More telecommunication frustrations - and watermaker

Since we last commented on this issue we must tell you the latest developments - although on reflection that's hardly the right word!!
Telstra - we have finally ascertained for sure that they will not accept international credit cards for recharging prepaid phones. In order to do this it took a 2 hour phone call by mobile on their free calling number. After about 4 operators all of whom spoke Asian English and who all assured us that they could fix the problem it was finally admitted that that was the problem and that was that. The inability to recharge with a credit card is of course difficult for us as we may at times be unable to source a voucher (which you can pay for with a credit card!!) and it would always be inconvenient.
We then decided to check out Optus. A person in their retail shop in Bundaberg told us they don't accept ANY credit cards but no less than 4 people from their website enquiry page have said they do - including international. Who do we believe??
Maybe we shouldn't worry about any of this because when we go north there is almost no coverage in any case!!
The owner of Open Ocean Watermakers, Opua, NZ has been in recent contact with the Australian company supplying our new high pressure pump to complain that we have been slandering his business. He really must have something to hide - to be that worried about an insignificant little blogsite like ours must mean that he is very sensitive to criticism. And definitely with good reason. The old saying "methinks thou protesteth too loudly" comes to mind.
We are doing boat maintenance, although not today because it's pouring with rain and blowing about 20 knots from the SE. We are looking forward to seeing everyone back in NZ during our all too brief stay when we arrive there in a week's time.
Cheers again from us,
Jim and Gina
s.v. Tiare Taporo III
Bundaberg.
www.tiaretaporo3.blogspot.com
P.S. - Anna and Clyff, finally worked out how to send BCC emails. You also need to click on the BCC box before entering every address!

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