Helped out by a total stranger

Last night(Friday here) I was driving from Auckland to Waiouru, a drive of just under 400 kms. I needed to get to my destination where I am spending the next three weeks. The route I took is very quiet and has few towns. Just before 9pm I was 60km from the nearest town, at a settlemt called Mangakino, a pretty rough forestry settlement, the only service station closes about 6 or 7. Came over a brow of a hill and BANG, hit a small dead cat. This popped off an underside panel in the middle of the car. Straight away dragged the panel. BTW this has happened to me 3 times in the last four months, so I carry tape. So it is rip it off or stop.

Short story I drove into a farmer's house who happened to have an automotive jack, after much screwing around we got it up and he jumped under the car, reattached the panel and off I went. If he hadn't done it it would have been flatbed(an hour away) and wait til next morning at the next town.

i asked him what he drank, he said forget about it.