I haven't posted much at all as yet, not considering ourselves real caravanners like most on here. But that's changing. We bought a small Supreme off-road getaway last Nov when I finished work in PNG, as Lyn said that we were always keen on seeing the block but that if I just came back to the farm outside Malanda FNQ, I would just say, 'Next year, next year'. She reckoned that it mightn't happen and that we should get cracking while we still can.
So bought the van, daughter and family moved into the house, we moved into the van, and then it rained and rained and rained. Slowed me down doing a lots of jobs that needed to be done, and then a cyclone caused some damage. So while cleaning that up, tore a tendon in my shoulder had an op and was on light duties for a while. Until about a week ago, we hooked up, said our goodbyes to kids and grandkids etc, and headed south. Never having pulled a caravan before, I had some concerns, but considered all the good advice I have been reading about on this forum. It was a breeze, and so quiet with no grandkids. Free camped outside Charters Towers, but due to cold weather and not yet fully set up for bush camping, we stayed at van parks at Emerald, Condamine and then Uralla until finally getting to Port Macquarie to spend time with friends and family.
All in all, very happy with the way the van towed, and the convenience of being able to pull over for smoko and jump in the van to boil the billy. Will be doing some trips around NSW this year before venturing further. Being ex military, I have lots of mates around this great country, some of whom I haven't seen for over 40 years, so am really looking forward to seeing them.
Anyway, that's our story. Will add more posts when I have something relevant to say. The funny thing was, I think ours was the only caravan heading south !!!
jimricho said
05:20 PM Jun 23, 2011
Welcome back to the forum, betcha had the heater on at Uralla!
Jim
dazren said
05:35 PM Jun 23, 2011
WELCOME to the forum, keep us informed on where you are and what your doing as that is the best way to build friendships around here. HAPPY VANNING dazren
Travel Bug said
05:40 PM Jun 23, 2011
Hi Garrynlyn, good to hear from you again.
Sounds like you've been having a fun time.
I have to agree with Jim... I'll betcha' had the heater on at Uralla too. Brrr!!
Cheers. Pam.
Cruising Granny said
06:12 PM Jun 23, 2011
You catch on quick. Good for you and welcome to the Nomads. Safe and happy travels.
milo said
06:28 PM Jun 23, 2011
wether yout traveling or not your welome to the site..
Pejay said
07:49 PM Jun 23, 2011
Ah Garry, have you got it wrong! Silly us head north during cyclones and floods, then head south during the freezing cold, and leave next week to head further south - not quite the Antarctic, just a tad north of there, Tassie to be precise. Then again, nothing like bucking the trend!
Hopefully at some stage we may see you on the road, in the meantime, travel safe.
Pete & June
PS What unit/time were you in the military??
Vic said
07:55 PM Jun 23, 2011
Hi Gary and Lyn,
Good to hear you have hit the road at last, the visit from John Mac must have given you the bug hey!
Plenty of ex ADF types on the forum and out there on the road,
Happy Travels !
GarrynLyn said
03:20 AM Jun 24, 2011
Yes, it was cold in Uralla. We woke up to ice on the windows, something we hadn't seen in years. PJ, I was an an Air Force copper type from '69 to 91, and Yes, Vic, Johnny Mac's visit sorta had me asking myself, 'If he can do it, so can I'.
Esmeralda said
11:01 AM Jun 24, 2011
Welcome to the Forum GarrynLyn
wendyv said
05:11 PM Jun 24, 2011
Hi Garrynlyn, You say you tore a tendon in your shoulder and were on light duties for a while........How long was it in a sling? How long before you could drive? How long would you say it has taken to return to normal? I ask because I've torn one shoulder tendon and another is only about a third attached - am seeing surgeon in mid August (busy man) - and wondering how long I am going to be limited for.
GarrynLyn said
05:16 PM Jun 24, 2011
Wendy, Was in a sling for about 5 weeks but had a decent physio who saw me weekly and checked my progress with various exercises etc (PM me and I'll give you details if you like). I had the op on 7 Apr and have only been driving for the past two weeks. They tell me not to push it too much and will take about 12 months to fix completely. There's still some stuff I can't do.
Garry
Vic said
12:31 AM Jun 25, 2011
GarrynLyn wrote:
and Yes, Vic, Johnny Mac's visit sorta had me asking myself, 'If he can do it, so can I'.
You certainly can Garry and no doubt will, hope your tendon continues to improve and
Wendy get hers seen to soon, sounds like you will be out of action for quite awhile Wendy
what a bummer !
-- Edited by Vic on Saturday 25th of June 2011 12:32:18 AM
wendyv said
04:54 PM Jun 25, 2011
GarrynLyn wrote:
Wendy, Was in a sling for about 5 weeks but had a decent physio who saw me weekly and checked my progress with various exercises etc (PM me and I'll give you details if you like). I had the op on 7 Apr and have only been driving for the past two weeks. They tell me not to push it too much and will take about 12 months to fix completely. There's still some stuff I can't do.
Garry
I was hoping to hear that recovery was faster than that. Two months of being without the car will really test me.
Yes, I am PM-ing you re exercises, thanks. Errr ...... how do I do that?
-- Edited by wendyv on Saturday 25th of June 2011 04:55:54 PM
Cruising Granny said
05:15 PM Jun 25, 2011
All the best with the shoulder tendon recovery. Tendons and muscles always take longer than broken bones. They also are never really the same strenght as before. Rest and gentle exercise is the only way. Six weeks is minimum rehab time, and if you have surgery it will take longer, but it's in your long-term best interest to do as the Dr tells you. You can expect to have some discomfort for about 12 months. It's a pain if you do, and a pain if you don't. Take care.
wendyv said
09:13 PM Jun 26, 2011
Thanks CG, I did read that, if it is not seen to, one can get bad arthritis later on. In any case, it is a bit too uncomfortable to leave as it is - I think. Will be interesting to see what the specialist says, given my mid-60's age. Actually did the tearing back in March. Am slightly embarrassed to say that I was having a bath at the time, and backhanded the pup that was stealing off with my slipper. Just thought I'd stretched something, to start with. Then doc tried anti-inflammatories, then cortisone, before eventually sending me off for a scan, couple of weeks ago, which showed the damage. Damn.......
I haven't posted much at all as yet, not considering ourselves real caravanners like most on here. But that's changing. We bought a small Supreme off-road getaway last Nov when I finished work in PNG, as Lyn said that we were always keen on seeing the block but that if I just came back to the farm outside Malanda FNQ, I would just say, 'Next year, next year'. She reckoned that it mightn't happen and that we should get cracking while we still can.
So bought the van, daughter and family moved into the house, we moved into the van, and then it rained and rained and rained. Slowed me down doing a lots of jobs that needed to be done, and then a cyclone caused some damage. So while cleaning that up, tore a tendon in my shoulder had an op and was on light duties for a while. Until about a week ago, we hooked up, said our goodbyes to kids and grandkids etc, and headed south. Never having pulled a caravan before, I had some concerns, but considered all the good advice I have been reading about on this forum. It was a breeze, and so quiet with no grandkids. Free camped outside Charters Towers, but due to cold weather and not yet fully set up for bush camping, we stayed at van parks at Emerald, Condamine and then Uralla until finally getting to Port Macquarie to spend time with friends and family.
All in all, very happy with the way the van towed, and the convenience of being able to pull over for smoko and jump in the van to boil the billy. Will be doing some trips around NSW this year before venturing further. Being ex military, I have lots of mates around this great country, some of whom I haven't seen for over 40 years, so am really looking forward to seeing them.
Anyway, that's our story. Will add more posts when I have something relevant to say. The funny thing was, I think ours was the only caravan heading south !!!
Jim
Hi Garrynlyn, good to hear from you again.
Sounds like you've been having a fun time.
I have to agree with Jim...
I'll betcha' had the heater on at Uralla too. Brrr!!
Cheers. Pam.
Safe and happy travels.
Hopefully at some stage we may see you on the road, in the meantime, travel safe.
Pete & June
PS What unit/time were you in the military??
Hi Gary and Lyn,
Good to hear you have hit the road at last, the visit from John Mac must have given you the bug hey!
Plenty of ex ADF types on the forum and out there on the road,
Happy Travels !
Yes, it was cold in Uralla. We woke up to ice on the windows, something we hadn't seen in years. PJ, I was an an Air Force copper type from '69 to 91, and Yes, Vic, Johnny Mac's visit sorta had me asking myself, 'If he can do it, so can I'.
You say you tore a tendon in your shoulder and were on light duties for a while........How long was it in a sling? How long before you could drive? How long would you say it has taken to return to normal?
I ask because I've torn one shoulder tendon and another is only about a third attached - am seeing surgeon in mid August (busy man) - and wondering how long I am going to be limited for.
Wendy, Was in a sling for about 5 weeks but had a decent physio who saw me weekly and checked my progress with various exercises etc (PM me and I'll give you details if you like). I had the op on 7 Apr and have only been driving for the past two weeks. They tell me not to push it too much and will take about 12 months to fix completely. There's still some stuff I can't do.
Garry
You certainly can Garry and no doubt will, hope your tendon continues to improve and
Wendy get hers seen to soon, sounds like you will be out of action for quite awhile Wendy
what a bummer !
-- Edited by Vic on Saturday 25th of June 2011 12:32:18 AM
I was hoping to hear that recovery was faster than that.
Two months of being without the car will really test me.
Yes, I am PM-ing you re exercises, thanks. Errr ...... how do I do that?
-- Edited by wendyv on Saturday 25th of June 2011 04:55:54 PM
Tendons and muscles always take longer than broken bones. They also are never really the same strenght as before. Rest and gentle exercise is the only way. Six weeks is minimum rehab time, and if you have surgery it will take longer, but it's in your long-term best interest to do as the Dr tells you. You can expect to have some discomfort for about 12 months.
It's a pain if you do, and a pain if you don't. Take care.
I did read that, if it is not seen to, one can get bad arthritis later on. In any case, it is a bit too uncomfortable to leave as it is - I think. Will be interesting to see what the specialist says, given my mid-60's age.
Actually did the tearing back in March. Am slightly embarrassed to say that I was having a bath at the time, and backhanded the pup that was stealing off with my slipper. Just thought I'd stretched something, to start with. Then doc tried anti-inflammatories, then cortisone, before eventually sending me off for a scan, couple of weeks ago, which showed the damage.
Damn.......