Hi there

In April next year I will be 50.  I am hoping after a great party I am finally going to go on the road.

I am fit, healthy, and well travelled, however, have never travelled solo in this manner, I have done solo trips where I met a group and a guide at the destination.  I am saving like crazy and hope to have a van or a 4WD and a trangia!

Any advice that I can get from all you accomplished travellers would be very welcome.

I have lived in NSW for 9 years but really want to see the rest of this wonderful country.  I have visited all States several times but usually the Capital city apart from numerous dives in the Great Barrier Reef and the Overland Trek in Tassie.

Tell me what you know.

Sylvia

Ignore this message, where would anyone start. I am geting the idea thanks to this wonderful website and all your musings and advice.

I spoke to a saleswoman recently and when I told her my email was Silvertraces, she asked if I was a Grey Nomad with that name. I said no, but it is my dream to be one. Thanks to her I had the impetus to look up the web site.

This is good stuff. Thanks Guys. They say half the fun of a holiday is in the planning and I am having half the fun already.

-- Edited by Sophie at 00:39, 2009-02-23

well to be sure to be sure, tis a grand welcome I be offering ye Sylvia, the grey nomads are certainly getting well known (good thing, bad thing, who knows) but in a nut shell all of us here share a common interest and we talk of that interest whenever we are not travelling, some talk of it whilst travelling, planning is a wonderfull thing I do it all the time, my body is at work but my mind is planning the next trip to kakadu or uluru or the olgas, kimberleys, oh hell what was I saying OH YEAH!!!, planning, jeezzz!!! I was away with the pixies for a moment there even when we are travelling we are thinking of "going over there next trip" or one talks to someone and they say have you seen such and such but anyway we all must have something to strive for, a life if you will just something to hang our dreams on, anyway thats what I do!!!!

talking about planning, wendy and i are in the early part of planning our nomad trip   hard part sofar   is weather to turn right or left out of the drive way if want to go to perth she wants to go q/land  then i say fair enough  then she says ummm maybe your right    maybe someting to be said about the single bit  but there again im scared of the dark

left turn, right turn, decisions, decisions hell cant wait till we are in that boat!!!!!!!!!! dont know if I would like to be single again, I'll have to ask the dragon, she'll tell me the right answer!

You guys are very funny. Gives me faith that at least I will meet some nice couples on the road.

Hi Sophie, don't plan too much. I put my van on lay-by while I worked my last year before retirement, had a huge garage sale and took off. I have removed quite a bit from the van since then and after 18 months, more or less know what is essential and what's not. I still have extraneous stuff, but as I live in the van you have to have some treasures! Have fun and good luck.
Cheers Helen

Welcome to the real world Sophie. I've been doing most things in life alone for a long time now, mostly by choice. I have worked in a variety of industries, but it has been my dream for more than 30 years to tow a van around Oz, and I am. I lived on-site in my own van in Broome for 9 years before I retired. Now I tow my home behind my L/cruiser. I love doing it by myself, but on the other hand it would be great to share my experiences with "Mr. Right" ha ha ha. I know he's not out there anyway. I have met some great people, seen some great country, and enjoyed every minute. I haven't been a hoarder, but somehow the spare spaces in the van seem to accumulate clutter I can't recall hoarding. I recently cleaned out under the bed, and filled a bag with rugs and other items, which I promptly delivered to the Salvos for those less fortunate. Don't plan too much yet. Decide on the van and the vehicle, or whatever mode of transport you choose. Have a look at the maps and pick some destinations, then forget all that and start again, and again, and again. It will take shape in its own time. The one thing you must never do is stress over it, because that will defeat the purpose of the exercise. Relax and enjoy, and we may meet on the road some day. Look for the personalised wheel cover. Cheers Granny

Thank you Helen and Granny God you lot are an inspiration. I would not have a blooming clue how to go about this if it were not for all you guys out there actually living it, doing it. One might think yeah I am an intelligent well travelled woman, but hey, this stuff is priceless. As for a man Granny, I think I have used up my quota.............. hee hee and I don't have the energy anymore, but I would make an exception for Antonio Banderas......... I know, I know, but we all have our little faults. Thanks you guys. S

Hi Helen

Can you belive that until about a year ago, I had a you beaut Land Cruiser, bought from new. Oh the pain. Sat Nav, Super Winch, Tow Bar, etc etc etc, all set up for the big trip, but I sold it and downsized with the petrol crisis and now have a little Toyota Yaris - incey wincey little thing, but for urban use it is a blooming fantastic economic midget.  Still holds all my SCUBA diving gear and windsurfing stuff and a Kayak!!  Micro roof racks are a god send.

But I wanted to ask, how does one put ones van on layby.  I would love to do that.

S

hi sophie
well i found myself single and wanted tp gp pn the road so last november i brought a motor home and took off this year in janunary leaving from brisbane now i am in w.a. kununurra
i have met some great people and at no time have fellt threatened. everyone out there is only too happy to look out for u
i am now job searching fpr a bit of work to help with the expences
just go for it girl
mausie

ah!!! good to hear from you again Maureen. Sophie take note of this one and quite a few others that we have had through here, we hold them all in great esteem they are our shining examples of being solo and a wee bit frightened and tentative at first and then to take a step or two to find a new and better life we are all very proud and very protective as well as supportive of our girls who are out there doing it and can only wish nothing but great things for each and every one of them, hopefully Sophie you will join the swelling ranks of those who are enjoying themselves!! top stuff indeed!!

Hi Sophie, I went to the Brisbane Caravan show in 06 and half jokingly asked if they accepted lay-by and without hesitation they said yes. So when you have found your van just ask! Will be interested to hear what you decide on.
Cheers Helen

What a great tip.  I will certainly look into that.  Thank you so much.

You guys have all been so helpful and generous with your information, banter and even cheeky remarks.

It's all good.

Hi S, I will introduce myself to you as well. I was pretty much in the same space as you a year ago. I am now a single, on the road and working my way around. I headed off from Melbourne only this Jan. I am now in Padthaway sorting onions!! I'm from an administration background, so this is all new and nervewrecking and exciting for me. I certainly had my share of scares starting out, mainly brought on by my own fears. When you learn to overcome those, (with the help of all these wonderful people on this website) you will gradually relax back and enjoy. As I now am. I have already met so many wonderful people on the road, and most have been only too willing to help out when I get stuck!! I am finally living my dream and it is only just starting to sink in that I HAVE ACTUALLY BITTEN THE BULLET AND DONE IT!!! You go girl!! Dianne

Bubs That is awesome and so inspiring. Well done you. Thank you so much. I am very gald I have found this site which will help me find the courage when the time comes to follow through to make this a reality and not a pipe dream where I lay down on my grave and say If only.................. Way to go girl. And Thank you. Sylvia

Well done Sofie....I admire your courage and desire to travel.....I myself are heading off to QLD in June for Tweed heads and palm Beach for the bowls Tournaments.....

Who knows ..May cross paths

ahhh!! confusion, that glorious state in which I constantly dwell, enjoy the thrill of "the chase" sophie, all the sights and smells and the "wants" versus the "needs" me, myself, and I (the three of us) all enjoy going to the caravan and camping shows whenever they emerge and wherever they raise their wanton little heads, we just sit and look and sometimes we may even make a small purchase or three, but mostly it's just a great place to meet like minded people, and all the shiny new toy's that one can "pop" in and out of, great fun

Hi Sophie, I should be getting the Insect Screens for my Hi-ace next week, then only need to flush and refill the water tank, before I finally start my initial get-aways. Of course I probably won't get going as soon as I'd like. Something always seems to come up when I plan on getting the next step ahead. Go for it Sophie, Cheers, xina.

Dear Helen, that's pretty brave, going off on your own in a van. How has it been? I would love to do the same, used to my own company and have two dogs to chat to. Just would like to meet other people on the way. Prudence

Hi Prudence. I too am doing it alone with a Landcruiser towing a 20ft c/van. I left Broome in Aug 07, and arrived in the Daintree last July, having traversed south and across the Nullarbor, through Vic then northish to FN Qld. I don't have any pets, as I personally believe travelling with a dog is hard on the animal and makes finding a pet friendly park quite difficult. I enjoy sliding through the country I pass through, cruising at 85-90KPH. I've been on my own for many years so that's not a problem. My favourite music is in the player when I run out of radio in Rosy The "Truck". I'm currently in Cairns dealing with some health stuff, and as soon as it's resolved I'm hitching up and heading out. I'm not sure if I'm going south west towards Broken Hill, or to the Kakadu for a week or so, and then south to Pt. Augusta because that's where the road goes to. I may even have a look towards Oodnadatta region on the way south. Who knows? No set plans or timetable. I love it, and I love meeting the people on the way, especially when I park behind one of the old pubs along the way where I've met some interesting locals and travellers. It's a great country to drive around in. Safe and happy travels. Granny

Hi Antonia good on you for joining the forum. I don't think it's as hard or scary as you think. Main thing is to use your own confidence. Being a nurse you know how to handle many emergencies - life is less stressful than your chosen career. Relax and look into your best options as well as taking time to read up on the forum info. MIKE

Hi Akuli, There is a way to get 6 months supply of medications at once. I think it's Regulation 26. Check with your Doctor. Cheers, xina.

Thanks for that Xina, good to know that I don't have to worry about that one.

Doctors and prescriptions - how to keep up while on the road full time.
Before I left Broome I asked my doctor to compile a medical profile of my chronic health issues, surgery I have survived, and the medications I rely on.
I also gathered as many recent (2 years) xray, scan and test reports as I could, and in spite of their weight, they are proving to be handy chattels. I have since accumulated a few more.
(Don't worry guys, they are stored towards the front of the van so the tow bar & vehicle get the weight.)
I carry a folder with all this information, so if something happens to me, the doctor gets a clue to why he's reviving me.
This has proved to be a very wise action.
I started out with a file of prescriptions and stored pills, but they eventually ran out. So I just went to the doctor wherever I was parked, showed them the report containing ailments and drugs. They just checked the blood pressure, had a general look and listen, acquired the authorities for the biggies, wrote up the scripts and I was away again.
I hope no one breaks into my van. They could make a quid selling my supplies.
I have to admit, I worked at the Broome Hospital in admin for 5.5 years, and this gave me a bit of a leg up on what might be required down the road.
The less conditions you are being treated for, the smaller the folder you will need for all this information.
As I keep saying, "There's nothing wrong with me. The doctors just keep finding stuff."
I and sit here today, having travelled more than 24,000kms, feeling pretty good about myself, and generally feeling pretty good. Stand by for further updates.
Life's good. Cheers Chrissy

-- Edited by Cruising Granny on Tuesday 21st of April 2009 12:35:45 PM