Almanac Life: Dropping 47 litres of unleaded in the diesel tank at Beaufort
Beaufort Fire Station Tuesday, 25 January 1:15 pm.
Ten minutes later, I went to pay:
‘Oh, the diesel on pump 4, thanks.’
‘Ahh… the unleaded on pump 4?’
‘No, no. That silver car there. Diesel.’
‘Ahh.. no… you’ve bought unleaded.’
47.1 litres of it.
Sinking disbelief.
‘Oh, here’s Chris’s number. You’d better give him a call.’
‘Hi Chris? My name is David and I’ve made a MASSIVE ERROR. I put 47 litres of unleaded into my diesel car…’
‘Oh, OK. David, hold on. Has anyone died?’
‘No.’
‘Is anyone injured?’
‘No.’
‘Good. This might be an error, but it’s not a MASSIVE error. You’re human – congratulations. See you in a sec.’
And not only did Chris appear, he figured out where the tow-eyelet was, he got the kids to repack all the camping gear in the car, he overcame the conundrum of an electronic park brake on a car whose engine we were NOT TO START, he hitched a tow rope between our vehicles and he towed me to his place. We were having a GOOD TIME!
Not too many Citroëns have been up on Chris’s hoist over the years. And despite having his own work to do, Chris set about the puzzle, explaining, wondering, curious and careful. I was annoyed, embarrassed, angry with myself. But then I quickly knew that the only thing I could control was my response to the situation.
It was hot. We talked about our kids, our pride, our worries. He talked of men’s sheds. We talked of family, of hopes and dreams, disappointments, marriage, separation and spirit. I even learnt a new word.
‘I made it up just for him, David. Irrigant. Do you know what it means?’
‘Ooh… it sounds like a combination of ignorant and arrogant.’
‘Exactly right. You can use that.’
Mid afternoon Cheryl appeared wordlessly with a Gatorade and lemon lime splice icy pole for each of us. Her display of kindness brought tears to my eyes.
‘David, meet Cheryl. We are so together in this life, we are one.’
By 4:30 pm Chris had pumped about 25 litres out. The kids turned up when the Beaufort library closed at 5:00 pm.
It would have been 7:30 pm when we pulled out of the shed. Chris did it.
Incredible. We ate dinner at that roadhouse outside Ararat and began to erect the tent around 10:30 pm. That was Tuesday.
On the Thursday I received a text:
‘Good morning David.
I hope that you are enjoying your camping trip with your girls.
Cheers, Chris & Cheryl.’
‘Good morning Chris and Cheryl, from Halls Gap.
Yes, thank you so much. We set up camp in the dark and had a great day yesterday. Sun and storms and rock art. The car had not missed a beat. Thanks again, David.’
When we arrived home I sent another message of thanks, with a photo of me filling up using a DIESEL hose.
Chris’s reply related the story of another traveller doing the same thing on Saturday. And finished with: ‘You are an amazing person David and don’t ever forget it!’
Thank you Chris and Cheryl.
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David Wilson is a hydrologist, climate reporter and writer of fiction & observational stories. He writes under the name “E.regnans” at The Footy Almanac and has stories in several books. One of his stories was judged as a finalist in the Tasmanian Writers’ Prize 2021. He shares the care of two daughters and likes to walk around feeling generally amazed. Favourite tree: Eucalyptus regnans.
Been there, done that. Work car fortunately, but didn’t fancy telling the boss Monday morning. Only put a couple of litres in before I realised my error, but same difference – car had to be towed and tank drained.
By the way “what Chris said”. Think of all the entertainment you put on for the kids. Instead of just a boring camping trip they got to see you riding a unicycle while juggling, reading Primo Levi and applied Auto Mechanics 101. Lessons and times they’ll never forget. “Do you remember the time Dad…………….”
Thanks Peter_B. Yeah it sounds pretty common.
Bud Oon (16 yo): “Gee why don’t they put a warning label or a sticker above the tank, or on the nozzle.”
Me: “Ahh… they do.”
And yep, it’s a story of ours now.
Happily it is a story of celebration when it could so easily have been very different.
Crikey how good is Chris!
Just when you are despairing for the state of the human condition, along comes the story of Chris.
Dave and Chris sound to me like two peas in a pod. Great story. Irrigant might be a word to dine out on.
Oh yes, Dips. And Smokie. And Daryl.
How good Chris and Cheryl, both.
I was pretty quick to work myself up – blaming myself, catastrophising, head foggy and chaotic. Steam out of the ears. Things could have gone right off the rails.
But Chris’s immediate human greeting and human interaction helped to bring everything back.
We hear elite athletes talk about controlling the controllables, sticking to processes. Not worrying about things outside of their influence. Of course these are all good principles for everyday life, too.
And hard to apply in moments of peak stress.
The kids were left to entertain themselves – which they did.
Irrigant works.
Thanks David.
And the great news is that there’s Chrises and Cheryls all about us. Helping but also teaching us how to navigate these frequent dilemmas. Your girls will tell this story at your 50th, 60th, 70th etc!
Been there, done that, thankfully not my fault!
Honesty as always,OBP Chris and Cheryl sound like rippers I laughed re the hope you’re enjoying your camping trip with the girls.Glad it turned out ok
Ah thanks Mickey – a teenage mind has already critiqued this story (above) saying “… you didn’t even mention that your daughters had to suffer.” Maybe THAT will become the story that is remembered.
Nice one Col. Walk away, hands clean.
Yes – it all turned out well, OBP. The main thing for me was that the three of us got to have our holiday together. At 2 pm on that Tuesday, my hopes were not high.
Thanks all.
David, Chris dropped everything (while on holidays) to help me back on the road when my breaks failed just outside of Beaufort over Christmas.
Chris and Cheryl are 2 wonderful locals who really get a kick out of helping people in need. Beaufort’s guardian angles.
Dave, great little yarn. The best family stories around holidays and camping trips etc come from situations where things go wrong – usually at the expense of dad. These remain family legends even after he has passed on. Chris and Cheryl sound fantastic.I have another reflection on Beaufort. Spent tons of time in the Grampians and Western Victoria in the 90’s and early 00’s. The old Beaufort Garage (now the Skinny Sisters Cafe) was run by the worlds hardest working man. We would often go thru Beaufort at 10 or 11 Friday night and return late Sunday evening.. We would take bets on whether the garage would be open. The lights were always on, the doors open, and he was there – it seemed it never closed.
A great story, David. Probably not so great at the time, but one to reflect on in years to come.
What can I say…Beaufort is a pretty special place and the people are great! Bet your kids enjoyed their time at the library. When you’re back next time, try the vegemite scrolls at the bakery, or the homemade pasties at Pyrenees Pantry…our butcher is the local Auskick coach and they’ve got the best snags and crumbed cutlets going around too!! Love our rural towns!