The Ham Nomads

20 Jul 2015. <SK> Bratislava —

As we came into Autostop Zlaté Piesky yesterday, we saw a notice on the wall regarding a caravan and camper service enterprise, Bratislava Štúdio Caravan, who might be in a position to resolve a few problems we have had with the van — the grey water seems to be disappearing into a void, and then reappearing in the boot of the van (so we have been using alternative solutions for about six months!), the switch in the refrigerator that allows it to operate from the leisure battery is non-functional, and the driver's side door lock has in the past few days ceased to function with the key (we can lock and unlock the door from inside the van). We took the van over to Štúdio Caravan, who said they would need the van for about four hours, so they dropped us at a shopping centre (with air conditioning and WiFi — Suzie also took advantage of the time to get her hair done), and when they picked us up again at about 4pm, the grey water issue had been resolved, the refrigerator switch had been fixed — but the door lock needs to be totally replaced, so we will live with that until December!

By the time sll this was done, there was little chance of doing anything else in the day, so we returned to Autostop Zlaté Piesky. We came back into a different site, and there was a delightful English couple next door, Tom and Lauren. We decided to move a bit further along, to try to find a shadier site, so we went over to Tom and Lauren to explain that we weren't slighting them, we were moving for logistical reasons (keeping the van cool on these hot days).

We went back over to them after we relocated, because with our gas problems resolved, and our fridge now working on 220 volts, the 12-volt battery, or gas, we had no further use for the reserve cooker (and gas supply for it) we had bought 'just in case'. So we offered it to them, and it couldn't have come at a better time, as they had run out of gas, and had spent the day fruitlessly seeking a supplier here in Slovakia. This would give them at least two weeks' reprieve!

We got into deep conversation with these two, and realised that they would be the ideal people to adopt Gertie when we finish our travels with her. We offered her to them, and their smiles said it all! Tom is mechanically savvy, and he would relish giving Gertie the treatment she needs. This would apparently allow them to bring their intended travel plans forward about 12 months, to get to Tom's sister's wedding in Italy next year under their own steam, and from our point of view, we don't have to worry about seeking a buyer when all we will be wanting to do is to arrange our flights back home. It's a win-win situation however you look at it!

So, well satisfied with all the day's achievements, we settled in, had dinner and watched a few episodes of Bones before turning in for the night.

Distance driven — today, nil; to date, 24,337 miles ( 39,167 km )