Was going to upload a pic but no idea how to do this thing here... sigh... ah well shes in the avatar!!!
-- Edited by Wild Dingo on Thursday 12th of April 2012 11:23:32 PM
Wild Dingo said
05:57 AM Apr 13, 2012
Yep Im about to set forth on new adventures and journies into places not travelled for over 30 years!
FREEDOM!!!
Just before I up and left Broome a couple of months back I went and bought a bus and named her "Me Lady"... a fine figured lady she is too!!! A lovely 94 mdl Nissan Civilian... ooh she is stunning!! And if my connection was quicker Id upload a pic or two to show you all
But for now shes after a month of tearin out seats finding a suitably comfy monster bed refashioning this and buying and fitting that getting one of the daughters tied to her sewing machine long enough to run me up some windows having a major hooha with a genetically modified at birth humanoid calling himself "mechanic" finally she be ready!!
A bit about yours truely? Rightio then no wukkers!
Im a 55 year old young whippersnapper kept me youthfullness by havin 8 nippers (6 girls and 2 boys and thats the reason we stopped!!) and a whole swaggle of grandies... with all kids now grown up and me being very happily divorced Im now free to wander at will wherever the road takes me!
So without further ado... Im about to sing along with ol Willie and head down the road again!!!
Any advice help or just a gidday would be more than welcomed!!
Cheers all see yer along the roads!! Dont be shy now I dont bite I may tickle or crackup a tad but I dont bite... much
Shane
Lynnie said
02:09 PM Apr 13, 2012
That's fantastic Shane. I am not offering any advice - you seem to have it all in hand already. Apart from that, I have had no personal experience (picking up my slide on camper tomorrow). Keep us all posted with your travels and experiences and let us know when you will be in Victoria. Lyn
beiffe said
04:01 PM Apr 13, 2012
Welcome to the fold.
You will learn on the road.
A few tips though
Buy nothing till you decide you REALY need it and you are missing something without it.
Be prepared to dump anything that has not been used in twelve months.
Travel slow and stop at a site till you are ready to leave or you need supplies.
Never travel in a direction because that's the way you are going. If you are told of something worth seeing behind you TURN around and go and have a look. You have all the time so why rush and why miss something you want to see or do.
Enjoy the company you meet but be prepared to move on if the surrounds don't fit or the company is not to expectation.
Keep an open mind and keep your advise and conversation conservative and respect the others around you as most other travelers do.
Respect the space of others when you camp. Always talk to the other campers in a rest stop and before setting up it is preferred to ask the people already there if they mind you stooping with them. Remember it is a free country but it is nice to respect others desires WITHIN reason. If they appear aggressive it is advisable to move on anyway. I find this is a good way to assess your neighbors BEFORE you setup.
Depending on your travel plans a CAMPS book is invaluable if you plan to free camp.
Be prepared to ask questions whilst on the road as well as on this forum as there is a lot of knowledge to be gained.
Hope this helps a bit
Brian
Yuglamron said
04:11 PM Apr 13, 2012
Hi Brian,
I think your advice for Shane is so good I will take it onboard myself.
I've had my rig for 18 months now and have twice done the quick trip to Melbourne from Brisbane for family reasons.Now I will be off somewhere else and will take your advice with me.All of it sounds logical.
Thanks
Trevor
Wild Dingo said
05:06 PM Apr 13, 2012
WOW!! Thanks for the welcomes peoples!!!
Cheers Brian great advice!... will be sure to find that book as I thought all camping other than on private property and caravan parks was free Ive been wrong for many years apparently!
Been living in Broome for a few years now and the trip to the southlands was a six monthly thing to see the kids and grands... generally straight down 2 days and back the same... born and raised on that road I reckon so stopping and wandering just didnt make sense just whooooosh there... at chrissy two years back I managed only 4 hours back home when I was called straight back down... so yep I knows that road!! But it was great to make the last trip down the first with "me lady" and we sauntered!!! I mean we went at such a pace any grey nomad would be proud! 5 and a half days later we rocked up here in Australind... brilliant!!! You know theres a whole lot of country you may think you know cause you travel it so often but really when you SLOW THE HECK DOWN you see something new and different every day...
THing I gotta ask is... is there a cookbook specifically aimed and for travellers? without massive fully stocked with over priced goodies pantries!... some great reciepes for travellers... I know a few but wouldnt mind a lot more since I get bored with my own cooking after a time
ANYWAYS!!!! Thank you all for the warm welcome Cheers
Shane
Rip and Rosie said
06:43 PM Apr 13, 2012
Try you local public library Shane. I found a great one there, with options for your pantry etc.... pen and paper and copied them. Lately I noticed some nice looking camp cook books in BFC- but expensive...... and my experience is do not spend any money on expensive stuff until you are sure that's what you will use. Rosie
Pam said
10:09 PM Apr 13, 2012
There is a what cooking section on this forum so you might find ideas in it.
Loki said
11:43 PM Apr 13, 2012
Welcome Shane! I'm heading into Central Australia the end of this month - I have a HiAce poptop named Loki; if you see me pop in. As for recipes, the What's Cooking forum is a good place to start. Most campers seem to favour camp ovens and I was intrigued to see various 'stoves' made from 9Kg gas bottles.
Brian has given a very good summary and I can only emphasise his comment about picking up a Camps book (Camps6 is the latest version I believe).
Happy travels, Anton
Dougwe said
03:54 AM Apr 14, 2012
Good on ya Shane, keep on smiling mate and enjoy here and out there.
Happywanderer said
04:56 AM Apr 14, 2012
Welcome to the forum. I don't worry too much about recipes, spent all my life cooking for a family. Don't want to do any more of it. A good deep frypan with a lid will do anything from stirfry to bacon and eggs. Keep tins of food for when i can't be bothered cooking or crackers with tomatoes, avocado or creamed corn. All works well for me.
Cruising Granny said
05:57 AM Apr 14, 2012
Yep, it's a long road between Broome and Perth, whether you go on the inland route or the coastal way, it's a long way, but always interesting. I lived and worked on a cattle station south of Broome, and saw the country in various seasons. It's amazing how interesting the "boring" road is when we really look at the terrain, the vegetation, and if possible, what's behind the fence line. I'm not on the road with the caravan right now. I'm parked up in an Adelaide park. Call in for a cuppa if you're passing. PM me. I fill my Waeco with home-cooked meals to be reheated or 'zapped' when required. I cook curries, mince conconctions, chicken, beef, sometimes pork, or just a vege dish. Usually with a wide range of veges and herbs to make it all taste good, and all the goodies are in the same pot. Sometimes when you pull up you can't be bothered getting the camp oven out and doing all the prep to cook a brew. Besides there's not much room for fresh fruit and veg in the van/bus. So I buy a heap of everything fresh, cook it the same day, and it's in the freezer by nightfall. I'm also a pilot driver so I have to be prepared to hit the road at short notice. Roadhouse tucker is not always the preferred cuisine after a big day on the road. Home cooked food is still my preferred option. Whatever you do, have a look behind the tree line, as you head to the next hill or the next bend. It's a great life.
Antique Pete said
02:40 PM Apr 14, 2012
Good on ya Shane, hope to be doing the same thing once the house sells
fireheart said
11:00 PM Apr 14, 2012
Welcome Shane, like you AP cannot wait for the house to sell so I can start to have some fun on the road. I have just had a visit from friends that have spent 6 weeks travelling in SA. They just had to point out in the Camps 6 book all the places that they camped plus some. If their little MH was bigger I would have stowed away with them. They are not full time on the road prefer a home base, for me though I just want to get out there and start enjoying this beautiful country and life again. Good intentions for all trying to sell the home. It just takes one buyer.
Sharon.
Wild Dingo said
08:05 PM Apr 15, 2012
Wow! Thanks for all the info people!! granny cheers eh!!
Im finally about packed... I think!! Actually Im thinking I better hit the road REAL soon before I think of more I should must need or could maybe fit in!!! thank goodness my larger trailer had too much rust to trust or Id have taken ALL my tools with me!!
But Im about done... the bus itself is sorted finally well as much as Im prepared to do at this stage of the game... I have a real good bed setup MOST IMPORTANT! I have a fridge and an icebox so plenty of room for tucker Ive all the kitchen cooking gear for either camp style cooking or on the new barbie and a little single bunsen burner job for quick cuppas so either way Im covered Ive a shower setup and a shade setup chairs music and cameras... a few tools extra fuel for both the bus and bike... so I reckon I must be about done now... everything fits nicely with some room left in certain areas ***in case someone wants to join me!! well a blokes gotta live in hope eh!! *** Im not sure what else I need to be honest... whatever else I need I will just get along the way somewhere.
I did find a small camp cook book dont know how much good its gonna be since it mentions some pretty out there ingredients that I never had in my house pantry let alone the bus's very limited one!! never mind I enjoy cooking so I'll sort that out as I wander I saw that camp6 book but figured as I already have 2 tracks and roads map books another would just be one to many... I'll camp where I need to and if some ranger or such asks me to move on then I'll just move on... to the next truck bay!!
Said my "seeyas" to the kids and grands only got the daughter in Kal and her two to see now then that parts done for now... the open road is waiting.
Im begining to get a fair bit of "hype" happening now... another couple of days and I'll be off like a tick on a roos bum!!! YESSSSSS!!!
See yer on the backroads or highways!!!
Cheers
Shane
scotia59 said
08:18 PM Apr 18, 2012
happy travelling Shane, sounds like you have everything you need set up. Camera is important so you can make us all jealous of your travels. Have fun.
peacewalker said
03:08 PM Apr 25, 2012
im so jealous!! waiting for that elusive buyer for house. Have fun, hope to meet you all on the road one day soon. Robyn
Was going to upload a pic but no idea how to do this thing here... sigh... ah well shes in the avatar!!!
-- Edited by Wild Dingo on Thursday 12th of April 2012 11:23:32 PM
Yep Im about to set forth on new adventures and journies into places not travelled for over 30 years!
FREEDOM!!!
Just before I up and left Broome a couple of months back I went and bought a bus and named her "Me Lady"... a fine figured lady she is too!!! A lovely 94 mdl Nissan Civilian... ooh she is stunning!! And if my connection was quicker Id upload a pic or two to show you all
But for now shes after a month of tearin out seats finding a suitably comfy monster bed refashioning this and buying and fitting that getting one of the daughters tied to her sewing machine long enough to run me up some windows having a major hooha with a genetically modified at birth humanoid calling himself "mechanic" finally she be ready!!
A bit about yours truely? Rightio then no wukkers!
Im a 55 year old young whippersnapper kept me youthfullness by havin 8 nippers (6 girls and 2 boys and thats the reason we stopped!!) and a whole swaggle of grandies... with all kids now grown up and me being very happily divorced Im now free to wander at will wherever the road takes me!
So without further ado... Im about to sing along with ol Willie and head down the road again!!!
Any advice help or just a gidday would be more than welcomed!!
Cheers all see yer along the roads!! Dont be shy now I dont bite I may tickle or crackup a tad but I dont bite... much
Shane
I am not offering any advice - you seem to have it all in hand already.
Apart from that, I have had no personal experience (picking up my slide on camper tomorrow).
Keep us all posted with your travels and experiences and let us know when you will be in Victoria.
Lyn
You will learn on the road.
A few tips though
Buy nothing till you decide you REALY need it and you are missing something without it.
Be prepared to dump anything that has not been used in twelve months.
Travel slow and stop at a site till you are ready to leave or you need supplies.
Never travel in a direction because that's the way you are going. If you are told of something worth seeing behind you TURN around and go and have a look. You have all the time so why rush and why miss something you want to see or do.
Enjoy the company you meet but be prepared to move on if the surrounds don't fit or the company is not to expectation.
Keep an open mind and keep your advise and conversation conservative and respect the others around you as most other travelers do.
Respect the space of others when you camp. Always talk to the other campers in a rest stop and before setting up it is preferred to ask the people already there if they mind you stooping with them. Remember it is a free country but it is nice to respect others desires WITHIN reason. If they appear aggressive it is advisable to move on anyway. I find this is a good way to assess your neighbors BEFORE you setup.
Depending on your travel plans a CAMPS book is invaluable if you plan to free camp.
Be prepared to ask questions whilst on the road as well as on this forum as there is a lot of knowledge to be gained.
Hope this helps a bit
Brian
Hi Brian,
I think your advice for Shane is so good I will take it onboard myself.
I've had my rig for 18 months now and have twice done the quick trip to Melbourne from Brisbane for family reasons.Now I will be off somewhere else and will take your advice with me.All of it sounds logical.
Thanks
Trevor
WOW!! Thanks for the welcomes peoples!!!
Cheers Brian great advice!... will be sure to find that book
as I thought all camping other than on private property and caravan parks was free Ive been wrong for many years apparently! 
Been living in Broome for a few years now and the trip to the southlands was a six monthly thing to see the kids and grands... generally straight down 2 days and back the same... born and raised on that road I reckon so stopping and wandering just didnt make sense just whooooosh there... at chrissy two years back I managed only 4 hours back home when I was called straight back down... so yep I knows that road!! But it was great to make the last trip down the first with "me lady" and we sauntered!!! I mean we went at such a pace any grey nomad would be proud!
5 and a half days later we rocked up here in Australind... brilliant!!! You know theres a whole lot of country you may think you know cause you travel it so often but really when you SLOW THE HECK DOWN you see something new and different every day...
THing I gotta ask is... is there a cookbook specifically aimed and for travellers? without massive fully stocked with over priced goodies pantries!... some great reciepes for travellers... I know a few but wouldnt mind a lot more since I get bored with my own cooking after a time
ANYWAYS!!!! Thank you all for the warm welcome
Cheers
Shane
I found a great one there, with options for your pantry etc.... pen and paper and copied them.
Lately I noticed some nice looking camp cook books in BFC- but expensive...... and my experience is do not spend any money on expensive stuff until you are sure that's what you will use.
Rosie
I'm heading into Central Australia the end of this month - I have a HiAce poptop named Loki; if you see me pop in. As for recipes, the What's Cooking forum is a good place to start. Most campers seem to favour camp ovens and I was intrigued to see various 'stoves' made from 9Kg gas bottles.
Brian has given a very good summary and I can only emphasise his comment about picking up a Camps book (Camps6 is the latest version I believe).
Happy travels,
Anton
Good on ya Shane, keep on smiling mate and enjoy here and out there.
A good deep frypan with a lid will do anything from stirfry to bacon and eggs. Keep tins of food for when i can't be bothered cooking or crackers with tomatoes, avocado or creamed corn. All works well for me.
I lived and worked on a cattle station south of Broome, and saw the country in various seasons.
It's amazing how interesting the "boring" road is when we really look at the terrain, the vegetation, and if possible, what's behind the fence line.
I'm not on the road with the caravan right now. I'm parked up in an Adelaide park. Call in for a cuppa if you're passing. PM me.
I fill my Waeco with home-cooked meals to be reheated or 'zapped' when required. I cook curries, mince conconctions, chicken, beef, sometimes pork, or just a vege dish.
Usually with a wide range of veges and herbs to make it all taste good, and all the goodies are in the same pot. Sometimes when you pull up you can't be bothered getting the camp oven out and doing all the prep to cook a brew. Besides there's not much room for fresh fruit and veg in the van/bus. So I buy a heap of everything fresh, cook it the same day, and it's in the freezer by nightfall.
I'm also a pilot driver so I have to be prepared to hit the road at short notice. Roadhouse tucker is not always the preferred cuisine after a big day on the road. Home cooked food is still my preferred option.
Whatever you do, have a look behind the tree line, as you head to the next hill or the next bend.
It's a great life.
Sharon.
Im finally about packed... I think!! Actually Im thinking I better hit the road REAL soon before I think of more I should must need or could maybe fit in!!! thank goodness my larger trailer had too much rust to trust or Id have taken ALL my tools with me!!
But Im about done... the bus itself is sorted finally well as much as Im prepared to do at this stage of the game... I have a real good bed setup MOST IMPORTANT! I have a fridge and an icebox so plenty of room for tucker Ive all the kitchen cooking gear for either camp style cooking or on the new barbie and a little single bunsen burner job for quick cuppas so either way Im covered Ive a shower setup and a shade setup chairs music and cameras... a few tools extra fuel for both the bus and bike... so I reckon I must be about done now... everything fits nicely with some room left in certain areas ***in case someone wants to join me!! well a blokes gotta live in hope eh!!
*** Im not sure what else I need to be honest... whatever else I need I will just get along the way somewhere.
I did find a small camp cook book dont know how much good its gonna be since it mentions some pretty out there ingredients that I never had in my house pantry let alone the bus's very limited one!! never mind I enjoy cooking so I'll sort that out as I wander
I saw that camp6 book but figured as I already have 2 tracks and roads map books another would just be one to many... I'll camp where I need to and if some ranger or such asks me to move on then I'll just move on... to the next truck bay!! 
Said my "seeyas" to the kids and grands only got the daughter in Kal and her two to see now then that parts done for now... the open road is waiting.
Im begining to get a fair bit of "hype" happening now... another couple of days and I'll be off like a tick on a roos bum!!! YESSSSSS!!!
See yer on the backroads or highways!!!
Cheers
Shane
Robyn