John's Jottings

Today she says “It’s your turn to write something for the BLOG” Turn? When was the agreement made that there would be ‘turns’? Sure, I suggested the name for the BLOG … I thought it was quite good really … but I wasn't thanked for suggesting that Lyn wrote ‘lies’, so I hurriedly had to change it to ‘lines’ to avoid war.

But it just so happens I do have some observations to make: there are lots of broken down vehicles up here. The forlorn looks on the faces of the owners tell their own story as they are ‘recovered’ by the breakdown truck. We can sympathize with them having had the same experience of once having had our chariot incapacitated. An interesting fact: No matter what stable you got your chariot puller from, breeding counts for nothing!

“What’s happened to my team of horses; the ones I rely on to pull my chariot?” they all ask.

“Nomad: I’m madder than a dog who’s just seen his only tree used to boil the billy”

Five years ago when we had to be recovered from Mount Hart station, ‘Sprocket’, the driver our recovery vehicle, acted as tour guide. He kept us entertained with a constant commentary for the whole five hours it took to get back to civilization … he knew everything about the Australian outback. The added bonus was the wonderful view you get from the top deck of the recovery vehicle.

Another plus: You can experience several days of R&R while you wait for a $50 part to arrive from Perth. You can clean the van, do the washing, walk up town, walk back again.

Incidentally, the main roads here are a credit to the manufacturers. Beautifully smooth, and straight. You just glide along, observing the scenery ... until you breakdown. Why so many breakdowns then? I’ll have to think about that. Maybe if I have a sniff of diesel, a tot of H2O and lunch, a reason will emerge.

Or perhaps a drink of carbonated water. That must be cheaper now there’s no carbon tax!