The kindness of strangers: we broke down in the outback and a retired mechanic came to our rescue | Life and style

It was 2003 and the Peter Falconio case was contemporary in our minds. As 22-year-olds itching for journey, my spouse and I, along with one in all our closest buddies, nonetheless determined to fly from the UK to Australia and spend six months road-tripping by way of the outback.We had been driving 250km from Julia Creek to Mount Isa in Queensland, in a Ford Econovan that had seen higher days.About 50km wanting the city, there was a loud bang beneath the van and the gasoline degree began dropping quickly. A stone had pierced the rusty gasoline tank and our petrol had drained on to the highway – all of it apart from the spare steel jerrycan that we’d saved for emergencies. The van rapidly stopped operating. However to our unbelievable good luck, we had been solely about 100 metres from a relaxation cease, to which we pushed the van within the baking morning warmth.Parked in the remainder cease was a brand new, high-spec camper van. With current information headlines in thoughts, we had been apprehensive about approaching a stranger in the course of nowhere – we’d spooked ourselves out a few instances already on the journey – however we didn’t have many choices.We knocked on the door to be greeted by a barrel-chested Aussie midway by way of having a shave. We requested for any ideas as we had been in dire straits.In one other second of unbelievable good luck, the person turned out to be a retired mechanic, who fastened the jerrycan to the engine. That held lengthy sufficient for us to get the van to Mount Isa the place he and his spouse very kindly adopted us – nearly one other three hours’ drive away – to verify we didn’t get taken benefit of by the native mechanic.We purchased the person, whose identify was Pete, a pack of XXXX Gold beer to say thanks. I distinctly keep in mind him downing one, opening a second, and downing that too. Pete and his spouse instructed us they’d youngsters who had been travelling in England on the time and they’d have wished strangers to assist them in the event that they wanted it.We acquired extraordinarily fortunate with Pete and his spouse. In the event that they hadn’t been there, we might have been very caught and not using a clue what to do, on a blisteringly sizzling day. It made us vow to do the identical if we had been ever ready to assist.What’s the nicest factor a stranger has ever achieved for you?Share your experienceWhat’s the nicest factor a stranger has ever achieved for you?From making your day to altering your life, we wish to hear about  probability encounters which have caught with you. Your responses, which may be nameless, are safe as the shape is encrypted and solely the Guardian has entry to your contributions. We are going to solely use the info you present us for the aim of the characteristic and we’ll delete any private knowledge after we not require it for this objective. For true anonymity please use our SecureDrop service as a substitute.Present moreIf you’re having hassle utilizing the shape click on right here. Learn phrases of service right here and privateness coverage right here