why are you merely "watching"

dave06 · Guru

why are you merely "watching"

RobCol · Senior Member

smile G'day!! Hubbie and I have been guilty of being a "watcher" for quite a while, but couple of weeks ago I "signed up" . We have done one working trip earlier this year to Mudgee for 4 months, then spent month at home packing up the house and renting it out. We crossed the Nullabor 1st week of July and are now in Perth, once again hubby working. We'll go home for Xmas and deal with family issues etc then head off somewhere else unfortunately working again as not "wealthy" enough to totally retire yet. Have a 21ft Jayco Sterling towed by Nissan Patrol both new late last year, so are new "vanners" Trip across was great, fortunate enough to watch a dozen whales frolicking in Bight. Stayed at roadside stops for 3 nights, no worries; also stopped at ****lebiddy one night. Perth great city although would prefer to be in country town; here 'cos got son and grandies here. Van park is good, very busy but most others are true retiree couples and not long termers like myself, so days a bit long. Anyhow I enjoy the site to read what others are doing , and the "conversations" and comments by Dave and Basil are entertaining!!!! Well done

dave06 · Guru

well g'day to you and welcome to actually entering the arena of life, that wasnt very hard or painfull was it to actually "post" something, anyway I must change my medication and keep off my soapbox a little bit or I find I offend too many people, the dragon and I crossed the no trees area a couple of years ago (everthing is "a couple of years ago" with me) seen some whales at one of the observation points, so enthralled we stayed for two nights nearby just watching them, magical moments, perth we found was very busy but attractive clean and very neat but we dont like cities so we headed south to the rainforests before heading north to the true "gods country" the mighty kimberleys, where men are men and women are very nervous, we really enjoy the west and hope to retrace our steps again one day, cant go as far as we used to as we dont have the 4wd anymore, nevermind got the pictures though

-- Edited by dave06 at 13:27, 2008-09-03

JRH · Guru

G'day Dave,

Gee it's nice to hear someone refer to the Kimberley as Gods Country, because I reckon if he made anything better he has kept it for himself.

We will be heading back that way next year after a trip to Adelaide to visit wife's relations, so it will be up to Darwin and then back down the WA coast, Can't wait to get away again after the wet and cold weather we have had in the Perth area this winter.
Best Regards and Safe Travelling
John

dave06 · Guru

if the powers that be would allow it I would live there permanently, I call it gods country because when we went up in the 80's every river crossing was a natural and washouts were the norm, we prayed at each and every bloody one of them so as to make it to the other side, honestly I absolutely think the place is beyond compare, gibb river road all the gorges everything in one open space, no-one to share it with, different now they tell me

NannyMon · Veteran Member

dave06 wrote:

why oh why is there so many "watchers" this is not the Dave and Basil show, you do not just come in and switch us on and sit back and relax, this is supposed to be a forum. A FORUM is where people with like interests DISCUSS like minded activities, discuss as in join up and talk, not look in and read like some demented modern day bookworm, we all have things that trouble us or things that we wish to talk about, travel, activities anything, we dont bloody care, just put your two bobs worth in, you may find that someone will answer back with an answer that you may not like, HEY I AM HERE TO TELL YOU THAT HAPPENS IN REAL LIFE. deal with it, discuss it and move on, after all that is what grown ups do, all I am saying is be a part of it, put your two bobs worth in, this forum is more than just "ask the experts" very few of them here, a lot of travellers and that is what counts isnt it. talk to us is all I am saying

-- Edited by dave06 at 13:18, 2008-09-03

Oh Dave, what have you done, you have just given me the green light, there will be no stopping me now !!

Cupie · Guru

G'day RobCol (& others) ...

Your rig is a bit like mine .. vis a 21'6" Jayco & a Patrol. The sad (or is it good) part is that my Van is a Westport, new in 1999 & a 1995 Patrol - our first van & 4WD. They have travelled with us since 1999 & we have done about 180,000km. The patrol growls a bit from time to time as the bits age (like mine) & the van bears the scars of a less than perfect driver, but we love them both.

Whem we retired in 1998 our plan was to buy a well equipped van (resale value) and after going round the block, sell it to fund an overseas trip. Well that plan went out the door when we fell in love with vanning. Dipped into the funds to go overseas anyway. Although we have done most of our long distance van stuff, we are now in the phase of touring the east coast beaches with a grandchild in tow. Another fantastic facet of caravanning!
Now that our Daughter & son in law have purchased their first van and 4WD I expect that another set of experiences is awaiting with joint trips around the place.

Good to see that you like me have made the metamorphus from watcher to poster. (note that I have almost reached double figures in posts to date) Not such a scary thing on a friendly forum like this one.

cheers .. G

-- Edited by Cupie at 08:37, 2008-09-04

RobCol · Senior Member

Hi Cupie, hope our van and Nissan lasts as well as yours.Although new, in first month had leak in wardrobe and elsewhere after rain, which has now been fixed. Do you have an oven in your van. Havent worked out temp control as yet;have to have turned up high for scones and sausage rolls that I made.Van is home as our house is leased out till June 09. After Xmas probably going to NSW and will make trip to Bundy Qld to see grandies. Nissan going well; hubby has signed up for 4WD course in few weeks; whole day thingy teaching how to control in sand, recovery procedure etc. Havent gone "off road as yet, but maybe one day, without this van course!Cheers!

Toolern Vale · Member

dave06 wrote:

why oh why is there so many "watchers" this is not the Dave and Basil show, you do not just come in and switch us on and sit back and relax, this is supposed to be a forum.
_________________________________________________
Sorry, only joined today...to answer your posting.

Have been reading everything possible....trying to learn as much as I can.

Still many years away from purchasing a rig, and joining the ranks of the GNs.

Just have to say thanks to you and Basil. In a short time, I have learned so, so much.....and it is due to your experiences, and knowledge.

So I will probably not post again for a long, long time....but I will be reading.

Thanks for all your contributions.....they are thought provoking, and are are true revelations for "planners" like myself.

Cheers

dave06 · Guru

Hi TV and welcome, even if you are only in the planning stage this is a good place just to come and have a yak, grab the info before you head out for the big one then when you are ready you are "armed and dangerous" ready to take on whatever australia has o offer and let me just say that is a lot

Basil Faulty · Guru

I find it so embarrasing to have to start discussions here all the time, C'mon people join in....

carol · Member

Gosh Dave talk about make a person feel guilty.lol, i only discovered this site yesterday, so yes i have been reading, it is a fabulous site/forum.

I am reading with envy all you lucky people out there doing what you want, i guess one day our turn will come, have a granddaughter that i care for, but in a couple of years she will be 18, then if i can bare to leave all the other grand kids we will join you.

I would like to just pack up and do it now , hubby is a tradesman and there is just no work around at the moment and i honestly can't see it changing greatly before he reaches retirement in 2.5 years.

jandas fun · Guru

Hi Carol
welcome to the forum, yes you can learn and experience so much on this site as you will soon discover.
.

John

-- Edited by jandas fun at 07:24, 2009-03-02