It was a long day, not least because my head cold is ferocious and my cough is deep and chesty.
I was ready at 8am but of the tow truck there was no sign. He showed up around 12:30, I paid the bill for the campground and we took off across Arequipa.
He was not my favorite tow truck driver and I’ve met a few now, but his problem was his phone and his constant hustling for business annoyed me as he couldn’t focus on this job and indeed it took three tries to load GANNET2. He drove across town one handed working out another job as we went.
In 20 minutes we arrived at the transmission shop and unloaded the giant van into the traffic lane. I set up a triangle to warn cars coming round the corner but I was being about as eccentric as I am when I pick up after Rusty.
There was not a huge amount of room as the truck unloaded GANNET2 far from the edge of the lane. No damage done though.
I paid 220 Soles ($61) for the tow and then Renzo came out in a pick up truck and we attached the winch line from the front of GANNET2 to the back of the Mitsubishi.
Up the courtyard we went and into his repair yard. Then we had to push the last 40 feet into the repair bay. Someone made a comment suggesting we hire some people off the street to help and I was ready to do that.
As it was an oil rep made a delivery and another customer rolled up so with Renzo, his sidekick and me we made five and in GANNET2 went. The installation should begin Tuesday and I hope I’m only have to didn’t ind night in the yard among the dusty cars waiting for service.
It’s slightly up by the front which makes living aboard slightly awkward but at least this not being the States I don’t have to get a hotel.
And Rusty has found his spot. I emptied the toilet and the trash before we left the campground. The batteries were fully charged and I have a bottle of water to filter if we need it.
We are set, hoping GANNET2 runs as normal after all this. And I get over my cold.
