I had Brighty's metal diesel tank coated and sealed roughly 8 years from today to stop a bad sweating habit. Today we are southbound for our summer of 2019 and our diesel tank is porous, dripping rot from years of road salt, bumps and vibrations. I am being dramatic - really it just drips until we diesel-off half the tank. Still, we are two thousand kilometers from my floor jack, jack stands, drain pan and a delivery address.
There is comfort in still being mobile. Our Land Rover carries our camping gear and mobile means finding a place to camp and make repairs. With a door pocket full of Mexico and Guatemala maps and my daughter, Astrid, in the backseat - raised on bedtime stories of Mayan ruins, fish tacos and falling asleep to Howler Monkey calls - there is no turning back north. There is free Starbucks WiFi, and the great Land Rover community.
There is a happy end to this tale. Despite the fact he was also on vacation, RovahFarm Trevor and I traded phone calls, emails and texts for the next two days. Trevor confirmed the parts I needed, located them and shipped them quickly and at a very generous rate. I can not speak highly enough of RovahFarm’s service. Trevor has earned my future business.
Trevor shipped our parts direct to Ian at British Unlimited in Little Rock, Arkansas. Ian confirmed the parts arrived, accommodated our schedule and ushered my 110 and family directly into a service bay.
The team at British Unlimited stayed late to ensure the install was done correctly, and my family and I were on the road the same day. Ian and his team’s knowledge, patience and unbelievable generosity define the spirit of the Land Rover community; my family and I are in their debt. While they worked, Michelle and Astrid enjoyed air-conditioning and a sandwich while I looked over the classic Jags, Bentleys, Rollers and service manuals for everything from Defender 110 electrics to a full set of Lotus Series III Esprit repair manuals. With more grace than any other shop owner that has had the misfortune of having one of my Land Rover's on their lift, Ian also pointed out all the upside down and backwards things I had done to Brighty - for future repair.
As other Rover owners who travel with family can appreciate - this group of people saved this guy’s Rover tinkering hide. My wife and I pulled our daughter out of school early for a trip we had been saving and scheming at for 3 years. We departed a week late because Rovers are, how Rovers are and this guy is, how this guy is. Thanks to RovahFarm and the folks at British Unlimited, this experience meant two days waiting for parts in the beautiful Lake Catherine state park, and the heart warming generosity of great people and enthusiastic Land Rover community members.
I post this under a palapa just north of Veracruz, Mexico - sweating with my Corona and watching my wife and daughter in the surf of the Gulf of Mexico. Gracias... We are still pushing south. I promised a post card, Ian and friends, and it’s coming.
