Monday Aug 19th 1929: Washing Day.
The Methodist Inland Mission has a day at the tub. Cec and I did all our washing, ironing, darning and mending today. Made a fair job of it all but was not sorry when it was finished. It does not do though to boil a pair of navy trousers with a grey sports coat. I wished when doing the darning that I had been sitting in a comfortable chair watching someone else doing them as I used to, not so very long ago. Went out to an evening given by Miss Glen Reilly at ‘The Cottage’ and sang, played games and laughed, all together and in turn.
Tuesday Aug 20th 1929:
Had a day of writing. Made up the monthly returns, paid local accounts, sent away a couple of reports, and numerous other letters in connection with the mission. Went down to the tennis court and with 3 others had a couple of sets before breakfast. Cec did not go down as the late night previously was too much for him, so much so that he did not have breakfast but stayed in bed until the best of the day was gone. The hot weather is having a bad effect on numerous individuals about the place, as today I noticed several who were not sure whether the ground in front of them was uneven or smooth. At four o’clock Cec and I went across to the hospital and ate cake with the matron, sister and postmaster’s wife. Apart from these few incidents the day was uneventful.
Wednesday Aug 21st 1929:
Intended going down to tennis again before breakfast but somehow slept in until it was too late. Spent the morning and some of the afternoon going over the bus with grease gun and oil and also frightened it by applying several washings of the water conserved since washing day. Had a clean up and did some writing and reading. Cec and I went out to supper across to the Shire Sec.’s residence. A beautiful night, full moon and supper was served out on the lawn?
Thursday Aug 22nd 1929:
Reading, writing, a bit more washing and getting loaded up for the proposed trip on the morrow and occupied most of the day. Was very energetic in the morning and went down to tennis before breakfast. Having beautiful weather and most glorious nights. Too good to be spent on one’s own in these great open spaces.
Friday Aug 23rd 1929: Man proposes and God disposes.
Left Camooweal this morning after waiting for the mail and parcels for folk en route to Borroloola, with full intentions of reaching there tomorrow, but the bus turned us down 120 miles from Camooweal and over 300 miles short of our journey’s end, by doing in of her ‘big ends’. We were 20 miles from Alexandria station so limped in here and here we are likely to remain for a few days. Have talked to the mechanic and manager here and have decided to have the engine taken down and crank shaft and bearings overhauled and adjusted. Am not sorry that will not get through to Borroloola, owing to the fact that we would have to rush back. The weather has also turned dog on us all and it is blowing frightfully, accompanied by plenty of dust, so traveling would not be at all pleasant.
Saturday Aug 24th 1929:
Took the car up to the garage this morning and became myself one of the station hands, and commenced to dismantle the whole business. Went back after lunch and did some more until I was called away by the head mechanic and book-keeper to go and play golf. Four of us then played nine holes after which a shave and shower were most refreshing. One notices the absence of the ‘greens’ in playing golf up here, but in spite of brown dust and small stones which the players hit in the air more often than the ball, a great deal of enjoyment is obtained. Had a sing at night. Our host and hostess left us today to go into Camooweal with this little girl who is not too well. Miss Thyme, companion to Mrs Johnston is now the only lady on the station but who is capable of looking after both all of us and herself.
Sunday Aug 25th 1020:
A quiet day on Alexandria station, sleeping and reading most of the day and of course eating. Two police and a stock inspector, arriving during the day increased our numbers and at night 8 men with one lady as an audience sat for 2 hours and sang hymns without a stop. Was surprised at some of the chaps knowing so many hymns as they did.
Monday Aug 26th 1929:
A day in the garage. Got the engine out this morning, after which became merely an off sider and Mr Harvey the mechanic took charge. Most of the time was spent taking the engine to pieces and cleaning it. It was dirty too, inside and out. Am hoping to learn a bit this time while the engine is all to pieces. Went back into the garage after tea while Harvey set about turning out some piston rings but had to give up in the end, not having the right material to work on.
Tuesday Aug 27th 1929:
Another day in the garage.
Cleaning mud and muck off various parts, grinding in valves etc while the chief mechanic attends to the crankshaft, main bearings and big ends. Did some reading after tea while the rest played cards.
Wednesday Aug 28th 1929:
She begins now to look again like an Oldsmobile engine and there will be no holding her when she starts. Hope to have her back in the bus and ready for the road by lunch tomorrow. Writing after tea while the rest play Bridge.
Thursday Aug 29th 1929:
Will she ever go? This cry was continually wrung from the depths of our hearts all day as we endeavoured to get the bus to move under her own power. We pushed and pulled her with a Ford all over Alexandria station but no good. Ran the battery just about out also in our vain efforts. At last, both to our relief and annoyance discovered that the valve timing had slipped while putting the engine together, so by the time this was remedied and the bus was going it was nearly dark so no start was made.
Friday Aug 30th 1929:
After a final ‘run over’ and final adjustments made , loaded up, said farewell and hit the trail for Camooweal via Rankine and Avon. Had to take the bus quietly until the bearings were ‘run in’ but had a good trip in. Found everyone gravely concerned fearing we would not get in, so as to be at Wandangi for the wedding tomorrow. Even the bridegroom down there was in a state of severe agitation until he heard we had arrived in here. Spent the evening down at Reilly’s at the piano.
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