Day 12: in search of a Chateaux or not..poorly Sunder

 Another leisurely pack up - with a warm welcome from the owners of the industrial units and car park but no offer of toilets or fruit etc so we move on in search of a Chateaux. 15  mins into the 1.25 hr journey and just into Belgium Sunder was smoking white smoke like a good-un.  Suspected head gasket leak as water was down and temperature up.


We pulled into a fuel station where a really pleasant  and helpful Belgian guy said we could wait for Sunder’s engine to cool down and indicated where we could find a vehicle spares shop


Patrick, Kevin and Wendy set off on the mission for some repair ‘stuff’ - not just the Rawls Robin had with him

They returned empty-handed but with instructions of another shop who would have what was required

In the mean-time Big Chris has offered to send us any spares we need overnight so that may well prove useful… albeit it is Friday tomorrow

Water and Stuff added to Sunder we set off again and reached the spares shop where we had to wait for them to open after lunch to get the ‘stuff’ needed which was duly used, after topped up again and we set off for the chateaux with regular checks on Sunder’s temperature which seemed to be fluctuating wildly which means there is clearly still an issue.

 



The chateau Robertsart was a large house in the middle of the town by the river. The gardens we incredible although a little unkempt and the park was free and serene.

We had a lovely walk through the flower garden - and played hide and seek..













We ended up by the river for coffee and waffles before setting off in search of a campsite for the night



Decisions will be made later on what we do about Sunder but we are NOT going to let this spoil the trip or allow anyone to leave early!!! Threat of hostages have been made if there is any escape attempt by any member of the party.

 

The campsite turned out to be very busy with statics but with a good shop and chicken rotisserie which provided 6/8 dinners. We are running out of base supplies but bread and cheese are available in the shop as well so we are certainly not starving!!!



 



Martyn did his smalls washing ..

 


Of course there was also the obligatory cockerels, church bells and also airplanes and trains occasionally

 

Free electric and a lovely warm evening enabled the vehicles to be aired and dried well before everyone turned in for the night. The plans for tomorrow are vague as it depends on the availability of the repair required for Sunder’s head gasket

 

A call for help has been put on the S2C Facebook page and forum as well as a message sent to a colleague from Lucy’s work who lives nearby. Ringing around garages will be the aim tomorrow morning.

We may stay another night or maybe not…

 


Comments

  1. AnonymousJune 21, 2024 at 10:03 AM

    It looks like an eventful tip guys in more ways than one. I nearly wish I was there with you. Sunder seems to be struggling more than in Morocco; hope she gets sorted out. Hope Dianne remembered the Daz. Love and hugs to all, Mountain Mike

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