Roadtrain's troubles

I don't know who wrote this little gem, but I'm sure glad
they did, it brings out the laconic Aussie sense of humor
and laid back attitude so well.
The place mentioned is on the Gibb River Road in the
Kimberley area in WA, which is in a really remote section
of Australia and to call this a road is yet another example
of Aussie humor at work.

Truckin’ Troubles

Yard base VHF was crackling’

In the office it was cackling

And the boss of Nor-West Transport checked the time

Which informed him to his sorrow

It was 3a.m. tomorrow

But his call sign urged from bed that he should climb.

“It’s me, Roadtrain, boss” it called him

As from out of bed it hauled him,

For old Roadtrain was the worry of his life,

And he answered on the double

‘Cause from Roadtrain calls meant trouble

And at 3 a.m. it meant ten-fold the strife.

“I’m ten miles above Gibb River…”

And the boss gave out a shiver,

He could see him on some creekbed washaway

But the voice boomed in much clearer

“And I’ve broke me left hand mirror

So I’m sorry boss I can’t get home today.”

Now this last communication’

Was it rum’s intoxication?

Or had Roadtrain popped some pills and flipped his lid?

Half asleep the boss assessed him

And the problem that distressed him

Which this broken left hand mirror clearly did.

But with cattle to deliver

From the stations up Gibb River

With three trailers bucking swaying overweight.

Through gorge creekbeds he’d be hauling,

Dust and flies would be appalling

And a broken left hand mirror wouldn’t rate.

So he snarled in tones reproving

“Roadtrain, get that damn rig moving!”

There was silence, then he heard his man transmit,

“Boss about that left hand mirror,

I’ll attempt to make things clearer,

I can’t move because your trucks on top of it.”