Another rainy day in Brisbane -- it seems like we haven't gone 24 hours
without some precipitation since I arrived. Ah well, can't let the weather
get me down as there's still much to do before the container arrives. Today's
schedule includes two meetings -- so far -- several phone calls and possibly
some more parts pickups. By the time I've showered, shaved, dressed and am
out the door, the rain has stopped and the sun is out again. I still can't
get over how that happens. Already my mood is looking more upbeat.
First stop is the photo shop to drop off another roll of film for processing
(remind myself to get the scanner fixed a.s.a.p.), then it's on to the highway
and north to Brisbane. A planned forty-five minute drive turns into over an
hour with the various "detours" I took. With what I thought was a fairly good
idea of how to find the customs brokers, I took the planned turnoff and
immediately plunged into a maze of one-way streets in the central business
district.
After ten minutes of that nonsense I found myself heading south
(out of town) and quickly took the first turnoff to Kangaroo Point. (No 'roo's
there, just some rather old residences and some very dodgy-looking characters
hanging about). A quick look at the UBD city directory had me off in the
more-or-less right direction and with only a few more minor dramas I finally
arrived at the brokers offices.
Getting past the combination receptionist-security guard ("sign in the book
and put on this visitor's badge"), I was led to the office of John McNally,
Customs Clearance Manager for OBM Pty. Ltd. After a few mintues of pleasantries
and dispensing with some of the official paperwork (Bills of Lading and Fumigation
Certificate), the bombshell dropped. "The container will have to move in-bond
from the wharf to Interport, where the contents will be destuffed (unloaded
from the container). Then an independent appraisal of the value of the goods
therein will have to be obtained, then the Quarantine Department will have
to certify the truck as fit (clean enough) to be imported, then the Customs
officer will have to clear the shipment. And finally, you'll have to pay all
the costs before the goods can be released."
Just another wrinkle in the linen, eh? Try reading the foregoing as a major
bummer. We're not just talking lost time, extra expense and aggravation; we're
very concerned about the health of the race car when the Interport mob get
finished unloading it. "Of course you can be there to supervise the unloading".
Small mercy anyway. But we're already pressed for time and if we lose more
than two or three days getting the container to jump through these latest
hoops.... then all our plans for the Winternationals are pretty much toast.
While my crew chief, Tom, is saying it just can't be done in time, I'm
trying my best to convince myself that it can be done. At this point if I
wasn't thinking as positively as possible, I'd just give up and head for the
airport. The bottom line is that this is just one more issue to deal with,
and just like every other obstacle we've encountered on our "quest", it will
be overcome and we'll move on. One day at a time. Got to keep the positive
ions flowing, right?
After the one-hour session at the brokers, the second meeting of the day
promises to be much more enjoyable. Following my craftily laid out trail of
cigarette butts back to the highway, I was soon on the Pacific Highway and
headed south to Underwood and the offices of Lifestyle Australia. In
sharp contrast to my first adventure of the day, the route to Lifestyle was
almost too easy and I only made one wrong turn enroute.
Entering their offices, I introduced myself to their sales manager, Melissa
Thompson, and spent what seemed like only a few minutes discussing our requirements
for crew shirts. Price, style, logos and embroidery agreed upon, she promised
to have the order ready in time for the Winters. Even if we don't get the car
done in time, at least we'll have nice shirts to wear. And as promised, the
visit was more than worthwhile, if only for the chance to meet Melissa. Aussie
girls.... Makes me wish I was twenty years younger... or at least felt that
way.
Returning to Ken's shop in the early afternoon, I received another pleasant
surprise in the form of a small FedEx box. Thanks very much to Jeannie Hunter
of Jager Safety Equipment of Coquitlam, BC (Canada) for shipping down
my re-webbed and re-certified safety harnesses so quickly. Yet another item
removed from the "to-do" list. One day at a time and one item at a time.
Sat down with Ken and reviewed our options for the Winternationals for what
seemed like the hundredth time. We're now on Plan "XYZ" as things seem to change
on a daily -- and sometimes hourly -- basis. With his experience in dealing
with Australia's rules and regulations and realities, Ken suggested several
methods to "expedite" matters when the container arrived. As always, he's
left the "action" part of those plans in my "capable" hands.
As I write this latest update, the sun is almost down to the horizon and
the night is beginning to close in after another all-too-short day. With
darkness descending, the sounds of the birds and the view of the hills and
valleys outside gradually change from Australia to a jungle-like setting.
Dark, mysterious and wonderfully different. Despite all the dramas and the
Vancouverish weather lately, this truly is a South Seas paradise. Next update
tomorrow, so stay tuned for the latest installment of the Dragster Diaries,
aka: "As The Wheel Turns".