I had heard a lot about it - all positive - so in spite of the threat of rain we went along. There were lots of tents selling various hand crafts and one at which I purchased a wrap around self heating heat pad for my back and hip that was giving me problems that day and I wore it for the rest of the day. There were also numerous food stalls although, being gluten free, I had taken my own picnic with me.
There were lots of things for the children to do - a lady showing them how to do flax weaving - a tarpaulin on the ground with the offcuts of Oamaru stone from the Sculpture Symposium which a lot of children were carving, paper making, face painting and painting to name a few - all free.
There was a music stage with continuous entertainment. We wanted to hear the Whangarei Youth Orchestra and stayed until they had finished and then headed off as I had seen a good buy in a Bosch oven and mine was really past its use by date when I purchased the property nearly five years ago.
We went and I purchased the oven and a microwave (as my current ones are integrated). Doug went to start his vehicle to drive around to the collection area and it wouldn't start. Luckily, I have an AA membership and so I called them and 30 minutes later a lovely man turned up and told us that it was the fuel pump. He hit it with a hammer while I turned the engine over and it started.
We had planned to go back to Artfest to hear the Whangarei Brass Band but were instructed to go straight home without turning the engine off.
We collected the items and did just that. Then the fun started none of the mobile mechanics in the yellow pages were interested. The auto electrician Doug contacted said we would need to get a transporter to take the vehicle to their workshop.
On Monday we went on the usual Parkinson walk and one of the walkers had his own garage before Parkinsons put paid to him working. We asked him if he could recommend anyone which he did. Bob agreed to do it but, as he works for a hire company and does extra work as time allows, he was not able to do anything till Wednesday when he and a mate collected the vehicle and towed it to his workshop. Yesterday, I took Doug there to pick it up. We were very pleased with the service and it is good to have the vehicle back.
One vehicle between the two of us when we live 5kms apart was quite difficult especially with early morning dentist and doctor appointments.
That looks like a wonderful day out, apart from engine trouble. Some people are so helpful, others prefer to be just business and nothing else. So glad all is OK again . Cheers, Jean.
ReplyDeleteThere has been so much to do here in Whangarei over the summer at little or no cost. It was a wonderful family day.
DeleteOur Bosch oven expired just 4 days after the guarantee ran out (i.e. 2 years and 4 days).
ReplyDeleteGood to see shorts being worn; I'd almost forgotten what they look like.
Tax Vouchers in post.
Hope that doesn't happen to mine - it may be a while before it is installed. Did you get another Bosch or something else.
DeleteVouchers received today and email sent to you. Will need the usual photo copies when you get them.
We kept the broken one, and just turn on and off at the fuse box... it saved us a few hundred €'s.
DeleteSo glad that Doug managed have his car fixed - they are a pain when something like that happens. The Artfest looked a lovely day out, shame you couldn't go back and listen to Whangarie band but better to get home safe, rather than risk it not starting again.
ReplyDeleteYes, and it didn't start again so we would have had to be towed which would have been quite expensive especially on a weekend.
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