Nelson to Mount Gambier

Day 8
Monday 9th February 2009

KIM HEADING OFF FROM NELSON




We left Nelson and negotiated our way across the border into South Australia (paying careful attention to the rules relating to fruit and vegetables). We had arrived in the information centre at Mount Gambier by 8.45am (SA time). Kim enjoyed the ride and wanted to look around and keep going but we had a few snags.

Snag 1
It appeared that our internet wasn't working. After speaking with our carrier, we were told we couldn't fix the problem in SA and had to wait until Perth (WA). The Mt Gambier information centre was fantastic and allowed Kim to go behind the counter and check her modem module on their computer - it worked on their computer but not ours. Looked like computer problems. The information centre was fantastic in helping to check our power supply and locations for computer repairs - the morning was not looking good.

Snag 2

While checking out the computer problem we found our camper batteries had dropped to 12.6 volts (not getting enough charge from the truck and I didn't bring our ancient high ampage yacht battery charger) so the inverter wouldn't kick in to provide 240 volts. While the problem is simple - we need to drive 3-4 hours to charge the batteries (not having any other form of charging). Rather than go with solar panels, chargers, inverter generators or wind generators (as with yachting) we started with the attitude of suck it and see.

This was all a bit depressing. We decided to stay in a caravan park in Mt Gambier and see what we could sort out. While Kim stayed on the computer trying to fix it, I went into the city centre and bought an electronic charger. While I was sereptitiously cutting my own set of keys for Kim's motorbike she rang and reported that the computer was fixed. Riding around Mt Gambier is really enjoyable on Kim's motorbike, plenty of historical buildings and interesting shops.
BATTERY CHARGER UNDER CAMPER

While I am charging the batteries, Kim has gone into town and will report back on what we should do while we are in Mt Gambier.



Chris