Now that the power is back on (for how long, who knows?) I can give you an update on Lisa’s car. It was very definitely a drive belt that let go. It was towed to the local workshop, as I mentioned, and they’ll have it ready for us in a few days.
I was very lucky with the power; I was already on my way home when it went. I had a 2:30pm meeting with Telstra today, and that was over at just after 3:30pm, so by the time the power problems occurred I was almost at Melton.
Lisa’s car failed her on the road today. Just the Maryborough side of Clunes the battery light came on, the aircon stopped and steam started coming out from under the bonnet. Put all three together and you’ve got some kind of drive belt failure. The RACV are on their way (not there just yet) and will almost certainly have to tow the car to the workshop.
I called the local workshop we always go to, and Nola answered. “Hi Andrew”. I said Lisa had car trouble and the RACV are towing the car there. She asked which car; I said the Mazda, and she didn’t need to know any more. They’ll fix it quickly and properly; they always do great work.
It’s good having a friendly first-name basis relationship with people in a country town. The people who fix your car are the same people you meet at the supermarket for a bit of a natter. Everyday life is so much more laid back, friendly and intimate than in the big smoke. It’s the way life should be; small communities, friendly faces and everyone willing to do what’s needed to help each other out.
Update @ 12:45 – Lisa’s Dad has arrived, and they’re pulling chunks of a failed belt out of the engine bay.
I borrowed Lisa’s mountain bike when I came down to Melbourne yesterday; as planned, I took it out this morning for a ride with a few other people from Siemens. It was a tough ride for someone as overweight and unfit as I am. What made it even worse is that I’m totally not used to the way a mountain bike handles; very, very different to my road bike. The mountain bike is constantly moving about underneath you, whereas the road bike sits absolutely still. It took a while to get used to that. It also took a while to get the seat height right; the hills were initially very difficult, but once the seat height was better they weren’t too bad.
I’ll be back next Tuesday morning for another ride, but I hope it isn’t as hard as today’s was. 2300 kCal for an early morning ride is a little bit too much — especially when you only cover a bit over 10km.
Who said what?