Traveling solo, 64 years young, I have a Kedron A.T.V, and a Toyota 4x4, I am currently in Tennant creek N.T, traveling onto maybe Darwin or turn left at Katherine and go for the Gibb River road, I had a few problems with the Towing hitch on the van for a couple of weeks, Then bit the bullet and went for a dc3500 Towing hitch, just have to reverse onto it drop the height ( Hydraulic jack ) It clicks into place and I slide and lock it, Reverse the procedure to unhitch. I have observed couples setting up the their van when they park up, And between them take approx. 25- 30 mins to become fully set up and unhitched ready to go off to see the sights of surrounding, awning out, table & chairs, water, power, and sullage hose all in place, It takes me approx. 45 mins, I don't rush... Free camping is great and I get to meet a lot of grey nomads, but get into a park and the couples seem to try and ignore you, I have to approach others to seek out friendly face, It is almost like I am going to run off with the Husbands, I love traveling seeing new places doing what I want when I want , No schedule no appointments , I have made a lot of friends that I keep in touch with, and I am frequently on this site to see if there are anything on it to interest me, At this point I will mention that in the Classified section I have tried to get in touch with a few Help wanted with the view that I could put roots down for a few months, But nobody replies????
Hi Georgie you gave me a chuckle about racing off with their husbands ( why would you want to) it seems you have everything under control. I havent started my travels yet looking forward to reading about your travels :)
Nelly said
03:27 PM Mar 10, 2014
Good on you Georgie - your setup looks good - have fun (sounds as though you are anyway).
AllstarRaHonda said
05:16 PM Mar 10, 2014
Georgie - its great to see other solos travelling - must admit I also have found that it takes me a little longer to setup etc but Im in no hurry so why rush and of course you do it your way without being told its all wrong. Hope to catch up with you somewhere along the way.....Cheers
mongrel said
05:33 PM Mar 10, 2014
I'm not a solo but I admire you solo ladies who do what you do..Besides who cares how long it takes to make camp,be it MH or Caravan. It is not a race so do not hurry,,As is said ,slow and steady wins the race. watch the others who set up camp in record time and you will see them go back to do something that has been forgotten..Any way people I have said my piece. Do what you do and enjoy,,No rush....Alan..
peterblack said
06:28 AM Mar 11, 2014
my mums saying was take the time to smell the roses
and yes enjoy your travels
enjoy
moblet said
04:33 PM Mar 11, 2014
If you're going to be treated like you've run off with their husbands, you might as well do so. Sounds like a fair exchange to me.
I think it's more likely that they're put off by the sight of the body you keep wrapped in a blue tarp near your front wheel. Most grey nomads are more discreet about that kind of thing.
On a less serious note, most of the listings in the classifieds are quite old, and are seasonal requests. Other places you could try looking/advertising are local noticeboards, gumtree, local volunteer agencies, and volunteer.com.au.
MOLLUSCAN said
01:49 AM Mar 14, 2014
Hi Smiley, I think you are terrific to manage hitching and unhitching a van, if I ever find myself travelling solo (and I hope that won't happen for a long time), I'd be buying a small motorhome. There's no way I could do that. I hope you enjoy your life on the road. Margaret
Highwayman said
08:14 AM Mar 14, 2014
Hey smiley..all that other stuff you will sort out ..but the " interest" .bit ... I'm here! Johns here Steve's on his way lol girl we are all here. Come and find us it's not hard ...I'm very interesting when you wind me up. As is Rodney smith. Look at johns blog we had pearl here for awhile 80 and going strong so was john cracking on ..great lady wealth of info what she has done $ doing ....now let that put a smile on yr face smiley...interesting it's all out here what you reckon billeeeeeee
Chasinthesun said
10:47 PM Mar 15, 2014
Hi Georgie, I always travel as a solo female from June to October. My rig is a camper trailer and have never had any problem with hitching it on. I think us ladies have to prove to the world we can do it. Usually when I pull up there are some blokes who stand and watch and afterwards tell me I did a pretty good job. I think they are waiting for me to ask them for help. Yes I agree with you, when there are couples in CP they generally don't speak to me. I have always thought it was because I am single female and a bit of a threat. I drove through tennant creek two years ago and couldn't get out fast enough, it looked rather rough to me. Best regards and enjoy. Wendy
Happywanderer said
11:46 AM Mar 16, 2014
I have found the same and was surprised last time I stayed at Kumbia. Previous times all were friendly but this time they all kept to themselves, never spoke, turned their backs to me as I walked to the ablution block. All except for one man who chatted anytime we were out in the same area.
Was going to stay 2 nights but after that reception was glad to get moving.
It's not always that way but have found the occasional one or two even at Greens. How do you tell them you are not after their man, totally not interested. There are plenty of singles out there to choose from anyway.
jenr said
01:00 PM Mar 16, 2014
I hope it doesnt happen to often!
I would like to think that there are a lot more friendly people out there than not fancy turning their backs on you thats horrible :(
barina said
02:05 PM Mar 16, 2014
When I was at Aysons last weekend everyone I walked past either nodded said hello or similar BUT as I walked past one couple they turned their heads and looked the other way just as I smiled and was about to say hello...I started laughing and said to my doggies "Well they are not very nice are they" loud enough for them to hear. Then continued my walk to the nice people...
Happywanderer said
02:05 PM Mar 16, 2014
They weren't from our GNs forum. Our lot should know better lol
barina said
02:20 PM Mar 16, 2014
Happywanderer wrote:
They weren't from our GNs forum. Our lot should know better lol
LOL LOL no they were'nt...was so obvious it was funny, especially when every other person was so nice.
woollie said
12:34 PM Mar 25, 2014
being a male I am of the opinion that if you can lead them away that easy the partner probably didnt want them anyway but they wont ever admit it. I hope to be on the road later this year so hope to meet some of you then
happy trails
wendyv said
07:32 PM Mar 25, 2014
Georgie,
at this time of year, you might be better off to head for Darwin for a while, before heading west.
Reasons 1. It is a good time of year to visit Litchfield and Kakadu NP's. Late Wet season - still plenty of water coming over Litchfield's falls, and the Kakadu wetlands won't be all hot, dried up and dusty as they get later in the year.
2. Not sure if the Gibb is open yet. You really need to wait till that is graded. The Kalumburu road and Mitchell Plateau are very worthwhile - and that road can often be later opening.
With the tourist season not far away. up north, if you ask around as you go & keep an eye out for notices posted in windows and on notice boards, you may well pick up some work. I'd be asking at places like Batchelor caravan parks, the cafe at Wangi Falls, caravan parks in Katherine, roadhouses like Bark Hut Inn etc. Kununurra used to be an ok place to pick up seasonal work too.
Traveling solo, 64 years young, I have a Kedron A.T.V, and a Toyota 4x4, I am currently in Tennant creek N.T, traveling onto maybe Darwin or turn left at Katherine and go for the Gibb River road, I had a few problems with the Towing hitch on the van for a couple of weeks, Then bit the bullet and went for a dc3500 Towing hitch, just have to reverse onto it drop the height ( Hydraulic jack ) It clicks into place and I slide and lock it, Reverse the procedure to unhitch. I have observed couples setting up the their van when they park up, And between them take approx. 25- 30 mins to become fully set up and unhitched ready to go off to see the sights of surrounding, awning out, table & chairs, water, power, and sullage hose all in place, It takes me approx. 45 mins, I don't rush... Free camping is great and I get to meet a lot of grey nomads, but get into a park and the couples seem to try and ignore you, I have to approach others to seek out friendly face, It is almost like I am going to run off with the Husbands, I love traveling seeing new places doing what I want when I want , No schedule no appointments , I have made a lot of friends that I keep in touch with, and I am frequently on this site to see if there are anything on it to interest me, At this point I will mention that in the Classified section I have tried to get in touch with a few Help wanted with the view that I could put roots down for a few months, But nobody replies????
Will add to this column in the near future
Regards Georgie
Hi Georgie you gave me a chuckle about racing off with their husbands
( why would you want to) it seems you have everything under control. I havent started my travels yet looking forward to reading about your travels :)
and yes enjoy your travels
enjoy
If you're going to be treated like you've run off with their husbands, you might as well do so. Sounds like a fair exchange to me.
I think it's more likely that they're put off by the sight of the body you keep wrapped in a blue tarp near your front wheel. Most grey nomads are more discreet about that kind of thing.
On a less serious note, most of the listings in the classifieds are quite old, and are seasonal requests. Other places you could try looking/advertising are local noticeboards, gumtree, local volunteer agencies, and volunteer.com.au.
Hey smiley..all that other stuff you will sort out ..but the " interest" .bit ... I'm here! Johns here Steve's on his way lol girl we are all here. Come and find us it's not hard ...I'm very interesting when you wind me up. As is Rodney smith. Look at johns blog we had pearl here for awhile 80 and going strong so was john cracking on ..great lady wealth of info what she has done $ doing ....now let that put a smile on yr face smiley...interesting it's all out here what you reckon billeeeeeee
Hi Georgie, I always travel as a solo female from June to October. My rig is a camper trailer and have never had any problem with hitching it on. I think us ladies have to prove to the world we can do it. Usually when I pull up there are some blokes who stand and watch and afterwards tell me I did a pretty good job. I think they are waiting for me to ask them for help. Yes I agree with you, when there are couples in CP they generally don't speak to me. I have always thought it was because I am single female and a bit of a threat. I drove through tennant creek two years ago and couldn't get out fast enough, it looked rather rough to me. Best regards and enjoy. Wendy
Was going to stay 2 nights but after that reception was glad to get moving.
It's not always that way but have found the occasional one or two even at Greens. How do you tell them you are not after their man, totally not interested. There are plenty of singles out there to choose from anyway.
I would like to think that there are a lot more friendly people out there than not fancy turning their backs on you thats horrible :(
When I was at Aysons last weekend everyone I walked past either nodded said hello or similar BUT as I walked past one couple they turned their heads and looked the other way just as I smiled and was about to say hello...I started laughing and said to my doggies "Well they are not very nice are they" loud enough for them to hear. Then continued my walk to the nice people...
LOL LOL no they were'nt...was so obvious it was funny, especially when every other person was so nice.
happy trails
at this time of year, you might be better off to head for Darwin for a while, before heading west.
Reasons 1. It is a good time of year to visit Litchfield and Kakadu NP's. Late Wet season - still plenty of water coming over Litchfield's falls, and the Kakadu wetlands won't be all hot, dried up and dusty as they get later in the year.
2. Not sure if the Gibb is open yet. You really need to wait till that is graded. The Kalumburu road and Mitchell Plateau are very worthwhile - and that road can often be later opening.
With the tourist season not far away. up north, if you ask around as you go & keep an eye out for notices posted in windows and on notice boards, you may well pick up some work. I'd be asking at places like Batchelor caravan parks, the cafe at Wangi Falls, caravan parks in Katherine, roadhouses like Bark Hut Inn etc. Kununurra used to be an ok place to pick up seasonal work too.