Well, that was interesting
Trip Start
Dec 23, 2011
1
2
13
Trip End
Jan 15, 2012
Where I stayed
Narrandera Caravan Park
Narrandera, New South Wales, Australia
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Had a very relaxing time at the caravan park just outside of Bendigo. The kids had a jumping pillow, games room and pool to keep them quiet, and Clair & I had booze. We had a couple of thunderstorms with very little rain, but on the whole the weather was fine. Christmas Day we did the whole roast dinner thing, roast ham & spuds in the barbecue, roast turkey in the camp kitchen oven. Way too much as per usual, and I reckon we'll be eating cold meets for the next fortnight.
Popped into Bendigo on Boxing Day for the sales, to buy a few bits & pieces for the van, but in general we have most of the things we need. Jordan would like to start sleeping outside in a tent (she's currently inside the van on the sofa), but Nathan has refused to let her inside his tent on account of the snoring.
Anyhow, packed up this morning for the 370km trip to Narrandera in NSW. I'd already filled up the car with diesel the day before, so didn't bother again. Drove the first couple of hours, then stopped for a pub lunch in Deniliquin, before setting off again. A few Km out of Narrandera I mentioned to Clair that the car seemed to lose power a little, but then it picked up again. Made it up a hill, but then it cut out again, this time completely. Cruised to a halt at the side of the road, ironically right next to a sign that "Narrandera Caravan Park - 1km on right". Yes, the same caravan park that we were due to be staying at !
Called the RACV (the NRMA in NSW), who told us that the Territory wasn't covered on Clair's policy. So I checked the books in the car, and confirmed I had 12 months cover from Ford. Ford saif it sounded like the alternator & called the NRMA, who said they'd send someone within 60 minutes. 5 minutes later, a bloke called Brent called, said he was in Narrandera, and he would be with us in 5 minutes. He wasn't much later than that. I described the symptoms ("a bit like running out of fuel"), and he suggested we try some diesel. And of course, it worked. And yes, I felt stupid, but in my defence, I still had around an eighth of a tank left, and the trip computer said 108Km to empty. He explained that this was likely due to me towing a caravan, as the car effectively estimates the fuel remaining. Progress my arse !
Anyway, we got to the caravan park a little later. The kids were in the pool about 5 minutes after we arrived. We left the van hitched to the car as it's only a quick overnight stop, before an 8 hour drive to Gunnedah tomorrow.
Comments
Sounds like youre having a ball -
hope the rest goes as well!!