Day Twenty - July 26th, 2013
Noosa

We were up and showered early this morning to drive the 60km south to Australia Zoo. Unfortunately, as is becoming a reoccurring theme with the Landy, we didn't make it that far. Even after all the work and the full service, it was clear the original problem had not been properly addressed.
We were a bit miffed to say the least; we have been looking forward to getting to the zoo for a while, but had no choice to pull off the motorway and wait for the engine to cool. We had other motorists stop and ask if they could be of assistance, but we ignited if we kept the heat on high inside the car, and drove no faster than 80kph we could nurse it the 25km back to Noosa.

We did just that, and headed for the garage. As they saw us pull in, a mechanic came out and we ran him through the problem. He said we should bring it in again on Monday, and he would order a new thermostat. We heeded his instructions, but after a conversation with Angus (my step-dad and car guru), we decided they weren't completely competent in dealing with our problem (they hadn't even checked the thermostat, so how could they say a new one needed to be ordered?). We found a radiator specialist (very near by our original garage) and after picking up the bikes from the campsite, took it in there.

These guys (touch wood) seem to know what the problem is. They ran a few tests (one of which sent green coolant gushing over the floor) and told us they could start looking at it today. Most probably, the radiator needs cleaning or even replacing. It is a 1997 Discovery with the original radiator, and commonly clog up. They seemed very fair and honest, and said a new one would cost almost as much as a clean, but they would do their best to save it as it would run fine after being properly restored. He asked us where we were headed on our travels, and assured us we have a great car to do it in. Phew.

We were glad we picked up our bikes, as it meant we could speedily get back to Main Beach and Hastings Street. Keen not to waste the day, we had our sandwiches looking at the ocean (and observing a wedding party have their photos taken) before heading into Noosa Heads National Park. The walk was lovely, and just what we wanted to stretch our legs. We felt we had seen a bit more of the 'real' Noosa after taking both the costal road and the forest path.

We headed back to the campsite in our bikes for a little snooze and then Elly jumped on his bike and I went for a run. We made it back just as the sun was going down, and decided it would be safer to walk to Wooly's as neither of us have lights on our bikes. Spaghetti and meatballs tonight's supper (veggie ones for me), and some peanut-butter chocolate. There was quite a rowdy group in the camp kitchen - of the middle aged variety. It looked like they were having a super reunion, and told us they come back every year. This really is a special place!