Newbie in training to be a Grey Nomad

TBF · Member

Newbie in training to be a Grey Nomad

dave06 · Guru

G'day Mate and welcome to the nomads, the kimberley is a damn good camper and one that will last several lifetimes as is the nissan, some really fine sights to be had with that setup, be sure you do the cooper as well as the kimberleys and gibb river road, arkaroola is one that should be on that list, once you get the van they are pretty much out of reach but they are an absolute "must see"

Disco Duck · Guru

Hi TBF

My wife and I are new here too. We have been reading the forums for a while and decided that it was time to join here and meet the people.

We have a Discovery 2 and have just finished fitting out a home made camper-van (hence the name Disco and Daisy Duck)

We are off from Adelaide to Currawinya on Sunday for two weeks. First trip for the camper-van so we'll see how it all works. We'll probably get home and spend the next three months modifying the thing to get it right :) Daisy thinks it will be like the Sydney Harbour Bridge.................a never ending project................hell, I hope not. hehehehe

Anyway we'll find out. I'm looking forward to a couple days in Wentworth first to relax and unwind and then to Hungerford via Tibooburra.

dave06 · Guru

Hi Disco and Daisy welcome to the forum, just one question, how's the missus like being called a duck??

if it was me I'd last about 5 minutes before needing medical assistance

enjoy mucking around with the camper, it's great fun and of course never "finished"!!!

Disco Duck · Guru

I love that !!! You are worried about me calling my wife a duck and you call yours..........??

hehehehe Onya!!

Thanks for the welcome Dave. Appreciate it.

dave06 · Guru

uhhh!! yeah!! point taken, hmm!!

TBF · Member

Thanks for the welcome Dave.

G'day Disco Duck.
Looking forward to doing Corner Country.
We were headed that way June 08.
It rained as we were heading out and all the corner roads were closed west of Thargo.
So we went north instead.

Can you post some photos when you get back.
That way I'll see what I missed out on, till I can plan another trip probably next year.

cheers
Aart

Disco Duck · Guru

Hey Aart

We sure will post some photos when we get back.

Looking at some of these weather forecasts we may strike a bit of what you got. It is raining here in Adelaide at the moment and looks like stretching a fair way north in the next couple of days. Just how far remains to be seen.

If the rain does get all the way up there then I hope you won't object to the photos being of the inside of the Tibooburra pub? :)

"Come on rain !!"

We came back through Thargo way last time we came back from the Birdsville races two years ago. Some barren country up that way. They needed some rain pretty badly then. We had dust storms and 40 degrees in Birdsville. Not very pleasant.

dave06 · Guru

I think you will be pretty right, the rains are only falling south of a line from broken hill to ceduna, we only got about ten mill.

how big's your suitcase???? I dont eat much!!!

Cruising Granny · Guru

Wow! Such adventures to look forward to. I think I may have to park the van up, and take the camp stretcher for a run.
The channel, Cooper, Diamantina, Birdsville country must be a picture right now. Not to mention the bird life.

And Dave, I'm sorry to hear the north of the driest state isn't getting the rain, but at least some of the farm country is getting it. Hope it's enough to open the season for seeding etc.
It's all been so dry for so long.

But I'm alright,(she said smugly) I'm in the rainforest, with the emphasis on "rain". It's drying out a bit now as the wet season winds down, and the dry season winds up.

Cheers Chris

dave06 · Guru

we did the cooper many times, Diamentina and Birdsville surrounds, corner country and the stony desert some of our all time favorite stomping grounds and thats why I am so bloody jealous, absolutely beautifull country should be a picture after the earlier rains, we cant get back there now with the vehicles we have so we have only pictures and memories

we have started seeding here (dry) but after all it is anzac day tomorrow and it always rains on anzac day, we need a good soaking but I dont think we will get it

I have looked upon your weathermap with envy many times but then the dengue and the snapping handbags and the jockrot,

I took a leather jacket up with me last time I was up there, it didnt last long before the mould got to it, and whats that stuff that grows between your toes, I was glad to get back to the good country, but we will return one day

Disco Duck · Guru

Love to take you Dave. I reckon we'd have a few giggles.

Good country out there and good company only makes it so much better!!

Got a little space for you on top of the campervan. Great view..........

dave06 · Guru

bit windy but.. I'll take it.

Cruising Granny · Guru

Thanks for the season update Dave. I always think of the farmers on the Eyre and Yorke Peninsulas, and the upper and mid-north.
They're due for a good one I would reckon.
I have family and friends on both Pens.
It's not as hot as Broome over this way, but the humidity is still sneaking around.
I lived in the Kimberleys 11 years, and didn't get foot rot or ulcers. I did lose a nice leather belt though.
But over here I had foot rot and ulcers. All fixed with bathing in hot water and vinegar.
It's certainly different over this side of the country, extremely different. The only thing they have in common is the tropical zone and the seasons, although the storms are very different.
All the best to the SA ****ies. Cheers Chris

dave06 · Guru

well they reckon it's going to be alright this year, the rains still falling with some very heavy showers, we are silently hopefull, but it's still very dry

just on the matter of rain, it's been said that enough rain run off has left adelaide as "waste water" to keep them going for a month and a half, bloody criminal when we may run out of water completely next year

the difference between the kimberley region and the cairns region is chalk and cheese, dont know why but I could easily live up in the kimberleys but not in cairns

Cruising Granny · Guru

I have also come to that conclusion Dave.
I really miss the Kimberleys, and keep making comparisons, which is not very healthy when the object of the travel exercise is to appreciate each place for it's own character.
I had to take the tow hitch off the cruiser to deter me from hitching up.
I'm getting very twitchy, impatient and irritable waiting for medical appointments in Brisbane. Bloody public health system! I think it's worse over here as well. My issues are "urgent", but still I have to wait, while more damage is being done. Can't afford private hospital cover (blackmail). I do have extras cover which has been an absolute bonus.
The upside is I'm making new friends here through Sing Australia, which is snowballing to other social activities. One of the benefits of staying a little longer.
All the best to the SA c.o.c.k.i.e.s. Cheers Chris

dave06 · Guru

any organisation will give one an immediate "circle" of freinds and that is a damn good thing, if that organisation then provides an "uplifting" service to the community then an immediate sense of self worth is attained

combine the two and welcome to my world,

to be usefull is a good thing, to be valued is a terrific thing, to be apreciated by ones peer's is a great thing, with your singing going out to all corners of the community it would tick all three boxes and I think that is an amazing thing

well done you

many people sit at home and wonder why they have no freinds or contact with the outside world, one must "reach out" in some way as you have done then others will reach back then the reward is both ways

I try not to make comparisons of different areas of australia anymore, I love it all but I must admit to having a very fond little corner for the kimberleys,

Cruising Granny · Guru

You're right again Dave. Giving is much more rewarding than taking.

I have volunteered in SES and CFS (SA) and Sea Rescue in Broome. Radio operator mostly, but some boat time and catering as well. Not to mention my involvement in Netball, former player and then very active umpire. I also coached umpires, and took great satisfaction in watching their skills developm and ultimately receiving accreditation for their work.
As well as administration. Committee positions at association and regional levels in SA and WA.

When one is living alone, there is no way anyone is going to knock on the door and relieve the alone-ness".
I'd been here for a couple of months, keeping busy with docs, tests, medical imaging etc, and when it slowed down, and the park emptied I had to review my social situation.
It's been a good thing to join the singers.
We do performances around the community. It's relatively casual with a respectable presentation. The organisation lays down a few rules and a dress-code, so it doesn't become a fashion parade or competition.
Singing for the oldies yesterday morning was just such a wonderful, rewarding experience. They sang along with most of the old digger tunes. eg Tipperary, Pack up Your Troubles, Old Slouch Hat, etc. I got more from them they I gave I feel.
It's a good life. Cheers Chris

dave06 · Guru

" it's a good life"...................................................it is when we choose to live it!!