Have been reading this site for a few weeks now and took the plunge yesterday to log in. Love how everybody is keen to help and pass on lots of info.
Not exactly a solo but we are 2 girls on the go. Travelled the circumference of Oz in 2005 and 2006 with our trusty "Tammy" the 80 series Cruiser and a beautiful 20' Compass caravan spending most of our time in free camps ( think we stayed in caravan parks a total of 38 nights) Have been back at work for 18 months now and plans are in progress for our next attempt which will be in about 12 months. Will be doing like a lot of the forumites and selling up house and looking to work a little when need be. We are late 40ish and a 50 yr old and also have a 2yr old Jack Russell named Bella (who likes to think she is the boss!!!).
Just wondering how many times those who are on the road have found that when they have pulled in to their overnight stop, bumped into neighbours, friends, friends of friends from home. We certainly did a few times. Makes you realise how small our world can be.
Thanks for letting me have my hello and look forward to being a part of the forum.
Shaz, Kaz and Bella
Bubs said
10:50 AM Dec 9, 2008
Hi Girls! Welcome, and the more the merrier! As you say, just keep the questions coming and the posts to let us know how it's all fitting together for you. It is an exciting adventure and I'm looking forward to 'my turn'. Not long to go now. I found selling up, every material thing I owned, and moving from NZ was the hardest. The fear of the committment was overwhelming at times, but no regrets so far. It's a long term dream. Best of luck with your plans. Cheers, Dianne
shazza said
10:57 AM Dec 9, 2008
Thanks Bubs for the welcome.
We look at our first time around Oz as a practice run, definitely a few things will be done differently this time around especially the amount of clothes that were taken. Have recently had some solar panels and another battery put on the van so can really free camp for a while when wanted.
Apart from seeing more of this fantastic country we really enjoyed the camaraderie of fellow travellers - where nothing was a problem and if it was it could always be solved at happy hour.
Shaz
dave06 said
11:26 AM Dec 9, 2008
well this is my 1,000 th post and I can see no better way to do it than to welcome yet more travellers in to our fold, a big welcome to the pair of you and may it be a pleasant one indeed
I put off placing this post as I was waiting for someone else to give a warm welcome, I was of course, not dissapointed, such is the metal of the forum members to date
gone are the days when a person, Or in this case, people just turn up and recieve no sort of welcome at all or barely even an acknowledgment of their being here, one does not do it in the real world why should it be allowed to pass here
thankfully the tradition that once started will be continued, makes me pleased and proud,
"camaraderie of fellow travellers - nothing is a problem or could be solved easily" with the help of fellow travellers, how many times have I stated exactly this, it is good to see others backing up that to which I keep banging on about particularly the female of the species as well as solo, and I am proud to say that there is no "pity" involved it is done in the manner of one traveller helping another traveller, as it should be, I have seen it many, many times
I honestly think we should "invent" a banner flag to fly to simply state that we are nomads/travellers and the welcome mat is out, it would make aproaching another camp so much simpler and only enrich our lives, not only solo or female but for all, it can be daunting for an elderly couple as well, I for one would fly it high and the invitation would be out for all and sundry to come and say g'day or just sit a spell and have a chin wag, anyway thats my 1,000th slightly skewed post for better or worse
shazza said
11:44 AM Dec 9, 2008
Thanks for the welcome Dave. I am honoured that you chose your 1000th post to welcome us to the forum.
Agree with you very much about that banner. Never ceases to amaze me whether you be old,young, male, female, caravan owner, bus owner, tent owner etc at the end of the day the majority of us out there are there to experience the simplest, happiest and healthiest time of our life. (When on the road I lost about 7 kgs yahoo................but on return to boring everyday life the 7 and a few extra have found me again.) Nothing beats having a chat or a socialise with your neighbour out on the road.
Shaz
mike and Judy said
04:09 PM Dec 9, 2008
congrats dave, another 1000 to go thats for sure, I been on the road now as a nomad for 9 years, now with Judy will do it all again, a lot better now we have people like you to chat to whereever you are
chezgo said
08:21 AM Dec 10, 2008
Hi Shazza welcome to the nomads the only problem with this forum is when you are at home and reading all posts it makes you want to be on the road I have constant itchy feet to be out there again after every trip as soon as i get home. As for running into people we met some people in Port Hedland and ran into them again by accident 14months later in Swansea TAS. Also was on a tuna tour in Port Lincoln last year got chatting with some people and turned out they know my brother and work at the same place and they had shared many a wine together over the years so we proceeded to do the same but only for a few days. My biggest small world experience wasn't in Aus though it was in Singapore I was crossing the road with a hundred other people and someone from my home town was coming the other way what are the odds based on population about 3million to 1. Again welcome and hope to see lots of input. Chezgo
JRH said
05:17 PM Dec 10, 2008
G'day,
Welcome to the forum Shazza, I hope you enjoy it and get as much out of it as I do. I agree Nothing beats having a chat or a socialise with your neighbour out on the road.When out there nothing much else matters, enjoy the drive and scenery, one of the benefits of being retired is if I don't get there today I'll get there tomorrow or the day after.
Best Regards and Safe Travelling. John
pawsoz said
11:09 PM Dec 10, 2008
G'day Shazza, Bella and family
I am new here too! I started off with a 5 month trip to the Top End back in 2004 - Top End is now home base for the time being at least. In 2005 I went down to ACT area then down to Cann River and back to Gippsland/Melbourne where I have some lovely friends that I do not want to lose touch with. In 2006 I gave myself the gift of a whole 7 months off work and went across the Kimberleys and down WA Coast. this year it was just a quick trip down South......I now plan to work solid for a couple of years then hit the road for a long slow working trip right around, open ended! Don't you just love it? I prefer to stay in independant camps too although since my rig is much smaller I do have to 'plug in' for a night or two most weeks. Clancy just laps up the lifestyle too - people pats other dogs, especially if they are up for a romp! Anyway welcome!
Annie and her boyz
Basil Faulty said
02:23 PM Dec 11, 2008
Hi Shaza... welcome.....It is most encouraging to see so many newbies logging on. Soon there will be enough of us to form our own political party and get elected on a "lets enjoy the simple things in life" platform....
Not exactly a solo but we are 2 girls on the go. Travelled the circumference of Oz in 2005 and 2006 with our trusty "Tammy" the 80 series Cruiser and a beautiful 20' Compass caravan spending most of our time in free camps ( think we stayed in caravan parks a total of 38 nights) Have been back at work for 18 months now and plans are in progress for our next attempt which will be in about 12 months. Will be doing like a lot of the forumites and selling up house and looking to work a little when need be. We are late 40ish and a 50 yr old and also have a 2yr old Jack Russell named Bella (who likes to think she is the boss!!!).
Just wondering how many times those who are on the road have found that when they have pulled in to their overnight stop, bumped into neighbours, friends, friends of friends from home. We certainly did a few times. Makes you realise how small our world can be.
Thanks for letting me have my hello and look forward to being a part of the forum.
Shaz, Kaz and Bella
Welcome, and the more the merrier!
As you say, just keep the questions coming and the posts to let us know how it's all fitting together for you. It is an exciting adventure and I'm looking forward to 'my turn'. Not long to go now.
I found selling up, every material thing I owned, and moving from NZ was the hardest. The fear of the committment was overwhelming at times, but no regrets so far. It's a long term dream.
Best of luck with your plans.
Cheers,
Dianne
Thanks Bubs for the welcome.
.
We look at our first time around Oz as a practice run, definitely a few things will be done differently this time around especially the amount of clothes that were taken. Have recently had some solar panels and another battery put on the van so can really free camp for a while when wanted.
Apart from seeing more of this fantastic country we really enjoyed the camaraderie of fellow travellers - where nothing was a problem and if it was it could always be solved at happy hour
Shaz
Thanks for the welcome Dave. I am honoured that you chose your 1000th post to welcome us to the forum.
.) Nothing beats having a chat or a socialise with your neighbour out on the road.
Agree with you very much about that banner. Never ceases to amaze me whether you be old,young, male, female, caravan owner, bus owner, tent owner etc at the end of the day the majority of us out there are there to experience the simplest, happiest and healthiest time of our life. (When on the road I lost about 7 kgs yahoo................but on return to boring everyday life the 7 and a few extra have found me again
Shaz
Welcome to the forum Shazza, I hope you enjoy it and get as much out of it as I do.
I agree Nothing beats having a chat or a socialise with your neighbour out on the road. When out there nothing much else matters, enjoy the drive and scenery, one of the benefits of being retired is if I don't get there today I'll get there tomorrow or the day after.
Best Regards and Safe Travelling.
John
G'day Shazza, Bella and family
I am new here too! I started off with a 5 month trip to the Top End back in 2004 - Top End is now home base for the time being at least. In 2005 I went down to ACT area then down to Cann River and back to Gippsland/Melbourne where I have some lovely friends that I do not want to lose touch with.
In 2006 I gave myself the gift of a whole 7 months off work and went across the Kimberleys and down WA Coast. this year it was just a quick trip down South......I now plan to work solid for a couple of years then hit the road for a long slow working trip right around, open ended!
Don't you just love it?
I prefer to stay in independant camps too although since my rig is much smaller I do have to 'plug in' for a night or two most weeks.
Clancy just laps up the lifestyle too - people pats other dogs, especially if they are up for a romp!
Anyway welcome!
Annie and her boyz