You can see by looking at the map, the red area is part of the road we took which is a sealed road but bumpy. We went through Dalby up to Mundubbera.
Had to make a quick trip to Bundaberg near the sea on the right above Maryborough.
The trip to Bundaberg from Mundubbera was about 500 klms round trip, we did this on July 12.
The sealed road was really bumpy in many parts along that highway, no mobile phone signal even in a couple of towns that we passed through.
Then trouble happened about 107 klms from Mundubbera.
Husband saw smoke coming from the back of the caravan, he stopped as quickly and safely as he could, I jumped out (totally forgot how old I was) all was alright. Discovered that a 'SPRING' had broken on the passenger site of the caravan. 'Things happen'
So a few people stopped one was a farmer and he helped us out. We have RACT, (Royal Automobile Club of Tasmania) there is usually one in each State of Australia or equivalent. I had the insurance in my name, the farmer drove me down a lane to a farm house he owned and let me use the Landline.
The RACQ (Q is for Queensland) man came, towed the caravan to his place, hence the next day trip to Bunderberg to get 4 new springs to be on the safe side.
The RACQ man was a mechanic also so he fitted the new springs.
We stayed in a Motel for 3 nights with RACT paying for our accommodation of up to $100.00 per night, the account was well over that but that didn't matter. We had to pay for our food but we had beautiful meals in the dinning room and something different each night.
Breakfast in bed :) and lunch in the small town.
A holiday within a holiday and it was different.
We were told that many caravans break springs on that road and others in Queensland, so that made us feel a little better. Got over it very quickly and had a good time in Mundubbera.
You can see the lean on the left side at the back.
What a lovely man the RACQ man was and is. We are still friends and keep in touch.
Driving behind in our vehicle looking out the front window and took the photo.
"Things happen". That is a true statement for sure. xo G
ReplyDeleteSure is a good saying :)
Delete'Things happen' must be a theme today...came across it earlier.
ReplyDeleteThings on the road can be more than a bit unsettling.
A catchy saying them.
DeleteNever know what's going to happen when travelling, always prepared.
What a lovely man indeed, good that you had a good time in the end. Greetings.
ReplyDeleteYes a lovely man, there are some wonderful people in this world :)
DeleteThe mishap was a hiccup but soon got over.
first I've seen a tow truck carrying such a huge vehicle. Makes you wonder when the really big vehicles break down.
ReplyDeleteOh Adam, we see it a lot here in Australia, big vehicles are towed the same, have red flag at the back and some at the sides, if over wide there is a Police escort or people from the Transport (government department) who escort the over width or over length vehicle being towed. The owner of the vehicle being towed has to also get a licence to do so, and it states between what hours that towed vehicle can travel.
DeleteHello Margaretr,
ReplyDeleteThat's terrible when you got problems on the way.
I hope all is well now.
Best regards,
Marco
Yes thanks Marco, all was fixed within a 3 days and off we headed further north back in our winter.
DeleteWhat a lovely man indeed. The RACQ and their State equivalents do so amazing work. Often in dreadful conditions. Unsung heroes.
ReplyDeleteThey are indeed heroes who don't get much recognition.
DeleteYes things happen the thing is not to let it ruin your mood or you holiday which is what you did, we are in the NRMA
ReplyDeleteDidn't ruin our mood, ever husband was calm which is a wonder for him as he's short tempered. Me, I just take it in my stride. We had a marvellous holiday Jo-Anne.
DeleteSiempre hay almas caritativas, que te socorren en los momentos de apuro...afortunadamente todo quedó en un pequeño susto.
ReplyDeleteBesos
There is always someone who will help in time of trouble, even if we don't think there is anyone, someone will turn up and help. We were ever so lucky to have several people stop and offer their help.
DeleteI'm glad you made the best of a bad situation.
ReplyDeleteThanks. I presume some people might not, but we moved on and had a good time :)
DeleteThank god, everything is alright now..
ReplyDeleteYes Krishna, all is well and it's a story to tell :)
DeleteShit happens in all places - ha ha.
ReplyDeleteLucky for the help of the country folk, they are a different breed to the
city slickers who probably would have just sped past and not even notice
your plight!
I wish that a law could be made to have city slickers spend some time in the rural areas to learn the meaning of the word - HELP!
Pays to have that vehicle insurance that's for sure. Anyhow you seem to have enjoyed the break at the motel.............just call it "R & R unexpected".
Cheers
Colin
Thanks Colin, yes 'R & R' :)
DeleteSome city folk are so selfish, and I agree they need putting in a situation like we were and some other people were and are to know what if feels like to be helped - it's a wonderful feeling to help, also to be helped.
Quite and adventure, but one that added a lot of good memories!
ReplyDeleteOh yes, always good memories Bill, something to share.
DeleteYou hadn't loaded the van with rocks like Lucy did in The Long Long Trailer?
ReplyDeleteLol Andrew..Nope, Chinese springs - cheaper quality apparently.
DeleteHa Ha at Andrew, I remember that movie and every time I see it I think what a ditz she is not realising the weight of all those rocks.
ReplyDeleteI'm very glad someone came along and you weren't stranded out there. A holiday within a holiday sounds nice. Good idea to replace all the springs at once.
oh yes, it all turned out for the better and the new stronger springs - well you could feel how much improved the caravan was and is.
DeletePoor caravan, brilliant photos.
ReplyDeleteThanks Bob, caravan soon got over it :)
DeleteGlad that this mishap turned out alright for you both in the end. It could have been so much worse if you had been in a spot that was really isolated and difficult to get some help.
ReplyDeleteVery true Rosemary, worst places the mishap could have happened.
DeleteI'm glad the RACQ were good to you. Often country people are like that. Long way to buy springs.
ReplyDeleteThe towns people were ever so lovely too, so lucky to have met such wonderful kind people.
DeleteYes was a long way to get the springs, but quicker than on a bus not us but the springs.
That was an adventure to say the least but glad all worked out in the end and you enjoyed 'a holiday within a holiday'!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Christine.
DeleteWhat kind an accident! Fortunately, you were not quite in the desert area, you got help.
ReplyDeleteYes very lucky we were.
DeleteThank God that you got help and nothing bad happen dear Margaret!
ReplyDeleteHow nice that holiday within holiday created and you enjoyed it even more than planned ,this is beauty of life's ups and down!
Yes life's up and downs for sure, but I kept smiling, I'm like that and all was good in the end.
Delete