Paul and Richard to Kununurra to pick up Stanley trailer

Thursday 12th June 2008

Paul was out of bed early to cook a full English breakfast to set them up for the day and then they were off. Having waded through the washing up we took the girls up to the river pool where they spent hours getting in and out and making decorations with leaves and flowers.

There was a break for lunch – getting to the last of the dried bread – waiting for the boys to come back with supplies! This was followed by a return to the river. We did consider going for a walk close by but never quite made it. Besides, the wildlife was coming to us with crows invading the rubbish bags, cows wandering through the tents and even a horse investigating the strange additions to its surroundings.

At three o’clock we started to expect them back – having allowed for the drive each way, a coffee stop, some internet and phone time, sorting out the camper and probably a slap-up lunch – but there was still no sign of them at 5pm. That was when we decided to sit up at the bar (it was Happy Hour after all) and wait for them there. We tried Richard’s mobile – no answer – we tried my mobile – straight to voicemail. Where were they?

The next plan was to ring the RAC to see if they’d been contacted because there was every chance they could have broken down. That call left us more worried than ever – a call had been made to them but it was classified as ‘Uncompleted’ and they weren’t sure what that meant! We were told to call back in ten minutes when more investigation had taken place to see exactly what the situation was. We checked every car that turned up, looking for the round headlights of their car and Lynsey even stopped people to ask if they’d seen anyone broken down on the road.
Anyway, another beer and another wine later, Lynsey placed the second call to the RAC and was transferred to the NRMA who then had to try and find out more but while she was waiting she heard the distinctive sound of their car, sent Holly round to check and, lo and behold, it was them with the trailer in tow.

We all rushed back down to the campsite as quick as we could to find out their tale and were slightly annoyed to find that the only reason they were so late was because they’d managed not to follow the many signs to El Questro but had instead set off towards the Bungle Bungles for half an hour or so before they realised that the scenery looked ever-so-slightly different!

The call they’d made to the RAC was because they wanted to check out if a replacement hire car could be available if they needed it because their car had had a few issues that needed sorting out before they could drive any further. They hadn’t rung the RAC back because the garage had sorted out the car there and then. In fact, they were extremely lucky to make it to Kununurra without mishap because (technical stuff coming up which I’ll have to get checked by someone who knows before I publish!) the brushes that hold the wheels on had worn almost completely away on one side and if the gods hadn’t been smiling on them they could’ve been sitting on the side of the road with a wheel rolling away ahead of them!

Needless to say, they had managed to get themselves a good feed, ring all the necessary parties and check their e-mails as well as stocking up on supplies (guided by the careful lists that Lynsey and I had put together) so there was a lot of unpacking and repacking to do and Richard and Lynsey moved back into their camper trailer with glee – a good night’s sleep at last! Then we all sat around with beers and wines, making the most of the newly acquired goodies.