I wouldn't understand, and you'll ask them when we go..." (She's really a good girl!)
So that's what we do, that's the plan for the day! We head back into town in our comfortable, zippy, functional, brand new Ford Territory hire car, which I don't love, and I now can't wait to get rid of. But before we go and collect our older, slower, less showy, but totally adored and much missed Pajero, we promised Jeremy we would attend the free didgeridoo lessons put on in a music theatre every morning at 10.30. He was really good, and managed quite a few of the basic notes and sounds that are required, but Dylan and I were hopeless. Jeremy bought himself a didgeridoo afterwards, as the guy said there's no rules, you can teach yourself and just practice. As I write this, he's watching didgeridoo lessons on Youtube... Luckily, we have earphones... Then, barely able to contain ourselves with excitement, we headed over to the dealer to take possession of Pixie...
Guess what? There's more good news... The problem was a simple malfunctioning sensor, which caused the DPF to register an issue, which flashed the engine code and created the 'limp home' issue. Swap the sensor, clear the DPF and engine code, and all's good, we're back on our way... At least, that's what they told us. More good news? Nothing to pay!! A waranty job, under Mitsubishi's 5 year warranty. Even though we've had exhaust mods done etc, they fixed it under warranty. When I asked how they'd done it so quickly, the service manager said he saw it sitting there saturday morning, had nothing to do, so he threw it on the diagnostics machine to see if it was a quick and easy fix... And it was!! How about that? Now our luck's back in...
Not only that, but it was my bet in the work 'punters club' this week, and I won. I picked the winning horse, and get another go next week. Some nag called "Black Caviar" (stupid name for a horse), and it came home first... Apparently, it does that quite alot!! Made $52 from my $50 bet... They'll be so proud of me back at work, bet I'm the talk of the town...
So, what now? Decisions to make, plans to finalise, and everything's possible again. We've decided we're driving to Kings Canyon tomorrow, to spend a night. Then we're heading to Glen Helen Gorge, around the Mereeni Loop for another night, and returning to base camp on Thursday. After that, we might do a bit of exploring around the East Macdonnell Ranges, and head out of Alice on Saturday... Then, it's make up lost time. A couple of places will be dropped from two nights back to one night, and we'll probably shorten our stay in Cooktown. We'll see what happens. We've got our car back!!
The footnote of the day: We've returned one hire car a day early, and cancelled the next car. We took the offensive little piece of troublesome rock from our center console, and stuck it in an envelope with a note, and posted it back to Coober Pedy, where we hope the people there will return it to the Moon Plains on our behalf. As far as superstition is concerned, and Karma, and all that hippy, alternate, mystic crap, we've done the best we can to right the wrong... It's all about intent, isn't it?
Here's hoping the blog gets boring from here on in...
- comments
Cranky Aunty Min Not talking to you :-P
Ginny I think your number plate letters BL now stand for Bloody Lucky instead of Bloody Lovely. Very good news guys and I'm sure Pixie is glad to get home as well. She can now show you the rest of Oz. Love the photo of you Pete with the car, I don't think I have ever seen someone so happy to be with his car but I'm sure there are other guys out there that would react to the news you have been given. Men and their cars!! Lucky you've got a wife who knows how to handle you otherwise you might of found yourself sleeping in the annex for a few nights. Are we going to have sound proof Jeremy's bedroom when you get home? And I don't just mean the walls, I mean the floor as well because his room is directly under the laundry in the office. Just might drive a few of us crazy if you know what I mean. Only jocking, you go for it Jeremy and I'm sure with all the practise you put in while your away you'll be a professional by the time you get home. Once again have fun, stay safe and big hugs to all of you this time even Pixie. Love T&G
Ginny Need to edit my last message. Jeremy's room is directly above, not below the laundry. I always check that I have not left a work out etc but I always manage to miss something.
Michelle Barrois Just drove back from Central Coast Just read the last couple of Blogs out loud to Pete driving down the Hume Hyway LOL all up to date So Lucky :) Welcome back Pixie :)
Ginny I always check to see if I have left a word out, not a work out. See I managed to stuff it up again. Bloody hopeless!!
Michelle East I still have the Rocky theme playing in my head! Awesome news.
Sandra Brandon Hi guys, I really, really have been checking your blog, last time was Soverign hill...sorry, but for some reason my computer was bit slow on the uptake and I mean slowwww. So, I got frustrated when it wouldn't show me photo's or let me comment. But now, I have just updated myself with your travels, trials and tribulations... Bahaha, sorry...I can laugh now because your back on track star's have aligned for you. Jo, you what?? so glad you posted the rock back to good old coober pedy....you are bringing back so many memories for Steve and I and we hope the rest of your trip goes without any hitches. I remember the first day we arrived at McDonald Ranges Big 4...we couldn't get out of bed because it was so, so cold and then we heard they had pancakes on for breakky. That was it and we were up and at it...and that was the first year they were trialing it out. Have to get the photo's out. Oh, forgot this is your blog..Lol...will leave you too it, but just remember. We at least called our Nissan, Eric the grunt...and the old car is still going strong. have fun...luv S&S xoxox