If its not one thing…..

Hello again,
Well circumstances have forced me to stay still lol but there is always a silver lining. As my bus is unable to be driven while I wait for the part she needs (story in the following paragraphs lol), I have no excuse not to keep up with my blogging amongst other chores I have put to the side.
You see I drove to the laundromat to wash my clothes, thankfully only a once a week chore. Parked and put the washing in the washing machine, then took Frankie for a walk. I always time it so I am back just about on time for the washing machine to beep its conclusion and quickly whip it into the dryer. All good so far… I relaxed with a cuppa and checked out my fb page, replying where needed as I waited for the 25 minute cycle to finish. Next was the packing up and putting away of said clean clothes and then I jumped into driver’s seat. Key in lock and a brief pause while the glow plugs warmed up; I turned the key, the lights on the dash all lit up but not the motor sigh. I tried a few more times and then gave up. I was after all in a roadside service that was attached to my insurance company.
Sighing with frustration, I got out my card and called the number listed. What did I get in return? “This number is no longer in use as the company has closed” grrrrrrrrr
I could have screamed I tell you! It was a Sunday on the long weekend so I was really annoyed, knowing it was going to be a ‘journey’ to get another company to come out. I couldn’t stay where I was, it had a time limit on it and besides, it was across from the pub which was bound to get rowdy that night. I was not confident that all the patrons would leave me alone so I gritted my teeth and called NRMA …. I had been with them before and I was fairly confident they would sign me up on the spot, which they did. However it being a public holiday I got nailed for an extra $206 on top of the membership fee lol
Well fortunately I had that in the bank so I reluctantly agreed, having no bloody choice really. The technician came out about an hour later and rebooted the battery. You see my 7 metre bus does not take kindly to stop/starting around town for a couple of weeks, it has a tendency to flatten the battery. Having had it do that to me once, I should have taken her for a long run but I forgot didn’t I … and with the price of diesel, the taking of any unnecessary trips are not somethiing I am keen to do. I will in future remember though as its getting somewhat ridiculous. … and huge thumbs down to the roadside service I had paid for that did not iniform me it would no longer be operating 🙁
You would think that would be the end of my troubles now, wouldn’t you? Not bloody likely lol…..
For the past week or so I had been concerned about a glitch that had happened when I tried to put my bus into reverse. I had been for a bit of a drive and decided to pop into Coffs Harbour to visit a lovely friend of mine. I pulled up but decided I wanted to reverse back a little bit just to make sure I was in the appropriate lines painted on the side of the road.
To my surprise, first I couldn’t get her into reverse and then when I did, she stuck there … sigh. She was shaking so I decided to keep reversing, hoping she would let go and for once it worked! However, now I was worried that there was going to be a breakdown somewhere, possibly in traffic and no one wants that. I drove her around only where I needed to go. I had no more trouble but that experience stuck in my mind. I knew it was a warning of something. I didn’t think it was the clutch burning out either. I had that once, the smell is awful and that was not there this time. Ugh not the gearbox, I prayed.
I asked around about someone I could take the bus to. Lots of places refuse to work on her either because of her size… fair call they can’t unless the have the right sturdy equipment; others are truck places and just don’t want to downgrade to my old girl lol…
I was walking Frankie and on impulse I dropped into a place that I thought might be able to help or even if they could tell me who could, that would be a big help. As it turned out, they were happy to do a diagnostic on her but it had to wait until the following Wednesday, a week away. Beggars cannot be choosers as they say, so I booked her in and continued on my way. That was before the wonderful (sarcasm) surprise of the flat battery lol

Of course once the techie had gotten the bus going, I took her for a lovely long run to ensure the battery was nicely charged, deciding to park up at Stadium Drive in the big carpark for the night. My nerves were a bit frayed so I didn’t want to drive in holiday traffic more than necessary. I did my usual, reversing into a park that was away from another RV …. Well I should say, I ATTEMPTED to reverse lol Once again, I couldn’t get her into reverse. I sighed and though fine I will just drive over a little in first. No way was my old girl going to allow me any leeway this time. Ok then, what next?I was by now in frustrated tears lol yes a deadset girly reaction I admit.

Later as I was talking to my beautiful, loving, generous daughter, she said to get it to her place where Frankie and I would be safe and that a neighbour of hers was a diesel mechanic who could take a look at the bus. I had to wait till Tuesday though for the bus to be put on the back of the larger towtruck… she is a bit erm buxom lol…but the towie was very efficient and he had me over there in less than ten minutes. The young mechanic has found the issue and now we just wait for the part that is ordered to arrive. Phew. I have to say I am so very blessed. My guardians do not let me down and my daughter is so often the earth angel that comes to my rescue. Credit to my long suffering son-in-law LOL…. he has been pretty understanding too.

Well thats all for now. Stay safe, enjoy life and seize the day! Much love to all <3 Lets hope my pup and I will be back exploring very soon.