NEWS # 074
Hi everyone!
The next day, Monday, and I set off early for Sydney. I decide to stop in
Albury, where I first got my car its roadworthy certificate and see if I
can get another. I head straight for the place where it has been done before
but unfortunately they're too busy. They recommend another place, who tell
me that it needs some work and they will not pass it as it is. I am somewhat
surprised, considering that it had passed only three months before. They
suggest that I take it back to the place where I had it done before and
maybe they'll pass it.
I decide that I'll probably be spending a few days in Albury and decide to
check in to Albury Backpackers again. Dave, the guy who runs it, confirms
that I have a bed and I start to work on the car, sanding, polishing and
filling the various bits that need doing. Dave notices that I have a tyre
which has a flat spot and we head off in search of more. For ninety
dollars (about thirty pounds) we get a brand new tyre, a full set of hub caps
and a new door handle. In England, I'd have been lucky to get the door
handle on its own!!
As I'm sanding away, Dave walks past with about ten women and one guy and
asks me whether I'd rather keep on sanding or come for a barbeque, by the
river. It's a tough choice, not (!) and I leave the sanding for another day.
I meet some girl friends who I'd met in Byron and we all head off to the
supermarket for something for the barbie. Tanja and I share some chicken and
various other concoctions are purchased by the others. We then head down to
the river to take advantage of the municipal barbeque facilities. These are
a great idea and are free, amazingly. Dave does the cooking and provides the
beer, top man! We have a really fun evening.
I spend the next few days just working on my car and it starts to look
significantly better. All the work is cosmetic but makes a huge difference
to its appearance.
On Tuesday, I go for a canoe trip, down the Murray river, again. There are
six of us including Dave, and Tanja and I decide to paddle together. It's so
much nicer than the trip I had taken only three months earlier and it's
scorching hot. At one point most of us leap in the river and float down
beside our boats. The water is refreshing but not bad at all. Eventually,
we arrive at our destination, a vineyard, or winery as they're called over
here. The wine isn't bad at all and makes a great end to the trip.
I decide to leave my car with Dave, for him to sell and then get the train,
from Albury, to Sydney. The rail staff tell me I can take one surfboard only
and suggest that I leave the other one here! I decide that I can get them
both in the same bag and that should be ok. The next day, Wednesday, I go
to book my ticket, to be told that the only available free seat is on the
night train, leaving at ten thirty tonight. No problem, or so I think. I've
got to be in Sydney by Friday morning, to catch my flight to Bangkok.
That evening I say my goodbyes to those at the hostel and Tanja very kindly
gives me a lift to the station. We go to check in my luggage, to be told
that there's no way my board will fit on, by the guy in the station! To say
I am a little annoyed, is an understatement! The guy tells me that they only
take surfboards, under six feet long, on the train. Those of you who surf
will know how ridiculous this is, as very few boards are that short. No
amount of persuading will make the guy change his mind and Tanja and I head
back to the hostel. I feel rather dejected and we sit in the car and chat
for the next few hours. I suggest that I'll try to get a bus the next day
and that, failing that, I'll try to persuade Tanja to give me a lift to
Sydney, only 560 kms away!!
Seeya,
Halesy