check out the new remote control Jockey Wheel SmartBar rearview170 Beam Communications SatPhone Shop Topargee products
Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
Post Info TOPIC: first solo trip with van


The Happy Helper

Status: Offline
Posts: 12023
Date:
first solo trip with van


Well, I have just arrived in Porepunkah, Vic, having come from Boonah in SE Qld - left there Tuesday am - arrived here Thursday early afternoon.  1423K, and loved every minute of it.  The van is so easy to tow, I don't know what I was worried about - I now feel that I can go anywhere - had no problems at all - apart from trying to find diesel pumps at petrol stations, that don't have them listed at the front of the bowser lane - very frustrating with a van in tow.  One guy said "oh yeah, we used to have them, someone cut their hand on one, so took them away" - hey what about replacing them with something that won't cut a hand - too easy?
Came down the Newell to West Wyalong, then across to Wagga, down to Albury and off the Hume to Porepunkah just out of Wangaratta.Can't wait till friends arrive over the next day or so, we should have a ball - usually do - good wineries around here.
See you.

__________________

jules
"Love is good for the human being!!"
(Ben, aged 10)



Senior Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 127
Date:

Goo onya Jules!! nothin t worry about , those servos that dont indicate where diff. fuels are are a real pi..off!! But now, relax,& enjoy the ''journey''. Hope t catch up with some of you mob when I get back that side. Take care......


__________________
Phil


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 1059
Date:

.. way to go Jules .. !! and it'll just get better .. enjoy !

Jon

(currently in Albany, WA)



__________________

  <<   living life  >>



Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 6997
Date:

WOO HOO! Go girl!!! smilesmilesmile

__________________

Cheers,  Gerty. ... at home

"Leaning forward to see whats coming"
                                                                   



Senior Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 370
Date:

A BIG well done Jules what a great trip, glad you made it safely....did u have many stopovers along the way, I'll be heading in the opposite direction on my first big trip in 4 wks, I can't wait. How did you find the Toowoomba range, was there much damage from the floods?
Have a great time here in sunny Victoria, I hope the weather holds up for you

__________________

Happy & Safe travelling

cheers

Gill


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 6513
Date:

gillyb wrote:

A BIG well done Jules what a great trip, glad you made it safely....did u have many stopovers along the way, I'll be heading in the opposite direction on my first big trip in 4 wks, I can't wait. How did you find the Toowoomba range, was there much damage from the floods?
Have a great time here in sunny Victoria, I hope the weather holds up for you



Jules wouldn't have needed to use the Toowoomba Range. Boonah is south east of Toowoomba. But I will be using it in a few weeks, so I'll let you know how it looks.

 



__________________

Beth, now living on the Redcliffe Peninsula, SEQ.

 

 





The Happy Helper

Status: Offline
Posts: 12023
Date:

Hi guys - thanks for all that - apparently the Toowoomba range is ok at the moment - back to 4 lanes - I went over Cunninghams Gap which is still a mess - stop/go traffic - so pretty slow - bit of a disaster area really - the trip down was uneventful - some roadworks, but nothing to worry about. Where are you heading to Gill? The weather down here is magnificent - 31 today - blue sky, few small clouds, light breeze - NO HUMIDITY!!!! Cool nights and early mornings - lovely - hope it stays this way for the next week or so.

__________________

jules
"Love is good for the human being!!"
(Ben, aged 10)



The Master

Status: Offline
Posts: 12473
Date:

Good going Jules, glad to see you arrived safely and see there was nothing to worry about was there?

__________________




Happy Wanderer    

Don't worry, Be Happy! 

Live! Like someone left the gate open

 

 

 



Senior Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 370
Date:

Beth54 wrote:

gillyb wrote:

A BIG well done Jules what a great trip, glad you made it safely....did u have many stopovers along the way, I'll be heading in the opposite direction on my first big trip in 4 wks, I can't wait. How did you find the Toowoomba range, was there much damage from the floods?
Have a great time here in sunny Victoria, I hope the weather holds up for you



Jules wouldn't have needed to use the Toowoomba Range. Boonah is south east of Toowoomba. But I will be using it in a few weeks, so I'll let you know how it looks.

 



Ha Ha I knew that Beth just testing to see if everyone else did wink

 



__________________

Happy & Safe travelling

cheers

Gill


Senior Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 370
Date:

jules47 wrote:

Hi guys - thanks for all that - apparently the Toowoomba range is ok at the moment - back to 4 lanes - I went over Cunninghams Gap which is still a mess - stop/go traffic - so pretty slow - bit of a disaster area really - the trip down was uneventful - some roadworks, but nothing to worry about. Where are you heading to Gill? The weather down here is magnificent - 31 today - blue sky, few small clouds, light breeze - NO HUMIDITY!!!! Cool nights and early mornings - lovely - hope it stays this way for the next week or so.



Thanks for that info jules I think I will definately avoid cunninghams gap and take my luck on the toowoomba range :) Firstly I'm hoping to spend a bit of time in the Brissie area to catch up with a few old friends then I'm just pointing the car north and seeing where it takes me and hopefully end up in the Cairns area where I also have a few friends to catch up with......I have a period of 6 months so I'm prity excited about the whole trip and hoping to meet a few fellow nomads along the way, most seem to head north for winter.  This also is my first solo trip so will be interesting

 



__________________

Happy & Safe travelling

cheers

Gill


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 700
Date:

Well done Jules. No stopping you now. See you out there one day.


Johnw

__________________

There is no road to happiness. Happiness is the road.

Just Lovenit.


Wentworth Falls NSW



Senior Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 386
Date:

Well done!! Enjoy the wineries...

__________________

 



The Happy Helper

Status: Offline
Posts: 12023
Date:

Nope - nothing at all - just hadto get out there and do it - very chuffed now.  See you soon.

__________________

jules
"Love is good for the human being!!"
(Ben, aged 10)



Veteran Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 37
Date:

Hey Jules..
Diesel is mostley on the outside lane, & good on ya girl,,I,ve just stopped (for awhile) after 9mths,, ENJOY,,

__________________

If you dont know where you're going

 any road will get you there...

Cee


Senior Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 102
Date:

Wooooooooooohooooooooooooo Jules, great to hear that all went well and you are having  a great time.

Keep Smiling smile

__________________
Live the dream


The Happy Helper

Status: Offline
Posts: 12023
Date:

Again - thanks guys - raining here at moment - there is a "Rockabilly" festival here this weekend, and I have volunteered to do some work on the Friday and Saturday - should be fun - I will be representing the caravan park her _ Riverview in Porepunkah - reckon it will be a good time.
probably head back north Sunday or Monday I think. Back up from albury to wagga. Temorah, and West Wyalong, then up the Newell home.
See yas soon


__________________

jules
"Love is good for the human being!!"
(Ben, aged 10)



Newbie

Status: Offline
Posts: 4
Date:

Hi Gill,

I am ready for my first trip.Just joined "The Grey's" to find some great people. I will take off from Syd. in July, only game to take a 6 week try trip, to see if I can do it...Will be heading north, first stop at Nelson Bay, then who knows.

I hope I feel as good as you sound after my try.

Thanks for your input.

Christine & Ziggy poodle



__________________

Mooka...



Senior Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 293
Date:

Mookas,

I'm also another newbie from Sydney. You'll have a great time when you get out there



__________________

 

Clare



Senior Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 370
Date:

Hi Mookas and Clare  welcome to the site you will learn heaps on here.  I was as nervous as hell when I first set out alone, it took me a few days to start relaxing a little, now soon as I stop I'm wanting to get back on the road again biggrin

I'm currently in Toowoomba, hardest stop yet, I got totally lost and was getting a bit stressed and ended up stopping and asking directions from a taxi parked on the side of the road and he gave me very precise directions (a very helpful man) so finally got to the van park I was looking for, then they gave me this tiny little spot with no hope of me getting in on my own so had to ask for help which was given with a smile so all ended up well.

Hope we meet up on the road one day, I'm going to  be in the Brisbane are from tomorrow for at least a couple of weeks smile



__________________

Happy & Safe travelling

cheers

Gill


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 6882
Date:

Congratulations on finding a taxi driver who speaks English well enough to be understood.
Now that I have my tongue out of my cheek, with the emphasis on cheek, just relax and enjoy yourself wherever you go.


__________________

20ft Roma caravan - Mercedes Benz Sprinter - SA-based at the moment.
Transport has no borders.

Management makes the decisions, but is not affected by the decisions it makes.



Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 684
Date:

Hi gillyb, Pleased to hear everything is going well, continue to have a great time

__________________
ChiChi


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 1874
Date:

Pleased to hear that you are going so well gillyb.

Can't wait to get out there and join all of you, hopefully in a few weeks...fingers crossed.

Happy travels. Pam smile



__________________

 Cheers. Pam.

Safe and happy travels everyone.

 



Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 1874
Date:

Jules, I have been watching your travels with interest too.

It's great that you are enjoying yourself out there.

Hope to catch up with you...and other GN's...before too long.

Keep smiling. Pam. smile



__________________

 Cheers. Pam.

Safe and happy travels everyone.

 



Newbie

Status: Offline
Posts: 4
Date:

Thanks Clare, I am sure that once I get started, I will have more confidence. Hope to chat more later.

Christineaww



__________________

Mooka...



Newbie

Status: Offline
Posts: 4
Date:

Hi, Thanks for the tip, all tips thankfully received.

Christine



__________________

Mooka...

Page 1 of 1  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.

Tweet this page Post to Digg Post to Del.icio.us
Purchase Grey Nomad bumper stickers Read our daily column, the Nomad News The Grey Nomad's Guidebook