Bore Baths and Tilt Tray

29-30th September

Wow, Lightning Ridge you have amazed me. I always thought it would be like Coober Pedy, dusty, barren, rocky, mullock heaps everywhere but it’s nothing like that. It’s just a normal looking town, paved streets, bowls club, shops visitors centre and an artesian bore bath.

The first night here we drove out to the Artesian Bore Baths for a dip in the 40 degree water. Very relaxing and although you can only stay in for a short time before having a cool shower and then getting back in it’s a pleasant experience. Then it’s down to the supermarket for a few things before heading back to the van. Or so we thought …….

We jump back into the truck and Philip turns the key. The dash lights up with multiple warnings and it locks the gears. The dash lights fade and Philips face pales. Here we are angle parked in the Main Street of a Lightning Ridge 5.30 at night and nothing is working. All sorts of things are going through my mind but I’m staying quiet and letting Philip work through things. After some time I walk back to the van with the Icecream we have just purchased to get it into the freezer. Can’t have the Icecream melting. After quite some time Philip arrives back at the van with the truck on a tilt tray still not going. They unload, whilst being watched by most of the other campers. Not really the sight I wanted to see just before 8pm on a Monday evening 5 days before we are due to Sail back to Tasmania.

Next morning after some discussions with Mark and time spent under the bonnet, Philip finally gets the truck going again, we hope.

(P:- Yep it was a bit of a shock to jump in my beloved truck and see my dash light up like a Christmas tree. I have learned if there is an issue it’s time to work a plan. You can’t help but appreciate being in a country town! I had no sooner lifted the bonnet and there was a “G’Day Mate can I help you? I am John the local Plumber. After introducing myself to my new mate I had 2 main concerns – 1) my icecream was gunna melt (so Judith kindly offered to walk to the van with that) 2) it was dark and to get the Chev off the street. It just so happened my “Mate” John had a good “Mate” Steve who was the local Tilt truck owner! (Good to have mates I tell you!) Well Steve was there in 20 minutes and we soon had “Sick” Chev on the truck and delivered back to the caravan. I was imagining all sorts of logistical challenges getting Us, our Chev and Van back to Tassie but thought- I am Hungry, let’s worry about that tomorrow! As the author said above it didn’t take long to find the issue and fix! A 50 cent nut had vibrated loose on a main power line feeding the Chevs computers- All fixed and back to normal. I also found out my “Mate” Steve likes Cash and gave me a great deal on the recovery proving “Cash is still King” ).

First up this morning it’s on the bikes and out to the Bore Baths, a lovely way to start the day. Then while Philip worked on the truck I did some washing, organised breakfast and stayed out of the way. (P:- Wise idea Judith!) After some time under the bonnet and discussions with Mark, Philip finally gets the truck going. Thank goodness. Now to take it for a drive to make sure it’s working okay.

Yesterday we picked up a brochure from the Visitors Centre for the Car Door tours. This takes us to see the opal mining areas out of the main town centre. 4 different tours around various parts of Lightning Ridge with an info sheet from the visitors centre giving us information and coloured car doors showing the way. The first mine here, the Australian Opal Centre, being built, the open cut mine, various mine tours and much more. It’s a great way to see the bigger picture of what a lightning Ridge has to offer. (P:- and the Chev performed perfectly).

Then later in the afternoon it’s back on the bikes and out to the Bore Baths for another dip, before walking down to the Lightning Ridge District Bowls Club for dinner. And what delicious meal it was as too. (P:- Tomorrow we best hit the roads South again. From 36 ish degrees today we know we are heading towards 15-17 as we head south. As for which Route we take – who knows? All I know it will be a twisty windy Route of country roads, avoiding the Main Highways. South we head or I kinda think I might have a Grumpy Mother – In – Law, evidently she is missing me! Or was that Judith she is missing??)