Not the week we thought it would be...

Saturday we were up at 6am and packed up then off walking by 7am. We wanted to do the loop walk at Nitmaluk (Katherine Gorge) but any other time of day it would be too hot. After enjoying the 5km loop we picked up a coffee & had breakfast by the pool. We set off from Nitmiluk just before 10am. 15km down the road and 1 pot hole later our path was about to change. We were on the side of the road calling RACQ for a tow. The underneath of the trailer didn't look very straight anymore :( We got some clothes and other essentials out then RACQ found us some accommodation. I just want to add a note here that taking out the top level cover has paid off enormously and we owe so much to RACQ for their assistance. We lodged a claim with CIL and then waited. 

Sunday we looked around town & visited the Hot Spring. We picked up basic groceries and discovered our fridge had decided to pack it in. (ah crap another thing to fix). 

Monday we met the mechanic and finalised the claim and then had to wait. The quote was not good but we were hopeful. We arranged new tyres for the car as we needed them anyway and might as well kill time here verses anywhere else. We also dropped off the fridge. 

Tuesday was supposed to be a quiet day just waiting and getting the tyres fitted. We got the call from CIL about 9.30am they decided the quote was too expensive so the trailer is a write off. Ahhhhhhhhhh crap. Well at least they got the call over and done with early and we were not in limbo for days. So we made calls and started to research all of our options. The tyres didn't come in & at first it seemed like it was going to be a $500 bill on the fridge but after a few more hours work it seems at this stage it might be far less. Wooooo hooooo finally some good news. 

Wednesday we started to unpack our trailer and get our things back to our accommodation. We needed to see what would and wouldn't fit in or on the car to get it home. After 2 trips we had virtually everything we wanted. We had the new tyres fitted to Randy then started the tetris packing. After first packing the roof then the tub then the back seat woo hoo it all almost fit. It was FULL. We had to leave behind just a few items but nothing of great value. 

Thursday we took one last trip back to the trailer and picked out the last little bits and said farewell :( the rest of the day we just chilled out we were exhausted emotionally & physically. 

Friday we were up early and off to get a wheel alignment before hitting the road. We were done and on the road by 9am. We had a good but long days drive. We drove approx 1300km in 13.5hrs. We pulled into Mt Isa and it was so good to see Ben and Bonnie. 

Saturday and Sunday we were up and on the road by about 8am. Saturday night we stayed in Emerald having done 1100kms in 11hrs then Sunday into home driving 800kms in 9 hrs. We were shattered. Mum had cooked us a yummy roast dinner. Alli, Neil and Scarlett were over to see us. It was sooooo good to be home.