AmyHuang
Kindness of strangers: Petrol Trouble
I wanted to share this small story.
It was Anzac Day when we packed up and left Bicheno, we had just less than half a tank of petrol left. From Bicheno to Launceston is a mere 230 km, and we had done more than 400km with the amount of petrol we had, so, thinking it was easily overcome, we left the town without paying a visit to the petrol station.
It was a beautiful drive. From Bicheno going north is all beautiful coastline until the turn off west towards Launceston. The turn off brought us to what's called the Elephant Pass. Narrow zig zagging road through thick forest going up the mountain, the cold had formed a thin layer of fog giving the whole area a romantic feel.
That is, until we got to the first town out of the pass, St Mary. The fuel meter was just touching the bottom line. It wasn't so romantic anymore.
"Excuse me!" We approached the first person we saw in town. The town, being public holiday, was closed - including the petrol station. "Can you tell us if there are any petrol stations nearby?"
The answer was no. The guy that owns the petrol station in St Mary never opens for Anzac Day. The guy at the next town might, but he knew that he probably wouldn't. However, the guy at the next next town will definitely open. He always opens on public holidays!
So, how far was the next next town?
The next town was 20km away. The next next town, was another 25km after that.
We both stared at the fuel meter. We could definitely do 20km. Maybe we might be lucky, the guy at the next town might feel like opening after all!
"Good luck" said guy at St Mary. "Sorry you had to be travelling in Tasmania during Anzac Day".
It is true, that in a small town and place, everyone knew everyone.
The Tasmanian countryside is absolutely beautiful. However it was cautiously enjoyed while my eyes kept to the fuel meter.
As we reached the next town, our hearts sank. It was just like St Mary. The streets were empty, and the only store that was open was the local corner shop.
"Excuse me." We wanted to try our luck again. "Can you please let us know whether you know the guy up the road might open the shop today?"
No. It was hopeless. He wasn't going to. Everyone knew that.
We ordered tea, and thought about our next move.
"I do have the number for the guy at the next town by the way." The girl in the shop handed us a piece of paper. It was the guy that always opened on public holidays. "Sometimes he comes out and help people who are stranded like you."
I picked up the phone and made the call. He wasn't free. However... "hey, how about you guys keep driving. Drive until you run out of petrol. If you are not here in 20 mins, I'll come out and get you."
It was the life line we needed. Thanked the girl, we started our engines and drove.
Miraculously we actually made it. When we pulled into his petrol station, the fuel lights kicked in. We only just made it without getting in trouble. At the same time, a man rushes out of the store with a petrol can. We made our presence known, and as it turned out, he was just about to go and get us!
With a good hearted hand shake and payment for our tank of petrol, we continued our journey.
In the end, even though they were only very small gestures, it made our day. When a stranger needed help, they offered just the thing we needed at the right moment. That's what makes a journey.
It was Anzac Day when we packed up and left Bicheno, we had just less than half a tank of petrol left. From Bicheno to Launceston is a mere 230 km, and we had done more than 400km with the amount of petrol we had, so, thinking it was easily overcome, we left the town without paying a visit to the petrol station.
It was a beautiful drive. From Bicheno going north is all beautiful coastline until the turn off west towards Launceston. The turn off brought us to what's called the Elephant Pass. Narrow zig zagging road through thick forest going up the mountain, the cold had formed a thin layer of fog giving the whole area a romantic feel.
That is, until we got to the first town out of the pass, St Mary. The fuel meter was just touching the bottom line. It wasn't so romantic anymore.
"Excuse me!" We approached the first person we saw in town. The town, being public holiday, was closed - including the petrol station. "Can you tell us if there are any petrol stations nearby?"
The answer was no. The guy that owns the petrol station in St Mary never opens for Anzac Day. The guy at the next town might, but he knew that he probably wouldn't. However, the guy at the next next town will definitely open. He always opens on public holidays!
So, how far was the next next town?
The next town was 20km away. The next next town, was another 25km after that.
We both stared at the fuel meter. We could definitely do 20km. Maybe we might be lucky, the guy at the next town might feel like opening after all!
"Good luck" said guy at St Mary. "Sorry you had to be travelling in Tasmania during Anzac Day".
It is true, that in a small town and place, everyone knew everyone.
The Tasmanian countryside is absolutely beautiful. However it was cautiously enjoyed while my eyes kept to the fuel meter.
As we reached the next town, our hearts sank. It was just like St Mary. The streets were empty, and the only store that was open was the local corner shop.
"Excuse me." We wanted to try our luck again. "Can you please let us know whether you know the guy up the road might open the shop today?"
No. It was hopeless. He wasn't going to. Everyone knew that.
We ordered tea, and thought about our next move.
"I do have the number for the guy at the next town by the way." The girl in the shop handed us a piece of paper. It was the guy that always opened on public holidays. "Sometimes he comes out and help people who are stranded like you."
I picked up the phone and made the call. He wasn't free. However... "hey, how about you guys keep driving. Drive until you run out of petrol. If you are not here in 20 mins, I'll come out and get you."
It was the life line we needed. Thanked the girl, we started our engines and drove.
Miraculously we actually made it. When we pulled into his petrol station, the fuel lights kicked in. We only just made it without getting in trouble. At the same time, a man rushes out of the store with a petrol can. We made our presence known, and as it turned out, he was just about to go and get us!
With a good hearted hand shake and payment for our tank of petrol, we continued our journey.
In the end, even though they were only very small gestures, it made our day. When a stranger needed help, they offered just the thing we needed at the right moment. That's what makes a journey.
