Oh yes, I first started talking about doing this over 5 years ago. My adult children put so many doubts in my head I gave up. You won't cope, You will get lonely. How will you manage. You are too old, and on and on it went.
I ended up frightening myself off the whole thought, but it stuck in the back of my mind as something I always wanted to do but never would.
Then my 38 year old son had a logging truck accident 3 years ago when he was 35, will never work again and it was me who sat by his bedside for 4 and half weeks at The Alfred while he was in a coma and 6 weeks at a ABI (Aquired Brain Injury) unit till he knew who he was again.
It is him who is pushing me to get out on the road, You are a long time dead, and it is him who will help me financially to get on the road.
And its been me for the last 3 years who has done all his paperwork, made sure he kept appointments, been with him to lawyers appointments, explained details of letters to him. And now taking him to medical panels in Melbourne over the next couple of weeks to help get a payout. He also receives a weekly payment until retirement.
As he says Its now your turn Mum, Get out there, have fun and meet some new friends.

i think we all have doubts when we are going solo or even for couples they would probley wonder if they doing the right thing ... but i look at it like this if i pack up and go on the road do few months and do not like it or cant cope i can always come home nothing lost at all ...myself i have wanted to do this for many years and now my kids have lifes and familly of their own and with a serious illness behind me it my time to live my dream and it your time too.....i hope well all get to catch up on the road one day soon

Hi Cee .. I think its quite normal to experience some negative thoughts at times when embarking on this lifestyle .. and you find yourself drawn out of your comfort zone.
There is a learning curve but you can do it at a pace that suits you, and in a manner that others have stated.
10 months now since I took the step and I can hardly imagine how I would ever go back to my formal lifestyle at all. Its different for each of us as we all have our own perceptions, likes and dislikes .. but there is a wealth of experience and knowlege available on here which you can draw on ..
A positive attitude will get you there ..

all the best !

Jon  (Currently in Palm Cove, Qld)

What a lovely bunch of people you all are.........Thank you so much for taking the time to reply to my post.

It's great to know that I'm not alone in sometimes having doubts as to whether I am doing the right thing or not.........but after reading all your comments..........I have no doubt whatsoever that I WILL live the dream.

I've saved all your comments so that if I ever start to doubt my decision again........I'll just go back, pour myself a nice red (or a beer if it's summer) and read over your comments and think of the great people I will meet on the way.

Keep Smiling :)

I announced to my kids and their partners and my grandkids 2 weeks ago that I am planning my retirement, what I am buying over the next year and how, when I retire that I will be heading off around Australia. Their reaction - they all clapped and said its a great idea. I know that they will worry about me as I will be alone, but hey if I plan things right I will be able to call, they will be able to call me, there is the internet to send emails, and face book to update them as to where I am. I also know that should anything go wrong I have a wonderful family that will be there should I need them. I did worry about being alone on the road, but I now have a pup that I am training to be my campanion and protector, so I am looking forward to setting off and enjoying something that I have wanted to do since at least 20 years ago when the dream came to me and my then husband, and even though it won't be with someone I know that along the way I will make friends and enjoy what I wanted to do

Hi JeanetteR

Welcome aboard...its a good place for sure.

It seems right now there are quite a few solo members all at about the same or similar state of preparedness, so not only have you found a great place for advice and help but hopefully friendship as well.
Wouldn't it be nice if all of us could catch up and share a coffee ? sort of compare notes and plans.
Catch ya
CCB

yes i agree it would be great for anyone in the same area to meet, have a coffee, make friends, swap ideas and thoughts and know along the travelling way when we catch up we know that that friendship will still be there

any one going to camping show at penrith in sept ????

Hello everyone ~ all sounding very positive and encouraging.

I have conflicting thoughts as well ~ it's that old comfort zone thingy.

Do any of you live on the mid north coast of NSW? It would be good to have a coffee and a chat with other women with similar thoughts of travelling solo before hand (no offence intended gentlemen)

gunadoo, you can have those feeling at home without going anywhere. Having been widowed since 1996 I still find myself going out for lunch or coffee and cake or for a drive somewhere all by myself.
The kids are grown and have their own lives, not interested in doing anything with mum. Friends all have partners and when on your own you don't get included.
So no difference whether home or on the road, just think it will be more fun on the road as lots of people in the same boat (or van) so people to chat to when we come across each other.

Happywanderer wrote:

---

gunadoo, you can have those feeling at home without going anywhere. Having been widowed since 1996 I still find myself going out for lunch or coffee and cake or for a drive somewhere all by myself.
The kids are grown and have their own lives, not interested in doing anything with mum. Friends all have partners and when on your own you don't get included.
So no difference whether home or on the road, just think it will be more fun on the road as lots of people in the same boat (or van) so people to chat to when we come across each other.

This is all so true ...... been solo for few years now you do get use to it
doing most things on your  own ...but on the road  i find 99.9% of people solo or couple are all up for a chat and a cuppa... and on the road at least we see   different faces and places every day and i think that must be a good thing   ..i know i enjoy the adventure ....

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There's one thing for sure, when you're a nomad you're never alone.
I'd be just as solo wherever I was parked. My children and grandies are spread all over SA.
Where do I base myself to be close?
I'm used to living by myself. I've been single since '82, and raised the girls alone, working and struggling just like anyone else.
I'm sure they worry about me and would love me to be closer for child minding duties. But what's in it for me?
While I love them all dearly, they are not my life. They are part of my life, but not all of it.
I'd be a boring old f..rt if I stayed around waiting for them to visit.
This lifestyle keeps me interesting and interested.
I'm hooking up again later this month, and I've had a few moments of apprehension. I've been parked up for 2 years after towing around Oz from Broome to the Daintree in 12 months, via The Nullarbor and the Great Ocean Road.
Still on my own, still keen to go, and I will.
You have more company of like-minded travellers on the road than you'd ever have staying home. In fact you may not be able to relate to those at home when you get back, because they won't have a clue what you're so excited about, unless they've done it.
Always use your common sense, travel safely, and take care. Just do it.

Cruisin' Granny...you sure seem to have it sorted.

I really can't wait to get out there and live my dream.

Don't want my epitaph to be:
Pam wished she had........

Looking forward to meeting up on the road.
Cheers. Travel Bug

We joined the SKI club ages ago Gert.  What's even better is that both my kids said they would rather see me enjoy what I've worked hard for rather than deny myself just to leave it all for them.