A big welcome to you unclefester, enjoy here and out in the playground.

Make sure you check out all sections of this great forum and ask as many questions as you want cos there are many great and knowledgable people on board.

Uncle, I hope Shazz doesn't make "Scenes" and if she does they are good ones. 

Now as to your question. I call myself a Part Time Grey Nomad because at this stage anyway I still like to have my base camp. I have been away most of this year but have called into base camp a couple of times for a week or so then back out. There are people on here that travel full time and what they travel in is there home, everyone has their own way of travelling and it is something only you two can work out, just do it.

You said you rent your home out so still have a base camp if things don't work the way you hope.

I worked hard and did long hours up until September 2012 when I made the decision to retire and don't regret it for one minute. I worked for a boss all those years but now am self employed and I pay myself from my super fund once a month, much better and I tell you that for free.

Whatever you decide and do just enjoy, let us know where you are each time and you will get to meet great members of this forum and plenty of other people doing the same thing.

Just make sure you,

I can understand some of what you feel Uncle Fester, having a strong work ethic of my own I dreaded not having anything to do. Well theres always something to do, but its what you choose not what your boss tells you. And you can do volunteer work, or even paid work along the way if you want.

Hi & welcome uncle fester, we have just completed a 3 week shake down met a lot of friendly helpful people. As you would know we only have one life and all the folks we met on our trip where enjoying life every day instead of just the odd time they have a chance to have a holiday. You never know unless you try it. Good luck

Morning all thanks for the warm response . We have just returned from Palm Cove where we had our daughters wedding . It was a great 4 days and whilst we were there we went for a walk as we always do. 

At the end of the esplanade was the Palm Cove holiday Park we were sitting at a table just out side the park looking in at the vans jealously, when this bloke walk out the gate and was walking past us I said giday he replied and the bludger sat down to talk to us . We were just going for a walk as I said and didn't get back to our hotel for 6 hours we sat talking to Bas and his lovely wife Linda for hours we invited Bas and Linda to a dinner we were having with just the oldies form the wedding  that night thus started a friendship I feel will last for ever .

They intern had us down to the park for some great seafood a day later then the following night we met and went to dinner with the Caravan park managers Ray and Maureen Timperley .

If anyone is going to Palm cove ensure you go to this great looking and great run caravan park its just been done up by Ray and Maureen they made us feel very welcome even though we weren't in the park .

If this is what I have to put up with on our trip BRING IT ON.

cheers Fester

What a magic story unclefester!! Now go and enjoy your travels!

I agree Gerty - magic time - as happens out on the road - make good friends - here are Greens Lake (Victoria) for instance - we have met some fantastic people - and know that we will see them again. We are in our eighth week here, and so far have had about 42 visitors, members on this site,some we knew already, some new to us, come to visit, some to stay a while, some just for the day!!!

My wife and I have just set out on our adventure too (four weeks ago!) and aim to do at least 'One Big Lap'. We both worked in the corporate world for 30 years and were frightened stiff and it took us three years of thinking about it to do it!

We own a house that we rent out and have a little bit in the bank (not much I admit) but we are looking forward to doing some work on the road to keep the savings. We have always owned nice houses and cars and have now bought a Mercedes Sprinter Jabiru which is our full time home. IT'S A BIG CHANGE I CAN TELL YOU! But.....

WE LOVE IT ALREADY! We have met a few people on the way, but to sit on a wall over-looking rolling hills on the Scenic Rim ON A TUESDAY is a bliss I still can't get over. Relax mate, you'll love it. You get one shot at life, enjoy.....

Paul & Val

(We'll meet you around the traps somewhere!)

 

Set youir self up UF to be self contained, solar and 12 volt, and you will never look back. Keeps the money in the pocket, as you never pay for power, learn to live in enjoyment and not entertainment, as well, and that saves money, after 10 years, we are saving on the road, even with a big petrol bill most of the time in our Mecedes Bus "Lost".

Just enjoy and life live

-- Edited by EmmyBak on Saturday 7th of December 2013 02:28:12 PM

Poor old Uncle Fester get a cup of coffee as this will be long as I want to warn you of the many perils and task involved in this life of free camping full time.
Let me tell you there are lots of jobs to done whilst on the road.
Let me list a few for you so you will be prepared for this very hard and responsible task you are about to choose.
Every morning when you wake up you have to choose whether to pull the blanket up and have another hour or so of blissful sleep or get up and greet the day before you.
Then when that is resolved and you do eventually get up you have to decide what to wear, nothing is accepted in some places but be sure to check outside before stepping out if you select the second option.
Next we have the breakfast task, what do we have and when. You may need to tackle another problem first depending on your lifestyle, do you go for a walk through the bush and observe the birds and beast in their natural surrounds and perhaps expand your photo collection. Be aware this then means another JOB as you have to download to the computer and then move to the appropriate folder etc.
Once you have solved the breakfast dilemma and any other humongous tasks you have to preform before or during this time then you have the morning procedures to organise.
Here we really get into one of the hardest decisions that can effect the rest of the day.
Do we stay or do we move on. This decision can be short or long. If the answer is NO we are staying then skip the next few lines.
Ok so Yes we are moving, WHEN then becomes important, are we in a hurry and should we get going just packup and leave like we have done something wrong and want to get away before anyone else wakes up or do we visit all our new friends and say our goodbyes and exchange niceties, Be aware this could cancel the decision you previously have made when you find out there is something exciting going to happen or you meet someone you wish to talk to a bit more.
Once the you are ready to depart then there is still another task to be done.
Where are we going, do we go and see that beaut spot back a few kilometers we missed but that nice couple told us about last night or do we select a few likely spots and proceed on our way or do we just start up and then toss a coin LEFT or Right. See many important tasks done and you have only just started your motor and no mention of the checking of the connections, the lights, the brakes, the oil and AHH SH*T thats enough you get the drift.
Ok so you decide to stay, now the tasks continue, do you get your chairs and sit under the awning (OH yes you do have to put it out so that's another task) or do you just drag the chair over to a tree and sit under the shade. Then there is the morning coffee and bickies and then the pesky people who come along and want to chat while you are reading you book or having another nap (just thinking about the task ahead but don't tell them)
Then you have the midday snack and perhaps another walk to savoy your spot.
The the big one of which of these mythical Happy hours you may attend and what snack you will take and how many bottles or cans of what ever poison you will need to take. (You must remember to keep appropriate supplies of live bloods chilled in case of emergencies or for medical needs or to stave of dehydration as you go about your many new tasks). Hot ones are good fire extinguishers but better consumed cold when used for dehydration prevention.
Before departing on your happy hour task it may pay to spend a few seconds to attend to the nightly meal menu as the time you return may be late and you could have problems with any preparation after you return, especially if you host has supplies that must be drunk and you are enlisted to help in this another task.
After the night meal (you did not forget did you) you may have to return to the site of the happy hour to continue solving the woes of the world or you may decide to sit outside your rig and watch the sun go down and watch nature do their tasks.
Then usually your last major task is to go to bed, remember the task of releaving the happy hour fluids to the appropriate place.
There are many other tasks that pop up during your day and also many as you drive around. do we stop here for coffee and cakes or lunch or should we push on a few more Ks. Do we take the high road or the low road etc etc etc.
This is only a few of the tasks you will be required to tackle as you take on your new life so be prepared to tackle all with the fevour that you did your previous employments during your life.
Remember to check the forum daily but then I knwo you already ahve that tasks under your control.
If you have got to here then the best advise I can give is to RELAX and ENJOY the days you have left because as Billeeeeeee says this no dress rehearsal it is the real thing and you don't get a second go so get out here and enjoy
Regards
Brian