So long since I posted last and so much has happened. When I left you last we were waiting to hear news on how long it would take the mechanic to fix the Minibago. I’ll probably say it again, but I’ll say it now, thank goodness for NRMA Premium Road Service membership. We took it out before we left “just in case” and, boy, did we end up needing it. For an extra $56 over and above our normal road service fee we got $3000 worth of services while on the road and we needed every cent of it.
Firstly, it paid for having the Minibago towed from Fraggle Rock to Carmila. It paid for 4 nights of accommodation in the brand new motel in town while we waited on parts and repairs.
Unfortunately, while the parts did arrive, our mechanic was unable to fix the van. The harmonic balancer had twisted on its centre bearing throwing the timing out and almost certainly causing considerable damage to the top end of the motor and the valve gear in the process. However, in order to find out just what damage had been done and whether it could be fixed, the harmonic balancer first had to be fitted and the motor timed up again. Here is where not only my mechanic, but the VW specialists at both Mackay and Rockhampton hit the wall. The balancer should have timing marks on it so that TDC could be determined but is doesn’t and no amount of jiggery pokery could solve the problem.
So, Rob had to admit defeat and out adventure was brought to a premature end. Remember I talked about Premium Membership? Well, NRMA also paid for our air fares from Mackay back to Sydney AND for getting the Minbago picked up and brought home. As that expense alone was $2300, we will have to pay about $200 extra. We would have been totalled screwed without it.
So, we got home late last Friday night. We could only bring a minimum of stuff home as we were flying so the bulk of our gear is still in the van, but anyway, we made it.
It only took a few hours for me to start feeling cheated that our grand adventure had been curtailed so, come Monday morning, the car was loaded with some more stuff and we were off again! It’s now Friday afternoon and we’ve been up the north coast as far as Port Macquarie, across to Walcha up the magnificent Oxley Highway to Armidale and back down the New England to Scone where we are staying tonight.
We’ve had such a great time and it is helping to compensate for the abrupt end to the big tour. Today I did a lot of exploring around Aberdeen and Muswellbrook, both towns that have a strong connection to my family history. We found the little graveyard on Dartbrook where most of my ancestors are buried. It’s a bit run-down at the moment so a working bee to bring it back to good condition is required.
This simple brass plaque records the family of my late grandfather and grandmother. Richard Graves was my dad.
This afternoon we visited St Heliers House, now owned by the Department of Corrective Services. This magnificent house is where my dad was brought after his birth in Sydney in 1911 and where he spent much of his childhood.
It was a real privilege to be allowed to explore the house which is not normally open to the public.
Tomorrow we start heading home. There is still nearly a month before Helena has to go back to work so, who knows, we might just hit the road again.
Till next time, stay safe.
jeffb says
Glad all worked out well-especially the NRMA. What a recommendation! Hope the van can be fixed at not too much expense and you and Helena can get a few more days travel whilst she on holidays. Let me know when you’re home and we might grab a lunch together somewhere (a day when Bernadette free). Stay well. Jeff
Phil Hall says
Thanks, mate, yeah a big disappointment but it could have been a lot worse. Yes, we must get together for coffee and a chat. Send me your phone number (I lost all my contact list a few months ago) 0413626660. 🙂
ozemarketeer says
Salutations and commiserations, laughter and tears . . . What an adventure! And what a lesson in Life! I truly enjoyed the travelogue, the mystery, the intrigue . . . Given the problems based on forked tongue mechanics and their warlords, to finding the Professor (my interpretation of The Doctor) and finally the missing TDC markings. Wow! And now, you and Helene are off and at it again. Who said retired life was a walk in the park? Best of British with the MB, your leg and Helene’s remaining time on holidays. I wish you both good health and grand adventures. Cannot wait until the second chapter is in print.