Abortive start

Three hours out from home on the 29th April about 35km from Cowra we were hit by a wind gust. In preference to hitting an oncoming semi we veered off to the left ending up facing the way we had come, also narrowly missing a stand of gum trees. A fair bit of panel damage to the car was sustained as well as a crumpled left front corner of the caravan.Neither of us had even a bruise to show for the experience. We were towed into Cowra by Dave Young of Cowra Towing service and we cannot speak too highly of his help. NRMA were most helpful and after spending the night in a motel we drove back to Canberra in a hire car, accommodation and car was courtesy of NRMA. Both vehicles were also taken back on the tow truck, the van being left at LLoyds of Fyshwick and the car at Farrugias. Lloyds assessed the van and finished the repairs in less than 10 days. Farrugias on the other hand after keeping the car for eight days informed NRMA that they only wanted to deal with prestige cars.-NOT IMPRESSED. The car was taken to Autoco in Phillip who assessed the damage in 24 hours and are now waiting approval to start repairs, hopefully we will have the car some time before the end of May. In the meantine we are spending the time in Canberra at Michelle and Andrew's house in Deakin.

Result of wind gust

Update

22 May 2007

We learned today that the car will be ready Friday lunch time. After collecting the car we will go to Lloyds in Fyshwick to fit some stabilizer bars then tow the van back to Kent St .

We will pack the van and car over the weekend and hopefully recommence our touring on Wednesday-weather permitting.

We are planning to travel direct to Darwin (Plan B) via the Stuart Highway as we have accommodation booked from the 23^rd June at the Hidden Valley Caravan park, which is situated about 7km from Darwin centre.

Just learned that another club member will also be in Darwin at the same time so we should beable to catch up with them.