Folks there are good days and there are bad days in Mexico. Yesterday was one of those BAD, BAD days ! Woke up to find we were out of propane. So we decided to un-camp and go get the tanks filled. We have not been un-camped for over 50 days. Longest time Rita & I have camped in one spot !!!! So we decide to make a day of it and go to Manzanillo, shopping at the Wal Mart, groceries, dog trimming and other innuendo. Ernst decides to tag along. Jonathan stays to go surfing with Mike but asks us to get some wax for the board. Off we go after un-camping and getting the van fired up and windshield cleaned of the salt and grime of the last month or so. Down the road we find the propane and take on 11 liters, it was empty alright. Then into Manzanillo following the route along the Mirimar beaches Rita sees a surf shop. I’m a block or so past it by the time I can pull over and stop in the Perifico lane. It looks clear to the rear to back up so back I go until THUD, What’s that ! Stop and go look, there’s a cement hydo pole in the lane of traffic. Not visible in any of my mirrors ! So my first accident with my Westy in 17 years of ownership. Not Happy. Anyway’s Rita goes off to get the wax and we finish our errands including getting Hunter trimmed at a vet we find along our way and head back to La Manzanilla. On the way home in the village of Melaque we stop at the local car wash to get a clean up of the salt and grime on the Westy. I take off the bike rack so the guys can have better access to the rear and afterwards we are all so admiring the $4.50 clean up, we drive off forgetting the bike rack. I notice the bike rack missing only after getting back to camp, having diner, then when closing the rear hatch before going off to bed. Whoa, not a happy camper this night. So………today we un-camped…….again, and off the Melaque to find the bike rack and a body shop to repair the damage. Both successful and we met Jean in the process. He’s got a real nice place in Obregon a suburb south of Melaque. So tomorrow we’re off again. Body shop wants the van at 9 am and will have it fully repaired and painted for Friday afternoon, $200 total cost ! We got ourselves a room at the Two Dolphins a few blocks away from the body shop shop we can keep an eye on things and visit Jean & Melaque at the same time. Pics below and more news to follow !

Westy accident in manzanillo

Hunter with new hair cut

Westy clean-up in Melaque

Adios,

Frank, Rita & Hunter

Posted on January 31st, 2008 by FrankandRita
Filed under: Rita and Frank Condelli