Hi apologies for posting a question before we introduced ourselves.
We are Dave and Carol, I am a Scott, who first came to Australia as a ten pound pom almost forty years ago, since then I have moved around Sydney, Melbourne, Ballarat, Wodonga, Bathurst, Albury, Japan, Thailand, Mexico, New Zealand, latterly China and back to Melbourne. I have sacrificed a lot for work, but I must admit I have loved every minute of it.
Work wise, I studied Mechanical Engineering, but fell into IT in the 70s, and have remained there ever since. Hobby wise I drove rally cars for 22 years, now I just fly model planes. Importantly I have caravanned back in the 90s, towing an Offroad Eagle behind a Nissan Patrol (GQ on LPG/Petrol).
Last year reality hit home when I had a stroke, and realised that I am not indestructible, this prompted me to think about retiring, and enjoying life
Carol is a Filipina, we met in China in 2004 where we were both working there at the time. Following that chance meeting we have been together ever since (today is our anniversary). Carol loves kids, and is working in childcare.
Carol is a very tidy and house proud person, but she has looked at caravanning and loves the idea. Can we go now? is a questions we keep asking each other, but unfortunately not yet, we are planning to pack up our rented unit in Melbourne in a couple of years, when we hope to be able to afford it.
We are really looking forward to getting on the road.
I have already welcomed you Plendo but welcome again to both you and Carol. Sounds a full life there mate. Time to slow down for sure. I am starting to slow down myself and hope to out in the play ground sooner than later.
You will find some very interesting people and characters on here and I tell you that for free. The only thing I will say is don't fall in any wombat holes and don't say too much around dazren and Bohemian Gypsy they are great people but will say untruths sometimes , especially about a member that has a Avan Camper.
Enjoy here and out in the play ground and,
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Live Life On Your Terms
DOUGChief One Feather (Losing feathers with age)
TUG.......2014 Holden LT Colorado Twin Cab Ute with Canopy
DEN....... 2014 "Chief" Arrow CV (with some changes)
Gday Plendo welcome to the Grey Nomad forum we hope you will become an active member, this forum will certainly be of benifit as you prepare for retirement and caravanning in the most spectacular country in the world.
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Life was meant to be enjoyed Australia was meant to be explored
Happily doing both to the Max.
Life is like a camera, focus on what's important & you will capture it every Time
And a **** BIG WELCOME **** from me to Plendo, Ypu will find this Forum to be around the best on the net 'imho' The majority of members here have a wealth of helpful experience, advice, and opinions, Gee reading your blog here you have led a shy and un-eventful life have'nt you .
As far as winding down NOW ?? sounds like a really good idea to me ? If you have had a stroke, which is Natures way of saying '' HEY YOU !! SLOW DOWN ?'' well do not argue with Mother Nature, she knows best,, start your planning and get out there a.s.a.p.
I see you have already met Dougwe ? he is a good guy to know on this site, As Cindy the Moderator here, runs a good tight ship, and stops trouble before it gets out of hand ?/ and for people who do the wrong thing a lot [ Like Dougwe ?? ] Cindy has a couple of '' Naughty Rooms'' that she sends them to ?? One is Reserved for Dougwe and this ''Wombat'' guy spends a lot of time in the other one ?? Dougwe also mentioned myself and Bohemian Gypsy ?? you will find us 2 to be very helpful and friendly, [ un-like the other 2 ] As they seem to mis-understand our good intentions and twist what we say, That is why they have ''dedicated'' naughty rooms.
SO ! Plenbo and Carol, you 2 sit down tonight and work out a Plan ?? of what you have to do, and how quick you can do it ?? to get out and explore this wonderful land of ours
Thank you folks for the warm welcome, and the good advice.
Sounds like good advice to be wary of the native wildlife, and the occasional wandering eastern European, otherwise I might be tempted into the "naughty rooms" .
At present we own totally iapropriate vehicles (Hyundai IX35, and Hyundai Getz), and we are working out what type of rig we want, that wi then defie the tow vehicle, which will then tell us how long we need to save for.
Whie we want to be out there now, I want to get it right, as I plan to live on the road for a long time, thus I thik it is important to save and get something that we wil be happy with, as once we are on the road the income dissapears, thus there will not be any chance to change vehicle.