Welcome to the Solo's Forum

jules47 · The Happy Helper

RE: Welcome to the Solo's Forum

rayn_boh · Veteran Member

thank you so much for the warm welcome, looking forward to meeting people & travelling

will be camping next weekend at lake st Claire with my kids, but in my new (old) van instead

of my tent of many years, so much easier cant wait soo excited. so much to learn before a big trip

this is the life. :)

bettiboo · Member

Hello all, I have just joined....read through the forum....very friendly group of nomads.

I am 65 retired female, who has done a bit of travelling in my caravan. Last trip (3 months) was from my home in Adelaide up the east coast to Cairns...staying at free sites, caravan parks and showgrounds. A few scary moments alone the way. A blowout on the caravan...22 km north of Dubbo. The second was a bloke who was a little to interested, when I stayed at a free site, in Qld.

I have a Jayco Discovery with Toilet and shower....I pull the caravan with a Kia Sorento 4WD.

Not sure if I should change over to a motorhome....maybe I would feel safer if I did.....what are your views?

I intend to go away for 6 months next March....up the east coast again....anyone interested in traveling in convoy?

frangipani · Guru

bettiboo wrote:
Hello all, I have just joined....read through the forum....very friendly group of nomads.
I am 65 retired female, who has done a bit of travelling in my caravan. Last trip (3 months) was from my home in Adelaide up the east coast to Cairns...staying at free sites, caravan parks and showgrounds. A few scary moments alone the way. A blowout on the caravan...22 km north of Dubbo. The second was a bloke who was a little to interested, when I stayed at a free site, in Qld.
I have a Jayco Discovery with Toilet and shower....I pull the caravan with a Kia Sorento 4WD.
Not sure if I should change over to a motorhome....maybe I would feel safer if I did.....what are your views?
I intend to go away for 6 months next March....up the east coast again....anyone interested in traveling in convoy?

welcome betteboo, I have a MH, feel very safe, if I have to do a quick getaway I just sit in the drivers seat and go., had one eexperience was having coffee had an overwhelming feeling to get out of there so I did, didn't have to open the door to go outside., didi is looking for some gals to go east up to cairns about med march, i'll join for part of the way, happy travels -Fran

frangipani · Guru

rayn_boh wrote:
thank you so much for the warm welcome, looking forward to meeting people & travelling
will be camping next weekend at lake st Claire with my kids, but in my new (old) van instead
of my tent of many years, so much easier cant wait soo excited. so much to learn before a big trip
this is the life. :)

welcome rayn_boh, happy travels-Fran

happyface · Newbie

Hi Fran, you have helped me to feel more confident. I am seriously considering my life as a Grey Nomad. I have been doing so much research and learning as much as I can. I am just a bit nervous about going on my own. I am looking forward to making lots of new friends, both solo or couples. Thanks for sharing your experiences. Regards, Jenny

frangipani · Guru

happyface wrote:
Hi Fran, you have helped me to feel more confident. I am seriously considering my life as a Grey Nomad. I have been doing so much research and learning as much as I can. I am just a bit nervous about going on my own. I am looking forward to making lots of new friends, both solo or couples. Thanks for sharing your experiences. Regards, Jenny

Hi Happyface, welcome, once the butterflies settle you'll love it, I'm not a full time nomad, only had one trip, my trial run, I loved the feeling of "flapping my wings", no one to tell me where to go or what to do, mind you I did do a lot of talking to myself, and my angels were with me. Just take a big breath, shun your eyes and exhale....... then open your eyes and put your foot to the metal , may your angels guide you Jenny. - Fran

jules47 · The Happy Helper

Hi Happyface (Jenny) - This life on the road is what you make it - but a word of advice - try and meet up with some travellers, look on this forum for get togethers, not sure where you live, but there is a sort of gathering at Greens Lake, which is near Shepparton in Victoria, at the moment there are only about three of us GN's here, but more are expected over the next few weeks - the lake is a great spot - go onto the Greens Lake sub forum and have a look at the photos, read some of the posts. There will be another meet up in Queensland, from March most likely, at Waruma Dam, which is near Monto. You would be welcome at gatherings wherever you see us - look for the Grey Nomad stickers on our vans, we don't always park up next to each other - here at Greens we all have our favourite spots to camp.

bettiboo · Member

Hi, I am a solo traveler....Just come back from a 3 month trip from Adelaide to Cairns. I had a few frightening experiences....so prefer not to travel on the road alone. Am planning another trip next march, this time for 6 months. Looking for other solo female travelers who are interested in traveling up north at that time. I am linking up with a solo traveler in Victoria on the way. I have a caravan and she has a motorhome.

bettiboo · Member

Hello Frangipani,

Thank you for your message....I am still looking through the sites on here....finding my way....

I am looking forward to the trip next year...cannot come soon enough... will be great if the three of us can catch up alone the way. Be great if we can meet others along the way.

frangipani · Guru

biggrin biggrin biggrin Welcome, lockie and me, love your eyes, the dogs that is, are you still shadow jumping?

-- Edited by Frangipani on Friday 14th of November 2014 07:24:37 PM

-- Edited by Frangipani on Friday 14th of November 2014 07:25:27 PM

jules47 · The Happy Helper

Frangipani - when will we see you again??

frangipani · Guru

jules47 wrote:
Frangipani - when will we see you again??

Hi Jules, I've been crook, bad cold n lost my voice, today is the first day I'm out of bed., trying hard to get there tomorrow., my daughter made butterscotch fudge for me to bring.,

Will be late arvo by the time I get there.., save a camp spot for me.,

Debussey · Member

Dear Fran, Freddo here hoping to help your (minor) dilemma. I'm a solo traveller, 73 yrs. and a committed free camper.

You sound keen and ready to go - go - go on wonderful trips. When free camping always park in a place with other campers and in a position from which you can drive straight off. In 8 years I've never had the least problem (or worry).

I have and AVAN Applause, on a FIAT DUCATO, Vehicle. I've had it from new in 2006 and done 170,000 Kms. The only thing done is to put new tyres (after 80,000 Kms.) (but I keep having to put diesel in the tank). I have the vehicle regularly serviced, which is money well spent. ($1.00 spent in service will save $100.00 in repairs)

This type of vehicle is ideal for one person (bit cramped for two), it drives like a car, parks in a regular parking spot and is quite economical on fuel (7.5 L. per 100 Kms.)

I suggest you look around carefully before purchasing because the are some 'lemons' out there.

Fran, if I can help in any way do not hesitate to say so!

Best regards, Freddo or (Debussy - my favourite composer)

frangipani · Guru

Debussey wrote:
Dear Fran, Freddo here hoping to help your (minor) dilemma. I'm a solo traveller, 73 yrs. and a committed free camper.
You sound keen and ready to go - go - go on wonderful trips. When free camping always park in a place with other campers and in a position from which you can drive straight off. In 8 years I've never had the least problem (or worry).
I have and AVAN Applause, on a FIAT DUCATO, Vehicle. I've had it from new in 2006 and done 170,000 Kms. The only thing done is to put new tyres (after 80,000 Kms.) (but I keep having to put diesel in the tank). I have the vehicle regularly serviced, which is money well spent. ($1.00 spent in service will save $100.00 in repairs)
This type of vehicle is ideal for one person (bit cramped for two), it drives like a car, parks in a regular parking spot and is quite economical on fuel (7.5 L. per 100 Kms.)
I suggest you look around carefully before purchasing because the are some 'lemons' out there.
Fran, if I can help in any way do not hesitate to say so!
Best regards, Freddo or (Debussy - my favourite composer)

Welcome, Freddo, I think you have me confused with someone else, I already have a rig, Mercedes Winnebago, happy travels- Fran

Krusty · Senior Member

Hello Everyone, I've been a longtime Lurker on this site and picked up lots of Great information and finally decided to join. I've got a little base on a bush block in a place called Agnes Water, Qld. I basically cruise the East Coast in a camperred up Landy. I spend my time surfing and competing in Dragon Boat and Outrigging Regattas. I must say that the journey to these places is just as much fun as my time on the water. ð I mostly free camp as caravan park charges for a solo traveller is a bit of a rip-off. Anyway, enjoy your Journey, Krusty.

HenryD · Newbie

Hello Nomads,

Henry here, still in UK. I've just finished converting a VW Transporter into a campervan. Hopefully I will be shipping it in the next 2 weeks so it should be in Melbourne by the end of April. I then plan to spend a month getting it packed and ready for my big adventure. I do have lots of questions but I will post them in the appropriate forums in due course.
Hopefully I'll be bumping into some of you (not literally) as I make my way around the country over the coming year.

Henry

Joe50 · Guru

Welcome to the playground Henry, hope all goes well with the shipping and packing. Lots of knowledgeable people here, so ask away!

Cheers
Joe

DaveH · Veteran Member

Hi all,

Finally starting out in a month or so - towing a CUB camper and hoping to free camp wherever. Good to see a forum dedicated to us solo trippers; maybe we should hve a convention.

I will have areasonable outfit of tools so if you need a fix let me know.

Any one run across Irene Scott - believe she travels in a Combi?

Dave

Jonesy48 · Newbie

I must admire all you ladies out there solo, I'm a 67year old male about to take the plunge and must admit am a little shaky at the knees. My travel companion is my 12 year old rescued poodle I have had for 8 years he is looking forward to leaving the hustle of the city behind.

Ethanol · Senior Member

Hi fellow Nomads, been lurking here for a while also so thought it time to be known. Been travelling around for about 4 years between Northern NSW to North Qld & Vic ( Geelong ) visiting Family & friends. Now heading off next week for the BIG Lap, leaving the North Coast of NSW.

Hope to see some of you in my travels.

Mike

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Welcome to the gang Mike, enjoy here and out in the playground.

Take care out there mate and enjoy.

Pelican · Newbie

Am new to this site am travelling in my motorhome with my small dog Molly am on my way to Longreach staying all the free camps along the way am 64 years young and been on the road 8 years

jules47 · The Happy Helper

Pelican wrote:
Am new to this site am travelling in my motorhome with my small dog Molly am on my way to Longreach staying all the free camps along the way am 64 years young and been on the road 8 years

Welcome Annaleise, was good to meet you at Wuruma Dam, happy travels!

Very happy camper · Veteran Member

Hello Mike

Welcome to the forum,

I am sure you will get a lot of help from everyone.

Very happy camper · Veteran Member

Welcome Annelies

64 is only young so you have many years of good camping ahead,

enjoy

Jelaw · Member

Hello travelers can anyone tell me where to buy a 12 volt tv and an aerial for my campervan please?

jules47 · The Happy Helper

Kogan have tv's which can be used on 12 volt, with an adaptor you can also buy from them. We have one - $170 delivered.

Aerial, Jaycar has an aerial (remote control even) in their current catalogue, whic finishes 12 September - $59.95, or caravan place can help. Depends of course how much you want to spend.

Roko · Newbie

Thank you so much everyone for posting in this forum. I've been dreaming for so long to start travelling but have never had the courage to do it by myself for various reasons. Ive even bought 2 campervans over the past years only to sell them again .. agreed, I am such a wimp. Now I've retired completely, had a much needed knee operation, & am going to try again, but at first only in a small way. I've bought myself a tear drop camper, something that I feel confident in towing .. I now just have to learn to reverse the darn thing!! Anyway, after reading the posts here I know I can do it, so I'm going to give my baby camper a new coat of paint & I'm going to hit the road. I now feel a new lease on life since I've made my decision. Hopefully we may meet somewhere .. thank you!!

baaalamb · Newbie

Hi Fran I believe it is possible for a 50+ to travel alone around Ox with a 'cvan or motor home. I have done a few short trips to Canberra, Sunshine Coast and other weekends and have found the experience positive. I have a small pop-up that is easy for me to handle I get my mechanic to check everything before I go away and help is always on hand at caravan parks. It's a great way to meet people and travel at your own pace and be flexible with your travel. I'm planning to go to WA for 4mths next year, this is a biggie for me so I've joined this forum for helpful tips and ideas.

"People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within".

Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

"People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within".

Elisabeth Kubler-Ross