Blog 12

4th May Megalong

On our tour to Tasmania Noddy had a little water leak. On return with more inspection it needed a new bottom hose for the radiator. This I did by using a holden commodore hose and adapting it. Noddy then retired to his shed. I was rehanging the laundry door, trying to cut 0.25 inch off the bottom with a blunt rusty old saw. It takes me 5 minutes to do the job but 2 hrs to find the necessary tools! Very frustrating! I wanted to get down to finish tiling when Linda had other ideas. She wanted the wood split so I was diverted to split wood. Work fascinates Linda she waits and watches for hours while I work! Perhaps because work is a four letter word to Linda or even an anathema.

5th May Megalong

I was woken up by a road grader that was here to grade the fire trail but that wasn’t till 9am! I went out to watch the grader. Linda had already left for her 6.30 am swim. After chatting with the workmen I thought I should get on with tiling the shower cubicle. I started cutting the tiles when Linda came home and again diverted, this time to do her sewing! Still she did do my ironing. Linda got the fire going today as with the rain the temperature had really dropped. Starting to get like home temperature wise, so it must be time to move to warmer climes.

6th May Megalong

Linda has gone to a funeral today and as she is away I think I may put some spotlights on plod! Sod the tiling! While the cats away the mice might play (smile). She is not really as bad as I make out! We have a good laugh. Actually I have finished tiling the shower recess and this has taken me all day. I watched a DVD of “For the Term of His Natural Life”, which was set in Port Arthur, during convict days. It was absolutely brilliant, well worth watching.

7th May Megalong

Linda off early swimming and since the tiling is done I can now fix plod’s lights. I just have a little grouting to finish the job, after the tiles are dry. Plod now sports two new spot lights and they look terrific and work well. Time for a well earned beer. If I can spring the lock on this leg iron off I may sneak north to warmer climes.

8th May Megalong

Started the day badly, I’d lost a nut and spanner. Eventually Linda found it on the quad. I’d forgotten that had broken down too. I put a new battery in the quad. Then finally I managed to get around to putting the brake master cylinder back on the Land Rover. Hooray we have brakes, the fronts are a little tight and need some more attention. Also quite a lot of other work to be done like new spring shackles all round, carburetor needs adjusting, possibly a de-coat, and rings, two U.J’s and a few new steering parts to get and fit maybe next year? (That is if I have time because plod and I are off across the Nullarbor Plain from Sydney to Perth, with the NBC. Across the continent really.) I put the wheels back on, fresh petrol in the tank, and started it up. We took it for a drive around. Yippee! Unfortunately it didn’t make it home up the steep hill. Linda bailed out to get the Land Cruiser to tow it back. After she had nearly got back to the house, some 4 km, two nice young men came along and towed me up the hill. I think the walk did Linda good, I’m sure she needed the exercise! Once we were on the flat off it went again. No problem really, don’t know why Linda went walking so far. She does carry on! We had dinner and then adjusted the new “nite stalker” spotlights on plod. A cuppa and a good laugh or two and all was well. Off to bed now with a warm milk and whiskey.

9th May Megalong

Linda went out with the family for lunch as it is Mothers day in Australia. I could of gone but time is running out and I wanted to sort Plod out.

Now its plods turn to have some attention. Firstly the brakes, I put new brake pads on, checked the rear brakes and removed the exhaust for a repair. Unfortunately I left my welding equipment back in England!

10th May Megalong

Linda left early for 6.30am swim. I was up early, with a clatter of a wood chipper. I chatted up the workers and they left us a load of wood chips, so we can tidy up the dog run.

When Linda returned she drove the Isuzu truck to Blackheath, so I could fit the exhaust on the table top. Some helpful guys at Garage 263 welded my exhaust and put a new valve in my front tyre and gave me two wheel nuts, all for $20. Bargain. We got back and I fitted the exhaust back on plod. Linda made a curry stew for dinner, which wasn’t to bad really. Surprising really! You wouldn’t know the difference after a few reds!