Goodiwindi Greyish

The town owes its fame to a big grey horse which moved very quickly. I too am moving quickly when I reach Goondiwindi as it is getting late in the day and the oil light which prompted action in Moonie is now showing again and has been for the last 40 kilometres. Having stopped roadside to read the car manual, I have been driving heart in mouth, due to the advice in said manual which includes " Driving with this sign showing can risk death or serious injury to your engine. "

Skidding into the local Nissan dealer, I am advised that they are booked to the end of next week and nobody has the time to tun " The Tool " over the engine and even if they did, they could not do anything to remedy what may be found. The helpful receptionist suggests a possible mechanic to which an older man replies, " Nah not him ". She then provides me with the names of three other mechanical services in town and I, convinced the little car will grind to a halt at any second, seek them out.

Suffice to say, none of them can assist me although I hear lots of back-room banter about " tools ". I just want to yell " It's not the time, boys " and embarrass the hell out of them as they seem to be unaware that I can hear every word. Or they know I am there and are just being dicks. Either way, given my mounting anxiety and the fast-approaching end of day, I finally approach the " Nah, not him man " and am told to return later and he will look at it. He certainly appears to be a dick but at this point I am a woman of few choices.

Booking into my accommodation I relate my story to the woman on reception as we wait for a recalcitrant EFTPOS and her response when I advise who I have found to assist, does little to inspire confidence. " Ah, Yeah, I know him " she says noncommittedly.

My attempts at explaining the issues and the action to date are waived away on my return to the mechanic and the little car is handed over to his apprentice. During an extended wait, my confidence is not boosted by seeing the mechanic alight a vehicle at the front of the building, and I realise that he not even supervised the process. Eventually the apprentice returns and assures me that it is merely an errant warning light which he has rectified. As I drive away, I realise that he has also rectified my mileage recorder, by minus thirty thousand kilometres. As the shadows of the evening draw in there is little, I can do but trust.

It is the second night of a blue moon; a super moon and it is luminous over Goondiwindi tonight. It dwarfs my very earthly concerns. I decide that tomorrow will take care of itself.