<h1 class="entry-title"><font size="5">Bucephalus Gets Some New Horseshoes {Travel}</font></h1>

One of our van's is called Bucephalus, the other is Bessie. Yes, we name our vans.

But not our cars.

Weird.

For those of you that don't know, Bucephalus was Alexander the Great's horse. He was super sleek and famous. Just like our van.

The Body that Only a Mother Could Love

When we began the first leg of this years summer vacation, we couldn't have been more excited. Our enthusiasm was not dampened by the four-hour torrential downpour or the "Poltergeist-Like" activities of the door locks.

They would lock/unlock, or lock/lock/lock or unlock/lock/lock all by themselves. Seriously, it wasn't me. In the end, we just figured that all the rain had caused a short circuit in the wiring.

The juries still out on that one.

With some MacGyvering (new verb?) we managed to successfully complete our first mission by picking up and stuffing fitting Uncle Andrew into the van. This was no small feat considering there were three adults, two kids, three dogs and a cat. Not to mention all our gear and you've heard all about that.

Since darkness was quickly approaching, and our second leg involved a two-hour drive North, we decided to fill up with gas and get on our way.

And that's where the story begins or ends depending on whether you see the glass as...

Half Full or Half Empty?

After filling up, Ed couldn't get the car to start. The battery wouldn't charge. No problem, these things happen. And for just such an occasion, The Zoo carries a portable battery booster pack.

After a little bit of this and that, the van started but something was up with the "altinator charge" dial.

In case you don't know what I'm talking about, it's the dial right below the "thing-a-ma-jingie" dial and to the right of the "where-did-that-one-come-from-never-seen-it-before" dial.

Ours was in the Red. At Nine O'clock. Should have been at Midnight.

No matter how optimistic you are,

This was not good.

Ed figured that it was best to turn around and head the three kilometres back to Nanna's house and he couldn't have been more right because,

At the top of a small hill,
With Nanna's house in view,
And only one stop sign to go...

The engine died,
On a Sunday,
Of a Long Weekend.

With the skill of a Great One, Ed managed to guide Bucephalus over the curb and onto Nanna's front lawn.

And that's where it stayed for two days. Until we could get a mechanic to replace the battery and altinator.

All was not lost as we learned a very important lesson. Never travel on a Saturday or Sunday, especially over a long weekend.

Except for this past weekend.

Truth be told, we didn't learn a thing.

Are you prepared for all the hiccups that travelling can throw at you? Any tips and tricks?

Besos, The Zoo