Day 74 Monday 20th September 2010

Hi Folks,

The start of another working week....

We had intended to put the bike rack on the Pajero and ride our bikes while the car was serviced. However the weather was threatening and the bike seats saturated so it was easier not to ride. We dropped the car off and waited in a room full of people for the courtesy bus but resorted to plan b after 20 minutes, which was walking to shops along Mulgrave Road dodging showers if need be.

We visited a caravan yard and noted that many are not infallible to the rain, a local camping store and thence to the DFO (Direct Factory Outlet) plaza. Purchases were made Crocs, sandals and bathers for me and a sarong for Susan. Before we exited the SMS came that the car was ready which included the bill. I was glad I was sitting down as I have enough injuries at the moment.

After picking up the car (the bill was due to the the $115/hour labour charge) we visited a couple of local 4WD shops to gather intelligence on roof bags. Got some good info from the Opposite Lock shop. Finally we called at Rays to check on seam sealers and water proofers and I foolishly decided we would do better at Bunnings near camp.

Susan returned to the original shops after lunch plus a camping world shop and returned with the beez neez of seam sealers plus sealing wax and a new water resistant storage bag to replace her Country Road canvas clothes bag that is a water magnet and that releases it's dye into the contents..

I spent the afternoon trying to get the roof bag dry, sealing some small seam leaks on the tent and discovering that water had got into the swag bag which meant eventually I had the swag, the swag mattress, the swag bags and the roof bag hanging on the camp washing line. Laurel and hardy have returned at Cairns.

The lucky/unlucky moment of the afternoon was when I was bent over whacking in a guy rope behind my car when a small white sedan that I didn't hear approach backed past the Pajero with a foot to spare and pulled up on the lawn next to our camp. Right thinks I "I will have a word with this whacker". The driver however appeared to be a dog and the engine was not running!

The owner strolled in nonchalantly; unconcerned from a camp 30 metres away uphill of course. In the end it was a non event. However had it hit the Pajero or god forbid me, Susan tells me she could have been a widow (if we were married of course).

The swag bits and the roof bag are now stuffed in the car awaiting tomorrows sun. Fingers crossed the weather seems to be improving. Susan tells me my manky ankle is looking much better too so I have stopped carving the wooden leg.

Here's to a couple of sunny days with no rain!