I think it's about time I introduced myself. This forum has become a pleasant part of my morning routine for longer than I care to admit to. Since Im yet another solo, I thought using this part of the forum to say "Hi" would be appropriate.

 My name is Jim. I live in Bendigo and the plan is to hit the road shortly after I turn 65 in about 18 months time.

 My rig of choice will be a little bit different from most as I am currently rebuilding a vintage van. Specifically a 10ft 1969 Franklin Mini.  I had vague recollections of seeing one other vintage van owner here but I've looked over all of the "Show Us Your Rig" forum and cannot find it. Maybe it was a different caravan forum.

 One of the most valuable things I have learnt here so far, is that I'm not alone in having some misgivings or apprehensions about travelling alone for an indefinite period of time. It would seem that most solos starting off for the first time share the same concerns. Doesn't seem to matter what gender you are either. That's comforting.

 My all time favourite quote from a member here when advising a newcomer with concerns was "Go outside. Hook up the van. Turn either left or right".

Those are instructions I will follow as soon as I can.

My thought process is choosing the GN lifestyle was perhaps a little different from most. Maybe I'm wrong but I suspect most would decide along the lines of, 'Retired Now. Let's travel! Yippee!"

With me, it was.... 

Hmmmm. Won't be able to afford to keep the house on a pension.

Maybe live in a caravan park? Nope. Looks like permanent living in a park is fast becoming a thing of the past. At least around here.

Ok, I'll keep on the move. What does it cost to stay in an average caravan park?

HOW MUCH????? Get oughta here! How can pensioners afford that?

Answer. Free camping. What's that mean? Months of researching later.....

That's the answer. Cost is just one of many benefits. Cost doesn't seem to even rank very high in the list of benefits either.

 Summary: Not being able to keep the house is not a tragedy. It's an opportunity. Here I come world!

 I'm loving this forum.

 Cheers

 Jim

Welcome Grandad5.... You are just up the road from us, Ballarat.

Aussie Paul. 

Howdyeeee Jim , let me tell you that having a home ,and a base to come back to is just an illusion, the freedom you will experience ,is overwhelming, I  have been on the road full time for 3 years, , !!And!!,  its been the best years of my life,  take that first step ,and the liberation you will feel in your heart and Soul, I free camp most of the time, and have met some of the nicest people you would ever want to meet,, stay excited Jim ,  might catch you out in the play ground somewhere,,,,,    Billeeeeeee.. 

                  Ps, Jim!, have a chat to one of the crazies on the forum, (Yeoeleven) John , has got a permanent smile  on his dial ,  a very excited guy,,,,

g'day Jim & welcome.   i am in the same boat going to sell the house (have some bills to pay) have some left to buy into this solo life on the road.

been dreaming of MH now thinking about a 5th wheeler and tug , gota dream haven't you.   good luck on your rebuild may see ya around some day.

Hi ya Grandad5 (Jim)

Welcome to you too. I'm going solo in 2 weeks for full time.
I've taken about 2 years to complete the makeover of my '84 Viscount pop-top, and to get the courage to take the permanent plunge.

I am Excited .......so watch this space.........

Hello grandad5, welcome welcome, when you get on the road  it will all fall into place, enjoy.

aussie_paul wrote:

Welcome Grandad5.... You are just up the road from us, Ballarat.

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 Thank you Paul. 

Billeeeee wrote:

Howdyeeee Jim , let me tell you that having a home ,and a base to come back to is just an illusion, the freedom you will experience ,is overwhelming, I have been on the road full time for 3 years, , !!And!!, its been the best years of my life, take that first step ,and the liberation you will feel in your heart and Soul, I free camp most of the time, and have met some of the nicest people you would ever want to meet,, stay excited Jim , might catch you out in the play ground somewhere,,,,,

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Thank you Billeeeee. I must admit to feeling a certain amount of kinship to anyone whose avatar reads "Stay Weird". Good to see some of us old hippies are alive and well. You know something? One aspect of getting into the GN world I'm looking forward to is meeting people my own age. I'm so tired of having to explain to people who Jim Morrison or Che Guavara were.

I'm familiar with Yeoeleven's writings. He's one of several GN's here who write a Blog. I've found his Blog in particular is great for letting me get a insight in day to day life as a GN. I'm loving the sound of it. 

Glenelg wrote:

g'day Jim & welcome. i am in the same boat going to sell the house (have some bills to pay) have some left to buy into this solo life on the road. been dreaming of MH now thinking about a 5th wheeler and tug , gota dream haven't you. good luck on your rebuild may see ya around some day.

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Thank you for your welcome Glenelg. I'll keep an eye open for the 5th wheeler.

sarg wrote:

Welcome to you too. I'm going solo in 2 weeks for full time. I've taken about 2 years to complete the makeover of my '84 Viscount pop-top, and to get the courage to take the permanent plunge.

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 Thank you sarg. I recognized your user name from your topic about your maiden shakedown trip. I felt your pain. Replacing the hub and axle isn't that big a job I guess. Mainly throw money at it. But how did you go repairing the body damage?

That must have been heart breaking.

Dougwe wrote:

Welcome to the gang Jim, enjoy here and out in the playground.

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Thank you Dougwe. I love the way everyone refers to the road as "The Playground"

pawsoz wrote:

Welcome Jim You have your plan and you sound as though you have a few months to practice, as it were.....so you can get away on a few trial runs to get the hang of things! Greens is not to far away from Bendigo, and there are a fair few other places within cooee of Bendigo too so you'll be right! I am full time on the road but as not yet pension age am doing a fair it of house/pet sitting to spread the $$ a bit further, also get back to a friends place up in the Kerang area a fair bit as my friends are a) very good company and b) going thru a rough time with a serious back injury to Mr....I go back and help out when I can.... Enjoy yourself out there in the long paddock!

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Thank you Annie. I won't have a functioning van for at least another year. At present it's a rolling chassis with the walls leaning against my garage. Plus, there will be no tug until I sell the house. But a shakedown trip is definitely on the agenda and I can't think of a better place than Greens Lake.

I hope your friend is feeling better soon.

"The Long Paddock" Haven't heard that expression in years. Thanks for the memory.

To Nelly and halfpint.......Thank you for taking the time to respond and for your welcome.

GaryKelly wrote:

I also like the sound of your 10ft '69 Franklin. Mine's about the same size and vintage except it's a slide-on. It has that old fashioned, home-sweet-home feel about it.

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Thanks Mate, I enjoyed your post about digging PJ out from beside your garage. A slide-on was a serious contender for a while. Because the bed is usually over the cab, they have one of the most efficient floor plans of any RV. (IMHO)

Plus, you can get plans to build one yourself from the USA. It was only after a whole lot of thinking that I decided to rebuild what I already have. But I still like the concept of a slide on. Time will tell if I made the right choice.

Thank you everyone.

Cheers

Jim

You'll never never know, if you never never go!!

Perhaps you could do a trial run, 6 to 12 months before you make a life style choice.

I went solo for 2 years during 07 and 08, it's awesome, mostly I loved every minute of it.

If I felt lonely, I'd book into a backpackers or ymca, but living in a suburban house in Melb. can also be lonely, so you may as well be out in the sunshine enjoying our beautiful country, meeting amazing people.

It's an individual choice, I'm sure you'll make the right one for you.

Good luck.

hi mate just give it a go then u will know but as others have said its your choice

Grandad5 wrote:

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G'day John, (pugs)
Sounds to me like you're trying to talk yourself out of it. I know what that feels like because I've done it myself. It's so easy to justify why NOT to do something that is unknown to us.

It would be disrespectful of me to suggest that what worked for me will work for you, but you never know.

In my case, instead of trying to imagine what life "Might" be like if I made the move I concentrated on what my future "Would" be like if I didn't go.

It was a done deal. Staying meant slowly growing older with not a whole lot to look forward to.

The other trick I've used on my myself for various things is to ask, "What's the worse that can happen?" In my case, I'd end up back exactly where I would be if I didn't go at all. A bit like Monty Python. "You start with nothing. You go back to nothing. What have you lost? Nothing!"

As far as people saying living on the single pension is tough, I suspect most saying that are people on a married rate. It seems to be a rule that the more we earn, the more we spend. So I'll bet two people living on a married rate spend what is coming in and have little if anything left next pension day. For them to see how much the single rate is must look awful tough to live on by comparison.
Guess what? People on a single rate also spend what we have coming in and next pension day we'll also have little if anything left over.

So what's the difference?

Please forgive me if I sound like I'm preaching. That's not my intention. How about we change the last line of your post from "I MIGHT meet up with you one day" to "I WILL meet up with you one day"

You name the date and the place and I'll meet you there.

Cheers mate
Jim

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Hi Jim, Welcome to the playground. We are in similar situation. Agree with you,  staying in our home means just growing older with not a lot to look forward to. We can go weeks not seeing a neighbour but we go to caravan parks and stay a month or so and it feels great - seeing and talking to people every day. Free camping - seeing and talking to people every day - a least I feel alive. at home feel like I am wasting away. if you are in Brisbane let us know so we can catch up. have a great time. rocket n strop

You old blokes are inspirational... (I'm only 66)

I have a motorhome and been away for short trips but get into the doldrums and wonder if I am doing the right thing.... I love the thought of the lifestyle but have never met anyone on the road as far as spending a night or two camping with people....

Im not far from Bendigo and was supposed to leave to head North 2 months back but a couple of issues including fridge problems have delayed me... I should be on the road mid next week now. Thats early August 2014...

I bought a camera to attempt to capture the magnificent images I stumble on, I have a laptop and Facebook I share photos on and am keen to get started...

Perhaps by staying in touch here I can arrange to catch up with a few people?

Howdy Laurens, I'm not sure if I have seen you here before so just incase, welcome to the gang, enjoy here and out in the playground.

Mate, just get out here in the playground but one thing please, leave those "doldrums" behind cos they can be a bugga.

If you want to meet other members from this great forum just put a post in the "General" or here in the "Solo" sections and let us know the area you are in or heading to next, we don't know, if you don't tell us mate. I always do that and have met some great people and formed great friendships, many lifelong.

I am a solo as well but don't feel solo in the playground. After I Set up camp I go for a wonder and see who is around and say hi as I go, have always had a hi back and have been invited to go back for happy hour many times. I have found that if others want to chat they are facing you as you go past but if the want to be left alone they face away as to not make eye contact, that's fine cos not everyone wants to chat.

I'm currently in Townsville enjoying the tropics but will be hitting the road again 4/8 and heading down south along the Bruce, Pacific and Hume highways, so if you see a red Colorado with a Avan camper trailer hooked up give a yell mate, only too pleased to say howdy.

Just get out there.

isuzuswag wrote:

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You old blokes are inspirational... (I'm only 66)

I have a motorhome and been away for short trips but get into the doldrums and wonder if I am doing the right thing.... I love the thought of the lifestyle but have never met anyone on the road as far as spending a night or two camping with people....

Im not far from Bendigo and was supposed to leave to head North 2 months back but a couple of issues including fridge problems have delayed me... I should be on the road mid next week now. Thats early August 2014...

I bought a camera to attempt to capture the magnificent images I stumble on, I have a laptop and Facebook I share photos on and am keen to get started...

Perhaps by staying in touch here I can arrange to catch up with a few people?

-- Edited by isuzuswag on Saturday 26th of July 2014 11:23:33 PM

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 HI - I'm not a solo - but once was - have heaps of friends who are - it is a wonderful life.  I now travel with a partner, and we have no "home" to go back to - our home is with us wherever we are!  Currently in WA, and loving it.

Lose the doldrums - take the plunge - read Yeoeleven's blog - he is inspirational - and he does it all on a solo pension.  He has a constant smile on his face (some may call it a goofy grin!) - and has made many friends all over the country since he started travelling at age 74 - he will be 78 in November.

As Dougwe says, say Hi to everyone, you will find some who don't respond - many others that do.  Summer time at Greens Lake, near Shepparton in Victoria, is a GN haven - free camp, which is a bonus - even if you only have a tent - you will be made welcome by the many nomads that stay there, just walk up to a happy hour with likely looking people, say Hi, can I join you? 

Most important - think of the positives - not the negatives - if you are travelling full time - no council rates, electricity or gas bills, go where and when you like - if the money is running out, sit tight till next pay day, that's what we all do - single or partnered - it works.

Another solo who does it on a pension that I know is Solo Steve - he has come a long way from when he started early in 2013 - and is now happier than ever - loves the life - he also writes a blog (available on his profile page or his posts, as is Yeoeleven's blog) They are both inspirations to new travellers - especially solos.

Might meet up one day - you'll know us if you see us!!!

Hi Jim, as Jules said I have been Solo full time for quite a while now, easily living on a pension. I started out in a Hiace then moved up in size to an 87 Coaster after a year.

I too was apprehensive when I first started out but it was only a short while before I began to meet other GN s who gave encouragement, advice, support and lasting

friendship allowing me to adjust to my new lifestyle in no time at all. You will never have a question that cannot be answered nor a problem that cannot be solved when

you have your fellow members only a post away.  Feel free to PM me anytime if there is something that you are unsure about. If I can't help I am sure that I can

suggest a member who can. As Jules also said you will not find a more experienced, innovative and resourceful Solo than Yeoeleven whom I am certain would be more than willing  

to help also. I suggest that you check out our blogs that cover many aspects of Solo travel and describe many sites visited.

Cheer Steve

Good answer there Steve - I thought of you when I saw isuzuswag's photo - and how you once looked sad like that - now, look at you - your "goofy" grin almost matches John's (Yeoeleven)!!!!

That's Yeoeleven (77) and the left of the picture, Solo Steve on the right.  All at Greens Lake, Victoria.

sarg wrote:

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Hi ya Grandad5 (Jim)

Welcome to you too. I'm going solo in 2 weeks for full time.
I've taken about 2 years to complete the makeover of my '84 Viscount pop-top, and to get the courage to take the permanent plunge.

I am Excited .......so watch this space.........

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isuzuswag wrote:

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sarg wrote:

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Hi ya Grandad5 (Jim)

Welcome to you too. I'm going solo in 2 weeks for full time.
I've taken about 2 years to complete the makeover of my '84 Viscount pop-top, and to get the courage to take the permanent plunge.

I am Excited .......so watch this space.........

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Its great to have a plan... especially one that sounds so rewarding

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 Hey Laurens - a much better photo!!!!  You have a lovely smile - show it more often!!!!