1 May 10 – Port Augusta again

By Craig: To be back in Port Augusta again via Coober Pedy was not how it was intended to be. The trip back did provide an opportunity to assess the area in which the 'Flash for Cash' had apparently snapped my picture. It turns out the Stuart Hwy starts with a 60 zone and has a tiny road sign depicting the speed limit only on one side of the vehicle. Both Louise and I thought we had entered an 80 zone and therefore $350 later and an Oh-I'm-so-sorry reply to my objection letter we are a little poorer.
However in an attempt to make the best of a bad situation I suggested we complete some maintenance on the vehicle and ordered some new shocks for the front end suspension and booked the vehicle in for the standard oil and filters service.
The chap (whom shall remain nameless) was all obliging over the phone and seemed to have a handle on the requirements of the Toyota. My confidence in him was gone when after delivering the vehicle to him at 8.30am I returned at 10.30 with very little done, parts still needing to be found and needing a time lapse camera to actually capture his work movement. At 2.30pm the bill equalled my frustration however we were a captive audience with no other option, what could we do? That was how I was feeling after a succession of issues but in the chap’s defence we did ask him to work on a Saturday (not his normal working day) and at short notice, so on the other hand we were grateful for his availability.

Not all was bad as after speaking to Peter who sold and installed our HF radio, took immediate steps to rectify the fault (see previous blog note). We were directed to a gentleman who was in his own right a very experienced technician in communication including HF radios. After confirming my thoughts regarding the fault it was established that the terminals within the power connection box had separated enough to arc and short out the channel memory. Very quickly the fault was rectified and a new program was uploaded, all fixed and reassurance that the matter would never be repeated thanks to a couple of cable ties.

Note: Cable ties in various lengths in addition to gaffe tape (grey) are essential items for the traveller’s tool box.


By Lou: Thrilled to be back at our fenced compound of a caravan park…not. While Craig sorted out car repairs, Sam and I did some teeth pulling, er I mean schooling. As a surprise for Sam we took him to the new Iron Man 2 movie, under the guise that we were going for a drive to watch the sunset. He had thought it a bit tough that he had to hurry up eating his dinner just for a boring old sunset but he was so surprised he was close to speechless which is highly unusual.