hello, I am lynne and hopefully will be ready to do the travel oz within a month or two... My question to all you experienced travellers alike, is being a female, what should I learn before setting off,,, re, changing tyres of course, oil, basic mechanics, update first aid, , are just some of the endless list, Oh and I will be setting off from Newcastle mid December, so is there any advise you wish to extend to me, a mere female novice with high hopes Thankyou and wish you all a happy and safe travel
Dougwe said
07:37 PM Aug 29, 2014
Welcome to the gang Lynne, enjoy here and out in the playground.
There are heaps of solo ladies here somI might just sit back and let them answer your questions. The only thing I will say, is have fun and don't let it all worry you too much.
Yuglamron said
09:31 PM Aug 29, 2014
Welcome from me as well Lynne.
The main thing I would suggest is to check out your States car club and see if they do a vehicle maintenance courses. That or your local community colleges or other such associations. There are courses also offered by many insurance companies set up for females. One of the biggest problems encountered by ladies is changing wheels. Or to be more precise removing wheel nuts or lug nuts as they can be very hard to loosen. More so if tightened by a rattle gun by a tyre dealer.
There are a few tools out there that can make loosening wheel nuts much easier.
The following link shows a tool from Holland which is one of a few that make the removal of wheel nuts much easier. They are stocked by Repco and I use one myself on a truck.
-- Edited by Yuglamron on Friday 29th of August 2014 09:38:13 PM
lynec61 said
10:55 PM Aug 29, 2014
thanks Doug, I plan to have the time of my life, experience all there is to offer and laugh all the way, meet new friends etc. lifes too short not to
lynec61 said
10:57 PM Aug 29, 2014
thankyou for your advise, I will sort out such courses and get packed soon
Joe50 said
11:26 PM Aug 29, 2014
Hi Lynne
Please understand that none of the ladies on this forum is a "mere" female. Many have overcome doubts and apprehensions and are now as happy as a pig in .... mud. Don't be afraid to ask questions - we were all novices at one time (and I guess I'm still one as I won't be hitting the road until next year and still have a lot to learn). I'm sure you can find inspiration from Shekon, frangipani, Happy Wanderer and the many other ladies who have chronicled their own particular journeys to nomadhood.
Happy and safe travels
Joe
shekon said
07:10 AM Aug 30, 2014
Hi Lynne,
Courses for horses. Well that is the way I look at it. Have good insurance and belong to your state car insurance mob, eg NRMA or equivalent. I am amazed to find that it is nearly 12 months since I hit the road to travel this wonderful land. I travel in a MH called Miss Daisy, and love it. I have never encountered a scary moment yet, had a few gut instincts telling me to move on, and I have, met some wonderful people, made new life long new friends, seen places I did not know existed, and laughed my way through all that.
I guess the hardest part will be to drive out of the gate for the first time. As with an airplane the most energy and fuel is consumed at take off, after that it is all plain driving.
Loneliness, is something that I often get asked about. There are times when it does get lonely, however they are few, as there is always something or somebody to keep your interest. Probably in the evenings, after everyone has gone indoors is the worse times, so my television is essential for me. I was more lonely in my house in suburbia. So that really is not an issue.
As a solo lady, there are people that will help you if required, although do not count on it. Free camps are more friendly than caravan parks, being solo is not a disease free camping, in CP's it can become so.
Main thing is to get out there enjoy it and have a ball. You will not regret it. There is so much to see and do and experience, life is too short to have the "if only's".
Good luck with it all.
Awatea said
08:23 AM Aug 30, 2014
Hi Lyne,
exciting times!
I sent u a private message
Libby
yeoeleven said
08:24 AM Aug 30, 2014
Lynne,
welcome to the forum where there will be many solo ladies who can help you.
My advice is more directional, if you want to meet some of the ladies who will help and Grey Nomads generally i suggest heading towards Shepperton and on to Greens Lake by Christmas.
Full description where Greens is can be found as a sticky topic on the Greens Lake Forum and if you scroll through the threads you will see the fun we had last year,
Hope to catch up at Greens later,
John
Glenelg said
09:51 AM Aug 30, 2014
welcome from me as well Lynne , have a good one.
Lesley F said
08:12 PM Aug 30, 2014
I did the big lap during 07 and 08.
The most research I did was asking my local garage owner how to change a tyre, I watched while the apprentices stood around laughing at me.
I only had one bad experience in Darwin, I forgot to lock my door and someone tried to rob me.
I mostly stayed in safe accommodation, as another said, use your gut feelings, if it doesn't feel right then move on.
I also stayed on the main traffic routes, they're not as isolated as you think.
If there's towns or sights I wanted to visit down remote dirt tracks, I booked a tour.
Have a great time.
the rocket said
08:59 PM Aug 30, 2014
Hi, Welcome to the playground.
I spent 3 months free camped by myself this year (surrounded by strangers at first but soon got to know some). Had the time of my life. Liberating. Only preparation I did was make sure the caravan was roadworthy, bought some tyres for car, borrowed solar panels, filled up the gas bottles, thru in the clothes and food and water, checked I was up to date with insurance and racq and took off. Can't wait to hear of your adventures. ENJOY.
lynec61 said
04:38 AM Aug 31, 2014
and thankyou Dave, I hope, no I will have a lot of fun, and meet so many lovely people on the way, I have already felt the warmth and caring natures of a lot on the grey nomads already..
and enough of the old lol im no spring chicken, but still got a lot of life left in me,, ha
hello, I am lynne and hopefully will be ready to do the travel oz within a month or two... My question to all you experienced travellers alike, is being a female, what should I learn before setting off,,, re, changing tyres of course, oil, basic mechanics, update first aid, , are just some of the endless list, Oh and I will be setting off from Newcastle mid December, so is there any advise you wish to extend to me, a mere female novice with high hopes Thankyou and wish you all a happy and safe travel
There are heaps of solo ladies here somI might just sit back and let them answer your questions. The only thing I will say, is have fun and don't let it all worry you too much.
Welcome from me as well Lynne.
The main thing I would suggest is to check out your States car club and see if they do a vehicle maintenance courses. That or your local community colleges or other such associations. There are courses also offered by many insurance companies set up for females. One of the biggest problems encountered by ladies is changing wheels. Or to be more precise removing wheel nuts or lug nuts as they can be very hard to loosen. More so if tightened by a rattle gun by a tyre dealer.
There are a few tools out there that can make loosening wheel nuts much easier.
The following link shows a tool from Holland which is one of a few that make the removal of wheel nuts much easier. They are stocked by Repco and I use one myself on a truck.
http://www.serenco.nl/en/products/hand-tools/power-enforcer
I have nothing to do with either Repco or the company in Holland.
There are other tools that do the same thing and I am sure someone will give you alternatives.
Many solo ladies on the site so I am sure you will get lots of help.
Hope you get lots of good advice from the many friendly people on the site.
This is a company that supply in Australia
Bjorn Hojberg
Calfinn Pty Ltd.
Ph: 02 9548 5350
Fax: 02 9520 1612
Mob: 0419 101 317
bjorn@calfinn.com.au
-- Edited by Yuglamron on Friday 29th of August 2014 09:38:13 PM
thanks Doug, I plan to have the time of my life, experience all there is to offer and laugh all the way, meet new friends etc. lifes too short not to
thankyou for your advise, I will sort out such courses and get packed soon
Please understand that none of the ladies on this forum is a "mere" female. Many have overcome doubts and apprehensions and are now as happy as a pig in .... mud. Don't be afraid to ask questions - we were all novices at one time (and I guess I'm still one as I won't be hitting the road until next year and still have a lot to learn). I'm sure you can find inspiration from Shekon, frangipani, Happy Wanderer and the many other ladies who have chronicled their own particular journeys to nomadhood.
Happy and safe travels
Joe
Courses for horses. Well that is the way I look at it. Have good insurance and belong to your state car insurance mob, eg NRMA or equivalent. I am amazed to find that it is nearly 12 months since I hit the road to travel this wonderful land. I travel in a MH called Miss Daisy, and love it. I have never encountered a scary moment yet, had a few gut instincts telling me to move on, and I have, met some wonderful people, made new life long new friends, seen places I did not know existed, and laughed my way through all that.
I guess the hardest part will be to drive out of the gate for the first time. As with an airplane the most energy and fuel is consumed at take off, after that it is all plain driving.
Loneliness, is something that I often get asked about. There are times when it does get lonely, however they are few, as there is always something or somebody to keep your interest. Probably in the evenings, after everyone has gone indoors is the worse times, so my television is essential for me. I was more lonely in my house in suburbia. So that really is not an issue.
As a solo lady, there are people that will help you if required, although do not count on it. Free camps are more friendly than caravan parks, being solo is not a disease free camping, in CP's it can become so.
Main thing is to get out there enjoy it and have a ball. You will not regret it. There is so much to see and do and experience, life is too short to have the "if only's".
Good luck with it all.
Hi Lyne,
exciting times!
I sent u a private message
Libby
Lynne,
welcome to the forum where there will be many solo ladies who can help you.
My advice is more directional, if you want to meet some of the ladies who will help and Grey Nomads generally i suggest heading towards Shepperton and on to Greens Lake by Christmas.
Full description where Greens is can be found as a sticky topic on the Greens Lake Forum and if you scroll through the threads you will see the fun we had last year,
Hope to catch up at Greens later,
John
I did the big lap during 07 and 08.
The most research I did was asking my local garage owner how to change a tyre, I watched while the apprentices stood around laughing at me.
I only had one bad experience in Darwin, I forgot to lock my door and someone tried to rob me.
I mostly stayed in safe accommodation, as another said, use your gut feelings, if it doesn't feel right then move on.
I also stayed on the main traffic routes, they're not as isolated as you think.
If there's towns or sights I wanted to visit down remote dirt tracks, I booked a tour.
Have a great time.
Hi, Welcome to the playground.
I spent 3 months free camped by myself this year (surrounded by strangers at first but soon got to know some). Had the time of my life. Liberating. Only preparation I did was make sure the caravan was roadworthy, bought some tyres for car, borrowed solar panels, filled up the gas bottles, thru in the clothes and food and water, checked I was up to date with insurance and racq and took off. Can't wait to hear of your adventures. ENJOY.
and thankyou Dave, I hope, no I will have a lot of fun, and meet so many lovely people on the way, I have already felt the warmth and caring natures of a lot on the grey nomads already..
and enough of the old lol im no spring chicken, but still got a lot of life left in me,, ha
take care
lyne