Picking the brain power of seasoned full time travellers
Gerty Dancer said
01:52 PM Feb 19, 2013
Goodonya Kev! Having a go is the first step... not too long ago T couldnt even switch a computer on and now I can even post photos in the forum!
Thats an overwhelming list! You might do better by posting a separate topic for each subject.
To your first query... yes make sure you have a will. And after someone on here posted that their solicitor had moved several times taking their wills with him, we have checked up on ours and found he's moved too, so we made a new will and put it in the bank. (The NAB will store a sealed envelope of documents in their safe for a small fee). Carry a copy of that, plus copies of any important personal papers, your insurance paperwork, contact details for your family, anything else you think might be needed if for example you have an accident while travelling. We also made photocopies of the cards in our wallets in case they were stolen along with a list of who to phone if that happened. Store these in your van... Make sure you put your mobile phone number on your keyring... if you lose it you'll have a chance of getting your keys back.
Theres been recent threads about prescriptions and medical records, and for other matters try "search" and see what you find.
-- Edited by Gerty Dancer on Tuesday 19th of February 2013 01:55:34 PM
way2gokev said
03:35 PM Feb 19, 2013
Way2go Brikkies, Where do I get Cindy's book???????
Dont answer the above for I have just ordered the book.
Cheers
Kev
-- Edited by way2gokev on Tuesday 19th of February 2013 03:49:16 PM
way2gokev said
08:16 PM Feb 19, 2013
G'day I would reckon this subject has been discussed in length in many and varied topics but for us who are venturing into the wide open spaces for the first time long term, is there a do and dont list pertaining to:
What to do before leaving e.g have a will, contact details, perscription medication, reg and insurance, check list in relation to van, tow vehicle etc etc.
How to pack and what to take in regard to food, clothes, tools etc etc.
what is best in regard to storage of food eg plastic, glass or metal.
Coping with boredom if stuck by weather or road closure or breakdown.
Decisions in regard to optional ac input power.
Planning routes or just go with the flow.
Money, cash or cards, living on fixed income how to cope if money not available to move on
There would be other things that could be added but maybe those who have lived on the road full time can enlighten us newbies, I know that on working hollidays I carried far too much stuff especially in relation to what I needed for work. Since work is not a priority then I would think that you would try and take the minium to reduce weight and fuel consumption Or is it a case of pack and do what you think is needed then as you go along get rid of the excess stuff you dont need.
My main concern is food storage and how best to keep and store your everyday things without damage or wastage because food goes off.
Thanks in advance, being on my own and a male I can hear you seasoned travelling ladies saying " let's give this guy our best tips for a life on the road and help him and others plan their experiance from our experiance"
Have a g'day
Kev
way2gokev said
09:00 PM Feb 19, 2013
Re my post above, today I am a bit bored because I cant get outside because low and behold it is raining and I dont want to stop one drop from reaching the ground.
Hence the post, if I had a few brains maybe I should look at all the old posts and pick out info to save, but hey I dont no how to save it to a place where I can retrieve it, is there a easy way to store info from this site???
While I am at it how do you put a picture into your posts??? Falling trees and using chainsaws no problem, using a computor hopeless but I am having ago.
Cheers
Kev
brickies said
10:13 PM Feb 19, 2013
You could buy Cindy book , The Grey Nomad Guide , also lot of info on this website opening page
DandS said
10:56 PM Feb 19, 2013
way2gokev wrote:
Way2go Brikkies, Where do I get Cindy's book???????
Dont answer the above for I have just ordered the book.
Cheers
Kev
Ok I wont (lol)
You wont be dissapointed with the book, we discovered a few things in the book that we hadn't considered. Well worth the read.
Daryl
-- Edited by DandS on Tuesday 19th of February 2013 10:57:12 PM
Peter_n_Margaret said
05:56 AM Feb 20, 2013
I would simply say that you don't need all the answers. Many questions sort themselves as you go without any drama. Others never need answering.
Cheers, Peter
GaryKelly said
09:51 AM Feb 20, 2013
As to food going off, particularly fresh meat, cook enough for a couple of meals in advance, and store extras in food containers. Cooked meat will last a week or so refrigerated. If you have a decent freezer, they'll last for months. Wet weather and boredom? If lack of sun affects your solar powered system, I guess that rules out using the laptop or TV, so you'd have to rely on reading or some kind of hobby that doesn't require electricity. Some of the girls do knitting or crocheting. I'd probably do a bit of cooking. If you don't have a hobby, start one. Buy a book on cartooning or painting, or how to make model airplanes or ships in a bottle... anything that doesn't take up much room. I'm sure you get the picture. I think I'd like to buy old mechanical watches cheap at various op shops or pawn shops and then a book on watchmaking. That could be fun on a rainy day!
Dunmowin said
10:13 PM Feb 20, 2013
Thanks Gary, that has Mr Dunmowin's brain ticking now!
dingojim said
04:40 PM Feb 22, 2013
G'day Kev, we all started out as you are and when seasoned trvellers stop and think about it all they realise that they still only know just enough to get by on. Life is most unfair it lets you make the mistakes to get the experience even though I have met a couple of blokes who reckoned they had never made a mistake but professed to having much experience. Another of lifes mysteries. Mate you've got the computer by the horns so nothing is safe from your endeavors, and yes pick other peoples brains for all it's worth but be warned a lot of us GN's have had to give our grey matter a fair sort of a caning to get ourselves into the GN ranks so the pickings may be a bit slim at times. Go for it mate and good luck to you . I look forward to catching you fuirther down the track. " There is no such thing as a problem only a solution waiting to be found"
Goodonya Kev! Having a go is the first step... not too long ago T couldnt even switch a computer on and now I can even post photos in the forum!
Thats an overwhelming list! You might do better by posting a separate topic for each subject.
To your first query... yes make sure you have a will. And after someone on here posted that their solicitor had moved several times taking their wills with him, we have checked up on ours and found he's moved too, so we made a new will and put it in the bank. (The NAB will store a sealed envelope of documents in their safe for a small fee). Carry a copy of that, plus copies of any important personal papers, your insurance paperwork, contact details for your family, anything else you think might be needed if for example you have an accident while travelling. We also made photocopies of the cards in our wallets in case they were stolen along with a list of who to phone if that happened. Store these in your van... Make sure you put your mobile phone number on your keyring... if you lose it you'll have a chance of getting your keys back.
Theres been recent threads about prescriptions and medical records, and for other matters try "search" and see what you find.
-- Edited by Gerty Dancer on Tuesday 19th of February 2013 01:55:34 PM
Way2go Brikkies, Where do I get Cindy's book???????
Dont answer the above for I have just ordered the book.
Cheers
Kev
-- Edited by way2gokev on Tuesday 19th of February 2013 03:49:16 PM
G'day I would reckon this subject has been discussed in length in many and varied topics but for us who are venturing into the wide open spaces for the first time long term, is there a do and dont list pertaining to:
There would be other things that could be added but maybe those who have lived on the road full time can enlighten us newbies, I know that on working hollidays I carried far too much stuff especially in relation to what I needed for work. Since work is not a priority then I would think that you would try and take the minium to reduce weight and fuel consumption Or is it a case of pack and do what you think is needed then as you go along get rid of the excess stuff you dont need.
My main concern is food storage and how best to keep and store your everyday things without damage or wastage because food goes off.
Thanks in advance, being on my own and a male I can hear you seasoned travelling ladies saying " let's give this guy our best tips for a life on the road and help him and others plan their experiance from our experiance"
Have a g'day
Kev
Re my post above, today I am a bit bored because I cant get outside because low and behold it is raining and I dont want to stop one drop from reaching the ground.
Hence the post, if I had a few brains maybe I should look at all the old posts and pick out info to save, but hey I dont no how to save it to a place where I can retrieve it, is there a easy way to store info from this site???
While I am at it how do you put a picture into your posts??? Falling trees and using chainsaws no problem, using a computor hopeless but I am having ago.
Cheers
Kev
Ok I wont (lol)
You wont be dissapointed with the book, we discovered a few things in the book that we hadn't considered. Well worth the read.
Daryl
-- Edited by DandS on Tuesday 19th of February 2013 10:57:12 PM
Many questions sort themselves as you go without any drama.
Others never need answering.
Cheers,
Peter
Thanks Gary, that has Mr Dunmowin's brain ticking now!
G'day Kev, we all started out as you are and when seasoned trvellers stop and think about it all they realise that they still only know just enough to get by on. Life is most unfair it lets you make the mistakes to get the experience even though I have met a couple of blokes who reckoned they had never made a mistake but professed to having much experience. Another of lifes mysteries. Mate you've got the computer by the horns so nothing is safe from your endeavors, and yes pick other peoples brains for all it's worth but be warned a lot of us GN's have had to give our grey matter a fair sort of a caning to get ourselves into the GN ranks so the pickings may be a bit slim at times. Go for it mate and good luck to you . I look forward to catching you fuirther down the track. " There is no such thing as a problem only a solution waiting to be found"