Day Fourteen - July 20th, 2013
Kirra Beach to Noosa
Today started off smoothly enough - we've got the packing down to a T, and after a spot of breakfast (back to the porridge), we headed off for Noosa!
The car had been getting a little hot yesterday, but we figured it was from all the stop-start city driving we'd been doing. The plan had always been to get the car up to scratch once we arrived in Noosa by taking it to a garage. Unfortunately, it never made it that far.
After about 30 minutes on the road, the temperature gauge shot up, so we came off the motorway at Beenleigh and found a Midas. They were super unhelpful and said we'd have to book the car in as all the mechanics were busy, and the soonest they could take a look would be Monday (it was Saturday afternoon). He pointed us in the direction of next door to 'Red Devil', saying they might be able to help. As we walked past the workshop, we saw 3 mechanics sitting around having a burger. Seeing as it was 11am and they were closing at lunchtime, we were less than impressed. We also saw another couple pull up in a much newer car without an appointment. Shockingly they had an opening! Our poor old Landy doesn't get a look in. Luckily, Bruce (an actual Aussie Bruce!) at Red Devil was much more helpful and took a look at the car. He said there have been problems with the radiators in Discovery's, and that it would need a good clean at the very least. He too could not fit us in until Monday, but told us if we took it slow up to Noosa, and kept the heating on full blast in the car to cool the radiator, it should be ok. Reassured, we hit the road with the heating on high, and the windows down. The gauge went right down and we were on our way.
Only 40k outside of Noosa, the gauge shot right up into the red and we were forced to pull over on the side of the motorway - not ideal and pretty worrying. There was a strange hissing noise coming from the car and a small amount of steam escaping from under the bonnet. We clambered out from the passenger side and made it over the metal barrier before calling our roadside assistance.
We had a little trouble hearing the other end of the line due to the high volume of traffic whizzing past us (and people honking their horn - as if we needed any more distractions) but were finally told we were the top priority job and help was on its way. After 15 minutes or so, we saw the wonderful bright yellow truck coming our way, slowing down, waving, but then going on past. The phone rang and we were told it was illegal for the tow guy to stop where we were as it was too dangerous. We had two options - make it to a safe place in the car or call the police to close the lane so we could be rescued. Feeling we had no choice, we climbed back into the car on the middle of the highway and, hazard lights flashing, crawled along the hard shoulder to an emergency point. I'd never been so glad to have cool headed Elliot in my corner - he's amazing under stress and handled everything perfectly. Finally the tow guy found us and winched us on to the back of his truck. After a small cufuffle with the insurance people (we have the top coverage but are not registered in Queensland) about what the excess would be, we were taken to our campsite in Noosa for $95. The driver started off frosty but turned out to be a True Blue, and we had a pleasant ride.
We made quite an entrance at the campsite, large flashing and beeping truck included, but were helped by the very friendly staff who allocated us the easiest site for depositing our car. They even let us set up before coming in to pay, just so the tow guy wouldn't be inconvenienced.
The Noosa River Caravan Park is great, right on the river and with a fab atmosphere. People of all ages mixing together, and everyone is so friendly. After the car debacle we were both feeling a little worse for wear, and it must have been bad as I did something I never do, and bought a can of coke. It worked wonders and we both managed to put the tent up thanks to a hit of sugar. We then finished off the pasta from the other day and decided we should find a supermarket we could walk to before it got dark. The lovely people at reception pointed us in the direction of a Woolys and we set off. It's so tropical here, we love seeing the different palm trees and are big fans of the relaxed way of life. It's chic without being pretentious. Already it is becoming our favourite stop so far. We made it to the shopping complex just in time, and the heavens opened. We did our shopping and came out to blue skies, a stark contrast from the heavy grey we had been in on the way there.
Back at the campsite, we bought some bait (we actually had no cash on us, but reception said we could come in and pay the $5 tomorrow - loving the service here!) and took the 10
meter walk from our tent to the river to try and unwind with some fishing. I managed to catch one, but apart from that we were unsuccessful. However, we felt much more relaxed, and managed to see a stingray in the shallows! After a quick hot shower in the good facilities and a dinner of veggies and trout (for me - eye fillet for Elly) we are ready to hit the hay. Elly pumped up the air mattress for the first time since we've been on our trip - can't wait to be sleeping on something more than a blanket and thermarest!