For those who follow our blog, know we traverse this great land in a 1976 VK Chrysler Valiant Sedan. Although we are in Mataranka right now, our starter motor finally gave up the ghost....not bad I guess for 36 years. Luckily we were recommended by Willie Motors here in Mataranka......Hobbitts Auto Lec in Katherine.
From the first point of contact, this company (Hobbards) bent over backwards to initially get me back on the road, until a new starter was found. Up teen phone calls later by them, a new starter motor for this type of vehicle was sourced, be it Melbourne, and air freighted to Katherine post haste.
Once the starter motor arrived, the old Val was attended to professionally, allowing the bride & I to continue our journey back to Cairns.
So if you are in the far NT area and need electrical work, use these lads. Hats off to good old fashioned service.
Cheers & beers
Cruising Granny said
06:03 AM Jul 26, 2012
Have you had a Mataranka Pie yet? There's a shop in the main drag which had the biggest pie I'd ever seen. It cost $8, but there's about $10 worth of beef in it. I looked at the domed pastry, wondering if I'd find a puddle of mince in the bottom. Not so. It took at least a half hour to eat it, but it was worth every cent and minute of culinary pleasure to my taste buds. The hot spings are nice too. Worth a soak. I'm really pleased you could get the "old" Valiant starter motor replaced and you could carry on with your travels. Perhaps you could post a recommendation in the "recommendation" thread.
pricey43 said
07:11 AM Jul 26, 2012
Agree with you CG.
Thought we would just have a snack for lunch and grab a pie.
Really did a double take when hubby arrived back at the car with these massive pies. Definately not a snack.
vkgreenie said
11:03 PM Jul 26, 2012
Thanks for coming back Cruising Granny & Pricey 43
On the road again Friday 27th. Haven't experienced the pies yet, however as we leave tomorow we will definately head to the pie shop, to kep the bodies fuelled up (he he!!!)
Cheers & beers
mr glassies said
01:45 AM Jul 27, 2012
now theres a grunter old tow wagon bit exy to run all you need is a period van lol i wouldn't of thought it would have been that hard to find a starter for that old classic but you ended up with one a and i bet you drove of singing ON THE ROAD AGAIN LOL
dibs
Hylda&Jon said
05:10 PM Jul 27, 2012
Glad you had good luck finding a reputable Auto electricion in Katherine.
While we were there, friends of ours broke down at Edith Falls, about an hour out of town so the car and van had to be towed into Katherine.. Van and car were left on the side of the road oposite a mechanic while they waited for 3 hours for the mechanic to come out to take a look. They were left with no way to have their van towed to a caravan park till they rang us hoping we were still in town so I could tow them.
A week later there was, as yet nothing done to their car and it was still sitting outside on the street so they decided to get it to a more reliable mechanic. Problem was, the one they were at wouldn't let them have it for one reason or another(I think somehow due to the insurance), Anyway the police had to be called for them to get get the car back and it went to another mechanic which took a couple of months to get it fixed anyway. in the time they were there they heard many horror stories from other nomads regarding the problems with mechanical repairs in Katherine. The lesson is, if possible, try not to break down in the place
BTW we spent 4 glorious days at Bitter Springs in Mataranka floating up and down the 100mtrs of the little thermal creek. If anyone is going there, take goggles and a snorkle along as it is a thermal wonderland above and below water. The caravan park next to it supplies long foam noodles to float on which helps.
For those who follow our blog, know we traverse this great land in a 1976 VK Chrysler Valiant Sedan. Although we are in Mataranka right now, our starter motor finally gave up the ghost....not bad I guess for 36 years. Luckily we were recommended by Willie Motors here in Mataranka......Hobbitts Auto Lec in Katherine.
From the first point of contact, this company (Hobbards) bent over backwards to initially get me back on the road, until a new starter was found. Up teen phone calls later by them, a new starter motor for this type of vehicle was sourced, be it Melbourne, and air freighted to Katherine post haste.
Once the starter motor arrived, the old Val was attended to professionally, allowing the bride & I to continue our journey back to Cairns.
So if you are in the far NT area and need electrical work, use these lads. Hats off to good old fashioned service.
Cheers & beers
I looked at the domed pastry, wondering if I'd find a puddle of mince in the bottom. Not so. It took at least a half hour to eat it, but it was worth every cent and minute of culinary pleasure to my taste buds.
The hot spings are nice too. Worth a soak.
I'm really pleased you could get the "old" Valiant starter motor replaced and you could carry on with your travels.
Perhaps you could post a recommendation in the "recommendation" thread.
Agree with you CG.
Thought we would just have a snack for lunch and grab a pie.
Really did a double take when hubby arrived back at the car with these massive pies. Definately not a snack.
Thanks for coming back Cruising Granny & Pricey 43
On the road again Friday 27th. Haven't experienced the pies yet, however as we leave tomorow we will definately head to the pie shop, to kep the bodies fuelled up (he he!!!)
Cheers & beers
dibs
Glad you had good luck finding a reputable Auto electricion in Katherine.
While we were there, friends of ours broke down at Edith Falls, about an hour out of town so the car and van had to be towed into Katherine.. Van and car were left on the side of the road oposite a mechanic while they waited for 3 hours for the mechanic to come out to take a look. They were left with no way to have their van towed to a caravan park till they rang us hoping we were still in town so I could tow them.
A week later there was, as yet nothing done to their car and it was still sitting outside on the street so they decided to get it to a more reliable mechanic. Problem was, the one they were at wouldn't let them have it for one reason or another(I think somehow due to the insurance), Anyway the police had to be called for them to get get the car back and it went to another mechanic which took a couple of months to get it fixed anyway. in the time they were there they heard many horror stories from other nomads regarding the problems with mechanical repairs in Katherine. The lesson is, if possible, try not to break down in the place
BTW we spent 4 glorious days at Bitter Springs in Mataranka floating up and down the 100mtrs of the little thermal creek. If anyone is going there, take goggles and a snorkle along as it is a thermal wonderland above and below water. The caravan park next to it supplies long foam noodles to float on which helps.
Cheers
Jon