Starting out

Freddos future · Veteran Member

Starting out

dave06 · Guru

Hey you are about to begin life, the stuff one gathers over a life is absolutely astronomical, we are in the same boat although we have only been in this house for about 23 years, before we shifted we had a bit of a cleanout so not as much "baggage" we will sell up in just under 3 years time but we have started cleanup now, we have given some stuff away, thrown other stuff out, in the end that is all it is "stuff" we intend to have an auction, the really good gear, we will store and sell at a later time or give to relations, I have a 30x20 shed which is full of power tools (I am a builder) I will be giving it all to my eldest son, he doesnt know it yet, but it is worth in excess of $25,000.00 probably only get maybe $2,000.00 at auction if I'm lucky so he can have it, the good furniture will be offered to him as well and if he doesnt want it I guess auction it is get maybe $5,000 for about $30,000 worth but it is only "stuff" and a new life will begin and stuff can be replaced if need be, thats what we are doing, anyway the call of the road is too great blankstare

Freddos future · Veteran Member

Hi Dave,
Thanks for your reply,
We have been reading through other messages and we love the way you're so quick to reply, we thought our first one would be from you, and it was, thanks.
Yes it only stuff and can be replaced, but I thought it would never be so hard to organise, I have three kids (all grown up) and my partner as three also, Thats six plus five grand kids (+ # 6 on the way) so one must not upset one and not the other. Pity the kids cannot go into the "just stuff" file.
Anyway thanks for your reply, maybe we'll meet out on the road some where.
Bye for now,
The Freddos smile

the trickie truckie · Member

We did our trip 2 years ago and we are just about to head off again. You sound just like we did when we were getting organised to do our trip although we already had the 4x4 & caravan & had been caravanning for a few years during short breaks from our jobs.
our advice to you is a) work out your weekly budget, cost of fuel, caravan park fees, wear & tear, food, miscel exp. b) get 3 appraisals now on your house to see what the real estate agents reckon it's worth, put it on the market now, ( you can ask for a delayed settlement) start really looking at caravans & 4x4's, talk to as many people who have travelled & have experience as you can, it can all be a bit confusing but you need to listen & learn as sometimes it can get a bit tricky when things go wrong (& they will..murphys law) If you have never towed a van than learn how to set it up; tow it & how to load a van & what to do when something goes wrong. c) we put all our belongings into storage, it cost us $250.00pm however maybe you know someone who will let you put a shipping container on thier rural property to store your things in or they may have a large shed that you can rent from them.We had a garage sale to get rid of excess items but kept furniture, tools, personal items etc.
You will have the best experience of your life travelling around this wonderful country & meet the most interesting people, just relax & take your time & best time of the day is...HAPPY HOUR! ENJOY

dave06 · Guru

hey freddos, mate love to meet up with you on the road and have a beer and a chat, looking forward to meeting a lot of people from here, dont fret about your stuff you will of course upset somebody somewhere thats life, just tell them to "live with it" its your "stuff" you decide who gets what, dont upset the other half though or your days will be miserable for a long time, involve her all the way, the reason I reply so quick is that I am actually touring through the otways at the moment, done the fly again yesterday, still frightens the hell out of me, trying out the wireless satellite internet on the dragons laptop so all is new and shiny and of course nobody can leave it alone, wont have the mobile internet for long though, too expensive, still have broadband at home though, anyway dont fret about the stuff, concentrate on the future you will, as the truckie says, have a ball the caravan towing will come with practice common sense will prevail, join the c.m.c.a. go to the gatherings meet hundreds of people and wonder why the hell you didnt do it years ago as we all do, "happy hour" is of course a holy and religious affair smile

-- Edited by dave06 at 11:46, 2008-07-20

Freddos future · Veteran Member

Hi Trickie Truckie,
Thanks for your insite,
We have learnt that there are 4 wheel drives and real 4 wheel drives.
Looking at a Nissan Patrol 3L turbo diesel 2001.
Found a 4 wheel drive nutta at work giving us soooo much info I wish he'd shut up! but all info it good,
Will start to look at vans next, what do most people have?
Pop tops vs full vans????
Regards,
wink

The Freddos

Freddos future · Veteran Member

Hi Davo & Dragon,
We did the fly walk not so long ago at the Otway Ranges, we thought it was fantastic. Not scared of heights ...ha ha haaa.
Look forward to a happy hour with you guys in the near future.
Do you like a home brew?
The Freddos

the trickie truckie · Member

Hi
Regarding your question on vans..it's personal preference. Some people prefer full size vans to pop tops, it's a matter of choice & getting as much info on all types of vans as you can before you make a decision to purchase one.If your buying a second hand van make sure you check for any sign of water marks, check that all drawers & cupboards close tightly so you are not greeted by broken plates when you open up the door. Are you going to buy a van with a shower & toilet, very handy on cold rainy days or the middle of the night after too many sherberts at happy hour. We prefer a full size van & have a toyota landcruiser GXL (turbo) with winch fitted on front which has come in handy many times over the years. Also recommend you get a generator. I agree..once you get on the road & meet up with us grey nomads you will wonder why in the hell you didn't do this years ago. I hope we meet up along the track somewhere.

dave06 · Guru

MMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!! home brew, biggrin

yep find a van you like and buy it, good advice from the trickster, advice is gold, just keep prospecting, me I did the van thing a few years ago, ran away from the bloody thing for a few years, never could escape, everytime I looked in the mirrors, there it was, trundling along behind, about 3,500 kms of it chasing us, glad to see her go out the yard, had some good times in her and seen some fantastic sights, but the best sight was our camper being delivered, would never go back, but its a personal thing as I stated before every road is different, my dream is a motorhome but thats other peoples nightmare, go to caravan shows (even if you dont buy new, the ideas are there) grab a tent and haunt the caravan parks, pull in to free camps at happy hour and have a beer with a couple of people staying there and see what they have and what they would change, we dont mind a chinwag (although you would never tell) anyway whatever you choose you will enjoy, and thats what life is all about, thoughts from an old wanderer hmm

-- Edited by dave06 at 13:08, 2008-07-21