Let me introduce myself - I'm Leonie in my ealry fifties and love being in the great outdoors.
I have a 1995 Landrover discovery which I love for all the freedom it give me when I travel. My A'Van camper's name is Arrabella A'Van the Adventure Wagon and we have been getting to know each other over the past month while we get ready for our first trip up to the Pilbara.
I am a newbie to travelling with a camper trailer (used to bush camping tent style) solo travelling (husband recently passed away) and extended time away...so the next few weeks are going to be extremely interesting.
At this stage I really don't know where I am going but I plan to Freecamp as much as possible. I must admit that I am a little apprehensive in that I am still learning all about levelling, and towing and all that camper trailer maintenance kind of thing. I am so thankful for this forum ... I have been reading voraciously.
I am also concerned that i might get lonely on the road ... I don't mind being on my own at all but would like to share a drink, yarn, campfire or meal with others occaisonally. How do other solo nomads deal with this?
If you have any questions or would like ot know more...just ask away.
Firstly welcome to the forum family,hope you get off to a good start and enjoy your trip.
I see you have no set destination only the Pilbara.Nice to have no timetable so able to go with the flow.
I am sure you will meet lots of lovely people on your travels and you will make lots of new friends.
You will look back in a very short time and wonder why you worried about all the little things like leveling the van etc. An awful lot of it is common sense and thinking things through first,like driving down steep hills in lower gears to keep from running away and needing to brake hard.
I am sure you will be fine and everyone will give advice if you need to ask for it.
Welcome from me too Leonie, enjoy here and out there. As you can see by my av I have an Avan Camper and enjoy going away in it as well. I was going to be away in as we speak but work prevented that so it will keep for a little longer, in the mean time I will just do smaller trips.
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Welcome from another newbie I have yet to "hit the road" so will eagerly await your posts. I too am a 50+ female who will be travelling solo - to begin with just small trips in a station wagon! Good luck and enjoy your journey
Welcome Leonie, lots of help here on the Forum if you need it. I was very apprehensive when I first took off in my Winnie, but after a few trips I felt like an old hand and wondered what the heck I was worried about. It's been a couple of years now since I was on the road, so feel like I will be starting all over again in a few weeks. There are a lot of solo ladies out there, so you will no doubt meet some on the road during your travels. Relax and enjoy the experience, I am sure you will have an absolute ball.
Welcome leonie, I myself am a new solo traveller. I have only been on the road now for nearly four weeks and might I say it has been the most wonderful four weeks. I'm towing a jayco discovery van and have and so far have been very comfortable towing her, I will say as far as parking goes I'm not as confident, but have found everyone around have been more than helpful. I haven't as yet ventured into the free camp spots, I hope to soon. I really don't think loneliness will every be a problem there is always someone around to chat too. As others have said take it easy and Just enjoy your adventure. Happy travels
Welcome leonie, I myself am a new solo traveller. I have only been on the road now for nearly four weeks and might I say it has been the most wonderful four weeks. I'm towing a jayco discovery van and have and so far have been very comfortable towing her, I will say as far as parking goes I'm not as confident, but have found everyone around have been more than helpful. I haven't as yet ventured into the free camp spots, I hope to soon. I really don't think loneliness will every be a problem there is always someone around to chat too. As others have said take it easy and Just enjoy your adventure. Happy travels
Welcome leonie, I myself am a new solo traveller. I have only been on the road now for nearly four weeks and might I say it has been the most wonderful four weeks. I'm towing a jayco discovery van and have and so far have been very comfortable towing her, I will say as far as parking goes I'm not as confident, but have found everyone around have been more than helpful. I haven't as yet ventured into the free camp spots, I hope to soon. I really don't think loneliness will every be a problem there is always someone around to chat too. As others have said take it easy and Just enjoy your adventure. Happy travels
Welcome leonie, I myself am a new solo traveller. I have only been on the road now for nearly four weeks and might I say it has been the most wonderful four weeks. I'm towing a jayco discovery van and have and so far have been very comfortable towing her, I will say as far as parking goes I'm not as confident, but have found everyone around have been more than helpful. I haven't as yet ventured into the free camp spots, I hope to soon. I really don't think loneliness will every be a problem there is always someone around to chat too. As others have said take it easy and Just enjoy your adventure. Happy travels
Welcome Leonie, Nice to know there's another Landylass on the forum.I drive a 98 defender so our vehicles are quite similar.There is a huge lot of landrover assistance on the net.I find aulro.com a huge source of information and folk are very helpful. Cheers. Mary
Thanks everyone for your wonderful welcome. It is so good to hear from other ladies out on the road... I really didn't realise that there would be so many! Thanks for all the hints and tips...Mary the aulro.com site is excellent! Tania... with regards to towing and hitching i have just discovered a device tht some call the marriage saver but it called a Couple-Mate which makes lining up the tow ball so much easier. I had a lovely talk with Gypsy Nan earlier today...so the networking has already begun. An Doug...it's great to meet another A'Vanner! I must admit that Arrabella A'Van and I are getting on well - even if she is an old girl!)
It looks like i will be setting off for a 4 to 6 week adventure up the north of WA in early June.. anyone travelling in the area around then? Cheers
Experience is the best teacher. Welcome to you all. You're all making me sound like an old hand, a REALLY old hand. While you may drive your vehicle from point A to point B alone, you are never really alone. Firstly you have your fellow nomads from this site. They're everywhere! They're everywhere! You will be able to determine if your fellow campers are trustworthy fairly quickly. The unwritten rule is don't free camp within 20kms of a township. It seems the local yobbos do their hooning close to town, and have a tendency to disturb happy campers. If you can, please install a UHF radio, and monitor channel 40 to know what is going on around you on the highway. The language isn't too bad out of the cities, but you may just have to excuse some of the drivers who vent from time to time. The radio will also be another tool if you need to send a message to town or chat to fellow travellers. Many nomads out there have radios and it's very helpful. Reversing the van is all about practice. Once you understand how your van behaves in relation to your tug (vehicle) you'll master it in no time. There is always someone willing to instruct as you drive. If you get out of your vehicle, have a look around where you want to park, then just do it. Practice, practice, practice. Safe and happy travels to you all.
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Also forgot to mention.If you need a service or have mechanical problems I can personally recommend Whyatts Automotive at Geraldton.Local RAA service and Landrover specialist.Cheers, Mary
Thanks for the tips Granny....and yes you do sound like an old hand but not a REALLY old hand - just an experienced one. The no nearer than 20 kms to town sounds like a good rule to follow. You'll be pleased to know that I already have a UHF radio and monitor the channels as I drive. It's always interesting to hear what is going on around you.
Mary - yes I have already found Whyatts...great guys ... they fixed the head on the Disco when we 'did' it last September and I will be booking it in for its service on the way up this time. They also fitted a low coolant alarm to the water tank which just gives me that added peace of mind when travelling distances. They were a fantadtic and caring crew.
Now to look at my list of things to do before i take off! Talk soon
I add my welcome. I have just come home after almost four months solo driving. I free camped whenever possible but never alone. People make you very welcome as long as you let them know you are open to their company. Whenever I set up anywhere, I immediately put out a table and two chairs, a couple of coffee mugs and wine glasses. I also made a habit of a quick walk around to introduce myself. If you didn't get at least one invitation to happy hour, it was unusual. (I always arrived with a full glass, a bottle which I rarely had to share (!), and a few nibbles to share.) My blog might also give you some ideas - will do my final chapter next week and print off my book.
Monica - i love your idea of putting out the table with 2 chairs mugs and wine glasses... soundsinviting just typing about it! I just read a part of your blog...and I must compliment you on your jyour journal... you have a keen eye and an entertianing turn of phrase...it is a good read. I am sorry to see that your Mum has passed away after the mad dash back home. I am glad that she was able to know that you were there. I 'lost' my husband (Lost sounds so careless to me - a la Lady Bracknell) 2 weeks ago after a long illness and those last few days of vigil can be so helpful in coming to terms with the whole dying business.
Hi Colin - welcome from one new person to another...your set up looks great and reminiscent of someone who has done a lot of off road travelling. Love the idea of you taking the tinny with you...some great adventures to be had I am sure. I will also be keeping in contact with the outside world while travelling via the net and my blog but it may be intermittent as internet coverage up the north of WA can be dodgy.
I have yet to "hit the road" so will eagerly await your posts. I too am a 50+ female who will be travelling solo - to begin with just small trips in a station wagon! Good luck and enjoy your journey
