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Published: March 31st 2010
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Kangaroo
Did you push our car? So we are all settled in watching a crap DVD about people getting lost in the jungle while making a film about Vietnam war, in the middle of nowhere, with no one around (at least that is what we think) when suddenly the Tank starts to rock. I look at Shenton and he looks at me, neither of us are moving so what can be going on. There is not a breeze in the air and I for one am a little bit scared.
Shenton jumps out of the Tank and without touching the ground is on top of Tank with his head torch on. I hear him moving around then he shouts to me " get my gun out" I play along, as the most dangerous object I have to hand is his glasses case, and say " ok what about your knife" he says "no not the knife, just the revolver" I think the kangeroos are shitting themselves now, well they better be cause I am.
After a few miniutes searching the darkness it seems there is nothing, or no one out there and even though Shenton is convinced we are under attack he gets back in
to watch the rest of the DVD.
All goes quiet and we are asleep by around 9.30pm. It is pitch black, raining and there are all kinds of noises going on outside, neither of us is getting that much sleep when we hear the rubbish bag moving outside. Shenton shines his torch out the Tank window and says "Oh my god whatever it is has also got a torch and is shining it back into my eyes". He then realises that he is actually shining his own torch in his eyes, he was half asleep. So we get the torches on the rubbish stealer and it is wild dogs, or foxes. They have a nibble on the pot noodles but dont seem to like Hot and spicey so they leave. This is aroud 4am and I really am not going to get anymore sleep. By 7am the rain seems to have stopped so we decide to get going and stop nearer the bottom to make breakfast instead of round here as I for one am completely freaked out and it feels like we have been here for a week.
We get the rubbish and the table, brave the
outside loo (this is the scariest part of all) and are ready to go. Then Shenton finds one flip flop by the camp which was not there when we arrived, it really is time to get out of here as Shenton now tells me that apperently he has read that crazy Vietnam vets live in the outback and wilderness areas of Australia. Shenton turns on the engine then I remind him we have no windscreen wipers so he jumps out to clear the screen and the car dies. He tries again but nothing, and again, and again. Crap this is getting scary. I am trying to take the drunk Australian mans advice to the old Chinese woman with a bad hip, on the plane over from NZ to Australia, when he said to her "keep it strong, wear it like a thong, a sexy thong" but I can feel the panic rising. I suggest we leave it have a cup of tea and see if it starts in half an hour.
Well my mind is racing about what would I take when we have to hike out of here to try and find someone to help us or some
signal on the phone, that obvioulsy is not 99.9% coverage of Australia as the sales person told me! We get back in the car and I am literally crossing everything and praying that Tank will get us out of here. Shenton pulls out the choke as he thinks he needs to get more diesle into the car, turns the key but nothing. Now the battery is starting to go and we really dont have many more shots at this. Then Shenotn has a brain wave, we have the CB radio we switch it onto channel 24 and Shenton calls out for any rangers in the area. This time its not a joke and I don't want to play them any songs. We try this for a few minutes but there is nothing. Now Shenton looks to the skys and prays for a miracle and turns the key and hurrah! Tank starts. Our faces are a picture and we both scream "lets get out of here". I immediately burst into tears and we dont stop the car until we reach the next major town "Taree" which is a complete hole, but bliss after what we have been through.
I am
really glad we took the detour as we got to see loads of kangaroos and breathtaking views as can be seen from the pictures, but I am really looking forward to getting back to the coastal route where I can have a hot shower and relax a little.
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atty
non-member comment
Funny tale, liked the bit about you bursting into tears!!!! I bet Shenton when you weren't looking also had a quivering bottom lip. Keep the blogs coming. Atty, Maya and the Wug x