You must have changed your profile since I read this earlier. Could have sworn you were born in the 60s. Now you are 106.
If the first is right you are about the same age as my son in Geelong. He is having the same problems as you, hasnt had work for nearly 12 months, no one will employ him and yet he can turn his hand to anything.
I have been trying to talk him into exactly what you intend doing, but being of the younger age group he hasn't got the confidence to sell up everything, house, 2 vehicles, motorbike, etc, etc. The fear of having nothing to come back to overides the thrill of travelling.
Not that he hasn't already travelled, being a tour guide at Alice Springs some years back.
He thinks it's great what I'm doing and very supportive, but worries about the what ifs for himself.
I say just get out there and don't look back.Wish I had started a lot longer ago, don't think I'm going to fit it all in now.

Coping with the cold suggestions. North for the winter and south for the summer. Only way to do it.
Oh, and a hot water bottle just in case.

Don't forget you've already got 2 Hot Water bottles with you. 

Cheers,

Sheba.

Nothing to come back to? Maybe it should be everything to go forward to. I had a mate whose favorite word was "Next!"

Thanks Brian. It not the chainsaw size so much as the fuel mix/ oils etc. and then summer hits and they all get hot and leak, like my grease gun in WA in 40 plus degrees everyday. Big mess And I had it wrapped in plastic. Hmmm. 

Amd I didn't realise you could buy battery ones. Nice.

cheers,

Sal

PS. Im a sook in the cold, I burn heaps of wood at home in winter...

-- Edited by Triple333 on Tuesday 15th of October 2013 09:14:36 PM

Hi Sally
Yes more clothes on for cold weather, take em off (to a point) for hot weather works well, just think layering.
I have a little motorhome and this last winter did take a bit of re adjustment after a few years being Darwin based, but Whippets are very good snugglers and it's your van if really cold just curl up under the quilt! I do have 2 quilts - a light one for almost all year round down south and a heavy one that can be unrolled and added for the very cold nights when I just don't have enough Whippets!
I think your Chocoalte Labbie looks handsome, is the 2nd dog a Labbie too? I used to have Labradors for a number of years, the last one went to the rainbow bridge in 2011 and as with all my dogs that have gone before I miss him still.
Know what you mean about the work situation, I came back down to Melbourne when things went pear shaped in Darwin and after several years of really enjoying my work as a tenancy manager with the Government up there I cannot even get a look in down here, even tried taking my age off my resume but all the experiance sort of gives it away!
I am finnishing off some study now, parked up in a friends drive, volunteering as well, next year I have a trip to UK planned, just for 4 weeks or I'll suffer seperation anxiety for my 'boys' then once back off on the road.....work when I can find some, volunteer when I cannot and live cheaply but enjoyably.

see you out on the road some time!
annie

Thanks Brian, I have most of that stuff already. Question..... should I take my chainsaw? I know folk do, but I'm not sure if I would use it enough on the road? 

Cheers,

Sal

Thanks everyone for the responses and tips! Now the decision is made, I'm really excited. Think I need to buy me a GN stubby holder, just incase 😊

nomadic1 wrote:

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I'll second HWs suggestions of north in winter, south in summer but, if that doesn't work, at any good camping shop you can buy a little heater that works off butane bottles. Not the most efficient heating I've ever used but it's good enough to switch on for half an hour early in the morning to take the chill off the van.

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 Be very wary of such a gas burning heater in an enclosed van.

jules47 wrote:

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Re hitching - there is a guy on the hints and tips section on here, I think, who has a reversing camera mounted down near his towbar - sounds good idea to me.

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My dad's got this setup, it works a treat. Decamping is now much easier on their marriage. Plus he gets to show off his reversing skills to other caravanners, who he doesn't tell about the camera!

Have you done the sums on letting vs selling your house? Only consider letting if you know a competent property manager since you won't be in town.

I read somewhere that up until the Industrial Revolution it wasn't unusual in winter for families to all pile into the one bed with the dogs, cats, and whatever as well to keep warm. You have 64kg of compliant(?) warm blooded company with you...

We lose a large amount of body heat through our heads, so pack a beanie too.

An axe and a handsaw are lower-maintenance alternatives to the chainsaw if you enjoy the exercise and want to travel lighter. Living outdoors you'll probably adopt a sleep routine that's closer to daylight hours, which reduces your demand for space heating unless you need to sleep in warm air.

The school holiday hordes can crowd out certain areas for sure, but not most places. Personally I find most families to be much better neighbours than pisshead bogans or senile generator owners who are afraid of peace and quiet - you'll hear the kids playing in daylight but it usually gets pretty quiet after dark. Strategies for avoiding them are to go to places that don't appeal to holidaymakers (e.g. away from the coast), choose campgrounds where there's lots of space, and choose those times to stay with any friends or family who want to put up with you. You could also pursue house-sitting, which is typically sought by people who are deserting their pets so your dogs may be acceptable.