morag you have all the luck that I could possibly muster to wish for you, we too have about the same timeframe, but with our savings and the sale of the house and after the purchase of a motorhome (ouch!!!) we should be able to live frugally untill about age 70, if we look like living past that we will have to find work we also have to find a full time placement for our cerebral palsy son, so complications may play a cruel part as yet unknown I know of about half a dozen peole who set off on the big one, found a job in a fantastic location and put their roots back down

good on ya Morag,
 everything comes to those who keep trying, you will will get there, I did the big move 9 yrs ago and have never been happier, got me a base requiring very little maintenance, and a woman of the same calibre, on the pension so dont need to work, but there is plenty out there if you really need it 


Dave , ---who you trying to kid, you will be working anf trekking till you and the dragon are in your nineties

m&j
 enjoy your sunrises  
 

unfortunately you are probably right Mike, I really hope we are still travelling around when that age, I know the dragon will make me while I'm able, she wont ever stop travelling a bit on the news the other day, dont know where it was but this 72 year old feller just gained the distinction of being the oldest hoon driver, 170 kph on the main road, thats what I wanna be known as at that age, "A HOON", just as a side line he collects army tanks!!

Of course you guys realise that from now until we leave ... and probably long after, we will be asking advice and annoying you for info. Morag

morag we are married, getting constantly nagged and probed for information (where have you been, where are you going, what took you so long, and getting asked questions when she already knows the answer, why havent you taken that bin out yet, did you drink all that beer by yourself) is a job description for us, the dragons second and little known knick name is "THE NAGASAUROUS" but only when she cnt hear it, **** she's here, gotta go, by!!!

Dave, you seem like a real wag. Hope to meet you on the road one day. Thanks for the support by the way. Seems a long way down the road, but I guess the time will pass quickly.

mate, the dragon knows where every damn thing is at any given time, I never question (out loud anyway) because put simply she does know where it is, out in the shed last night working on squeeky, she comes out, I was walking around in circles, "whatcha doing", "I'm manhandling this platypus in to the mating position, whats it look like" "alright smartass, what are you really doing, you've lost something havent you" "NO, course not, oh all right I cant find my tape measure", "look on your trousers at the back", sure enough there it was clipped to my trousers all the bloody time, god I hate that!!! she then left, humming some non descript song in a happy very cheerfull manner, I'm left there, looking stupid, tape in hand, wondering why I was looking for it in the first place, as usual, you do know that theses women creatures are by far more intelligent than us mere men, GEEEZZZZ!!! I HATE THAT!!! I have almost finished with the modifications on squeeky, so I will post pictures soon for all those that keep asking, just hang on a bit Morag you have the full support of the forum at any time, now or in the future, we are all travellers, just never forget you are never truly alone, we all travel with you!!

got this email, make you feel GOOD Why do men die first? This is a question that has gone unanswered for centuries, but, now we know. It requires a bit of explanation, first: If you put a woman on a pedestal and try to protect her from the rat race ... you're a male chauvinist...... If you stay home and do the housework ... you're a pansy.... If you work too hard . there's never any time for her.... If you don't work enough ..you're a good-for-nothing bum. If she has a boring repetitive job with low pay ... this is exploitation. ...If you have a boring repetitive job with low pay ..... you should get off your lazy behind and find something better..... If you get a promotion ahead of her ... that is favoritism..... If she gets a job ahead of you ..... its equal opportunity. If you mention how nice she looks ... its sexual harassment. If you keep quiet ..... its male indifference. If you cry ... you're a wimp. If you don't ..... you're an insensitive basket (the other word). If you make a decision without consulting her ...... you're a chauvinist. If she makes a decision without consulting you, she's a liberated woman. If you ask her to do something she doesn't enjoy ... that's domination. If SHE asks you ... it's a favor. If you appreciate the female form and frilly underwear ..... you're a pervert. If you don't ... you're gay. If you like a woman to shave her legs and keep in shape ... you're sexist. If you don't ... you're unromantic. If you try to keep yourself in shape ..... you're vain. If you don't ... you're a slob. If you buy her flowers ... you're after something. If you don't ... you're not thoughtful. If you're proud of your achievements ... you're full of yourself. If you don't ... you're not ambitious. If she has a headache ... she's tired. If you have a headache ..... you don't love her anymore. If you want it too often ... you're oversexed. If you don't ... there must be someone else. Why do men die first? Because they want to !

well having looked at it in full like that, I cant wait, hell I'm so henpecked and whats more I didnt realise, we really cant win can we, geezz!! they are sneaky, now wheres my glasses!!

G'day Dave,

At bedtime hand her 2 Panadol and a glass of water, when she asks what it is for tell her "Your headache, dear" When she tells you she does not have a headache you are in like Flynne.

Best Regards and Good Luck.

John

I'd very quickly be told not to be so bloody stupid and I'd be lucky if I didnt get the glass of water over my head, but good idea though!!

Ah well I tried.
John

yep, so did I and thats how I know.

Geez great minds think alike.  I hope I have not hijacked Morag's topic.
John

         G,DAY
  Cant take the smile off my dial, good humored shiela [missis hates that word] slinging,  ya gotta love it,   keep up the good work aussies.

 geez wendy leave my ear alone  bugger il never learn

thats one thing that I as well as morag and all the other contributers like about this particular forum, the good natured banter and the way that one subject evolves into something tottally different, morag would more than understand as it can very quickly be dragged back on course, from good humoured input to totally serious advice, thats why I'm still here, gotta love it said it before and I'll say it again, the dragons my best mate, but dont tell her that, bloody heads big enough already and yes I know the sore ear syndrome only too well, as well as the crook shin (when she's opposite me at the table) and the naggers ear (the half deaf one that is constantly turned to her) and dont get me started about "THE LOOK" every husband knows that "LOOK" they all have one

Hi Morag!
Well, all I can say is leave the fear behind and KNOW that you will be ok and are doing the right thing!
I was in the same boat, so to speak. Sold up everything in NZ, bought my m/home and have spent the last 3 mths getting ready to head off. 
I have felt every emotion you could name in that journey. Including insecurity and fear, of the unknown.
I have just come back from my first trip, down the GOR and around a little circuit via Lake Colac and back to Melbourne. I took my security blanket (The Sister). My face was aching from smiling sooooo much! We had the most amazing two days away and my heart is full to bursting. As we rejoined the rat race of the Geelong freeway into Melbourne I actually felt a little physically sick at coming back to the hum drum of city life. My only consolation is that it is only for another 5 days (give or take one day), and then am hitting the road permanently, on my own. I too, cannot live off my savings, am not pensioned in any way, and will have to work myway around. I can't wait! The fear has gone out the back door. One day at a time now, and will enjoy what ever it brings! 
This feels so 'right', and I have never felt such strong positivity about anything in my life!
Cheers,
Dianne