Sat 28 Sept 2013 – Petrol Miracle at Tom Price & the Insects

This morning we were heading for Tom Price, a mining town, where we could get diesel and fruit before travelling West, to the coast. This trip was a bit scary though because when we set off, the fuel gauge told us we had enough diesel for 70kms but Tom Price was 109 Kms away. We talked to God about it and asked if he would either do an Elijah/Elisha - like miracle of us not running out or provide somebody kind to help us on the road. Once we were on the bitumen, our fuel prediction improved but we were still 13 Kms short. We made it to the 80km area outside the town, then the 60 km area, and then the car started to shudder and miss. We saw a petrol station ahead and as we approached a stop sign about 100m from it, the engine died and also the power steering and brakes went. Fortunately, there was nothing coming and Rodger was able to skilfully glide across the intersection and then into the petrol station and right up to the pump on nothing! We said a big thank you to God - talk about cutting it fine!

After filling up with diesel and drinking water and washing the thick red dust off all the windows, we went to the library to check our emails. Rodger realised that there were a few things he needed to fix up for the Lighthouse so, as the library was closing, I left him sitting in the car outside (where he still had Internet cover). I went to buy food, used the washing machine in a nearby motel and then draped all the wet washing over the back of the car to dry while we drove.

When everything was sorted, we set out again, I drove and Rodger had a harmonica practise. 300 kms later and just before dark we reached a good rest area where we can stay the night - I was very glad that our dinner was already cooked!

My goodness though, you have never seen so many insects! Even when we retreated into the van, behind the fly screen, they still found their way in. Luckily they're not biting insects, but lots of tiny moths and flying things, which require Rodger to go berserk with the oven glove at various intervals. When we went out to clean our teeth and go to the toilet, a praying mantis was among the hundred or so creatures that followed us back in. The party's certainly in our van tonight!