I'm in Kumbia, 30ks from Kingaroy

Ma · Guru

RE: I'm in Kumbia, 30ks from Kingaroy

Esmeralda · Guru

Good heavens HW - you seem to have had a time of it all right!!!! Hang in there - give it a few months before you do anything you might regret. Once this is sorted you will be fine. I have read so many of your posts and you don't seem like the type of person to give up easily.

As for the mouse - I would have freaked. These little suckers I do not do well. There is a bit of a mouse plague in lots of areas at the moment - I will definitely have to find out if I have any entrance holes before I take off next week.

Chin up - you can do it.

Helen

jimricho · Guru

Esmeralda wrote:
As for the mouse - I would have freaked. These little suckers I do not do well. There is a bit of a mouse plague in lots of areas at the moment - I will definitely have to find out if I have any entrance holes before I take off next week.
Chin up - you can do it.
Helen

I think they sneak in when a door is left open (sometimes not for long). I had the rear door of the wagon open the whole time I was messing aroung changing the wheel at Hay (as mentioned earlier)

Happywanderer · The Master

I'm still here guys, chilling out at sons. With an 11 year old grandaughter and 2 year old grandson, haven't had much time to come on here.
The first couple of days I had all sorts of plans of getting rid of Myrtle, from trading her for a car to giving her to son as they go camping a lot.
Now I know I have to get home somehow, so have to get serious. Haven't been in th van except to empty her out and put down pellets. I am sure the little blighter has gone so will give the van a good clean out tomorrow, wash everything and check what I left in there.
Now, this is how I see it and reading your last posts I have to throw out a warning. If anyone thinks they can do this campervanning gig on a pension and keep a permanent place as well they are kidding themselves.
I am sitting here at sons now as have to wait for next payday before I can do anything else. Then will have just about enough to get home, not enough to replace the in house, 2nd, battery. Next payday isn't until 11th May. So might as well just head home again and sit out the winter while I save up properly or decide what to do.
If I decided to get the 2nd battery, I would be sitting here for at least another 2 pays after that to get enough finance to move on, thats another month
I'm sure son and family would love me to stay here another 6 weeks eating out of their cupboard as unable to support myself and save all my money for my road costs.
I can't ask for financial help as they are trying to set up a new home and put daughter through school etc. Its good enough of them to be feeding me and allowing me to hang around under their feet for a couple of weeks.
I can't afford the petrol to go off somewhere else like Bundy for a week or so and wait it out as it would mean using what small funds I have left and defeat the whole purpose of sitting waiting for payday.
My original plan was to call in here around 6th May for a little while as is grandaughters birthday then be on my way before and after and occasiona lly call back in to say hello.
It hasn't worked that way and I have no choice when my next pay comes in to head straight home rather slowly and may need to go into the next pay as well to cover costs, so would be two weeks on the road to get home. Thats ok, just saying it will cost more than what I get in the one pay.
It cost me $320 for fuel coming up for just over 1500 ks. I was on the road a week and only had two bought meals in that time. The rest was food I had in the van. So it does really take a lot of budgetting before to get the balance right.
Plus I have to have additives for the fuel and carry spare oil for the just in case it needs topping up.
All food for thought.

Happywanderer · The Master

Forgot to say, Someone mentioned maybe I wasn't well enough prepared. That is right, as I ran out of time, wanted to be up here for grandaughters brithday. The only one I have ever spent with her was her 1st birthday, now its her 12th. Should have just stayed home and planned for a later date maybe all this crap would have been sorted out.
Someone mentioned where the mice get in. I'm sure this one came in under the gas bottle compartment above the wheel arch as if I get down low and look under the gas bottle compartment which is totally sealed in itself and a closed container there is a large gap under it where someone has stuffed folded up newspaper. It looks very old yellowed newspaper so has been there a very long time.
Could have come in at West Wyalong but more sure it was Moonie as only noticed it the night after passing through there and got worse from then on. They had a sign just inside the door of the shop Apologies for the smell, We have a mice plague.

rockylizard · Guru

Gday...

I know exactly how you feel HW - it is so hard to figure out a budget for travelling full-time on a 'low' fixed income - expecially if trying to maintain a permanent residence 'back home'. Unless you have the luxury of some 'back-up' funds to cover 'unexpected' events.

And I have found that I need to limit the distances I travel - and where I stay. For instance, I try to not do more than 300km in a week, and free-camp at least 3 nights each week ... if I can do 4 then it is better. If money gets short, then I just stay put - fuel is usually the biggest expense.

I travel inland, stay on back roads usually, stay in small towns with cheap van parks and walk lots of places when I am stopped.

It takes time to adjust to this style of living - but when you do, you will find you will really enjoy the freedom and the slower pace.

If you are not renting out your 'permanent residence' it will be very hard to make it all come out the pension. Maybe that will be a solution - although it is fraught with other concerns.

But you will need to think it all through and then see how it goes.

Notwithstanding all the 'day-to-day' issues you raise, I can vouch that the lifestyle is worth it once you adjust to the slower, freeer and cost-conscious lifestyle. I am sure your other "cyber-mates" will agree.

Stay well, focussed and happy travelling.
John

Ma · Guru

Marj, plug up that hole with good old fashioned steel wool. You know, the stuff you clean your saucepans with when you wash up. NOT the stuff with the soap in it just the ordinary type.

We did that in an old house we once rented, way back in a couple of previous lives ago, and it certainly did work.

They evidently can't or more likely won't chew through the stuff.

Beth54 · Guru

Hi Marj, good to see you back online. We've all ben worried about you.

I've only done one long trip since getting Lucy and Gypsy. Stupidly, I didn't keep track of what my costs were. As you know, I'm on the DSP too, and hope that I'll be able to do one big trip each year on my pension.

I don't own a home, but I own Lucy and Gypsy, and have a little investment money. I'm very lucky with where I live. It's a lovely roomy granny flat at the back of a big house and my landlord very kindly keeps my rent low, as he knows I'm on a pension. I don't know how I'd get along if I had to pay 'normal' rent.

When I take off in June, I'll keep a record of my cost this time. I will be free camping as much as possible, so I hope my pension covers everything. Come to think of it, I must have done okay last year, or I would have been diving into my investment, or staying put.

Happywanderer · The Master

Thanks for reminding me Ma, must get some steel wool after van clean.
Beth, I'm in the same situation as you, public tenant. While away I still have to pay rent, power, gas and telstra and a couple of small hps. That takes about half my pension, leaving half to travel on. You will know the figures a.s well as I. Unfortunately I have no back up any more. Maybe was a big mistake thinking I could do it all .

blaze · Guru

Hi HW
I booked a elderly chap into the cp park tonight, he had a tough day and I has concerned for his well being. His left arm was carrying a severe injury from war years I would think and he wasnt able to use it much, was extremely tired and needed sleep. Early that night he had taken out a roo with his camper trailer pushing the guard onto the wheel. He had the most basic of gear I have ever seen but had come from queensland and heading to perth. I will go down in the morning and check on him and straighten the guard out on his trailer for him. He is a real genlteman. I tell this story only to let you know that other people are doing it extremely tough. This chap and his dog have my respect.
cheers
blaze

Sheba · Guru

If I don't get down to you before you go back Marj, I'll come down to Echuca later on in the year for a visit. Keep your chin up, and take it slow and easy.

Cheers,

Sheba.

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

HW, it must be really hard for traveller's on a pension, you will be surprised how many traveller's stay in freebee site's for a week or so just waiting for their pension day to arrive, so keep your chin up, you are not alone, just do some more planning and work out what you can and cannot do, I am sure I speak for all of your friends on here, we are with you all the way so go out there and enjoy yourself.

And most of all take your time, there is no rush to see all of Australia.

lilly31 · Guru

blaze wrote:
Hi HW
I booked a elderly chap into the cp park tonight, he had a tough day and I has concerned for his well being. His left arm was carrying a severe injury from war years I would think and he wasnt able to use it much, was extremely tired and needed sleep. Early that night he had taken out a roo with his camper trailer pushing the guard onto the wheel. He had the most basic of gear I have ever seen but had come from queensland and heading to perth. I will go down in the morning and check on him and straighten the guard out on his trailer for him. He is a real genlteman. I tell this story only to let you know that other people are doing it extremely tough. This chap and his dog have my respect.
cheers
blaze

And a good story to tell ... i hope he ok and can go on his way ..he must love it or he wouldnt be out there ...

blaze · Guru

lilly31 wrote:
blaze wrote:
Hi HW
I booked a elderly chap into the cp park tonight, he had a tough day and I has concerned for his well being. His left arm was carrying a severe injury from war years I would think and he wasnt able to use it much, was extremely tired and needed sleep. Early that night he had taken out a roo with his camper trailer pushing the guard onto the wheel. He had the most basic of gear I have ever seen but had come from queensland and heading to perth. I will go down in the morning and check on him and straighten the guard out on his trailer for him. He is a real genlteman. I tell this story only to let you know that other people are doing it extremely tough. This chap and his dog have my respect.
cheers
blaze
And a good story to tell ... i hope he ok and can go on his way ..he must love it or he wouldnt be out there ...

Just been down to check and he is still in bed, will check again later

cheers

blaze

ps, his dog must be tied also because its still asleep, sleeps in the trailer under the tent base

gillyb · Senior Member

Marj your petrol bill seems to be very high, maybe on your way back you can just take your time and not travel everyday thats what uses up all your funds, I'm now staying in spots that everything is within walking distance so only need my car when I move on which won't be for another week now. Like you said you don't have to be home quickly, while you are out camping you won't be running up any power, phone and gas bills. Hope things get better for you

Sheba · Guru

Hope the old gentleman is OK Blaze.

Cheers,

Sheba.

blaze · Guru

Sheba wrote:
Hope the old gentleman is OK Blaze.
Cheers,
Sheba.

Hi Sheba

I was a bit worried about him, he is ok today, good sleep done wonders I think. He is leaving tomorrow but I think he may have a water loss problem with his car now. So I have wished him safe travels for his journey tomorrow.

cheers

blaze

Sheba · Guru

Glad you kept an eye on him Blaze. Nice to know there are caring people out there.

Was a bit concerned when he was still sleeping that late. I don't get up 'til around 12 some days, but that's usually after going to sleep after 3 or 4 AM.

Cheers,

Sheba.

Happywanderer · The Master

Blaze, good to hear the gentleman is ok, was a bit worried as well with his late sleep in. Hope he will be ok in his travels.

jack biggles · Senior Member

gillyb wrote:
Marj your petrol bill seems to be very high, maybe on your way back you can just take your time and not travel everyday thats what uses up all your funds, I'm now staying in spots that everything is within walking distance so only need my car when I move on which won't be for another week now. Like you said you don't have to be home quickly, while you are out camping you won't be running up any power, phone and gas bills. Hope things get better for you

I was thinking HW petrol bill seemed a little high, for a little van. $320 for 1500km's .....I wonder what the dearest price for fuel that was paid? (even averaged at $2 per litre it seems like high consumption).

Maybe HW likes to motor - 150-160km/h ? (naturally said in jest)

-- Edited by jack biggles on Monday 2nd of May 2011 01:05:54 AM

Beth54 · Guru

jack biggles wrote:
gillyb wrote:
Marj your petrol bill seems to be very high, maybe on your way back you can just take your time and not travel everyday thats what uses up all your funds, I'm now staying in spots that everything is within walking distance so only need my car when I move on which won't be for another week now. Like you said you don't have to be home quickly, while you are out camping you won't be running up any power, phone and gas bills. Hope things get better for you

I was thinking HW petrol bill seemed a little high, for a little van. $320 for 1500km's .....I wonder what the dearest price for fuel that was paid? (even averaged at $2 per litre it seems like high consumption).
Maybe HW likes to motor - 150-160km/h ? (naturally said in jest)

-- Edited by jack biggles on Monday 2nd of May 2011 01:05:54 AM

An old vehicle does use more fuel. What size engine would that be? Maybe the weight of the van is too much for the engine size? Is it a 4 cylinder or 6?

Happywanderer · The Master

I kept a record of my petrol stops but unfortunately not the per litre price. It differed along the way from a bit over 1.30 to the high 1.40s. I kept my speed around the 90 ks per hour, sometimes on 85 or even 80 when I was just dawdling along. occasionally I got to 95 but never any more than that.
Quite frankly I don't know what is wrong but it still goes ok, son said it did backfire when he took it to the tip yesterday with a load of rubbish, so the timing must be out. Shouldn't hat have been corrected in a very costly service I had just before leaving???
It has always been a campervan, only one owner before me so the load has always been there.
I know I did come up to Qld fairly fast(a week) but after realising I had no in house power, then the oil light coming on I just wanted to get somewhere where I could sort it out.
I was so over it.
Nothing worse sitting in a freepark on the road side, no one else around to talk to and all you have is a battery lamp and some books to read, might as well have stayed home.

Am working out my next move which will be next Monday after grandaughters birthday and mothers day. Will head off as will have been here long enough by then, family are trying to move into a new house and dont need me underfoot while they are all adjusting to the new life they are making.
After reading on here, especially the ON the road on a pension thread, will have to work out a better route home with more stops and somehow cut costs more than I already have.
Will keep to more inland areas and avoid the city area, no way would Myrtle make it up Cunningham Gap. So need to make a new plan of attack and spend some time sitting around in pretty spots contemplating my navel, Hahaha

rockylizard · Guru

Gday... Your plan for a slow, inland way home is a wise one HW. The good thing about travelling at our age biggrin is that time is not (usually) our enemy.

Another joy of travellling that I love, and seek out, is sitting in a free-camp with no-one around to annoy (sorry - disturb) me. But I love the quiet, isolation and freedom it conjures up. However, I know that is not everyone's cuppa tea. I also like watch the dawn so I am usually in bed early as well - again, not everyone's cuppa tea.

Anyway, what I am trying to say in a very round about way, is stay inland on well-used "back roads" with little towns regularly and dawdle home. Maybe free-camp alternate nights and stay in the van parks of the smaller towns - they are usually cheap but not usually nasty. This will spread the fuel cost over more days (weeks?) and help you to slow down and smell the roses. In time, you will love it and will find the hectic pace of most towns not as attractive.

Stay well, check Myrtle each morning, believe in yourself, and happy travelling

Cheers

John

Happywanderer · The Master

After reading the Travelling on a pension thread have spent the day going through my books, maps and budget. Think I will head into Bundy next week for a week or two wandering around the area, using all the free camps I have sussed out and have been recommended. Wander the beaches, go to the sunday market, good spot to park up the night before and spend the day there. Maybe a night at a powered site at either Elliot Heads or Bargara for a change.

That way won't be far from sons if anything goes wrong and if all goes well will feel more comfortable when ready to head off.
Have had a good think and a mull over it all. Will vacuum the van tomorrow and sit back and see what happens, if all quiet those mice must be gone. Will get naptholene flakes to sprinkle around wheels so they don't come back.

Travel Bug · Guru

Sounds like a good plan Marj.

Cheers smile

glassies · Guru

I agree its a great idea if marj could find some other woman that was on her own and was travelling and they could do this together perhaps in short stints like 3 months on the
road and then home then go again etc etc, its agreat idea if you can find some one who enjoys the same thing, i rang into a lady years ago 20 years ago now who was from
cessnock she still stays in touch to this day ran into her at Mataranka, then Katherine and then Darwin so we exchanged addresses and weve never lost contact
unfortunatly shes not a well lady now and no longer does the travels but she did lose her husband a before i met her and that made her decide to buy a van and do
a bit of travelling she took and friend they shared the fuel etc ,shame she fell ill ,buti think its a great idea if you could find some one who has the same interests.

good luck marj in your decision with whatever you do .

:)

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

HW, you hang in there now, this world throws a lot of things at us so we have to sometimes throw things back.

-- Edited by _wombat_ on Tuesday 3rd of May 2011 05:56:18 PM

Happywanderer · The Master

I went for a walk to the shops today, Got Napthalene flakes, cottonballs, and steel wool, 3 pkts. Cleaned the van out, vacuumed it all packed back in the kitchenwares sitting around it. Can't find peppermint oil anywhere here, small town, tried IGA, chemist, friendly grocery, and hardware shop. Will have to wait till I go into a larger town.
Its all nice and clean and only clothes to go back in when I head off. Which won't be til next Monday at least.
PS Anyone know where I would get Peppermint oil?? The girl at the friendly grocer tried to sell me Peppermint essence.

Happywanderer · The Master

Thanks Wombat

-- Edited by Happywanderer on Tuesday 3rd of May 2011 06:15:29 PM

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

Peppermint oil, I would think a health food shop when you get close to one, or online @

http://www.puritanspride.com.au/peppermint-cid-342.html?SCID=TPAUGPD&gclid=CJPCmIupy6gCFYlypAodZmqmpg