To prepare for my trip to Armidale, I fuelled the car up with gas and petrol. I thought I would run the car on petrol for a few hundred kilometres’ to clean out the injectors because the car had been running like a burst arse when I used the petrol. I mostly use the gas because it is cheaper.

The flap at the top of the tank was sticking slightly and it took a bit of effort to push the nozzle in. It was getting on for 50 litres and it clicked off, so I eased the nozzle out slightly and clicked the trigger once more ………the next thing petrol was going everywhere as a tsunami flew from the nozzle and splashed over my feet and more of a concern all over the car and the floor. This has never happened to me before in my life. Petrol all over the forecourt and dripping profusely from under the car, a deadly waterfall that good ignite at any moment.

When I got back to the house I parked on the driveway and tried to catch as much of the fuel as possible that was coming from every orifice and at the same time trying to wash and dilute the fuel already on the ground. I caught another 4 litres of petrol.

At night I put the car in the garage and left the windows and screen door open for ventilation, what I did not consider was the petrol fumes rising up to the house and so when I woke the next morning the smell of petrol was very strong. As I cleared the snot from my nose my nasal passages complained and the smell of petrol in the hanky was palpable. I was beginning to feel like shit too.

I left the car outside for most of the day with the windows opened to get rid of the smell, however when I headed for Armidale the next morning there was still quite a strong smell in the car and so for the next 500km or so I drove with the windows open slightly to keep the fresh air coming through the car.

Armidale was cold and wet, usually when I go down it is just frosty but this time the rain was there to remove any remaining heat from the body. The house was warm, but I think it was too warm considering the way I was beginning to feel and it was only later I realised that I might have been suffering from the effects of petrol poisoning. My head was sore, sinuses choked and sore and I was very tired and my appetite was not as it should be.

It was good to catch up with Stuart and Catherine; mind you I don’t think I was the best of company…even worse than usual. We got out one day for a bit of a walk and a stroll through a sculpture park in Walcha which was nice, however the wind was always there to remind you that it was winter.

The drive home was uneventful and once more the windows were open slightly to let the fresh air in. The petrol smell was still lingering almost a week after the drama at the petrol station. I was tired when I got home, all I had was a cup of tea and then I went to bed. The next morning I could not eat breakfast. I had no appetite and I felt nauseous. All of Friday I slept and made cups of tea and then tried to force a couple of slices of toast down but failed.

Either I had caught a bug or the extended exposure to the petrol fumes was taking its toll. The garage windows were left open, to let the air circulate. The house was frozen but I could not smell petrol. I read that if you put Bicarb in the infected area it can soak up the smell and so that’s what I did.

Today Saturday, there is still a faint smell of petrol when I opened the boot. I have left the windows and doors open and there has been a breeze which has helped. I opened all the windows in the house and froze me nuts off but at least the air is fresh. I did manage toast and banana this morning and had a very small lunch of pasta but I think that is just about enough for one day. A few more cups of tea of course and maybe some ginger to try and make me and my stomach feel belter once more. My stomach feels as if someone has taken a scraper to the inside, it is rather tender and I still do not have much energy.

I was hoping to start on the retaining wall but I think I will have to wait one more day, refuel the body and at the same time drink lots of fluid to clean out the Benzene poisoning which I think I have encountered.

I leave for home in a weeks time and I need to use the following week to finish the retaining wall and a few other small chores. The sun is supposed to be shining this week so at this stage I still feel confident of getting things done, well kinda confident if I’m honest 🤔