More about transportation...and 'Goodbye' Wilfred

Even though yesterday was NiQi's birthday, life goes on and we need transport...

Johan left at 6 am to travel 249 km and meet his cousin who had travelled an equal distance so that he could pick up a gear box from him.  Bakkies, Johan's cousin is in the motor industry and he managed to source a gear box from an acquaintance he knows in the same trade.  Someone he no doubt trusts, and who owed him a favour.  Because of the favour it only cost us half and arm and a leg...lol

I'm sure they chatted and had a cup of coffee together before both taking the long road back to their respective homes and on arrival,  Johan dropped the gear box off in the capable hands of a neighbour who had given a reasonable quote to take the old gear box out and fit another one in its place.  Well not long after, the neighbour arrived at our gate with the news that the gearbox Johan had just travelled almost 600 km to collect was in fact broken.  Off the two of them went to have a look and yip...one of the synchros inside that help to change the gears was in fact broken...BEEEEEG SIGH!!!!!

Communication between Johan, Bakkies and the distributor of the gearbox ensued and the result of all the discussions is that Johan must today take photographs of the entire gearbox and send them off via email so that this chap can decide if he will come himself with spares and fit the gearbox himself...at his own cost...or if he will courier the spare parts to us.  One wants to believe that everything was done in good faith and no one meant to rip us off, but you know how at times like this there is that little voice that pops up in your head to give you doubts...well we will see how the end of the story pans out.  Johan is just disappointed that the whole process didn't work out as easily and smoothly as he had hoped.

Here's to a happy ending..faith and prayer...

Wilfred left early this morning.  He was up at the crack of dawn...not quite as early as me, but before Johan...hehe, just so he could feed 'his' birds one last time before he went back to KZN.  Johan took him with his luggage - more than he arrived with I might add, to the bus station so that he could catch the bus down.  I packed him food and juice for the day and at least it is a nice cool day so it won't be hot and uncomfortable on the bus.  We will miss him around here, especially Johan, as our lives return to 'normal' with the daily farm chores he was helping out with.