Wednesday 22 November 2017

Things happen!

Travelling along from Millmerran to Mundubbera Queensland on July 11, 2017 in winter with a little warmer weather.
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.

40 comments:

  1. "Things happen". That is a true statement for sure. xo G

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  2. 'Things happen' must be a theme today...came across it earlier.

    Things on the road can be more than a bit unsettling.

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    1. A catchy saying them.
      Never know what's going to happen when travelling, always prepared.

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  3. What a lovely man indeed, good that you had a good time in the end. Greetings.

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    1. Yes a lovely man, there are some wonderful people in this world :)
      The mishap was a hiccup but soon got over.

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  4. first I've seen a tow truck carrying such a huge vehicle. Makes you wonder when the really big vehicles break down.

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    1. Oh 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.

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  5. Hello Margaretr,
    That's terrible when you got problems on the way.
    I hope all is well now.

    Best regards,
    Marco

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    1. Yes thanks Marco, all was fixed within a 3 days and off we headed further north back in our winter.

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  6. What a lovely man indeed. The RACQ and their State equivalents do so amazing work. Often in dreadful conditions. Unsung heroes.

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  7. Yes 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

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    1. Didn'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.

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  8. Siempre hay almas caritativas, que te socorren en los momentos de apuro...afortunadamente todo quedó en un pequeño susto.

    Besos

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    1. 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.

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  9. I'm glad you made the best of a bad situation.

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    1. Thanks. I presume some people might not, but we moved on and had a good time :)

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  10. Shit happens in all places - ha ha.
    Lucky 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

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    1. Thanks Colin, yes 'R & R' :)
      Some 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.

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  11. Quite and adventure, but one that added a lot of good memories!

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  12. You hadn't loaded the van with rocks like Lucy did in The Long Long Trailer?

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    1. Lol Andrew..Nope, Chinese springs - cheaper quality apparently.

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  13. Ha 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.
    I'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.

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    1. 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.

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  14. Glad 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.

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    1. Very true Rosemary, worst places the mishap could have happened.

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  15. I'm glad the RACQ were good to you. Often country people are like that. Long way to buy springs.

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    1. The towns people were ever so lovely too, so lucky to have met such wonderful kind people.
      Yes was a long way to get the springs, but quicker than on a bus not us but the springs.

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  16. That was an adventure to say the least but glad all worked out in the end and you enjoyed 'a holiday within a holiday'!!

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  17. What kind an accident! Fortunately, you were not quite in the desert area, you got help.

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  18. Thank God that you got help and nothing bad happen dear Margaret!

    How nice that holiday within holiday created and you enjoyed it even more than planned ,this is beauty of life's ups and down!

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    1. Yes life's up and downs for sure, but I kept smiling, I'm like that and all was good in the end.

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