Day 1

Anna got away as planned at about 9.00am. Spike and I left about an hour later. We headed to a battery replacement joint in beautiful Bankstown, run by a chap named Moe, who might have been Syrian. The Century Battery shop was in a typical suburban shopping centre but with especially tight turns, making negotiation for the truck and van slightly challenging.

Moe was a good fellow and had ordered two batteries to fit the F250, which of course were “special” and expensive. “Only four in Australia at the moment mate and you’ve got two of ‘em,” he said proudly. 

Batteries successfully installed, we went inside to pay. Moe was keen for me to buy a jump-starter because he had a special deal on a big one. “No? Well what about a smaller one? No?” He seemed disappointed that we could not find another transaction so he gave me a free headlamp!

Next Spike and I found our way to tonight’s campsite, which is essentially a suburban street next to a park, next to the Georges River in Chipping Norton. A council worker was mowing nearby as we pulled up. He turned off the mower to chat and far from being the urban policeman I feared that he might be he was a good bloke. He said we’d be all right camped there for tonight, suggested some other spots we could try, said the dog was fine off the lead and pretty soon we got to talking about V8 motors, Harleys, and Fords – all of which he has and loves. Spike reckons he is a Pauline voter for sure; an old, anglo, working class male petrol head.

Anna arrived on time. She was fit and healthy and not particularly worn out after doing 100 plus kilometers. She has showered, her clothes are about to go into the wash, cups of tea have been drunk. All is good. Margie is coming for a caravan-dinner tonight and bringing pizza! Tomorrow we plan to be on the Central Coast.