Well I'm back again still doing my best to catch up with the site; only got me to blame for being so lazy and disconnected from keeping things up to date
Okay, let's start with the A/C saga or as referred to in a recent post “the shuffle & chase”. After the bloody thing broke down again at 1770 and several calls to Dometic they advised me that in travelling north if I stop at Rockhampton they had a service agent in town who would evaluate the problem and fix or replace as required. So off we went happy that we could get something done, never drive away happy based on Dometic saying “we will help you”.
We arrived in Rockhampton and proceeded to the address we were given which was in some back street where it was even difficult to park; considering this guy is an agent for Dometic and services A/C's on vans it was tight to even park on the street. The service technician came out to see us mainly because we were blocking his driveway; we explained our problem and he advised us he would get a ladder but also said he was not sure what he could do for us as he was only an agent for Waeco fridge's (Dometic own Waeco). Keeping this part short we checked in to a caravan park to sort out the mess with Dometic in Brisbane
Above is our site at the Discovery park just north of Rocky; I have put this on the site in a past post but it is one of the better parks and in a good location. I believe at the time it was under the $30 mark; amenities were good and always clean, sites had plenty of room and they asked if you would like them to put the van on the site, good marriage saver if you need help.
Okay, back on to the A/C problem; after a few call to Dometic they assured me that they had a very good agent in Mackay, as we were north bound we set off after spending a couple of nights in Rocky. we arrived at Andergrove van park (previously blogged) and were told to call Patrick from the A/C company on arrival.
He came out to the park which was good for us; his first question to me was “have you got a ladder” and “i need a pen and paper”; I thought here we go again what sort of tradesman for air conditioners does not have a ladder. He proceed (up my ladder) and took the top off the A/C; he advised me the compressor had lost all the oil and was buggered. The unit was not repairable and another new roof section was needed.
Patrick filled in all the warranty paperwork and sent it to Dometic, they approved a new roof top section under warranty and would arrange for it to be sent from Brisbane. Patrick told Dometic that if the despatched it Wednesday to Mackay he could fit it no problem on the Friday, any later and he could not do the job for another week, Dometic advised Patrick “no problems”, another non trustable statement as they did not despatch it till Thursday.
I contacted Dometic to let them know the A/C (already despatched) would now need to go to Townsville; TNT Transport were contacted and we were assured it would not go to Mackay but head further north to Townsville. When we arrived in Townsville we contacted the new agent that was to fit the new unit; he in turn advised me that he had contacted TNT Transport and they had lost it (a 2ft x 4ft 50kg package had been lost).
The final outcome it was found, it was fitted and it is still working.
One of the parks on our way to Townsville was the Burdekin Cascades park in Ayr; this park is council owned but leased by the current managers from council. This is a great little park and I would recommend it over the others in the area. The amenities block you can see on the left was new and each is like an on-suite, inside each of the doors is a shower, toilet and vanity. Some areas of the park can be quite ground sodden during heavy rain so best staying to the higher ground. The park is just about in town so it is easy to access all of the shopping by foot if you like. Would stay again here as it is great value and a good location; the park managers are very helpful and friendly.
One of the parks at Ayr has a large snake; bigger than my pet python or more commonly known as the one eyed trouser snake.
On the road but the police make sure you get off when one of these big buggers comes along; this was just outside Ayr.
KURRIMINE BEACH & SILKWOOD Vs. CYCLONE “YASI”
I must thank Troy & Abby for these photos as when we arrived the cleanup had been underway for some weeks; even so when we did get into town it was a totally different place. Linda & I love Kurrimine Beach and the surrounding area so if you do head through these places think of stopping for a few nights; the parks at Mission and especially Kurrimine are great places to stay and unwind.
A bus stop at Kurrimine Beach with someone's roof sheets wrapped around it.
The boat survived but the shed it is housed in could not stand up to the cyclone.
A caravan on it's side; it is hard to comprehend the force that can upend something this heavy.
The front reception at Kurrimine Beach Holiday Park
Some of the tree damage within the park at Kurrimine Beach
A tractor mower that was upended and blown to the back of a shed.
Garage roller doors were no match for “Yasi” with all within the town being either blown in or sucked out of their frames.
The structure you can see poking out of the water is a picnic area; normally this is a creek and a nice place for a BBQ, not so during “Yasi”
This is not a partially constructed house but a partially deconstructed house; the roof has gone and the windows have been ripped out by the force of “Yasi”
Another house which was damaged but it could have been worse; note the power pole laying over.
Expensive bananas!!; the above shows what was done to most of the banana plantations in the area, absolutely flattened.
The above is the swimming pool (25mt) following the cyclone; it had to be drained, refilled, pumps and filters replace and repainted. This was a very big job and very expensive for Marcus & Kay (the owners of the park).
The scope of work involved in getting the pool back to normal; Bob (Abby's Dad) did the sand blasting and repainting of the whole interior of the pool, the size of this thing can be seen when you consider Abby & Linda were standing at the deep end.
Abby doing the fishes and other features of the pool; she did a magnificent job in getting it looking aquarium like.
Linda (right) getting involved; more so with advise and encouragement than actual painting.
One of the pictures by Abby.
Linda helping with paints and the odd brush stroke on the pool artwork.
Abby and husband, Troy with son Zac; everyone was involved in getting things back to as close to normal as possible.
Alan (left) who was also helping in getting things back to normal had a birthday in March; it was later we all celebrated as our birthdays all fell in the same week. The huge camp kitchen at Kurrimine Beach came in handy for the celebrations.
Well that's about it for this post; still plenty to do to catch up. We are currently at Hallidays Point (just below Taree) after leaving Victoria and heading north stopping at another couple of places before reaching home for Christmas (Scarborough Holiday Village).
Hoping you, your family and friends are all well and if your on the road, travelling safely. The next post should be on the airwaves in about another week or so but as always you will get an email to confirm. Hope to see some or all of you in the near future.
Love & warm regards to all our family & friends.
David & Linda – The DavLin Rig
