Day 56, 26 August 2009, Exmouth

Today was the big day when the car repairs were supposed to be finished.

I talked to Richard, the mechanic, at 3:00 PM and he assured me I could pick up the car at 5:00. At 3:10 I started to ring Coral Bay about booking into one of the two caravan parks there, when Richard rang back.

"Sorry. It's the wrong fuel pump. They sent the one for a 1963 Desoto diesel. Simple mistake. Could happen to anyone. The replacement's due in 24 hours. The cheque's in the mail. I'll still respect you in the morning." etc. etc. etc.

We need to leave soon. Pam's stopped talking to herself now and only speaks to a small rock she found on the beach yesterday. A sure sign of 'caravan fever'.

For excitement we did the laundry. Chatted to neighbours Ron and Jan. Ron told us about seeing the remains of a caravan that had apparently exploded on the side of the road on their way into Exmouth. Nothing left but the chassis. Pam found this documented at: http://www.exploroz.com/Forum/Topic/70925/caravans_exploding.aspx?ky=%22Australia%22&p=%2FForum%2FDefault.aspx%3Fs%3D1%26ky%3D%2522Australia%2522%26pn%3D3http:/

Only thing: Ronnie saw it around August 25, while ExploreOz reports it prior to 23 July. Both reports are for the Exmouth area.

Does this happen all the time? Is this an apocryphal tale? Are we in the Exmouth Triangle?

http://www.exploroz.com/Forum/Topic/42992/Exploding_caravan_myth_or_reality.aspx

explores this phenomenon further.

Two main theories are: 1) differential air pressure caused by passage of a road train coupled with crosswind and 2) leaving the gas turned on and getting a spark.

One final interesting thing from Exmouth.

While enjoying a coffee, we read a warning to patrons advising against putting sunglasses on the top of the head. Aggressive local mudlarks often attack their reflection in the lenses, putting beak sized holes in the wearers' skulls.

(We have mudlarks at home that frequently attack their reflections in our front door.)

Philosophical question: If mudlarks hate the sight of a mudlark so much how do they reproduce? At night? With their eyes shut? Your ideas are welcome.