ah!! life begins, great times await. well done and I am as jealous as all hell, we are no closer now than we were two years ago

Well done, congratulations. But why stuff it up with work? Oh well, at least you can choose what you do and for how long. A bit of casual work keeps the diesel fund up. All the best, safe and happy travels. Who knows, I may still be in Cairns when you get here. Cheers Granny

Jill, Yeh it gets really scary when what you plan now can happen, no about turns. I have just been through it, sold my business and now retired, with lots of dreams. It gets easy as things you planned, start to come togther for the next phase. Keep the dream alive

Thanks for your replies, you are a great bunch. This decision was not taken lightly. We have discussed this idea for years. We, along with too many others, have lost a goodly portion of our super, and have sat here, working at our micro business, paying tax, keeping up with all the govt stuff, wondering if it is worth continuing; worth staying in the little rodent wheel running in the never-ending circle. Now I am getting crazy, please excuse my ramblings, but I am guessing you all understand where I am coming from. So, off into the wild yonder we will go.................... Dave06, mate, what are you waiting for? From what I have read here, you are the same age as me, so just do the deed. Husband and I are taking a HUGE risk, but we are staying positive; we will learn and grow on our journey. We will tackle any issues as they arise.

well Jill you are right, we are about the same age, and if it were just the dragon and I, well we would be out there doing it right now, enjoying life in all it's glory the problem is of course that we have a 28 year old cerebral palsy son who is not capable of taking care of himself in any way shape or form we therefore must "place him" before we can continue with our lives, a "placement" is simply not available at this stage even though we (and quite a few others) were promised a placement within 2 years, almost 5 years ago (therein the 2 year time frame we used to aim for) we simply do not know what our future holds, we cannot plan a retirement like others there has been a couple of developments in the private sector as far as special needs housing is concerned but nothing concrete at this stage until we "place" him our lives are on hold, we are both currently in the rodent wheel with no way out unless we take him with us and if anybody here has any experience with a cerebral palsy child then they would know that is simply not possible in small confines not looking for pity, dont need it, dont want it, just stating facts as they appear to us but dont be afraid of the unknown, we have been there and I can tell you theres nothing fearfull out there, life belongs to you and your spouse now, no-one else, live it to the max and live it to suit yourself, no risk, just pleasure from now on, life begins believe me if we had the opportunity we would be gone in a heartbeat, no second thoughts or worries, just tyre marks heading for the Kimberley's, we are more than prepared, paid the house off a couple years back, settled all our affairs and accounts all through 60 hour plus weeks and paying for carers while we did it, we have had a couple of very attractive offers on the house so the only drawback would be the furniture but most of that is handbuilt one offs (by me) so wouldnt take long to sell either

Dave, bummer that the placement for your son didn't eventuate as promised. Was it through govt? I wouldn't be surprised. One little girl we will miss is grand daughter Acacia, 4 1/2 years old. Her mummy, our daughter, was explaining to her that we have sold our house, and they won't be able to visit us here any more. Acacia asked "are they moving to another language?" Daughter tried another tack by saying we are going on a long holiday. Acacia replied "well mummy, that's OK, I'll still love them anyway" She is such a little sweetie.

well the placement was originally through government but they have backed completely away from everything where funding is needed and then it was through private but nothing is eventuating with either, a whole lot of talk and promises but very little else it will be hard for us leaving our two sons, one in care and the other married with our two little darling grandkids, one boy (2 weeks old) one girl (almost two years) , but we intend to come back every year at xmas (if we can get away in the first place that is) I think they will manage fine without us, the elder son could buy and sell me twice over, hard work by us over many years for his education seen to that for him so he's living the dream, everything all at once, the younger, well when we die he will have to be cared for anyway if it doesnt happen well I guess we will sell up, build a new home somewhere and have a sort of non retirement with our son still with us, and just travel short trips, time will tell

Dave,after reading your last reply to OMG.I look around me and thank God that I do not have the issues that are in your families daily life.Many years ago I used to drive a bus for the Spastic Center at Mosman in Sydney.I learnt to love and enjoy the company of these kids.Cheers Mate.Ibbo.

we all have our cross to bear, we and the specialists struggled to keep him alive for the first 5 years of his life (still struggle at times now) and all through that we were told that we werent going to bring him home and if we did he would be a vegetable and never walk or talk, we accepted that and learned to live with it, as one does turned out they were all wrong, we have a happy go lucky laughing, jovial, well balanced and very much loved member of our family, loved by all who visit us as well I might add, he is far from a burden even though the early years bankrupted us, financially and phsycologically, we wouldnt change a thing, that which does not kill us only makes us stronger, we have grown much stronger as a family unit we have no regrets about our decision to "keep him" it was ours alone, we chose it, we live with it, as I stated I am not out for pity, dont need it, dont want it, just telling it as it is, we thank god for our small victorys everyday, I know there are others out there that are in the same boat, some are far worse off than us, I know cause I've seen them and by me telling my stories bit by bit it helps them as well, they tell me so in their emails and I enjoy helping them if only with a little mental support they dont call them"special kids" for nothing, I drove , as a vollunteer, the special school bus for the port pirie special school for a couple of years while they waited for government funding to hire a full timer it was some of the most rewarding work I have ever done, they eventually gained a full time driver and booted me out kicking and screaming, I tell you here and now I was heart broken for ages, I didnt want to leave them those little buggers are still "my kids" I see most of them everyday as I drop my son off at a special training centre while I toodle off to toil in the salt mines to pay for it If we dont get a retirement well so be it, if we do well then good, either way I will accept that and go on with life, my days are full of work my nights are filled with laughter, my thoughts and memorys are happy ones, we travel when we can, enjoy the company of many good freinds, I help a lot of people in between, so if I die tomorrow I have no regrets, I've walked a good path and I am a happy man, thats all that can be asked of a lifetime surely!!! just thank god for the time he allows you on his paradise and take and enjoy each day as it comes, it can all be changed in less than a heart beat, to a whole new set of rules anyway I'll get off me soapbox until another day!!

Dosen't it feel good to take that final giant step.
We too have just sold our house and are following our dream.
Hope to catch up will all you lovely grey nomads.
Sorry to hear about the stuffing around trying to sell your house, we had the best real estate agent possible (never thought I'd say some thing like that about real estate agents or car salesmen).
We empolyed the services of Chesterton & Co, they sold our house in 6 days and we got much more than we expected, They were so courtious and professional.
Anyone thinking of selling should consider them.
Bye for now, hope to catch up with you all.
Cheers,
Freddo

Dave, if more people thought like you, the world would be a much better place. Can we get to Queensland via Port Pirie? We could drop in on you on the way north. We don't eat much. (hahahahaha)

Jill I must apologise profusely for taking over your post, I wish you all the happiness that you could possibly hold for the rest of you and your spouses days, and of course you are welcome anytime you are in the neighborhood whether you catch us home is another thing, and as I previously stated life is about to begin for you!! well done and happy trails forever

Dave, why apologise? This is the nature of on-line forums; we get to know each other, as in face to face conversation, the topic is varied and interesting. I really enjoy reading your posts. )