Renner springs

Well it started off a normal day, good weather, dogs good, bus going well and all else fine, I had planned to head to Renner Springs for the night when I stopped at Elliot to get petrol before heading off. Now for those who don't know Elliot, it has a reputation you could say.anyway I was about 1 km out of the other side of Elliot when I heard a funny noise coming from the tyres which I thought was coming from the corrugations in the road. NO! It was my worst nightmare, I had blown a rear tyre so had to wait until I could turn around and head back to town to get it fixed. I thought luckily there are 2 tyres each side of the rear as I would get back no problem but it kept getting noisier and I new all was. It we'll. I finally made it back to the petrol station and hopped out to take a look and I had not just 1 but 2 shredded tyres.. Obviously the second tyre didn't like doing all the work and gave up the ghost too.
I noticed as I was driving through town that there was a billboard advertising the local Racv or NT equivalent so I asked the attendant for the number which I rang and was told I had to call the Racv and they would call him out otherwise he wouldn't get paid.
I thought I was in luck to strike blow the tyre in a town that not only had a tyre place but I could get it fixed through the Racv. Glad I kept up the membership.
While I was waiting for the guy to arrive a lovely couple came over to see if I was ok and I replied yes and explained that help was on the way and he said that's good as you don't want to stay here, I said I had heard that it wasn't too good. Oh dear more pressure.
The guy arrived about 5 minutes later with his tow truck and said he would tow it back to his garage as he had all the tools there.
So the next thing I know the dogs and I are in the truck and the bus on the back and we are heading off to salvation.
Now the guy was about 70 not out and moved slowly so when we got to his yard he decided to leave the bus on the back of the truck and fix it there.
To make matters worse it started raining and gradually got heavier as time went on.
It turned out the guy was really grumpy,didn't have the latest equipment and didn't have the right tool to get one of the spares out from under the bus. I mentioned I had one but as the bus was about 2 metres of the ground and my bike was on its rack on the back it was no easy feat to get it out of the boot.
I asked how much for a new tyre to save him getting that one out and he told me the price. After I passed out I agreed. To get only one as it would still leave me with a spare if god forbid I blow another.
Meanwhile the rain was getting heavier so he stopped work, the dogs and I were getting wet and had no where to sit just to add to the drama.
He looked as though he didn't really know what he was doing and kept going off and getting another tool
By this time I was really worried that he was taking that long that I would run out of time to head off and get to Renner Springs before dark.
Finally he finished and I was able to get on my way.
By this time the rain was really heavy and it was quite dark because of the rain and the wind had picked up so it made for a very slow and scary drive the rest of the way.
I don't think I have been so relieved to get to a town.....well a roadhouse where I booked in. Because the rain was so heavy I couldn't let the dogs out to go to the bathroom and I couldn't find the shower block and because it was so wet I had no desire to go and find it so I went to bed without a shower and Tinkerbelle, well she decided to use my bed as a toilet.
So not a good day out.....

Katherine

I had an uneventful trip to Katherine except that it is very picturesque especially around the Victoria River area.
I arrived in Katherine at lunch time and decided that was enough driving for the day as it had started to rain and I would rather be stuck here than further on if it gets really heavy.
Checked in to a very nice park,albeit expensive $38 and before you know it I'm sitting under my awning having a latte. Ah! The only way to travel.
Not sure of the next stop......

Kununurra.....ah! I mean Timber Creek

I was sup early and all enthusiastic about the day ahead so I got away early and headed for Kununurra.
I had a great idea though that I would tie Tinkerbelles lead to a handle above the wardrobe so she had plenty of room to move but couldn't reach the front. Another BIG MISTAKE. I saw in the rear Belle in the rear vision mirror and she was standing on the bed and then hopped on the kitchen sink, talk about panic, I couldn't do anything about it for about 20 minutes until there was somewhere to pull over, I just had to hope I didn't need to break suddenly.
Belle now travels on the bed with her lead attached to the emergency handle on the back window which she loves as she can look out the window and gets a nice breeze. She just sleeps all the way now so at least that's the dogs sorted.
I arrived in Kununurra at lunch time and decide I was still ok to drive further and the forecast was for rain so I wanted to get as far as I could before that happened so kept going to Timber Creek.
I arrived just at 3.45 but because i was now in NT I lost 1.5 hours.
I booked in to the park which I thought looked even dodgier than the previous one as it was behind the pub which I thought May be a bit hairy after closing time but I'm pleased to say it wasn't. It was lovely and quiet and had a great nights sleep.
I even got to wash the bus.
Next stop Katherine....

Halls Creek

I head off about 9.30 am which is rather late but since being on holidays I've been a bit slack.
I was interested in seeing how the bus went after sitting for so long but pleased to say it went went really well, I can't say the same for the dogs.
I had Meg tied up in her usual spot between the front seats and I had Tinkerbelle on a lead in the middle but she wanted to sit up front with Meg and I so next stop I moved her further forward....
BIG MISTAKE as Meg didn't like that idea and they ended up in a fight. I nearly lost control of the bus trying to separate them and I had to keep my arm between them until I could find a spot to pull over and move Tinkerbelle back to her original spot.
I arrived in Halls Creek without any other dramas and checked in to the park which looked a bit dodgy, I asked the girl if it was safe and she replied as long as I keep the doors locked and leave nothing outside so I was locked in like a vault for the rest of the time I was there.
The only other bit of excitement was a guy approached the bus as I was setting up to ask for a haircut which was tempting but I was tired and it was too hot so I said no.
Next stop Kununurra.....

On the road again

Well after 19 months in Fitzroy Crossing its time to hit the road again.
I have decided i need to live in a house again so it's off to Cairns, I'm travelling via the Savannah and Overlander way which takes me through the back of beyond with a few beautiful places along the way.
It couldn't be a worst time to travel as it's the wet season,which could mean flooding and not to mention the heat,but timing was never one of my strong points.
First stop Halls Creek.