Hello everyone. I have been lurking on this site for about three years now, dreaming of joining you all while sitting at my computer in grey, cold England. I'm 54 and my house is currently up for sale but in this market, it could take forever to sell so I likely won't be joining the nomads for some time yet. However, I would love to know if anyone else on the forum is from the UK, and went to Oz to be a nomad? As a single woman, I've particularly enjoyed the solo traveller's forum. I have a small online business, but would need to work now and then as I went. It all seems a bit daunting right now, but I know that it's what I would like to do. Any feedback from other Poms (or Ozzies) would be very welcome!
Longtallsilly. Welcome to the Forum. Work is the curse of the drinking classes, so give it away. Remember, You're dead a long time, so need to make the most of what little time we're given on this little planet. Even though we're experiencing floods in many areas of the country at the mosment the vast majority of us are high and dry and continue to enjoy our lovely warm summer. Keep posting and let us know what your're up to. Cheers, ozjohn.
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Retired Engineer, Ex Park Owner & Caravan Consultant. Holden 2.8 Colorado - Roma Elegance 17'6" Pop Top. Location: Mornington Peninsula Vic.
My partner left England for Australia in 1967 and has never regretted it. In fact I cant persuade him to return for a holiday these days, as his family is either out here or passed on, and hes too busy enjoying our part-time nomadding here.
AS the son of a 10 pound tourist, I can truthfully say the you would be welcomed in OZ. We have no class system where the Sloan rangers won,t talk to the common man.Everybody will support you in Oz. Just ask for help, and thousands will come.Just look at the floods in QLD. That the way we are. You are welcome.
Hi Longtallsilly I too am from uk came over here in'78 and never once regretted it, since my parents and sister have passed on I have no interest in returning to gloomy old england Australia is a great country and even greater people. I'm heading off in March on my first long trip and hope to be travelling for at least 6 months, would like it to be longer but have a housefull of pets (all past on from children) so required to get a housesitter to mind them while I'm away. Hope you can make it here one day I know you won't regret it. Good luck with the sale of your house
Hi longtallsilly, I came to Ausralia as a 10 pound migrant in 1959 on one of the Fair Star ships, it has taken me over 50 years but very soon I will start off round this great country. I have never returned to the UK and never expect to having long lost contact with family and friends. I hope that you can sell your house even if you have to take a little less than you want. Don't forget the advantageous exchange rate when you transfer those pounds into dollars. Might be worth a little sacrifice if you can realize your dreams sooner. Keep on lurking and better still keep on posting, Cheers, John
Thank you so much for responding so quickly and so cheerily to my post. Proof positive that Aussies are welcoming and friendly people and I'm very grateful for your responses. I particularly like the Oscar Wilde quote! I feel like my dream of joining you is a long way off, but Spring is coming and with luck my house will sell soonish. My friend in Sydney has told me that I can stay with her as long as I like, and she will be happy to come on a few van-hunting trips with me. Wahey! In the meantime, I will continue to lurk on the site and follow the trail from my chair. I heard an Arabic quote the other day, "Throw your heart out in front of you, and then run to catch up". I'm sure you can all relate....
Long Tall Sally, Nice nom De Plume,liked the song too.Wasn't it Long John Baldry.
As a Yo-Yo pom,been back a few times and regretted all the returns to the old dart. I am now a Grey Nomad and apart from the floods and cyclones which you can normally get away from,I love every minute of my life. Mobile wireless internet,Satellite TV,Skype or other VOIP system to keep in touch. I take on board an earlier post which said about the exchange rates and all I would say is that I personally would rather have a three months winter here than nine months which we seemed to have in the UK.
Hope you sell soon andake the move,I am sure you won'r regret it. Happy house selling Trevor
Welcome Long Tall Silly. You're among friends here. Friends through travel, friends through solo, just friends. Take the chance and make that life changing decision. You'll never regret it. When you get here you can tell us all about England. Or you can tell us now. I'll never get there, but I'd like to know about the countryside. I have travelled this country solo and have had nothing but good experiences meeting nice people. I had a mid-life crisis and became a journalist and then I shut the filing cabinet to go bush. Life is an adventure. Just do it!
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20ft Roma caravan - Mercedes Benz Sprinter - SA-based at the moment. Transport has no borders.
Management makes the decisions, but is not affected by the decisions it makes.
Thank you Yuglamron for your friendly reply to my post. I'm interested that you've made numerous returns to the UK. My parents had the same problem between Canada and the UK and so my childhood was spent hopping across the pond. I think that we get 'timesick' as well as homesick and have to learn all over again that there's no going back, only forward. Your user name is interesting by the way. Are you by any chance of Yugoslavian descent, glamorous, or is there another explanation? By the way, we have the first person coming to view the house on Friday so who knows, life could suddenly get very interesting....! Fingers crossed...
Cruising Granny, thank you so much for your post. It heartens me no end! Life is an adventure. Before I had my son (he's fifteen now) I worked and travelled all over the world. Since he was born, I've had my feet nailed down, and in fact it's been lovely having a proper family life. However, I hardly see him these days and I spend a lot of my time on my own, but I still need to be on standby for him. It's a difficult position to be in but I need to carry on until he's finished his GCSE's here and then I think we could probably take a year out to do some travelling. After that year, I may just keep on going while he goes on to A' levels or work, etc. "Way leads to way", doesn't it? I just need to get started. As you'll see from my previous post, we've got the first viewing on the house tomorrow, so everything is crossed! Happy trails to you.
Long tall Silly, the very best of luck with your future plans, but don't put it off too long, once your house is sold and your son is independent, throw in the job and let your adventures begin. Remember : 'work is over-rated'. Kevin & Jan
