More problems with our car - and miles from home
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (381837)
Rockingham, Australia
July 13, 2018 3:52am CST
I haven’t been able to log on for a while as this caravan park doesn’t have internet. We can log on using the Bluetooth on the phone but there is a limit on it. I think we’re going to purchase more data to get us through the month.
Our car broke down completely a few days ago and had to be towed to a dealer. We’ve heard today that to fix it would cost nearly as much as we paid for it so we’re considering options at the moment. We could fit a second-hand part but that would take about 10 days to fix so we’d be up for accommodation costs and hire of a car. The part and labour to fix it aren’t cheap either.
We’ve looked at a new-to-us second-hand car but we’d prefer to buy in our own state. We have to consider how to cope with the caravan. Vince is investigating whether our travel insurance would transport it back to WA for us.
The good thing is that it broke down just before we were due to head to a quite isolated spot. The other blessing is that we can actually purchase another vehicle if we have to. It wasn’t intention to purchase another vehicle at the moment but at least we aren’t really stuck. I’ll keep you all posted.
The photo is from Echuca in Victoria. The flowers are actually just pieces of plastic gathered up to form flowers. They looked very effective.
29 people like this
29 responses
@cintol (11261)
• United States
14 Jul 18
OMG, that is so stressful to have that happen so far from home. Its good that you have some options as to what to do but sucks that you have to deal with all of it during your vacation. Your right though, good thing you didn't get to the place of isolation when it decided to go huh. Those flowers are cool, I was wondering if they were real or not!
2 people like this
@JudyEv (381837)
• Rockingham, Australia
13 Jul 18
Thanks. We would have had to replace it eventually but now the decision has been forced on to us. The transmission needs replacing which would cost nearly as much as the car is worth so we'll probably buy a new (second-hand) car here and carry on.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128831)
• Gainesville, Florida
18 Jul 18
Sorry to hear about your car troubles Judy. I'm a few days behind on reading this, so I hope you have it all figured out by the time you read my comment. It's disappointing that you have to deal with this situation, but a huge relief to know that you can handle the expense if necessary.
Oh, and those flowers look so real!
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128831)
• Gainesville, Florida
22 Jul 18
@JudyEv I'm glad to hear everything worked out well for you. I've never heard of a Toyota Prado Kakadu. I'll have to look it up on the internet.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128831)
• Gainesville, Florida
22 Jul 18
@JudyEv Oh, it's a Land Cruiser! Those are nice! Good job Judy!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381837)
• Rockingham, Australia
20 Jul 18
We purchased a secondhand Toyota Prado Kakadu. Although we weren't fussed about it being top-of-the-range, it is. That's what was available and best suited to our purposes and we're really pleased with it so far. We sold the poor old one to a wrecker and all the transactions went off very smoothly. There is always that day or two when you feel totally floored but then you pick yourself up and get on with working out options, etc. So all is good in our world again thanks. 
1 person likes this
@sunrisefan (28524)
• Philippines
13 Jul 18
That's a great blessing indeed that your caravan broke down at the park and not in the wilderness, Ms. Judy. I hope you'll be able to get the best options and get home safely.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381837)
• Rockingham, Australia
14 Jul 18
@sunrisefan We've now bought a secondhand car and should be on our way again perhaps Wednesday. It needs electric brakes fitted before we can use it.
1 person likes this
@sunrisefan (28524)
• Philippines
14 Jul 18
@JudyEv Have a safe homeward-bound trip, Ms. Judy!
1 person likes this
@Jessabuma (31696)
• Baguio, Philippines
13 Jul 18
I hope you won't be stranded for a long time, I love this picture.
1 person likes this
@Jessabuma (31696)
• Baguio, Philippines
14 Jul 18
@JudyEv Ohh I see.. Keep safe always..
1 person likes this
@betlynfrnds (4071)
• United States
14 Jul 18
Hope things work out well for you, Judy. Car problems are so aggrivating. Keep the faith and try to make lemmonade when life gives you lemmons. 
1 person likes this
@betlynfrnds (4071)
• United States
14 Jul 18
@JudyEv Good for you. Have a safe trip. Keep us updated.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (208766)
• United States
13 Jul 18
Well as Andy Griffith would say "Don't that beat all?" What a pain. One time, a few years back friend and I had traveled to PA to see my relatives our car broke down in WVA, and it was a Sunday. It took days to fix it as parts had to be ordered. We stayed in a motel for 3 days. To me it was kind of a vacation really..but it was over 1,000 to fix the vehicle.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (208766)
• United States
13 Jul 18
@JudyEv Oh well, at least you have the cash to do it.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381837)
• Rockingham, Australia
14 Jul 18
@snowy22315 Yes, we are so fortunate although Vince's brother has already offered financial help which is really kind of him.
@cmoneyspinner (9218)
• Austin, Texas
13 Jul 18
It's a desperate feeling when your car breaks down and you're far away from home. I've had it happen to me and I got out and walked! I couldn't reach anybody to come pick me up. It was a long walk but I made it home! Anyway! Hope you get everything taken care of.
1 person likes this
@cmoneyspinner (9218)
• Austin, Texas
14 Jul 18
@JudyEv - One time I broke down, locked up my car and started walking. I was on a super busy highway and people were slowing down, trying to offer me a ride. I refused and refused and refused. Finally, a young guy pulls over and says “Mam. I'm an off-duty police officer.” He showed me his badge. He continued: “I have been watching you refuse help from people and I just want to you to know I want to help you. I saw when you got out of your car and started walking. Please! Let me help you.”
So I accepted his kindness, took a lift to nearest gas station and from there I called a family member to come and get me. True story.
These days, especially if you're a woman alone, you don't know who you can trust. Sometimes, you have to have faith in your fellow human beings. There really are people out there who don't mean you harm. But it's still scary!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381837)
• Rockingham, Australia
14 Jul 18
@cmoneyspinner That is a lovely story. I'm glad you felt safe to go with the young man.
1 person likes this
@amitkokiladitya (171988)
• Agra, India
13 Jul 18
I'm sorry to hear about your car breakdown. I really wish you get some inexpensive alternative
1 person likes this
@amitkokiladitya (171988)
• Agra, India
14 Jul 18
@JudyEv this is good. Savings always help
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169439)
• United States
14 Jul 18
Cars can really let us down. I am glad you have resources to take care of the problem. Sorry it has come to that.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381837)
• Rockingham, Australia
14 Jul 18
Now we've got over the shock we can see it was the best place for such an event to happen. We could have been miles and miles from help so really we're very lucky.
@allknowing (153544)
• India
14 Jul 18
That photo shows the state of your mind despite the problem you two are facing. Hats off to you for your ability to look around and capture happy memories. More power to you.
1 person likes this
@sueznewz2 (10409)
• Alicante, Spain
18 Jul 18
the flowers are very effective... sorry to hear about your car troubles... and hope it doesn't delay your travels too long....
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381837)
• Rockingham, Australia
14 Jul 18
Thanks. We've bought another car and are happy with our purchase. We hope to be on our way again about Wednesday.
