Day 27 - Geraldton 23rd July 2015

Well today didn't exactly go to plan! :(

Up early and on the road, with the what has become traditional bakery stop.  I am so going to need to get to the gym when we get home.

Stopped at Shell Beach for a bit of fun and do a photo shoot with our budding models.

Fairly uneventful morning in the cars.  We had a quiz between the cars which was very close before the Bransby car pipped the Horans to win.  We decided we really need to educate our children more - not one of 6 knew what animal a baby cygnet belonged to.  Actually come to think of it there was at least one adult that didn't know that either.

Hadn't really decided where we were going to stay tonight.  The plan was to drive as far as we could and then stay at one of the free sites.  The best laid plans.......  Not long after lunch and we were driving along the highway at 100km per hour with Amanda and her crew following behind when there's a pretty loud noise from outside (and a few choice words coming from Ian inside too).  I thought a tyre had blown but Ian looks in the rear vision mirror and sees our tyre flying across the road with smoke coming off and realises our caravan is at a distinct angle.  Luckily for us, Ian was able to steer the car and van off the road without it flipping (and flipping us) and lucky the wheel didn't hit Amanda or anyone on the other lane that it crossed over.

The next couple of hours were spent on the side of the road trying to contact insurers and the RAC.  After giving up watching the news because of how awful it is my faith in humanity was slightly restored by the number of people who stopped to try and help us.  Not much that could be done though as no axle so towing wasn't an option.  There was also the loveliest young girl working at the roadhouse where we drove up to to try and get better service and a coffee and some food for the kids.  She almost had me in tears (I know that's not hard) offering to help and coming up with suggestions as to what we could do.  And she offered vodka.  Thank you Kate.  Im sorry you weren't there when we left so I could have thanked you in person.

Had to put the van on the back of a truck (Ian said it was very close to falling off!) and then find somewhere to stay in Geraldton.  We ended up at the Abrolhos Reef Lodge and I have to say I highly recommend it if you are looking for accommodation there.  The 2 young guys could not do enough to help us and gave us a really good rate (cheaper than what some of the caravan parks were asking and it was a 2 storey fully self contained unit).

Needless to say, there was copious amounts of wine that night and a few tears.  Poor Jayco.