i now have a set off date of April 2. for 3-4 months.
Will do a couple short trips before then tho.
have been packing camper with essentials and at the same time whittling down what i have at home base.
I rent a unit but don't want to burn my bridges all at once. After a few months on the road I shall have a better idea of what to expect.
If I decide to give up my unit will put some basic stuff into a store shed.
looking at putting a second solar panel on the roof of camper and also buying a solar battery charger.
I have ordered a 12 volt shower.....and some road houses have $2 showers as well.
dawa
Elle on Wheels said
12:46 PM Jan 9, 2012
That is fantastic Dawa. There are a few threads in the techie forum about solar power. There's one I started a couple of months ago about getting set up for free camping and that has some very good advice on it including a really good solar charger - it's a CPAC and as I understand it you can use it in place of a regulator. This may or may not be suitable for you.
It's good to keep your options open before taking the final plunge. It will be interesting to see whether you embrace full time nomading or need a home base. You must be so excited.
dawa said
03:34 PM Jan 9, 2012
it is the heat in summer that will probably stop me being full time.
Maybe going to Tassie in summer?
Ma said
03:39 PM Jan 9, 2012
That's what we thought too dawa, it is great but make sure you put in twice as much warm clothing that you think you might need. It is very cool and bordering on COLD here since we go here and then tomorrow we are heading to Derwent Bridge and they say it could snow there tomorrow too.
All four seasons in one day here.
dawa said
04:33 PM Jan 9, 2012
This is why i thought to go to Tassie for the summers.
Heat really has a horrid affect on me.
How are the free camping sites down there?
Ma said
05:03 PM Jan 9, 2012
Some of them are very basic and you would be advised to have your own loo facility.
Some of them are great, like the one at the St. Helen's Recreation Area.
Just keep in mind the school holidays as any freebie along the East Coast in particular are well and truely loaded with locals as you would expect.
Some of the little van parks are OK too.
Have a look in the Camps book and also they have a little black book that you can pick up on the boat or at any info office of all the van parks and dump points and other things.
The locals tell me that February and March are the preferred times to visit here if you want really good weather. We came over in November and it was pretty cold to start off with and lots of wind and rain. Here we are in January and it is still windy and cool but we have had a couple of really nice sunny days.
Like you dawa, I don't like the heat either.
dawa said
05:07 PM Jan 9, 2012
i was thinking of going late spring and over summer.
dawa
blaze said
09:00 PM Jan 9, 2012
Ma wrote:
That's what we thought too dawa, it is great but make sure you put in twice as much warm clothing that you think you might need. It is very cool and bordering on COLD here since we go here and then tomorrow we are heading to Derwent Bridge and they say it could snow there tomorrow too.
All four seasons in one day here.
Hi Ma
The wall at derwent bridge is a must do, the pub also serve a good meal. Pack your thermals
cheers
blaze
Ma said
09:18 PM Jan 9, 2012
Thanks Blaze I really needed to hear that.....well part of it anyway
I didn't budget for ANOTHER fleecy lined jacket after having to get one in Burnie when we got here, now it will be trackie dacks too I suppose.
Ma said
09:19 PM Jan 9, 2012
blaze wrote:
Hi Ma
The wall at derwent bridge is a must do,
cheers
blaze
I saw that wall years ago Blaze when there was only one and a half panels done. Will be very interested to see how far he's gone with it now.
blaze said
09:37 PM Jan 9, 2012
Ma wrote:
blaze wrote:
Hi Ma
The wall at derwent bridge is a must do,
cheers
blaze
I saw that wall years ago Blaze when there was only one and a half panels done. Will be very interested to see how far he's gone with it now.
Couple of years since I was there but you will be amazed
cheers
blaze
Cruising Granny said
11:57 PM Jan 9, 2012
dawa wrote:
I have ordered a 12 volt shower.....and some road houses have $2 showers as well.
Well done on your planning process. It sounds as you've taken almost everything into account.
Many roadhouses have free showers for travellers, but offering to pay is a great gesture which will stand you and travellers who follow you in good stead for the future. I use them all the time when I'm on the job. Some prefer to keep the showers for the transport drivers, but If you ask nicely they are usually very obliging.
There are issues with backpackers freeloading everywhere, including where they go to the toilet. It's not always in a toilet. They are making is bad for the honest traveller.
Loki said
06:43 AM Jan 10, 2012
Happy travels! As regards Tassie, I just spent Sun night on the Wilmot side of Lake Barrington: Great spot and didn't need anything heavier than shorts & T-shirt. Cheers, Anton
Evie n Rhys said
07:57 AM Jan 10, 2012
Congratulations, I wish you all the best, how exciting. I'm with you, the summer puts me off but I suppose if you are out there you could find a river or creek to park by and stay cool that way. The only problem is the school holiday season and the availability I guess. I have purchased a 12v/battery shower and it works famously. I put some water in a bucket, drop in the hose and off you go. You can attach it to the outside of the van if you like but I don't bother. It's great. I had no gas at home one day so used it in my home shower and that worked very well too. Enjoy where ever you head. Cheers Tess
dawa said
08:04 AM Jan 10, 2012
I am going to try and be responsible for myself regarding showers etc.
I feel that we need to get as much goodwill towards grey nomads as we can.
is looking good for a house sitter for my unit while i am away
i now have a set off date of April 2. for 3-4 months.
Will do a couple short trips before then tho.
have been packing camper with essentials and at the same time whittling down what i have at home base.
I rent a unit but don't want to burn my bridges all at once. After a few months on the road I shall have a better idea of what to expect.
If I decide to give up my unit will put some basic stuff into a store shed.
looking at putting a second solar panel on the roof of camper and also buying a solar battery charger.
I have ordered a 12 volt shower.....and some road houses have $2 showers as well.
dawa
It's good to keep your options open before taking the final plunge. It will be interesting to see whether you embrace full time nomading or need a home base. You must be so excited.
it is the heat in summer that will probably stop me being full time.
Maybe going to Tassie in summer?
That's what we thought too dawa, it is great but make sure you put in twice as much warm clothing that you think you might need. It is very cool and bordering on COLD here since we go here and then tomorrow we are heading to Derwent Bridge and they say it could snow there tomorrow too.
All four seasons in one day here.
This is why i thought to go to Tassie for the summers.
Heat really has a horrid affect on me.
How are the free camping sites down there?
Some of them are very basic and you would be advised to have your own loo facility.
Some of them are great, like the one at the St. Helen's Recreation Area.
Just keep in mind the school holidays as any freebie along the East Coast in particular are well and truely loaded with locals as you would expect.
Some of the little van parks are OK too.
Have a look in the Camps book and also they have a little black book that you can pick up on the boat or at any info office of all the van parks and dump points and other things.
The locals tell me that February and March are the preferred times to visit here if you want really good weather. We came over in November and it was pretty cold to start off with and lots of wind and rain. Here we are in January and it is still windy and cool but we have had a couple of really nice sunny days.
Like you dawa, I don't like the heat either.
i was thinking of going late spring and over summer.
dawa
Hi Ma
The wall at derwent bridge is a must do, the pub also serve a good meal. Pack your thermals
cheers
blaze
Thanks Blaze I really needed to hear that.....well part of it anyway
I didn't budget for ANOTHER fleecy lined jacket after having to get one in Burnie when we got here, now it will be trackie dacks too I suppose.
I saw that wall years ago Blaze when there was only one and a half panels done. Will be very interested to see how far he's gone with it now.
Couple of years since I was there but you will be amazed
cheers
blaze
Well done on your planning process. It sounds as you've taken almost everything into account.
Many roadhouses have free showers for travellers, but offering to pay is a great gesture which will stand you and travellers who follow you in good stead for the future. I use them all the time when I'm on the job. Some prefer to keep the showers for the transport drivers, but If you ask nicely they are usually very obliging.
There are issues with backpackers freeloading everywhere, including where they go to the toilet. It's not always in a toilet. They are making is bad for the honest traveller.
Cheers, Anton
Cheers
Tess