Oil Slick !
Trip Start
Oct 04, 2008
1
19
67
Trip End
Nov 04, 2008
Weymouth,
United Kingdom
Sunday, June 1, 2008
That annoyed Jim. He'd been itching to get behind the wheel and now he wasn't even in the first three. Apparently he was a bit agitated when he found out.
This was Sunday and it was Wednesday before Jim and Lucy came up to Weymouth. They met me at the bus where I was painting inside. The weather wasn't up to outside painting. The lack of exterior paint didn't help either. I could tell Jim was itching to drive, so after a while I suggested going for a pint. Jim drove us out to the Victoria Inn, about 2 miles up the road. Luckily it had a big car park.
We had lunch and listened to the resident old codger who had an opinion on everything form the tribal issues of Ethiopia and road conditions in the Sudan. I was more concerned about our lack of security on the bus. Really must get JC on to that.
The following day, Jim got behind the wheel to reverse the bus out. The electrics seem to be playing up, no lights come on on the dashboard. Jim reversed it back so that the rear wheels dropped in to a minor trench. It's only about 2 inches deep. He then tried to drive forward but it wouldn't go. That's a worry, I thought. He tried reverse and it still wouldn't pull itself out of the trench. How the hell will the bus cope with the desert tracks in Sudan if it can't cope with a 2 inch trench ? We then found out it was losing lots of oil underneath. Oh hell !
I guess it is better to break down in the car park of Weymouth Police Station than in the Sudanese desert. A walk to the workshops provided us with tools, torches and advice, then Jim and I got filthy and oily under the bus, trying to locate the oil leak. We very nearly found it.
A major plus point of the breakdown was that two guys from First Buses arrived, John and Frank. The latter in particular was a true bus enthusiast, pointing out various points about the engine, advising us on various aspects of bus engine maintenance. Bill had also shown up and soon we had the offending split pipe off and I was off to get a replacement.
Bill has now commited to come on the trip, having sorted out a small issue of dog care. Great news, he's going to be a real asset to the team. Hard working, amienable and a real all-rounder, able to turn his hand to woodwork, kitchen fitting, plumbing, mechanics, you name it...
Jim was concentrating on the kitchen area. By the Friday evening when we broke for food, he had installed the worktop and gas hob. It just needs plumbing in to the gas supply and we have a functioning kitchen. Lucy celebrated by buying toilet rolls, a salt and pepper set, plastic cutlery trays and some washing up brushes. I think the pair of them are looking at moving in permanently soon.
