Filtered

On July 10, we discovered an issue with the bus oil that prevented us from driving very far. We spent the following day trying to source an oil filter in Gladstone, with no luck. We spent two nights parked right next to the railway line, and then moved a few kilometres up the road next a football field. We were able to train and exercise the dogs, and even discovered a dog park within walking distance.

Meanwhile we’d ordered a new oil filter from Darwin, but couldn’t find the right tool to get the old one off. We had to drain out the old oil, and ended up having to unscrew a bunch of parts before that was possible. And then the new part arrived. Daddy jammed a screwdriver into the side of the old filter and used that as a handle to turn the filter until it unscrewed and came off.

So finally, with new oil and a new oil filter, we hit the road again on July 17.

Auntie Beth flew over yesterday, and tonight is camping beside us in a hired campervan. Fun times, and photos of that coming soon!

Life Goes On

It feels like the past three weeks have been both slow and hectic. We’ve travelled about 1500kms and now we are stuck again waiting on a part for the bus – an oil filter this time. I have been busy working on another blog over at LiveJournal for all fandom related things and working on the dogs’ agility. We’ve rebuilt our weave poles to competition specifications and added another 6 poles to them. We’re now working on upgrading our jumps so when Lassie clips the bar the whole thing won’t fall down.

 

Sparkie’s assistance dog training is going about the same. She’s decided travelators are the best thing EVER and wants to go on every one we come across. On the other hand, lifts are less fun – need to find more of those to get her used to them.

 

Oh, and that new training method is going great. Instead of the dogs being allowed to eat stuff unless we say “leave it,” they now are not allowed to eat stuff unless we say “get it.” Sparkie and me play the “recall  game” every morning and every evening, and she loves it. I throw a treat down the hallway and say “get it!” and once she’s eaten it I call her back for the treat I have in my hand. I really should video it some time. It’s reinforcing her recall and so far it’s working!