Travelling alone

Romy5152 · Guru

RE: Travelling alone

Kisha · Senior Member

Hi there, I am also a scaredy cat when it comes to travelling alone with the same fears as yours. I worry about breaking down in the middle of nowhere and then how do you get yourself up and running with limited knowledge of mechanics. I like the idea of a motor home that way you don't have to go outside when the heavie jeevies lol start taking hold. We as females don't have the physical strength a man has, so lets just hope we don't have to tackle something difficult. All the best to you and happy travels....Kisha.

MollyW · Veteran Member

Put a large pair of men's work boots outside the door at night!! That should put off any trouble.

Sheba · Guru

MollyW wrote:
Put a large pair of men's work boots outside the door at night!! That should put off any trouble.

Sorry, but they wouldn't last very long, so that's really a useless exercise.
Cheers,
Sheba.

Romy5152 · Guru

Hi Kisha, I'm concerned about breaking down in the middle of nowhere and wondering about who's going to pull up to help. You just don't know, and when you're a female on your own, you don't really have much of a chance if they're not the nice person they seem to be at first. However, some wonderful people in here have talked to me, advised me, and posted all sorts of helpful ideas from doing a course in basic mechanical maintenance, always having some sort of phone/two-way communication, using gut instinct to judge a situation or person. keeping wasp spray near all exits of your car/motorhome and/or in your pocket, carrying all sorts of 'weapons' and having them handy too, having loud personal alarms (for free camping around others and for health emergencies), to travelling with a big dog. They're all top ideas, and I'm working on working up my courage and seeing what's available out there to travel in that's fully enclosed at night. Yes, I'm still wary, but that's healthy, so I'm thinking perhaps a Sprinter - with its own toilet and shower - when the time comes. Thank you for your well wishes. Are you on the road yourself at the moment? Happy and safe travels to you too if you are.

Romy5152 · Guru

Sorry MollyW. I'm with Sheba on that one, but thank you for your suggestion. I think big boots would get stolen quick smart. My son, while on holidays, put his sneakers outside a villa door on the coast, and had them stolen overnight - and they were only sneakers. There are some unscrupulous people out there. When my husband and I used to take our caravan away camping, we always had the awning rolled out so we could hang our towels out overnight on a rope clothesline rigged up under the awning. Nothing ever disappeared off it, so I was thinking perhaps a big man's shirt wouldn't cost so much to replace if you're in a caravan. I've been advised that if I'm travelling alone, which I will be (and probably in a Sprinter), it would be a good idea to roll the awning in at night and take in any chairs and table as well, so if I had to take off in a hurry, I would only have to climb into the drivers seat, and off I go. That's what I'd do - unless I was travelling with friends.

Romy5152 · Guru

I'm looking for some helpful information and advice again please. I have decided on a Sprinter when I commence my travels, make and model unknown as yet, but can anyone help with a list of basic tools and 'spares' I should carry for the Sprinter - for anything I could take care of myself if the need arose? Not brand-specific things, just general car basics that would get me out of trouble and back on the road again.

MollyW · Veteran Member

I was joking !

Romy5152 · Guru

MollyW wrote:
I was joking !

All good Molly.

Kisha · Senior Member

Hi Romy, just like you I am new to all of this, and yes the advise from many has been beneficial in so many ways. The travelling alone thing for me is more about if I break down and cannot find myself fixing the problem, also sometimes things need alot of strength which requires a male lol, and as I am not a male ( laughing here Romy) gosh I shudder to think of the predicament one could find oneself in. Its scarey to think one would need those deterents such as spray etc., and I'm not even going to go there with you Romy, if I felt the need for all of that protective stuff I wouldn't move out the house lol. That means no travel lol, and I am determined not to let the fear stop me, afterall fear is just the imagination based on something that hasn't even happened, yet still it is wise to be vigilant. Romy I am pretty good at defending myself physically if I had to, self defence is a good thing and you never forget it. You ask if I am on the road, no I'm not at this moment, but last week I had my very first trip to Busselton, along the way all the 'what ifs' started creeping in, and then I forced myself to get over it, I also found myself really holding the wheel tight lol, nerves probably, as I couldn't believe I was actually doing my first solo. I don't really know if going solo is really a wise thing for many reasons, but here I am giving it a go. Nice chatting to you and good luck in your plans for the future. With a smile....Kisha.

Romy5152 · Guru

Thanks so much, Kisha! All you say is true, true, true; it's just the fear, and fear is in the imagination. Vigilance is safety, and doing a self-defence course would be the ultimate safety weapon! I was just thinking, I have driven long distances before on my own, 500+ kms in one day isn't unusual for me, so it's not like I haven't driven a long way on my own before. It's the same thing as getting out there and travelling isn't it. I never thought of it like that before. I do it quite often to visit my adult children who live a long way from my home, so travelling to see this beautiful country of ours would be a similar thing - just in a different vehicle. Thank you for the enlightenment! That's absolutely mind-blowing for me!

Esmeralda · Guru

Hi Romy .. I am also hoping to travel fulltime - eventually. I can't go far for a couple of years as I have elderly parents. I have done a few trips, the longest to Charleville. The actual travelling alone doesn't worry me on the slightest, but I stayed in caravan parks all the time. My next trip will be free camping at least half the time - work my way up to most of the time gradually. I have top RACV cover , full comprehensive insurance on my car and good cover on my van. My car is fully serviced regularly and it has good quality tyres.

Romy5152 · Guru

Thanks Esmeralda. I don't intend to travel full time though, as I want to have my home base as well, but I would like to do a couple of forays a year on my own - and hopefully some short camping trips with my kids and grandkids as well. I think, as you say, having a good car to start with, and having it well-insured, checked and serviced regularly, is the most sensible thing to do. I was just trying to see what your car and caravan is in your avatar, but I can't make them out. What make and model are they? When you free-camped, did you ever feel scared alone in your van at night? I try not to think about such things, but it would bother me somewhat.

Esmeralda · Guru

Romy I have a Kia Sorrento (2007) model and a small caravan (12ft) which I think includes the draw bar. I would like to get a slightly bigger one eventually. I have only free camped at Greens Lake so always been some Grey Nomads each time I have been there. So not alone.

Romy5152 · Guru

Thanks Esmeralda. It looks like a nice little set-up you have. I don't know where Green's Lake is, but I think that's the go; camping in places where other GN's have already pulled up - at first anyway.

Esmeralda · Guru

Green's Lake is in central Victoria and for the last three summers quite a few Grey Nomad forum members have gathered there.

Romy5152 · Guru

It must be a very nice place to stay for a while, Esmeralda. Can you fish or kayak there?

Lesley F · Veteran Member

Hi - as a mature age female - I traveled alone during 2007 and 2008. Here are some suggestions I found helpful.

Don't camp alone

I'd suggest your accommodation have walls - roof - and a locked door - for safety and protection from weather conditions

Make sure you're off the road by 3-4ish pm in the afternoon - some States have no daylight saving - and there's wild animals on the road

Personally - I preferred not to drink alcohol - or drink little

I mostly stayed on the main roads

Last but not least - take your time - learn to relax - and have fun

Cheers Lesley

-- Edited by Lesley F on Friday 9th of May 2014 11:05:34 PM

Romy5152 · Guru

Thanks Lesley. All great suggestions. I'm starting to get a handle on what to do and what not to do now. Everyone has been so helpful. I love your avatar too by the way. Hydrangeas are lovely.

dogsnme · Veteran Member

Hi Romy 5152. I'm 74 and I am just about ready to set off alone with my two dogs.I have a slide on camper on the back of my Ford Courier Ute. I have travelled before in a van with my husband but dont want to tow anything and want to be able to use my use my ute as a ute as well. It's a bit daunting for a start but i'm pretty fit and have just finished landscaping my small acreage so I now deserve a break and son and family are going to move in. I have a few friends who I will meet up with occasionally but it's always good to have someone to travel with from A to B in isolated areas. Takes a while to prepare for the trip but I'm rarin' to go. If I can help in anyway please let me know

Romy5152 · Guru

dogsnme wrote:

Hi Romy 5152. I'm 74 and I am just about ready to set off alone with my two dogs.I have a slide on camper on the back of my Ford Courier Ute. I have travelled before in a van with my husband but dont want to tow anything and want to be able to use my use my ute as a ute as well. It's a bit daunting for a start but i'm pretty fit and have just finished landscaping my small acreage so I now deserve a break and son and family are going to move in. I have a few friends who I will meet up with occasionally but it's always good to have someone to travel with from A to B in isolated areas. Takes a while to prepare for the trip but I'm rarin' to go. If I can help in anyway please let me know

Hi there Noela! Thanks for replying, and for giving such sound advice. You do deserve a break after all that hard work, and I take my hat off to you for just getting out there and doing it! I always say age is a just number, and you prove that once again. Enjoy your travelling, and please stay in touch in there. I would really love to know how your adventures go. I have almost decided on a Sprinter because of the safety issue and because I'm a scaredy cat on my own. I have been researching these vehicles and some of them have been done up really nicely, so I could certainly see myself in one. Thank you for your offer of help too. I think hearing how you're going would be an enormous help. Experience is the best teacher, and while I can't take off just yet, you can, so I'll hopefully learn from your solo travelling experiences until I can make some of my own.

beiffe · Guru

The hardest thing for you to do will be the first time you head out the driveway.

As you are going to keep your home it is the same as going to the corner shop just your not sure where that corner shop is.

For a while make sure you stay with other GN's or long time campers if you desire as you will always be safe but after a while you will find that you may want to be on your own so step into each phase slowly. Try the Caravan parks and bush camping and National parks or what ever and you will soon settle in.

Consider getting a stuffed life size dog ( I have RED the blue healer) and when outside sit him by your chair or better still in a position where he can be seen from outside. Most BAD people will never go near a vehicle if they think you have a dog.

Leaving the boots outside is normally done during the day and get them from Vinnies etc for a couple of dollars and they can be replaced.

On spares for your vehicle carry a spare for each belt and hose as well as filters for oil and fuel. A reasonable set of tools is recommended because IF you do need them often someone will come along and they will be able to use them for you. You need a good jack 6 tonne or greater, not a toy one and a decent solid pad to sit the jack on so it will not sink into the dirt when you try to lift your vehicle.

If in doubt about the hoses and belts etc currently on your vehicle then get them replaced now and if need be take the old ones for spares as they should get you out of strife in an emergency. get a service before you head off and keep the services current as prevention is better than cure and insist that they check your vehicle out when they service it. (I hope you have a reliable mechanic to do this and not one that will decide to replace everything so be wary there).

Learn how to change a wheel ( make sore you have decent sockets to do this or get a geared wheel wrench if you feel you cant crack the nuts). Get a decent pump that will pump your tyres to the correct pressure and not a small one that will take for ever.

Have a good chair and table for relaxing outside and happy hours, enough clothes for a week(you will find that your clothes will last longer when travelling as most find that except for jocks and socks they last a few days LOL).

Learn where the fuses are for all your appliances eg. water pump, lights, hot water if you have one and how everything works. Use your RV in your yard for a time, sleep in it and cook in it and treat your house as a roadhouse or shop and only venture in when you need to add something else to your collection, Take stuff out if you feel it is not needed.
Remember there are lots of shops so if in doubt DONT take it and you can buy a new one. This applies only to clothes cooking gear etc does not apply to the tools etc I mentioned before.

For deterrents I would go for the fly spray or similar as the initial shock is the main thing and why carry stuff you dont need. Fly spray in the eye is enough to stop someone in their tracks and I would guess that you will never need it. Remember you are more prone to get into trouble in your own home than on the road and your will be a lot safer in a nice rest stop than a caravan park. When you go to a caravan park walk around and see the people that are resident there. Most parks have their collection of people who cant get accommodation anywhere else so I would not count them as the best type of citizen.

Remember the hardest thing you will do is drive out that driveway and once you have done it once every time after will be easier till the going home will be the hard bit.

Regards
Brian

Romy5152 · Guru

Thank you Brian. That's an in-depth reply, and I appreciate the time and trouble you've gone to. The tool and spares and other information is exactly what I needed, and the idea of living in my own backyard in my Sprinter for a while to get used to it, is absolutely brilliant! What I didn't know about (or didn't remember) I'd be able to find out because I'd still be at home. I'd soon learn how to operate things, how things worked, how to find and perhaps replace fuses, discover what I needed and didn't need to take, and by the time I did drive out my driveway, I would be ready to camp elsewhere and it would still feel like home. I don't think I'd worry about the stuffed dog, but the fly spray is a good idea. Thanks again Brian - you've given me another perspective to think about. I really do like the idea of living in my own backyard first to get a feel for the vehicle and also for another way of camping.

johnq · Guru

For personal security women should consider carrying one or two of those metal styling combs. Not the one with the silly wire rat tail, but the pressed metal one. They can be bought for a few dollars in aluminum and are a practical addition to a bag or pocket.

See this one,
www.amazon.com/Diane-Aluminum-Teasing-Tail/dp/B001263OGS

Aim for the eyes NOT body. While you may miss you will get the face, side of the head or ear and he will definitely let go. Don't wave it about in advance. He will not be put off by threats but will be forewarned. Put your hand into your pocket and hold it. If he blocks you or grabs you know that you will strike and continue to do so. You must do it hard. Think about it beforehand so that it is an instinctive response when a certain line is crossed.

On no account should you ever refer to the comb as a defensive tool. Not as a joke either because police may use it against you. The same applies to the wasp spray some have suggested. The Weapons Acts were drafted to protect offenders, not you as the victim.

Romy5152 · Guru

johnq wrote:
For personal security women should consider carrying one or two of those metal styling combs. Not the one with the silly wire rat tail, but the pressed metal one. They can be bought for a few dollars in aluminum and are a practical addition to a bag or pocket.

See this one,
www.amazon.com/Diane-Aluminum-Teasing-Tail/dp/B001263OGS

Aim for the eyes NOT body. While you may miss you will get the face, side of the head or ear and he will definitely let go. Don't wave it about in advance. He will not be put off by threats but will be forewarned. Put your hand into your pocket and hold it. If he blocks you or grabs you know that you will strike and continue to do so. You must do it hard. Think about it beforehand so that it is an instinctive response when a certain line is crossed.

On no account should you ever refer to the comb as a defensive tool. Not as a joke either because police may use it against you. The same applies to the wasp spray some have suggested. The Weapons Acts were drafted to protect offenders, not you as the victim.

Thanks Johnq. Do you mean use the handle as a dagger? Not sure I could do it, and not sure it would work in reality anyway, because a punctured face or ear won't render him helpless, it may even make him angrier, and he could end up turning the thing on me. The justice system continues to both amaze and horrify me at times - is there really a law to protect an offender against his victim? That's beyond my understanding.

johnq · Guru

Romy5152,

You have to decide whether you will let an offender direct you to somewhere else or handle you. That is what I am talking about when I say you have to decide and act where the line in the sand has been crossed.

The advice I gave is to give you a pause, a loss of grip of you, a chance to escape, to take to your heel, lock a door of a car or whatever.

Self defence is a human right. If your choice is otherwise then so be it. Your choice and no criticism from me unless of course you want others to do that for you.

"Is there really a law to protect an offender?", you ask. What I meant and I reckon you probably realised the fact, was that the unintended (one hopes) outcome of laws such as the Weapons Act is to render you helpless and offenders know that. As well, the reversed onus of proof that applies to self defence even in one's home will likely result in charging of the luckless victim for defending himself. NSW is an exception thanks to a minor Party (S&F Party).

So, no I am not encouraging you to use a metal comb as a 'dagger' and nor should you be saying that lest if you ever are forced to defend yourself your words (intent) could come back to haunt you.

However it is reasonable is it not for a victim of an assault or whose liberty and freedom to move has been compromised by another (the offender) to use what comes to hand. Under the Weapons Acts in politically correct, Nanny State Australia, that had better not be anything the police or police prosecutor could later deem to be a weapon. So keeping that baseball bat by the bed could result in the Watch House for the victim, but less likely where the victim is a woman. No equality there and the positive stereotyping of women helps.

Romy5152 · Guru

John, I don't want to blow my concerns out of proportion, and it's shameful if 'freedom of speech' has taken a back seat in Australia. Of course I would defend myself if attacked - with whatever I had handy. It's a basic human right and survival mechanism, and not pre-meditated in any way. It's called self-defence and being prepared. The ramifications of defending myself would not even enter my head at the time. I would be too busy fighting for my life. Thank you for your well-meant advice.

Happywanderer · The Master

I hope John is not frightening you too much Romy. I have been travelling solo for 3 years and never been in a situation of fear or attack anywhere.
If you thought like that you would never get out the front gate.

Romy5152 · Guru

Happywanderer wrote:
I hope John is not frightening you too much Romy. I have been travelling solo for 3 years and never been in a situation of fear or attack anywhere.
If you thought like that you would never get out the front gate.

Hi there HW,

Thank you. John did put me off travelling solo for a minute there, but I know he was only trying to help. I guess you have to be aware of these things. It's like you say though, you wouldn't do anything if you worried about the 'what-ifs', instead of simply taking safety precautions, being gut-aware, and then just getting out there and doing things. So that's what I'll focus on. Thanks again.

native pepper · Senior Member

Romy5152 wrote:
Happywanderer wrote:
I hope John is not frightening you too much Romy. I have been travelling solo for 3 years and never been in a situation of fear or attack anywhere.
If you thought like that you would never get out the front gate.
Hi there HW,
Thank you. John did put me off travelling solo for a minute there, but I know he was only trying to help. I guess you have to be aware of these things. It's like you say though, you wouldn't do anything if you worried about the 'what-ifs', instead of simply taking safety precautions, being gut-aware, and then just getting out there and doing things. So that's what I'll focus on. Thanks again.

G'day Romy, I've been travelling for more than 50 years, some years solo and in all that time have only had a couple of occasions where it looked like there may be trouble. Any trouble we come across and heard about, always occurs close to medium size towns and caravan parks, never in isolated out of the way camp places. For some reason, some people have to make out if you camp by yourself you are in danger, when it's the opposite.

Think about it this way, why would local hoons or crims drive out into the bush looking for some fun or to harass others, when there are ample opportunities within their town and locals in small towns are mostly workers, so don't go out after dark anyway, expect with the town precincts. The cost of fuel these days precludes them travelling far. We know and see lots of single ladies travelling, they all camp well away from towns and never have any trouble.

You only have to be aware and prepared to move if you have to, that's why MH are good because you don't have to get out to move. Just go and enjoy yourself, tag along with others if you feel like it, or go your own way. You will always run into nice people, particularly if you send your time off the beaten track, where people are really nice, happy to see you and look after you. Large towns and populated area's are the worst places to camp, we only ever go to them to resupply or get something we need. Plus the girls prefer small towns, they just love the op shops in them and can spend hours in one chatting to the ladies. Gives me a chance to go and have a beer with the locals, which always turns out to be an excellent experience.

-- Edited by native pepper on Sunday 18th of May 2014 10:04:13 AM