The other side of life

Gerty Dancer · Guru

RE: The other side of life

leevin · Senior Member

Jack Mac wrote:

Dear, dear me,

We all have times when we think "why oh why would someone pose such a question". To the person that posted it, it is a search for an answer from people who may be able to help. You are fortunate indeed that you apparently know everything and are capable of fixing anything that may go wrong on the road.
I like to think that I have a modicum of intelligence and am reasonably self sufficient but with advances in vehicle systems etc. I realise you can't fix a car with a coat hanger and a bit of chewing gum any more,
This is a forum for like minded people and obviously you are not of a like mind.
If you find a topic is not for you or beneath your intelligence, skip over it, but don't denigrate those that post to it just because you feel it is beneath you.
And that's all I've got to say about that (with apologies to Forrest Gump)
Enjoy your cocoon
Jack

Ok Jack, you have sucked me back into this game.
Read my post again china.
This is what you said about me, quote:
"You are fortunate indeed that you apparently know everything and are capable of fixing anything that may go wrong on the road." unquote.
Where the hell did I say that?!
Now I'll quote myself:
"The bottom line here is that if you are going to worry yourself sick about what may never happen, don't leave home!" unquote.
I don't see the point in dragging every one down with doom & gloom.
There are people ready to go & they read this garbage (horror stories) and they fret about what will probably not happen to them.
It all comes down to common sense & maintenance.
Most travellers do the old Easter/Christmas holiday trip, usually a few hundred ks, and are suddenly experts on caravanning. We are still learning (you soon get to know whom to believe & whom to ignore/avoid).

-- Edited by leevin on Thursday 30th of May 2013 10:57:36 PM

neilnruth · Guru

Red Dog I can see what you are getting at but the people who need to read the message are probably not the people who read this forum. The people who read this forum and ask for help are probably not going to have too many hassles. I would say the majority of us go on the road with every caution.

jetj · Guru

I slipped getting out of my Hiace and broke my ankle 400klms from home on my own with a bird and dog. It happens, but if you dwell on what could happens you wouldn't do or go anywhere.

I'm sure I understand what you are trying to get across Red Dog, and yes some tempt fate I'm sure.

Red Dog · Senior Member

Thanks neilnruth and Jeti at last some one gets where i am coming from, I new when I started this post I would get some flack
buth some one has to bring it up.
My eldest son is a grader operator and spends 10 months a year in some of the remotest areas there is, and 99.9% of the people he sees are running low on fuel and wanting to buy it from him, or they need to get in touch with someone asap but have no way of doing it.
I spend a lot of time a couple of hundred clicks out of kalgoorlie and it has got so bad several of the stations do not welcome visitors at all because of the stress they bring with them, so then they steal fuel from the people who they want help from.
I agree a lot of people go prepared and carry heaps of fuel, you have to know where you are going and take enough for the trip and a little spare, you use a lot of fuel carrying fuel thats all i have to say happy trails

leevin · Senior Member

I still don't get what this post is supposed to achieve!
The bottom line here is that if you are going to worry yourself sick about what may never happen, don't leave home!
Mileage (kms) and fuel usage = simple arithmetic!
Run out of fuel, more stupid are they.
Do these people run out of food, grog etc? I'll bet not!
I'm not playing this silly game any more.
See ya.

Golddetectornomad · Senior Member

Red Dog, you make very valid points and all spot on,however to expand/rationalise the bigger picture as I hope I do should never be taken as flack.....many times I go back to my kennel and lick my bum when I hadnt realised the larger picture.....oops there I go again.....
Leevin,dont leave mate...its not a silly game.....its all good fun.....I've often regarded as running low on grog akin to running low on fuel.....worse even!....I dont keep 2 Jerry Cans of Grog in reserve.....Hoo Roo

Jack Mac · Senior Member

Beth54 wrote:
Yes, we like to look at the positives, but I can see your point Red Dog.
So here are mine.
1/ Towing my little camper trailer somewhere along the Landsborough Highway in Qld, the end came off my pole carrier and I lost one pole altogether, and another gouged a track in the bitumen.
Now I have the little Nipper and I had a few mishaps on my trip to Vic last year.
2/ After being distracted while winding the legs up, I missed one, and gouged it into the ground at Greens Lake, bending it in the process, so I now can't use it til my son repairs it. No biggy.
3/ The poptop roof popped up while driving along. Brother-in-law was in front and told me over the UHF. I hadn't clipped it down.
4/ I left the keys in the door for many klms...without them falling out!
5/ I drove several klms with the brake on the van.
6/ The Anderson plug came adrift and dragged along the road for many klms. I had to buy a new one in Gympie and the GN's at Cobb & Co last year fixed it for me.
7/ And last but certainly not least, I am constantly fighting with the b.loody 3 way fridge!
But they're all minor things, and I'm getting better at not making stupid mistakes.

Hi Beth,

It's getting late, for me anyhow (and you know me I've now had a drink, finished work for the week, not too much, more by inability than desire) but every mishap is one you'll never make again. It's called experience.

Cheers,

Jack

Grams · Guru

Red Dog,

I know a lot of people will go on a trip with no research, no knowledge and definitely no idea what they are doing. So when they get into trouble, and they usually will, they have no idea what to do.

I guess with us GNs we do plan, and so we don't get into as much trouble as most. The only things that get out of our control are usually bad things.

You can prepare for 99% of emergencies, but there will always be that 1% that we can't control.

Jack Mac · Senior Member

leevin wrote:
I still don't get what this post is supposed to achieve!
The bottom line here is that if you are going to worry yourself sick about what may never happen, don't leave home!
Mileage (kms) and fuel usage = simple arithmetic!
Run out of fuel, more stupid are they.
Do these people run out of food, grog etc? I'll bet not!
I'm not playing this silly game any more.
See ya.

Dear, dear me,

We all have times when we think "why oh why would someone pose such a question". To the person that posted it, it is a search for an answer from people who may be able to help. You are fortunate indeed that you apparently know everything and are capable of fixing anything that may go wrong on the road.

I like to think that I have a modicum of intelligence and am reasonably self sufficient but with advances in vehicle systems etc. I realise you can't fix a car with a coat hanger and a bit of chewing gum any more,

This is a forum for like minded people and obviously you are not of a like mind.

If you find a topic is not for you or beneath your intelligence, skip over it, but don't denigrate those that post to it just because you feel it is beneath you.

And that's all I've got to say about that (with apologies to Forrest Gump)

Enjoy your cocoon

Jack

EllenajoeL · Senior Member

I've done more than one lap of this country...I've got lost/broken/broke/sad/lonely/sick/angry/estranged (sometimes, all in one day!)....

and I can honestly say that I would have FAR less interest in this forum it if it were 'biased' towards such 'other side' tales/opinions and intent.

Its just my opinion, of course, but I like this forum for its civil and positive influence on future travel aspirations.... and hope for it to remain that way.

Red Dog · Senior Member

I wont be adding anymore to this post sorry for wasting your time keep safe Red Dog.

shekon · Guru

Red dog I have been reading the thread and yes I do believe that if one thinks disaster then it usually is, however in saying that it is only by reading and listening to others experiences both good and bad do we all learn. If it had not been for this forum I certainly would not have learnt as much as I have about life on the road, and the pitfalls that may happen and what to do to avoid them as much as possible.
Point in case, last year went on holiday with my cousin who " knew it all" and didn't need to watch the MH video or try to help with the organisation of the trip at all. This forum allowed me to put together an itinerary and from others experiences know where to go and what to do. All good, first night out we stop to set up MHs and we were ready to sit and have a drink and cousin still trying to work out what went where. The devil in me let her go for a little while and then we went over to help her to set up. So as somebody else said unfortunately Red Dog you are probably preaching to the converted.

I don't think it hurts anyone just to be given a gentle reminder occasionally that there is another side to life and to make sure we are prepared.

Gerty Dancer · Guru

A young man on the TV last night said that when he was 17 he and his mates attempted to cross the Simpson Desert and ran out of fuel, waiting several days for assistance. I'm sure it must be idiots like this you were referring to Red Dog, but how can we make a difference?.

Just saying "Don't Worry" is what those young guys did. "Be Prepared" is a much safer solution, then you really don't need to worry.

SJ · Member

Maybe you could tell us some of the negative things that have happened to you in your travels. As a solo lady travelling the Kimberley. I wasn't quick enough to change to secondary fuel tanks,then break the injectors and hand pump the diesel to get the ute going again. Got my son in law to bring my landcruiser from Roma to Rockhampton and he got a stone in the windscreen. Be prepared for anything and enjoy life.

The dog lady · Guru

You're right of course RD, "some days are diamonds and some days are stones". But I seem to find just as many stones at home as on the road, so I'll keep on doing what I want and when life gives me lemons, try to make lemonade. My late husband spent his last years worrying about how to provide for his family when "the end of civilisation as we know it" arrives. Guess what, the world hasn't changed much but HE is no longer in it. I often said to him that if you spend your life planning for a disaster then your life will be the disaster. So I just assume that all will be well and often as not it is wink . And when it isn't, well, I'm old and experienced enough to cope.

Red Dog · Senior Member

we may share the same birthday but not the same veiws but each there own happy trails.

dorian · Guru

I don't understand why Red Dog's dose of realism received such a hostile reception. When I make the move to a nomadic lifestyle, I want to feel reassured that I'm not jumping from the frying pan into the fire. "Be prepared" seems like the appropriate attitude to me, and a large part of that is listening to the experiences of seasoned travellers, both negative and positive. Swapping a bricks-and-mortar home for a home on wheels is not something that one should consider lightly.

jules47 · The Happy Helper

The dog lady wrote:
You're right of course RD, "some days are diamonds and some days are stones". But I seem to find just as many stones at home as on the road, so I'll keep on doing what I want and when life gives me lemons, try to make lemonade. My late husband spent his last years worrying about how to provide for his family when "the end of civilisation as we know it" arrives. Guess what, the world hasn't changed much but HE is no longer in it. I often said to him that if you spend your life planning for a disaster then your life will be the disaster. So I just assume that all will be well and often as not it is. And when it isn't, well, I'm old and experienced enough to cope.

I know exactly where you are coming from - been there.

Now I don't worry about too much about what MIGHT happen, just do some homework, try and cover any contingency, and enjoy travelling, knowing the limitations of the vehicle, etc.

Red Dog - I can see what you are trying to say, but hopefully, these people who run out of fuel in the outback, or break down and have no idea of what the problem is, will only make those mistakes once - they will learn from their mistakes (most of them anyway).

I am an optimist, but also a realist, so understand that some problems are beyond our control, i.e., an accident, or illness.

Most people on this site are seasoned travellers, and the "newbies" are here to learn what to do out there in the outback etc. That, of course, is what this site is all about - sharing of information.

Don't get disheartened Red Dog - keep on posting.

The dog lady · Guru

herbie wrote:
Well put Gary but when you are home HELP is at your finger tips.I guess what Red Dog was trying to say here in the thread he started, was be aware that things can go tup up. And if you have not got the money/ insurance cover dotted with every I and t,health insurance /Ambo cover/ tools /equipment to try to fix a brake down/ communication of some sort/ you could find it very stressful stuck in never never land.Some people just think she will be right mate ,someone will give me a hand,but that someone may not be around at the time you need them...One can slow down as slow as a snail like us at the moment,but that sure ain't going to stop Murphy from rearing his head if some mechanical problem decides to sh;; it self or on some of these roads a tier decides to let go.And if you have just one spear ,you sure as hell are not going to go far with out replacing it .And if they ain't got the tier you need well then it is just sit it out until it arrives at a hefty price .Upin some of these out back places every thing is charged for including freight .

-- Edited by herbie on Thursday 30th of May 2013 12:44:14 PM

I'm sure that for most you're right when you say "when you are home HELP is at your finger tips" but some of us are silly enough to live where the nearest help is miles away, the nearest doctor/hospital/ambulance is an hour's drive away, and in times of emergency there was no mobile phone or power. At home I have enough supplies for a couple months, on the road I can only carry enough for a couple weeks. I'm gettin' on a bit so I don't feel inclined to go to the serious outback anymore, but for the rest, I just have to take my chances or stay home. Hmm, that's right, there's no-one to help me at home either..................oh well, WTF, let's just get out there and have fun biggrin

The dog lady · Guru

Red Dog wrote:
we may share the same birthday but not the same veiws but each there own happy trails.

First time I noticed we have the same birthday RD. And yes, we have different views, but then, they do say variety is the spice of life.

And may I say that if your avatar is a picture of your dog then you have a particularly handsome canine companion!

dorian · Guru

I have a kelpie as well. They are a very active breed. We go for a 3km run every second day and it sure takes its toll on my old bones. My previous dog was a cattle cross and she loved to run, too. When I look around my neighbourhood I see that every third house has a dog. In fact one of my ratbag neighbours has 12 yappy rodents. I've never seen him take any of them for a walk, and the same goes for most of the dog owners in my area. I treat my dog like my best friend and I try to do the right thing by her, even if I can't do the same thing for myself. Anyway, I just needed to get that off my chest.