Far and Away Fires
Friday 29th June 2007
Our
first adventure begins in the summer of ’07.
Not actually our first
foray but it is where I will begin ( we may digress in future entries as
my memory plays tricks and reminds me of things at peculiar times ).
Bernie and Norm set of early one November morning to drive to Melbourne
and from there catch The Spirit of Tasmania across The Bass Strait to
our new home. This, in the vain hope that we would be starting our new
business within the month.
With
Car and Trailer packed to the hilt, they set off on their merry way.
Bernie with smokes to hand and Norm with plenty of conversation, for the
ensuing hours.
They were making good progress when disaster struck!
Just outside a town called Yass, the Trailer axle broke and the wheel flew off!!
Amidst
the hubub of unsuriety and frustration they realised that in true
Beashel style, they had set fire to the roadside grass as the sparks
from metal hitting bitumen flew in all directions! I still have many a
quiet chuckle as I envisage Bernie frantically flapping at the flames to
put them out. I am sure memories of Maidenwell flashed before his eyes (
but that is another tale from another life ).Thank goodness he had Norm
with him. Disasters like this should be shared like trouble halved!
What a fiasco.
Best scenario? No-one got hurt.....
Bernies
experiences in Yass and the ensuing ‘help’ returning him home have led
him to declare that he will never set foot ( or wheel ) in Yass again!!
The
NRMA Roadside Service took forever to come and the
mechanic was surly
and monosyllabic. He towed them to a
garage where the
mechanic/proprietor either couldn’t or
wouldn’t do any repair work until
the following week,
not offering any helpful suggestions or
alternatives either.
Even
allowing that it was a weekend and knowing Bernards expectations of
silver service wherever he goes, he did receive appalling service from a
tinpot town!!So,
back onto the NRMA Hotline again and some angelic woman ( obviously
heaven sent ) arranged a towtruck which brought the Trailer and Boat
home with Bernie and Norm in hot pursuit. This driver was exceptionally
kind and helpful, a stark contrast to his counterpart in Yass. It is
refreshing to know there is still service with a smile somewhere on this
lonely planet.
Yass or No?
To say the the "mechanic was surly and monosyllabic" is to put a positive spin on the situation.
He was downright rude and contemptuous.
He received a telephone call on his mobile while we were loading the trailor onto the tilt tray, and left Bernie and myself holding a large amount of the weight while he spoke for what seemed like 10 minutes.
He then tried to lose as just before the Yass turnoff by travelling in the inside lane until the last minute, then veering across into the turnoff.
It turned out he had severe sciatic nerve problems, which I can identify with, but didn't really justify the attitude.
Norm
To say the the "mechanic was surly and monosyllabic" is to put a positive spin on the situation.
He was downright rude and contemptuous.
He received a telephone call on his mobile while we were loading the trailor onto the tilt tray, and left Bernie and myself holding a large amount of the weight while he spoke for what seemed like 10 minutes.
He then tried to lose as just before the Yass turnoff by travelling in the inside lane until the last minute, then veering across into the turnoff.
It turned out he had severe sciatic nerve problems, which I can identify with, but didn't really justify the attitude.
Norm
Tuesday, December 4, 2007 - 08:51 PM
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