Red light spells danger

The following day we said goodbye to Glen Innes – a town that was way too exciting for us, & headed to Armidale, a sedate, demur city ( city because it has not 1 but 2 cathedrals) & clearly a place for the ‘well to do’. We weren't really sure where to go from here & the lady in the tourist information didn't help us resolve that. However a chance encounter with a man in the car park outside  gave us some great ideas locally & further afield. Good timing as the rain had just arrived. We set off along Waterfall Way where we kept ahead of the rain for most of the 40km but the dark sky made the landscape look quite sinister. Much of the road was windy & uphill but there was v little traffic so we ambled along. We turned off the highway into the New England National Park & followed a gravel road for another 10k or so up to the top. Mr L was sceptical about the promised views as it did not feel as if we had climbed that high. How wrong he was. There before laid out before us were hills and mountain ranges with an approx 160 degree panoramic view. Much of them were coated in a layer of cloud but still visible. It was stunning, but v windy & the rain was definitely about to arrive. We drove back down about 3k to the campsite which was in a heavily wooded area with only 1 other couple camping there. We quickly fashioned an awning off the side of the van just as the rain arrived & cooked dinner, which we ate with one of us holding onto the tarpaulin & the other draining the big pools of water that were gathering in it. By 7pm we were sat in the van stuffing tissues into a gap to stop the drips that were getting in through the sliding door. Who doesn't love camping?!
The following morning, after a freezing cold night,  we went back up to the lookout point – which, for those interested, is at an altitude of 1563m -   & the view was incredible . The morning sky was clear and blue & it looked like you could see forever. It was so peaceful & still and there was just us there to see it. These special moments make you forget the rain & cold. A few kilometres on we spotted a sign for Wollomombi  falls – only 3 km off the highway so we took the detour. No real expectations so we were stunned by the sight of a massive Gorge where the land looked like it had been ripped apart leaving this gaping wound, with water pouring off the edge. This place is full of surprises and many are barely mentioned on the map.
We headed back towards Armidale then onto the Oxley Highway to Walcha, where we needed to decide which road to take - inland or back towards the coast. We opted for the Oxley Highway towards the coast where we spotted another signpost which directed us to Apsley Falls and yet more stunning views which we shared just with each other. 
A few km further on, with hardly any other traffic & no town for about 80km,  I noticed the red  engine light had come on. I stopped immediately and had flash backs of my childhood where something similar seemed to happen to dad’s car regularly  & it was never good news.  Don't let us down now Hippee Camper. I'm sorry we haven't given you a pet name or that we have been quick to deny we were hippies when asked on numerous occasions by people.  Just be alright. Mr L checked things under the engine  located under the passenger seat. There was nothing to prop the seat up with so Mr L used the bit of tree we have been carrying around in the van for such a task. All seemed ok. After several attempts I got through to the helpline. I explained the situation, provided details as requested. When I told him it was a Hippee Camper his response changed “ oh, don't worry about that old thing it's probably a faulty light or something. Just keep driving and if it stops give us a call”. Ok. So, with considerable trepidation I drove, slowly, willing it to keep going. I kept looking for good places to pull over if we did breakdown. Then the road started to weave and bend and twist and turn for miles and miles as we came down from the plateau, all I could think about was what if we breakdown here! . The red light stayed on but still the van kept going. Nearly 3 hrs later we reached our stop for the night in a town called Wauchop.  As I pulled onto the site and straightened up the red light went out. All was well. For the van that is. I was exhausted!