I'm in my early sixties (single) and thinking of buying an off-road caravan (already own a 4WD) and spending most (all?) of the balance of my life on the road.
Some questions for those of you who have taken this path:
What mistakes did you make?
What has disappointed you about the experience?
What significant aspects of this lifestyle should I be concerned about?
What are the really good things about the lifestyle for you?
MH
__________________
"I beseech you in the bowels of Christ think it possible you may be mistaken"
Oliver Cromwell, 3rd August 1650 - in a letter to the General Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland
I've been on the road full time for 5 years....so I'll have a crack at answering you .
1. I wish I'd checked the weights of the van more thoroughly. I was pretty trusting with regard to that and with what I've learnt in the last 5 years I woulda been demanding certification etc. Oh....and I would of told them to get rid of the Chinese rubble tyres they had on the van. That cost me a few moments of stress - and bucks getting rid of the lot of them and replacing with decent tyres.
2. I feel like people don't chat like they used to. In fact it's VERY rare that anyone even says gidday. I kind of envisaged happy hours etc but that doesn't happen.
3. Nothing - well....the only thing I envisage is the closing down of anywhere free to camp the more they see we're out there without a care in the world....but probably won't happen in our lifetime.
4. As soon as I'm sick of something or somewhere.....I pack up and drive off into the sunset (well sunrise really). Seeing all the great things the country has to offer. Meeting people (when it does happen).
Good luck and do it sooner rather than later I reckon...
-- Edited by Grubbygypsy on Friday 3rd of February 2017 02:10:15 PM
People not being social: yep, I see it all the time. We seem to have created a society which has lost its sense of community, I suspect the focus (obsession?) with money and possessions is a significant cause. Although I had hoped it would be better in groups with a common cause - eg. travellers.
Do you free camp the majority of the time?
Where do you get water?
__________________
"I beseech you in the bowels of Christ think it possible you may be mistaken"
Oliver Cromwell, 3rd August 1650 - in a letter to the General Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland
I'm in my early sixties (single) and thinking of buying an off-road caravan (already own a 4WD) and spending most (all?) of the balance of my life on the road.
Some questions for those of you who have taken this path:
What mistakes did you make? Not retiring earlier and hitting the road earlier - retired eight years ago ... should have been at 55.
What has disappointed you about the experience? absolutely nuffin
What significant aspects of this lifestyle should I be concerned about? I have no concerns - except maybe that despite eight years on the road there is still SOOOOO much still to see/do.
What are the really good things about the lifestyle for you? the freedom to take my time and deeply soak up and enjoy this incredible country - and meeting like-minded people.
MH
Gday...
I semi-retired in 1988 and spent two and a half years "on the wallaby" doing some work on and off with a young family - son 4 daughter 2.
(We only stopped because our daughter was diagnosed with cancer but thankfully in two months from today she will turn 30 and is living a VERY full and rewarding life.)
I knew from that experience I would NEVER retire and sit inside a white picket fence with nicely manicured lawns and garden and slowly dying.
Cheers - John
__________________
2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 SE Auto - 2008 23ft Golden Eagle Hunter Some people feel the rain - the others just get wet - Bob Dylan
People not being social: yep, I see it all the time. We seem to have created a society which has lost its sense of community, I suspect the focus (obsession?) with money and possessions is a significant cause. Although I had hoped it would be better in groups with a common cause - eg. travellers.
Do you free camp the majority of the time?
Where do you get water?
Gidday again Mike
Well......wrt weight...my van is a very heavy van and I just don't think I was astute enough wrt to the eventual weights etc. I came from an era where my first van was basically a box of cupboards on wheels....and I just didn't pay enough attention imo. I had the suspension on the tug upgraded a few years back. All is good...but I would have asked to see actuals if I had my time over again.
I expected it to be the same as it was the first time I did this too. I think you're right about people in general. I find a lot of people are full of their own self importance these days. They bang on about themselves, where they've been, where they're going....how it should be done...in their eyes....I'm not sure if a single guy will face the same as I do as a female - but yesterday, twice, I found I was cut off conversation by the female of the species. Old mates happy to chat.......suddenly set upon by wives....lol....one woman came flying out, I said 'hi, how you going' - to be met by a stare and a curt 'good'. So call me an AH.....but, without a returned greeting (fine thanks, how are you?).....she/they can GFTS. LOL. I've had a lovely chat with some French backpacking kids tonight. Anyways, I digress lol.
I freecamp 99% of the time. Water.......depends.....I've just spent over a month on the Nullarbor (in the bit you can't get water readily), I even collected rain water twice. I had just under half in my tanks when I got off last week....I was pretty rapt with my tightness to enable me to be out there for so long....and I remained clean lol....bathed every day. Some towns have water access for you. Other times you stealth it....cementries are good lol, sometimes a caravan park (I have 270l on board so can make do for quite a while if ness). Wikicamps is a godsend because people post where you can and can't get water from. i figure I'm over the worst wrt water now.....and gas....I'll be living in luxury from now on lol.
I'm in my early sixties (single) and thinking of buying an off-road caravan (already own a 4WD) and spending most (all?) of the balance of my life on the road.
Some questions for those of you who have taken this path:
What mistakes did you make? Not retiring earlier and hitting the road earlier - retired eight years ago ... should have been at 55.
What has disappointed you about the experience? absolutely nuffin
What significant aspects of this lifestyle should I be concerned about? I have no concerns - except maybe that despite eight years on the road there is still SOOOOO much still to see/do.
What are the really good things about the lifestyle for you? the freedom to take my time and deeply soak up and enjoy this incredible country - and meeting like-minded people.
MH
Gday...
I semi-retired in 1988 and spent two and a half years "on the wallaby" doing some work on and off with a young family - son 4 daughter 2.
(We only stopped because our daughter was diagnosed with cancer but thankfully in two months from today she will turn 30 and is living a VERY full and rewarding life.)
I knew from that experience I would NEVER retire and sit inside a white picket fence with nicely manicured lawns and garden and slowly dying.
Cheers - John
John, I feel honoured that you have shared a part of your life with us. I agree with all your answers, and, I too, knew from a young age that I could not sit in one place for the rest of my life - we bought our kids up, and hit the road, he died not six months later, but we had a great six months. I know he would be happy with my life now.
What could be better than sitting in a free camp next to this - Cammoweal Billabong
Just love Camooweal - particularly pelicans fishing in moonlight - sort of got stranded in there last August / September for a few weeks along with 24 other vans we built a rock fjord after a week to allow 8 vans to "escape" but we stayed until all roads were passable. Great party when we all decided we really should leave tomorrow. Walk into town daily for a meal at the pub and to buy supplies. Possibly a great lifetime moment and remembered fondly. Although bogged in certainly not a mistake even though rain was predicted just too good to leave.
__________________
Possum; AKA:- Ali El-Aziz Mohamed Gundawiathan
Sent from my imperial66 typewriter using carrier pigeon, message sticks and smoke signals.
I'm in my early sixties (single) and thinking of buying an off-road caravan (already own a 4WD) and spending most (all?) of the balance of my life on the road.
Some questions for those of you who have taken this path:
What mistakes did you make?
What has disappointed you about the experience?
What significant aspects of this lifestyle should I be concerned about?
What are the really good things about the lifestyle for you?
MH
I'm turning 60 this year personal problems have caused me to get away I've been driving are since September 2016 in this time have driven 16000km i think learning to slow down would have been a good idea but it's the loneliness that gets to you. Meeting people does help so it's just a matter of adapting to the style of life in time
I'm turning 60 this year personal problems have caused me to get away I've been driving are since September 2016 in this time have driven 16000km i think learning to slow down would have been a good idea but it's the loneliness that gets to you. Meeting people does help so it's just a matter of adapting to the style of life in time
Gday...
I can understand the feeling of loneliness that some folk seem to experience. I guess it is either a state of mind of just how one is wired.
I have been a 'solo' traveller/camper for most of my life although when the kids were little (pre-teenage) they used to come and enjoy the journey/s.
I prefer to travel and camp alone - including preferring to not sharing a camp spot ... and I have never felt lonely ... but I do love to feel alone. As I said, I guess it is mainly how one is wired.
Cheers - John
__________________
2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 SE Auto - 2008 23ft Golden Eagle Hunter Some people feel the rain - the others just get wet - Bob Dylan
I should preference this by mentioning that currently I spend a lot of time in remote bush camping, shooting ferals and gold prospecting.
I can understand that Dwilz; like John I prefer to camp alone and almost never feel lonely however sometimes I do miss having someone to chat with and become tired of talking to myself - which I do a lot :)
May I suggest you consider seeking an Amateur Radio licence:
http://www.wia.org.au/licenses/foundation/about/
I have held an Advanced Licence for many years and it gives me much joy and companionship when I am bush. I chat with people all over the world and have made a *heap* of friends both in Oz and overseas and, best of all, when I tire of talking I can switch it off or simply sit back and listen to others chatting. Also I am able to listen to all the commercial broadcasters from around the world; BBC World Service, Voice of America, Radio Moscow, German, Dutch etc (North Korea is interesting to say the least!).
The above is all on HF but our vehicle mounted VHF and UHF radios allow us to chat with people within (very roughly) a 50km radius and this is very useful when travelling in new areas and for making local friends. Most Amateur Radio people are friendly and talkative (that's why they go into the hobby) and are always pleased to tell you where the cheapest petrol is or a good place to camp or even, sometimes, where to look for gold :)
MH
__________________
"I beseech you in the bowels of Christ think it possible you may be mistaken"
Oliver Cromwell, 3rd August 1650 - in a letter to the General Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland
I usually cry when I drive Lucky I don't drive much lol. I've probably done 4000 in the same time you've done 16K. Actually....it's 5K - because I just pulled up to service the car. I'm fine once I've parked up again......it's just a number of traumas in my life I've suffered....and I guess I have time to think about them when I drive. I don't know if I'm lonely to be honest. I've resigned myself to it, so I don't yearn for company, lucky...because I rarely see anyone anyways. I also have that much disappointment in most humans that I just know not to bother. You'll get used to it Dwilz. Thinking of the alternative (people s%^^ing on you) helps....then you realise how blessed you are.
-- Edited by Grubbygypsy on Saturday 4th of February 2017 10:17:52 PM
May I suggest you consider seeking an Amateur Radio licence:
http://www.wia.org.au/licenses/foundation/about/
I have held an Advanced Licence for many years and it gives me much joy and companionship when I am bush. I chat with people all over the world and have made a *heap* of friends both in Oz and overseas and, best of all, when I tire of talking I can switch it off or simply sit back and listen to others chatting. Also I am able to listen to all the commercial broadcasters from around the world; BBC World Service, Voice of America, Radio Moscow, German, Dutch etc (North Korea is interesting to say the least!).
The above is all on HF but our vehicle mounted VHF and UHF radios allow us to chat with people within (very roughly) a 50km radius and this is very useful when travelling in new areas and for making local friends. Most Amateur Radio people are friendly and talkative (that's why they go into the hobby) and are always pleased to tell you where the cheapest petrol is or a good place to camp or even, sometimes, where to look for gold :)
MH
Sorry to go off topic but Mike could you tell me what you do for antennas in the bush? I have not used my full ticket for 30 years but still have some gear. Thanks.
I usually cry when I drive Lucky I don't drive much lol. I've probably done 4000 in the same time you've done 16K. Actually....it's 5K - because I just pulled up to service the car. I'm fine once I've parked up again......it's just a number of traumas in my life I've suffered....and I guess I have time to think about them when I drive. I don't know if I'm lonely to be honest. I've resigned myself to it, so I don't yearn for company, lucky...because I rarely see anyone anyways. I also have that much disappointment in most humans that I just know not to bother. You'll get used to it Dwilz. Thinking of the alternative (people s%^^ing on you) helps....then you realise how blessed you are.
-- Edited by Grubbygypsy on Saturday 4th of February 2017 10:17:52 PM
Yes life really sucks at times always sending a curved ball at us what I have worked out that most not all solo travelers have been the victim so the under standing of what has gone on is far greater which I suppose is a positive side to travelling not a negative as what the question on this topic was about all you can do is keep pushing on the other option is only a quick fix and causes others to suffer not a good option to a sain person
For HF (or what we use to call "The Short Waves") I use an off-centre fed dipole cut for 80m and a 4:1 balun at the feed point. The balun is fed with RG58 from the radio.
The arms are 13m and 27m long respectively - the lengths are not critical. The 4:1 balun is a homemade lightweight job on a single Jaycar ferrite core, very easy to make or available commercially for about $50.
Erecting the antenna: I always erect it as an inverted vee as that needs only one high point. I either haul it up to a convenient branch or use a 10m squid pole. Although, ideally, the antenna should be much higher it works very well at 10m-ish.
This antenna has a SWR of better than 2:1 across all the HF bands (30m excepted) and may be used without a tuner on all bands. A simple tuner, if desired, will easily bring the SWR down to 1:1.
MH
__________________
"I beseech you in the bowels of Christ think it possible you may be mistaken"
Oliver Cromwell, 3rd August 1650 - in a letter to the General Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland
Do you have any hobbies Dwilz? I think sometimes being on the road full time can give you a bit too much time to think. I geocache, so I'm always focused on that. There's pretty much always a geo to grab wherever you are. One I just did the other day took me on a little historical journey scattered over two days!! You find the best places in the area as set out by locals. Better than any tourist info place I've ever been in.
I have always travelled. It's not because I'm a victim of anything in particular. When I was a small child I lived at the bottom of some hills and I used to wonder what was over the other side and how I was going to get there. I took note of how to drive a car and what roads to follow from when I was about 5. I first set off with a 22ft van when I was 17!! (Can't believe I did that when I look at 17 year olds now). It certainly is just way easier not to have to put up with 'normal' situations - I don't know how people do. They must lie to themselves as well as everybody else I guess. I.E. I was just 'home' (where I came from) a few months ago and a terrible situation occurred that left one of my kids not talking to me and the other strained. Well......I couldn't wait to get out of there and I won't be returning ever again. It's bliss in situations like that. I would imagine if you had to live there...you'd have to bulls$&* on for the rest of time. Not for me.
Anyways......just make sure you do stuff that you like. Don't sit around thinking about whatever makes you sad. Sometimes you meet pearler people and I just hold on to those times as opposed to the snobby people I wouldn't want to know anyways.
For HF (or what we use to call "The Short Waves") I use an off-centre fed dipole cut for 80m and a 4:1 balun at the feed point. The balun is fed with RG58 from the radio.
The arms are 13m and 27m long respectively - the lengths are not critical. The 4:1 balun is a homemade lightweight job on a single Jaycar ferrite core, very easy to make or available commercially for about $50.
Erecting the antenna: I always erect it as an inverted vee as that needs only one high point. I either haul it up to a convenient branch or use a 10m squid pole. Although, ideally, the antenna should be much higher it works very well at 10m-ish.
This antenna has a SWR of better than 2:1 across all the HF bands (30m excepted) and may be used without a tuner on all bands. A simple tuner, if desired, will easily bring the SWR down to 1:1.
I have been full time on the road for four and half years, and would not change a thing [I turn 80 next month] I am a member of the CMCA club and in a chapter called "The Highway Wanderers" just by the name will tell you that we are all over Australia at any given time but we chat via our web page and meet up a few times a year. I am also a member of a Special Interest Group [SIG] in the club,We are all Solo's and again meet up a few times a year, at a rally or such.
I now have friends all over Australia and would not change a thing, never lonely as there is allways some one within reach.
a mistake for us was not having enough solar power n not carrying enough drinkable water. We learnt this the hard way. I got gastroenteritis (long story) at a free camp miles from medical help. No fun vomiting with almost no lights left n needing drinking water n almost gone.
Someone else on this thread mentioned not many people talking. Yes agree. Now, we go over n invite people to our camp for happy hour. Win, win . Not so many people walking around any more cos most have toilet n showers in their vans.
Someone else on this thread mentioned not many people talking. Yes agree. Now, we go over n invite people to our camp for happy hour. Win, win . Not so many people walking around any more cos most have toilet n showers in their vans.
i love the freedom.
enjoy. Rocket n strop
Seems plenty of people out there almost 'need ' you to reach out to them. Some camps seem like some caravan parks, with a higher percentage of folks keeping to themselves. (sometimes that can be a blessing too)
Cheers, John.
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"My mind is made up. Please don't confuse me with facts."
Someone else on this thread mentioned not many people talking. Yes agree. Now, we go over n invite people to our camp for happy hour. Win, win . Not so many people walking around any more cos most have toilet n showers in their vans.
i love the freedom.
enjoy. Rocket n strop
Seems plenty of people out there almost 'need ' you to reach out to them. Some camps seem like some caravan parks, with a higher percentage of folks keeping to themselves. (sometimes that can be a blessing too)
Cheers, John.
I think for me is I spend so much time remote.....I rarely see another soul. I guess when I get a bit further East it'll change. Purely on population. I love remote though and I'll probably feel a bit closed in down in those busy areas and do a quick runner up to remote again.
Ive been in a caravan park for just over a week while I pulled up to do some maintenance and in that week there's been probably 7 vans come and go. Only one lot returned my conversation and I helped a couple of backpackers with info about crossing the nulla. The rest I haven't seen. Oh and one was rude. Probably right about e toilets and laundries there rocket, in fact I remember on my first time around, that's where you'd meet people....in the laundry lol.
.
but thankfully in two months from today she will turn 30 and is living a VERY full and rewarding life.)
