Just how basic is your travels...?

Spooky · Member

Just how basic is your travels...?

Ma · Guru

Of course it is Spooky. Remember back when we were kids all we had was a couple of old blankets and a kero lantern.

Used sticks to stick the snags on to hold over the fire and likewise with some bread for toast.

If you wanted to heat water a jam tin with a wire handle was the go.

All the luxuries that we have these days only makes the travelling a lot easier but you can survive without all the trimmins.

Just look at our pioneers.

-- Edited by Ma on Sunday 27th of November 2011 12:31:15 PM

Spooky · Member

Ma wrote:
Of course it is Spooky. Remember back when we were kids all we had was a couple of old blankets and a kero lantern.
Used sticks to stick the snags on to hold over the fire and likewise with some bread for toast.
If you wanted to heat water a jam tin with a wire handle was the go.
All the luxuries that we have these days only makes the travelling a lot easier but you can survive without all the trimmins.
Just look at our pioneers.

-- Edited by Ma on Sunday 27th of November 2011 12:31:15 PM

Ahhh yes memory's...Ma you are right...but I just can not settle for what I got...Just greedy...I'm driving Rozi nuts...She just says c'mon lets just go...

Vic · Guru

A 9kg gas bottle will run your fridge day and night for around 14 to 21 days if your bush camping, and that includes using it for cooking.

When we go away, we don't take TV only books, I never read books at home but do when I am away, it makes a welcome change.

Also do not carry a pc, if I am suffering withdrawal symptoms I go to a library or Telecentre to use one but very seldom do.

I do have a good radio/cd player (AC/DC) though as I like to keep up with the news etc in the area I am in.

Sometimes I think the basics make us appreciate the things we have at home but to be honest I don't miss them when we are away.

Spooky · Member

Vic wrote:
A 9kg gas bottle will run your fridge day and night for around 14 to 21 days if your bush camping, and that includes using it for cooking.
When we go away, we don't take TV only books, I never read books at home but do when I am away, it makes a welcome change.
Also do not carry a pc, if I am suffering withdrawal symptoms I go to a library or Telecentre to use one but very seldom do.
I do have a good radio/cd player (AC/DC) though as I like to keep up with the news etc in the area I am in.
Sometimes I think the basics make us appreciate the things we have at home but to be honest I don't miss them when we are away.

Thanks Vic...that is exectly the kind of information I'm looking for... biggrin

valnrob · Guru

It is possible, but probably not as comfy. We humans need our creature comforts. As kids we didn't have a tent, Mum and Dad slung a piece of canvas between a fence and tucked it in the car door. We slept on a mattress and some of us on the car seats. Only had an open fire, and sticks to make toast. Mum cooked all the meals with pots and pans brought with us. No radio, phone or any mod cons, but who cared? Great times.

Now days we need comfort!! Huge differences between then and now.

cheers

JRH · Guru

valnrob wrote:
It is possible, but probably not as comfy. We humans need our creature comforts. As kids we didn't have a tent, Mum and Dad slung a piece of canvas between a fence and tucked it in the car door. We slept on a mattress and some of us on the car seats. Only had an open fire, and sticks to make toast. Mum cooked all the meals with pots and pans brought with us. No radio, phone or any mod cons, but who cared? Great times.

Now days we need comfort!! Huge differences between then and now.

cheers

All of which begs the question, Have we gone soft.

Ma · Guru

You bet we have John

JRH · Guru

Ma wrote:
You bet we have John

Reckon your correct Elaine and you know I don't care if anyone says I've gone soft I reckon I have earned the right to my comfort and my 70 year old bones rebel at the thought of hard floors for sleeping.

Ma · Guru

I totally agree John. Sometimes it's hard enough getting out of a normal bed each morning let alone trying to get up off the ground. Oh my aching back, legs, shoulders, hips, you name it......................

JRH · Guru

Ma wrote:
I totally agree John. Sometimes it's hard enough getting out of a normal bed each morning let alone trying to get up off the ground. Oh my aching back, legs, shoulders, hips, you name it......................

Far too many parts to name all of them Elaine, I reckon him up above should have given us youthful bodies now when we have the time to appreciate them. Youth is wasted on the young, they don't know what to do with it.LOL

Ma · Guru

Yes, come into this world at this age and grow younger, but only up to a certain point though I reckon, for me 45 would be a good age to stay at.

Ma · Guru

cry Sorry Spooky, we got waaaaaay off topic here, which we tend to do quite frequently.

Back to the original topic, basics for me are a decent bed, something to cook in and my Blue.

Spooky · Member

This thread is not about begrudging or taking anything away from someone...I'm sure you all deserve what you haw and more...Its about members like Vic giving us some helpful hints about gas bottle.radio/cd player and the pc idea...Its about a little encouragement for the ones like me that there Analytical mind is driving them around the bend, instead around the big block...

...Cheers...

Spooky · Member

Ma wrote:
Sorry Spooky, we got waaaaaay off topic here, which we tend to do quite frequently.
Back to the original topic, basics for me are a decent bed, something to cook in and my Blue.

Ma,waaaaay of topic is just fine with me...And Rozi loves your basics...She just sad to me you see,so put the mags on the van and lets go...hmmmm.... biggrin

JRH · Guru

Spooky wrote:
Ma wrote:
Sorry Spooky, we got waaaaaay off topic here, which we tend to do quite frequently.
Back to the original topic, basics for me are a decent bed, something to cook in and my Blue.
Ma,waaaaay of topic is just fine with me...And Rozi loves your basics...She just sad to me you see,so put the mags on the van and lets go...hmmmm....

Yep Mags and some good books and plenty of CD's for musical pleasure, I don't even have a TV antenna for our van, I go away to get away from TV and all the rubbish they broadcast.

PS:- edited for a typo. How come you only find them after you post the message? confuse confuse confuse confuse

-- Edited by JRH on Sunday 27th of November 2011 02:13:32 PM

Spooky · Member

Dose anyone know if caravan mags can haw l/t tyres...Its just that the standard wheel rims on the van are bit rusted out...And the mags would make the van stand out a little...

...Cheers...

Cruising Granny · Guru

You can have light truck mag rims but you must use light truck tyres. Keep asking those questions. Be careful about what you read in the mags, because a lot of the articles are cleverly placed and worded advertorials, plugging a product.
Use Google to target issues of your specific interest. Then keep asking questions.

I have both worlds. My caravan is my home and I love towing it to new destinations when I'm in "go mode", and travel in comfort.
When I'm on the road working, I sleep in my covered camp bed under the awning I've attached to the car (tug). I carry some food I've cooked and frozen in the Waeco, as well as other light packaged meals, lots of fresh water, a few spares like belts and hoses.
The butane cooker is a bonus on the road.
You and Rozi are free to travel as light and/or comfortable as you like. The trick is to get out of that driveway!

JRH · Guru

Just head down the road and follow the bonnet, only way to fly in my opinion. biggrin biggrin biggrin biggrin

NeilandRaine · Guru

The big thing is a lot of us "Baby Boomers " enjoyed the simple life camping as kids. It was fun.
Now we are older why shouldn't we enjoy the fruits of our many years of labours and use/take things we enjoy and make our life easier. But like I say to each his own but dont rubbish those that have a different opinion to yours

Spooky · Member

Cruising Granny wrote:
You can have light truck mag rims but you must use light truck tyres. Keep asking those questions. Be careful about what you read in the mags, because a lot of the articles are cleverly placed and worded advertorials, plugging a product.
Use Google to target issues of your specific interest. Then keep asking questions.

I have both worlds. My caravan is my home and I love towing it to new destinations when I'm in "go mode", and travel in comfort.
When I'm on the road working, I sleep in my covered camp bed under the awning I've attached to the car (tug). I carry some food I've cooked and frozen in the Waeco, as well as other light packaged meals, lots of fresh water, a few spares like belts and hoses.
The butane cooker is a bonus on the road.
You and Rozi are free to travel as light and/or comfortable as you like. The trick is to get out of that driveway!

Thanks Cruising Granny.I do use Google a lot it is my best friend in my reality... biggrin ...But hearing things from the horses mouth as the saying goes is the best advise... biggrin ..Now butane cooker is that as spare or something that we might need out there if runing out of gas...Getting out of driveway is my nightmare...I dream of Rozi channing me to the stove...and hundreds of kilometers down the road she tells me "just live with it..." biggrin biggrin biggrin ..,Cheers...

JRH · Guru

NeilandRaine wrote:
The big thing is a lot of us "Baby Boomers " enjoyed the simple life camping as kids. It was fun.
Now we are older why shouldn't we enjoy the fruits of our many years of labours and use/take things we enjoy and make our life easier. But like I say to each his own but dont rubbish those that have a different opinion to yours

Wouldn't dream of rubbishing anyone with a different opinion, would be a boring old world if we all had the same opinions. Do your thing and enjoy the fruits of your labour, if you want a TV then have a TV, whatever floats your boat is the way to go.

Spooky · Member

JRH wrote:
Just head down the road and follow the bonnet, only way to fly in my opinion.

JRH I love that idea...And one day soon I promiss you, I will hit the road and tell my nose folow that bonnet... biggrin ...Cheers...

-- Edited by Spooky on Sunday 27th of November 2011 04:14:20 PM

JRH · Guru

Spooky wrote:
JRH wrote:
Just head down the road and follow the bonnet, only way to fly in my opinion.
JRH I love that idea...And one day soon I promiss you, I will hit the road and tell my nose folow that bonnet......Cheers...

-- Edited by Spooky on Sunday 27th of November 2011 04:14:20 PM

You will be surprised at where you could end up at the end of the day friend. It's all part of the fun of caravanning.

Spooky · Member

NeilandRaine wrote:
The big thing is a lot of us "Baby Boomers " enjoyed the simple life camping as kids. It was fun.
Now we are older why shouldn't we enjoy the fruits of our many years of labours and use/take things we enjoy and make our life easier. But like I say to each his own but dont rubbish those that have a different opinion to yours

You obviously missed the point of this thread...Defencive you are...you live in the world of you own...not caring, no time for sharing...Quick to judge...and most of all not understanding...I did not rubbish anyone...I was looking for travelers that can do this around the block on basics...that is the point of this thread...At no time did I point the finger at the ones that haw everything and more...From you and the ones that haw everything out there is the ones that can teach me the most...Cheers... biggrin

JRH · Guru

In 2004 we did half the country, Rockingham WA to Adelaide, Adelaide up the Sturt Highway to Darwin and back to Rockingham along the WA coast and we had an absolute ball.

Our rig was an 1988 EA Fairmont Saloon towing a 15 foot 1984 Viscount Aerolite Van. We did the whole trip on the age pension and our equipment was basic to say the least. No roll out awning, no car fridge, no porta potty, our radio/cd player was a small portable, sure there were a few places we could not go to because we did not have a 4x4 but that did not detract from the pleasure we had on the road.

Having said that just get out there and enjoy yourself, after all life is what you make of it.

dogbox · Guru

go with what you got an work it out as you go

Spooky · Member

JRH wrote:
In 2004 we did half the country, Rockingham WA to Adelaide, Adelaide up the Sturt Highway to Darwin and back to Rockingham along the WA coast and we had an absolute ball.
Our rig was an 1988 EA Fairmont Saloon towing a 15 foot 1984 Viscount Aerolite Van. We did the whole trip on the age pension and our equipment was basic to say the least. No roll out awning, no car fridge, no porta potty, our radio/cd player was a small portable, sure there were a few places we could not go to because we did not have a 4x4 but that did not detract from the pleasure we had on the road.
Having said that just get out there and enjoy yourself, after all life is what you make of it.

Thanks John...For sharing that...that is the tape of travel I'm looking for...Somone that has done that kind of trip and at the basics...You know that times haw changed...before you had no thought about fuel and tyres service to the rigs etc,etc,etc...well let me wake some of you up...there is a hell of lot of us that would love to do this tape of thing...But not all grey nomads had a great time in there life...Not emberest by that one bit...Why should I be...My family came first alwayes...Now that a small window has opened I'm traying to get all the information I can on travelin with minimum technology...Simple as that...Not hard just some honest truth about past or present travels... biggrin ...Cheers...

JRH · Guru

Spooky wrote:
JRH wrote:
In 2004 we did half the country, Rockingham WA to Adelaide, Adelaide up the Sturt Highway to Darwin and back to Rockingham along the WA coast and we had an absolute ball.
Our rig was an 1988 EA Fairmont Saloon towing a 15 foot 1984 Viscount Aerolite Van. We did the whole trip on the age pension and our equipment was basic to say the least. No roll out awning, no car fridge, no porta potty, our radio/cd player was a small portable, sure there were a few places we could not go to because we did not have a 4x4 but that did not detract from the pleasure we had on the road.
Having said that just get out there and enjoy yourself, after all life is what you make of it.
Thanks John...For sharing that...that is the tape of travel I'm looking for...Somone that has done that kind of trip and at the basics...You know that times haw changed...before you had no thought about fuel and tyres service to the rigs etc,etc,etc...well let me wake some of you up...there is a hell of lot of us that would love to do this tape of thing...But not all grey nomads had a great time in there life...Not emberest by that one bit...Why should I be...My family came first alwayes...Now that a small window has opened I'm traying to get all the information I can on travelin with minimum technology...Simple as that...Not hard just some honest truth about past or present travels......Cheers...

Only too happy to help where I can pal, I had an accident in 1986 and lost all super. When I was feeling up to it we decided to take off and do a trip, so did a few small ones to iron out any bugs that might show up, made sure the car was in good order, had about $400 in the bank and the age pension so couldn't even think about any luxuries so we just took off in 2004 determined to enjoy ourselves and by God we did just that pal. We had a ball.

Spooky · Member

JRH wrote:
Spooky wrote:
JRH wrote:
In 2004 we did half the country, Rockingham WA to Adelaide, Adelaide up the Sturt Highway to Darwin and back to Rockingham along the WA coast and we had an absolute ball.
Our rig was an 1988 EA Fairmont Saloon towing a 15 foot 1984 Viscount Aerolite Van. We did the whole trip on the age pension and our equipment was basic to say the least. No roll out awning, no car fridge, no porta potty, our radio/cd player was a small portable, sure there were a few places we could not go to because we did not have a 4x4 but that did not detract from the pleasure we had on the road.
Having said that just get out there and enjoy yourself, after all life is what you make of it.
Thanks John...For sharing that...that is the tape of travel I'm looking for...Somone that has done that kind of trip and at the basics...You know that times haw changed...before you had no thought about fuel and tyres service to the rigs etc,etc,etc...well let me wake some of you up...there is a hell of lot of us that would love to do this tape of thing...But not all grey nomads had a great time in there life...Not emberest by that one bit...Why should I be...My family came first alwayes...Now that a small window has opened I'm traying to get all the information I can on travelin with minimum technology...Simple as that...Not hard just some honest truth about past or present travels......Cheers...
Only too happy to help where I can pal, I had an accident in 1986 and lost all super. When I was feeling up to it we decided to take off and do a trip, so did a few small ones to iron out any bugs that might show up, made sure the car was in good order, had about $400 in the bank and the age pension so couldn't even think about any luxuries so we just took off in 2004 determined to enjoy ourselves and by God we did just that pal. We had a ball.

Well John that sad it all...if that dosent light my bulb up than I got a problem... biggrin biggrin biggrin ...Thanks mate...Cheers...