I check out all the sections that interest me, not just the solos.
Me too jetj. let's face it. if you don't check out any other sections, how on earth will you ever find good recipes, handy tips, and all sorts of useful information relevant to your trip. Let alone good Camp sites.
Cheers,
Sheba.
-- Edited by Sheba on Sunday 15th of July 2012 05:39:53 PM
I think I have worked out why so many Solos are saying they never meet up with anyone along the road.
I have noticed a lot of Solos only ever post in the Solo Grey Nomads section. They never post in General Forum for instance. If they did there would be triple the amount of people knowing aboout them and their travels.
I tend to post most in the General Forum as I have just as many couple friends as I have Solos, don't want to miss out on catching up with them too.
So please Solos stop complaining about never meeting anyone out there and spread your options a little wider. General Forum. Techies Corner, I Digress. And plenty more other than the one section. I am now wondering if they realise there are other sections.
I could name the ones who have only ever posted in the Solos section, but I won't.
Howdyeeeeee Happy ,,Not sure if I should post in the Solos , now that I have found a Partner,(Pygmy) but I get into enough trouble in the Solos, with out going into General Population,, (other rooms ),,,,,sooooooo, Marj , put U big girl panties on and get out there , ,,,Billeeeeeeee
Thats ok Dawa, if you feel thats what you want to do. Must say though of the 3,500 odd people on here only a small proportion are solos. The rest will be posting on other sections, as do most solos as well.
I rarely post on other sections of the forum but it has been a time thing and whilst travelling there was little access to the internet so when it was available there was so much to cover there was no time for other posting.
Not critisising anyone, just making an observation of what I have noticed for some time.
It is quite interesting the helpful hints and great advice that is posted in the general forum and not seen elsewhere. I have learnt so much from forumites who only post in the General Forum. A lot may be hubbys of a couple with very good sound advice that will come in handy somewhere down the track. Either to do with the vehicles we drive or all the gadgets we carry.
Also a lot of good sound advice gets posted on the General Forum instead of in Techies Corner and would be missed otherwise.
A lot of questions asked in other sections are also duplicated by others in the General Forum and have all the answers and more, be it solar panels, water problems, how to queries. etc.
There is so much information on every thread herein. It's a shame if you don't explore the site to see what you may learn, or what you can contribute. I'm one of those single females doing this thing, and I take every opportunity on every possible topic to encourage others, males and females, to get out there and do this nomad thing. Spread your wings and your interest base Dawa. You never know what you might find. The technical section has some really helpful clues. Recommendations is invaluable when looking for suitable camping spots or caravan parks. There are recipes and cooking methods, food storage ideas etc. The health section has provided some good advice and many notes have been compared on all sorts of issues which sneak into the aging bodies of nomads, no matter what their hair and skin colour is. Solos will stray from the solo section to check out where everyone is and what they're up to. When you have wheels under you the world is a very small place. I bump into nomads at road houses, shopping centre car parks, and even in caravan parks. Imagine that! Explore, learn, contribute, just as you do on the road.
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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.
I read, comment and post into all sub-forums within the Grey Nomads Forum.
My comments regarding being 'alone' and not meeting others, is in meeting 'actual' other travellers - solo or couples. I have not met anyone from this forum over the three years I have been travelling, usually because everyone seems to be somewhere no where near where I am at any given time.
There are five other solo grey nomads (none use this forum) at the showgrounds where I am at the moment - me, another male and three female. I am the only one in a van, the others are motorhomes/campers. We chat each day for varying times. None of the couples coming through here talk with any of we solos - and I know all of us have initiated conversations when they first arrive.
However, when I am on the road at camping spots, I rarely find a couple that seem willing to talk for more than a few minutes and they rarely come over to my rig for a chat. Perhaps I look fearsome or disreputable, or it may just be because I always try to choose a site that is away from others - solo or couple. I like my space and like to give others the same courtesy.
As I have said previously, I like people but hate crowds and always chat with those I meet but I travel alone, camp alone but I'm never lonely.
Cheers - John
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2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 SE Auto - 2008 23ft Golden Eagle Hunter Some people feel the rain - the others just get wet - Bob Dylan
I read, comment and post into all sub-forums within the Grey Nomads Forum.
My comments regarding being 'alone' and not meeting others, is in meeting 'actual' other travellers - solo or couples. I have not met anyone from this forum over the three years I have been travelling, usually because everyone seems to be somewhere no where near where I am at any given time.
There are five other solo grey nomads (none use this forum) at the showgrounds where I am at the moment - me, another male and three female. I am the only one in a van, the others are motorhomes/campers. We chat each day for varying times. None of the couples coming through here talk with any of we solos - and I know all of us have initiated conversations when they first arrive.
However, when I am on the road at camping spots, I rarely find a couple that seem willing to talk for more than a few minutes and they rarely come over to my rig for a chat. Perhaps I look fearsome or disreputable, or it may just be because I always try to choose a site that is away from others - solo or couple. I like my space and like to give others the same courtesy.
As I have said previously, I like people but hate crowds and always chat with those I meet but I travel alone, camp alone but I'm never lonely.
Cheers - John
John you are a gem......your comments are always terrific
If ever you come near Canberra , give us a pm rockylizard... cuppa waiting. When we are out and about I usually post our where-abouts, as do many people, and by this means have met up with several Grey Nomads, both solo and couples. But havent met anyone from this forum by accident in a campground.
Oh, I hope you dont mind me posting in the solo's corner... I was a solo for 15 years before I met my "Mr Dancer"
Thanks for the invite Gerty. However, I was a public servant for the majority of my working life .. and whilst I never worked in Canberra, I spent a considerable time in Canberra sitting through meetings/conferences/negotiations etc etc.
Therefore I steer clear of it ... and given my love of little inland towns, I rarely spend time in cities.
Cheers - John
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2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 SE Auto - 2008 23ft Golden Eagle Hunter Some people feel the rain - the others just get wet - Bob Dylan
Thanks for the invite Gerty. However, I was a public servant for the majority of my working life .. and whilst I never worked in Canberra, I spent a considerable time in Canberra sitting through meetings/conferences/negotiations etc etc.
Therefore I steer clear of it ... and given my love of little inland towns, I rarely spend time in cities.
Just personal observation after three years of travelling.
If I am already set up in a camp, which I usually am as I tend to stop early, and other campers arrive - usually couples - I find it interesting they seem to gravitate to each other. I usually set up as far back a I can - for quiet from road etc - but others seem to like to be camped closer together.
They get out and begin their set up and then go for a walk to check out the camp area. They usually call out a "Hello" to me on their way past my camp, occasionally chat for a bit but they invariably end up in their 'group of couples' around one of their vans for the 'evening chat'.
One of the reasons for this, I think, is they feel more comfortable where the blokes can talk 'bloke stuff' and the ladies talk 'girl stuff' rather than have to figure out how to 'communicate with a single person'.
None of the above is a criticism and doesn't bother me, as I do like my own company, but is offered as a possible 'reason' for why couples seem to avoid solos.
Cheers - John
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2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 SE Auto - 2008 23ft Golden Eagle Hunter Some people feel the rain - the others just get wet - Bob Dylan
John, I think you could be right there. I was invited over for a drink by a lovely couple but when they drove into the area with their chihuahua on the dash, I couldn't wait to say hello to the dogs when they parked.
I must also add that I have found other couples protective, being female, and have suggested I park closer for protection. Wonderful people.
-- Edited by jetj on Monday 16th of July 2012 05:50:13 PM
It can go either way. It must depend on the travellers at the time. I have parked at freecamps down the Newell where couples have parked nearby to keep an eye on me being a female solo, invited me for a chat etc. Then on first trip up and staying at Kumbia I had wonderful people going over my van when I broke down with all the equipment trying to suss it out, being made a cuppa and cake. They were all so kind and the ladies were happy to lend their husbands to check out and fix little things for me. The last trip up staying at Kumbia, struggled to get anyone to say hello. Its nothing to do with being couples or solos. Its a lot to do with the personalities of the people.
Edited for spelling mistakes.
-- Edited by Happywanderer on Monday 16th of July 2012 06:10:27 PM