Grey Nomad at heart

gst · Senior Member

Grey Nomad at heart

Almurta · Veteran Member

Happy new year to you too. I can totally relate to your situation. There is a feeling of change in the air if you can step out away from the hurly burly long enough to hear yourself think. Not an easy task in these frantic times. I hope 2012 offers you a chance to fulfil your nomadic dreams. I hoping it does for me too though at present I am wading through a sea of details and obligations - wishing and hoping all the same.

-- Edited by Almurta on Tuesday 3rd of January 2012 10:01:35 AM

Elle on Wheels · Guru

Ah yes I can relate to that Sue and Greg. So much stuff - obligations, other peoples crises, your own for that matter, seems to get in the way. Greg any chance of jumping in the van and leaving your daughter in the house? I spose you would have done that by now if there was. I hope you can come up with some ways to get things moving how you want but it's always so hard when there are other people involved. Best of luck both of you and may things start to come together for you.

gst · Senior Member

Maybe now that both grandkids will have school holidays together we will have to take them with us before it was hard to do as one was in school and one in daycare and you can't give up the daycare place so maybe daughter in house once in awhile then we can hit the road a bit

lilly31 · Guru

I can relate to you to gst ..i am iching to go but lifes dramas keep me put ..But for me i feel 2012 is my year and i will do my best to make it happen ..I have two things keep my here my dogs and my grandkids as i look after them when their mum s works as she one here own ..But kids are geting older now so and with a little help they will be ok with my full time help ... as for the dogs alway thought on take one with me and the other my baby who is almost 14 is to old to travel she going to go live with my brother or my daughter whos kids love her so i think i might have it all sorted finger crosed LOL

Rip and Rosie · Guru

I reckon when you are meant to go through a door it opens up in front of you. Sounds like the door isn't quite open yet.

Rosie

Cruising Granny · Guru

Your day will come. Enjoy each day you share with your family until that day.

lilly31 · Guru

Sometime things happen and we have a look to see where we are in life and Our Day has to have a little push or we wouldnt get anywhere....

Cruising Granny · Guru

Don't tie yourself down and don't let anyone else guilt you into doing something you don't want to.
Your life, your choices.
It's great to spend time with family, but you have to have time to do your thing, and they need to learn to manage without you, and not to depend on you.
It's up to you. Your time will come, if you want it to.

Loki · Senior Member

Elle was spot on with her comment, "So much stuff - obligations, other peoples crises, your own for that matter, seems to get in the way.". Life is a matter of choices, if you want to go, GO! The rest of the world will soon adjust. But, as I have also found, it is easier said than done. Good luck, do get out there, it is a big country and great life!

Cheers, Anton

benton · Member

..if you're deserving then the way will become clear.

benton · Member

lilly31 wrote:
Sometime things happen and we have a look to see where we are in life and Our Day has to have a little push or we wouldnt get anywhere....

..sure you must be focussed and make it happen for yourself as no-one else will do it for you.

I'm currently overseas doing volunteer work and returning to Australia soon, and need to think of myself for the first time in my life.

I'm looking forward to travelling Australia but am unble to set myself up with the vehicle and equipment, but willing to share with a solo on a trial basis.

I don't know if that wouild work do you!

Any tips greatly appreciated.

'benton'

benton · Member

Loki wrote:
Elle was spot on with her comment, "So much stuff - obligations, other peoples crises, your own for that matter, seems to get in the way.". Life is a matter of choices, if you want to go, GO! The rest of the world will soon adjust. But, as I have also found, it is easier said than done. Good luck, do get out there, it is a big country and great life!

Cheers, Anton

Hi Anton.

Is your avatar of Mount Wellington (Tas), looks very much like it from the eastern shore! Regards. Cheers Rod.

beiffe · Guru

When you think the FAMILY commitments are too great or they use the guilt treatment do as I did.

Organize you vehicle and state that you are going out for a test drive or a weekend away and then forget where you come from and keep going.

Visited my son once and sat in the bus for two days after arriving as they were having QUALITY TIME.

The next morning I told them I was going for supplies and kept going. Two weeks later he rang to see where I was and I told him that it was now MY QUALITY TIME and I was heading away. He asked when I would be back at this house and my reply was "I don't know in a few years I might have another two days spare to visit you so make sure you get your QUALITY TIME in now." He is now separated so just as well he got his quality time.

Remember we gave the best years of our life to bring them up to maturity and after that you need some time for you as you don't know when it will end.

GET OUT THERE and enjoy.

Regards
Brian

Ma · Guru

You hit the nail on the head B. Yes we raised them to adulthood but sometimes I think they forgot to actually grow up.

NOW is our time as you said and if we don't take advantage of that then we may as well sit at home and wait for God.

Cruising Granny · Guru

While we love them, and raised them with love, our kids can't blackmail us into doing OUR life THEIR way for their benefit.
I raised my kids to be responsible people, to consider others, and treat people (and parents) as they'd like to be treated.
I think they see us as old, and we should be sitting around with a rug over our knees, or dedicating our time to them while they get on with their lives. Not this little white duck!
I'm not a genetic baby sitter and house keeper. I don't have any inheritance to spend. It's my hard-earned cash and a small legacy from selling my dad's humble property after he passed away. Considering what he put me through, it was a very small reward.
They don't even seem to be very interested in what I do, where I go or how I am.
You guys take more interest in me than my family does.
Do what you have to do to live a fulfilling life within your means and capabilities. Enjoy!

benton · Member

..i think this is why we gravitate to this type of forum..at least we are given a fair hearing and not shoved away in some Nursing Home somewhere out of sight and out of mind...someone elses problem to deal with.
It seems our modern generation expect that is the way it should be..and no longer care to much for older 'greys' about the community. I spent years and years making sure my aging mum was comfortable, helping her maintain her independence as long as possible.
It's time to be selfish in the nicest of ways, believe me they're really only waiting for you to drop off your perch and on the way to the bottom of the cage hopefully some loot will fall out of your pockets! Cynical maybe, but true, particularly after seeing how Asians gladly take care and show interest in their parents and grandparents etc. including all elderly folk in their neighbourhood. Lessons to be learnt here for sure!
Spend it yourself before they spend it for you..Your new life awaits you..you only need to take the first step..go get it.
I sincerely hope I get to meet some of you folk when i hit the road, except i will be the guy with the backpack walking along..hopefully you will see my Nomad's sticker and give me a lift..I will share the expenses don't worry.
Take care all and travel safely.
'benton'

golivers travels · Guru

We are so lucky that our kids were behind us all the way when we did our trip around Aus for 12 months. We all missed each other but kept in contact. One of our sons kept his engagement party on hold until we came home. Communication has been the key to support. They all knew that we intended to do the lap for 12 months when we retired and then to continue to travel in Aus and over seas. We are happy to fit in with important events eg wedding in Sept then we head to UK. Our kids have also travelled and lived overseas. When we are home we all make the most of it Glenda

benton · Member

..yes you are lucky..sorry i sounded so cynical but attitudes of those we raise quite often change and they end up pretending.

Sad part is we sense that shift and we know that they know we know and we all play a silly game until we get fed up.

And it's either that son-inl-law or the daughter-in-law who puts a spanner in the works forcing their partner to comply or see us in private..in the end it all gets to hard and we drift apart.

benton

golivers travels · Guru

Brenton Can understand where you are coming from. We had the same situation with our families in regard to mother in laws etc, playing those siily games and were so determined not to have that with our own children. So far all has been great. I think we both learnt so much from a negative experience. We are very close to our kids partners and their parents, we try to make efforts to involve all, and show understanding when family events occur. So interesting that my sister in law still tries to play those games but they do not wash with either of us. Glenda

benton · Member

..sounds a good set-up 'lynnie' how on earth did you get the urge to do this..was it something you had planned before your current situation!

I always wonder what inspires a 'solo' to be a 'solo' is it by choice or circumstances..but still it's a pretty gutsy effort.

I used to work in WA many decades ago patrolling the Great Eastern Highway and would always stop and speak with travellers who had stopped to boil the billy..always struck me as a little sad to come across a 'solo' hence me wanting to perhaps team up with someone, not only for the company and sharing the trip but for security.

These solos were well equipped and rarely broke down, but did appear a little vulnerable to me to the point their guarded persona became quite abrupt at times, but I could see they were just being protective and territorial.

I made quite a few friends there all the same.

benton

-- Edited by benton on Sunday 29th of January 2012 08:57:22 AM

-- Edited by benton on Sunday 29th of January 2012 08:58:52 AM

-- Edited by benton on Sunday 29th of January 2012 09:00:04 AM

Lynnie · Senior Member

I just want to get to know my wonderful homeland so much better and will not let my being "solo" to be an impediment to that.
I did not choose to be solo, but nevertheless I make the most of my circumstances and try and fulfil my dreams and encourage my girlie with hers.
I do have the odd concern about my security whilst on the trip but will not place myself in any situation where I may be at risk.
As far as making friends are concerned, I have already started here on this wonderful website. I hope to meet as many of them as I can along the way.
Lyn

-- Edited by Lynnie on Sunday 29th of January 2012 10:49:51 AM

lilly31 · Guru

Ma wrote:
You hit the nail on the head B. Yes we raised them to adulthood but sometimes I think they forgot to actually grow up.
NOW is our time as you said and if we don't take advantage of that then we may as well sit at home and wait for God.

I have to agree with you Ma i have two girls .But my younger one has forgotton to grow up when thing go wrong in her life and it driveing me crazy .. I do think to make her stand on her own two feet is the only way to go both for her and my best intrest ...

Ma · Guru

You are certainly right there Lilly but unfortunately easier said than done in my experience.

Lynnie · Senior Member

I am blessed.
I am a widow with one child (a beautiful 25 year old daughter) who is so very supportive of my plans.
I encourage her to make her own way in life and live her dream and at the moment she is living in Hollywood and working as Senior Financial Analyst for Columbia Pictures. She has worked hard to be where she is.
I continue to live my own dream and my planned trip around Australia is an important part of my dream which I will enjoy bringing to reality.
My daughter is very encouraging to me and quite proud of what I am doing.
Yep, I am blessed and I wish everyone else could be similarly blessed.
Lyn

Ma · Guru

You are indeed blessed Lyn. Enjoy your trip and best wishes to you and your daughter.

Lynnie · Senior Member

Thanks Ma.
I just wish it was that way for everyone else. I really do.
All of us have to concentrate on living our own dreams. We owe it to ourselves.
My daughter enjoys telling work colleagues and friends over in USA about her Mum's plans and they apparently have been quite impressed!
I will probably purchase the ute this coming week and have put down the deposit on the slide on camper so it is now full steam ahead for my "rig" preparations. My daughter cannot wait until she sees them together. Me too.
Lyn

Ma · Guru

I think we are all awaiting anxiously Lyn. Make sure you put us some pics won't you. One of your daughter would be nice too, with her permission of course.

Happywanderer · The Master

Good on you Lynnie. You are doing well. Let me know when you have it all together, I will come have a look. Must catch up for coffee again soon.

Lynnie · Senior Member

Will do and must do!
Lyn