20 February 2013 - Sydney Tourist Park, Miranda, NSW

It was not the rain that had woken my husband so early this morning, nor that which kept him awake for the hours that followed. Nor worry, when quizzed; it was “anger” he said, which did not bode well for a happy day. He suggested that our landcruiser might be destined for years in the garage as those we see stories of on TV reality programmes such as New Zealand’s “Fair Go”. I could see straight off that I would have to work hard at keeping everyone jolly for the day. Such is the role of a wife, especially for the wife of a curmudgeon.

After breakfast and pegging a large load of washing on the line, we took a brisk walk up to Miranda for the daily newspaper and some fresh Vietnamese rolls which always go down a treat. As we browsed the newspaper, the scent of the fresh bread kept our focus on lunch rather than the gloom which was hovering above the day, ready to drop on a whim.

A phone call! From the warranty company telling us that they were waiting for a detailed report from the mechanic or more specifically from the reconditioner laboratory. Maurie was to then contact us; this should happen very soon.

Lunch was consumed with relish finished with ripe Australian pears, but still no call from Maurie. The washing had all dried and the forecasted rain not arrived; so far so good.

I suggested several outing options: another film, a train trip to Cronulla to maybe catch a glimpse of the trawler which ran aground there yesterday morning or a walk to the Hazelhurst Regional Gallery in Gymea. The art gallery was the preferred destination so we set off, me dorkily under a rain umbrella in an effort to avoid further sunburn. The route was all uphill although pleasant enough along the wide streets passing quite attractive housing, most adorned with equally attractive gardens.

Today at the gallery we were treated to an exhibition of small seascape paintings titled Shorelines by Peter Simpson, most of the area around Como, where we just might head tomorrow if we need such distraction. The main exhibition on at the moment is titled ArtExpress, the annual showcase of art by 2012 High School students from around New South Wales. As we have travelled about the country, we have so often encountered such exhibitions and each time we have been mightily impressed with the calibre of young artists coming through the ranks, and today was no exception.

Our return was quicker than the going up, still taking about forty minutes and we were still back before the weather changed. In fact the rest of the working day came and went before any rain or any call from Maurie the Mechanic.

I wonder if the warranty company pay out compensation for stress? Alas, I think not.