Giday all I'm the male partner of The Hobbits who I am told regularly visits these forums .As the title says Scared Stiff I have worked ally life to provide for not just my own family but my step family that I care and love as my own . This work ethic that has been instilled in me by my father rest his sole was to work and then work some more .
I have found that over the many years I've been on this planet that two things are going to happen the first is we all are born and the 2nd is we are all going to die . Its the second that now concerns me as a young boy I've over come a heart condition, then as young man over come life threatening cancer that sent me broke due to not working, then more recently a lung bleed followed less than 12 month later by a heart attack.
Now I hear you asking what the hell does this have to do with being Scared stiff and this site.
Simple I'm/ We are about to undertake the biggest life change in our lives and I'm asking all of you guys here on this site is it worth it ,will we survive on not a lot of money will we be happier and healthier traveling[.
Hence the scared stiff I'm so used to (institutionalized ) to think I need to work to survive.
This will be happening what I'm asking is what do you guys think ? . We still have the family home rented out we don't owe money else ware we own the now caravan and 4WD .
Some one said to me about change. We all hate change wether its as small as out routine in the morning or a life style change. Change is to be embraced to seek new things.

Signed Uncle Fester Scared Stiff


Shazz when you read this I hope it makes scenes and god don't I love you more than my old life.

Welcome to the forum from us as well Dean {Uncle Fester). Hope you enjoy our happy group of people and ask the question as Dougwe suggested .You will be surprised at how quick the answers will come.

I can understand some of what you feel Uncle Fester, having a strong work ethic of my own I dreaded not having anything to do. Well theres always something to do, but its what you choose not what your boss tells you. And you can do volunteer work, or even paid work along the way if you want.

No advice, but wanted to say 'Hi'.

Welcome from Peter and Sue as well uncle fester. You'l find life on the road is never boring and, as a fixed house has up-keep so does a MH or caravan and it most often cannot be put-off for another day. I find maintenance enjoyable a it allows our life style to continue. You don't have to be rich to enjoy our beaut country, just fugal.

Peter

Welcome from us too unclefester and I think you've just experienced what life 'out there' will be like. Most caravaners are just like that and I'm sure you will find some great ones out there. Like life, there will be some 'not so good' but as others say, you can just move on. Enjoy this forum and especially enjoy being a Grey Nomad. I think you will find you are busier than ever.

What a magic story unclefester!! Now go and enjoy your travels!

I agree Gerty - magic time - as happens out on the road - make good friends - here are Greens Lake (Victoria) for instance - we have met some fantastic people - and know that we will see them again. We are in our eighth week here, and so far have had about 42 visitors, members on this site,some we knew already, some new to us, come to visit, some to stay a while, some just for the day!!!

Unclefester, have loved reading your stories. Just go do it. I have been out there for about 6 weeks now and no regrets at all. I will answer for Julie, yes near Shepparton.

My advice is to drop in and see the people there. You will not meet a better bunch of people that will make you welcome and you feel as though you have known them forever. Jules is the matriarch of Greens and is just a very special beautiful lady.

Poor old Uncle Fester get a cup of coffee as this will be long as I want to warn you of the many perils and task involved in this life of free camping full time.
Let me tell you there are lots of jobs to done whilst on the road.
Let me list a few for you so you will be prepared for this very hard and responsible task you are about to choose.
Every morning when you wake up you have to choose whether to pull the blanket up and have another hour or so of blissful sleep or get up and greet the day before you.
Then when that is resolved and you do eventually get up you have to decide what to wear, nothing is accepted in some places but be sure to check outside before stepping out if you select the second option.
Next we have the breakfast task, what do we have and when. You may need to tackle another problem first depending on your lifestyle, do you go for a walk through the bush and observe the birds and beast in their natural surrounds and perhaps expand your photo collection. Be aware this then means another JOB as you have to download to the computer and then move to the appropriate folder etc.
Once you have solved the breakfast dilemma and any other humongous tasks you have to preform before or during this time then you have the morning procedures to organise.
Here we really get into one of the hardest decisions that can effect the rest of the day.
Do we stay or do we move on. This decision can be short or long. If the answer is NO we are staying then skip the next few lines.
Ok so Yes we are moving, WHEN then becomes important, are we in a hurry and should we get going just packup and leave like we have done something wrong and want to get away before anyone else wakes up or do we visit all our new friends and say our goodbyes and exchange niceties, Be aware this could cancel the decision you previously have made when you find out there is something exciting going to happen or you meet someone you wish to talk to a bit more.
Once the you are ready to depart then there is still another task to be done.
Where are we going, do we go and see that beaut spot back a few kilometers we missed but that nice couple told us about last night or do we select a few likely spots and proceed on our way or do we just start up and then toss a coin LEFT or Right. See many important tasks done and you have only just started your motor and no mention of the checking of the connections, the lights, the brakes, the oil and AHH SH*T thats enough you get the drift.
Ok so you decide to stay, now the tasks continue, do you get your chairs and sit under the awning (OH yes you do have to put it out so that's another task) or do you just drag the chair over to a tree and sit under the shade. Then there is the morning coffee and bickies and then the pesky people who come along and want to chat while you are reading you book or having another nap (just thinking about the task ahead but don't tell them)
Then you have the midday snack and perhaps another walk to savoy your spot.
The the big one of which of these mythical Happy hours you may attend and what snack you will take and how many bottles or cans of what ever poison you will need to take. (You must remember to keep appropriate supplies of live bloods chilled in case of emergencies or for medical needs or to stave of dehydration as you go about your many new tasks). Hot ones are good fire extinguishers but better consumed cold when used for dehydration prevention.
Before departing on your happy hour task it may pay to spend a few seconds to attend to the nightly meal menu as the time you return may be late and you could have problems with any preparation after you return, especially if you host has supplies that must be drunk and you are enlisted to help in this another task.
After the night meal (you did not forget did you) you may have to return to the site of the happy hour to continue solving the woes of the world or you may decide to sit outside your rig and watch the sun go down and watch nature do their tasks.
Then usually your last major task is to go to bed, remember the task of releaving the happy hour fluids to the appropriate place.
There are many other tasks that pop up during your day and also many as you drive around. do we stop here for coffee and cakes or lunch or should we push on a few more Ks. Do we take the high road or the low road etc etc etc.
This is only a few of the tasks you will be required to tackle as you take on your new life so be prepared to tackle all with the fevour that you did your previous employments during your life.
Remember to check the forum daily but then I knwo you already ahve that tasks under your control.
If you have got to here then the best advise I can give is to RELAX and ENJOY the days you have left because as Billeeeeeee says this no dress rehearsal it is the real thing and you don't get a second go so get out here and enjoy
Regards
Brian

Well Brian thanks for the heads up other than the reading I think I can manage the rest of it. We are off to forges beach next Monday so we may call in to Greens lake and stay for a night or two .

cheers dean & Sharlet