Gunnas and Doers.

oldbobsbus · Guru

Gunnas and Doers.

PeterInSa · Guru

Hi Bob,

Did the wife finally join you on a Trip?

Peter

oldbobsbus · Guru

PeterInSa wrote:
Hi Bob,

Did the wife finally join you on a Trip?

Peter

No Peter she is still happy to sit at home..

But I do have a traveling companion and also an offside when we build a new one.. Ohh and my wife is also happy to help with the building as well she just doesn't like traveling..

We now have 25000k's under our belt and can't wait to get back on the road..

Vic41 · Guru

SWMBO likes to do some trips with me but not all, preferring to be around for family social events etc.

So I do a few solo's now and then as hanging around home doesn't do a lot for me. I think SWMBO enjoys the "break" as well, lol ! biggrin

Kantiki · Senior Member

I've retired but my much younger husband is still working. He travels around and I am able to go with him. Currently he is busy working while I am enjoying the ambience of Dumaresqe dam. Last week we sampled the artesian spa pools at Moree. Just fantastic. The van is fully self sufficient and I don't think it will take too long for him to be sick of me having all the fun and deciding to do things my way. I live in hope lol.

redjcw · Veteran Member

We have sold our house, put things into store, have the Tug and Van is being built for Feb delivery. Work is finishing on 28th March 2014 for a year career break (basically insurance in case we need more money but we will basically retire). So we next need to do some route planning...although we do have a spot booken in Port Douglas next winter.....It has taken a while to get to this point but we are definitely doing the trip unless we hit any unseen health snags....

Gerty Dancer · Guru

My partner had a heart attack a couple of months before a planned Big Lap... we never considered cancelling, and the doctors encouraged him to go, said it was good for your health! which it is, of course

Plendo · Guru

I have to admit we are still Gunnas, we have been Gunnas now for about three years, but we have used the time well, we have researched and planned and researched some more.

I have used the collective brains on this forum, and other forums as well to research many things, and as a result we have changed the style and make of our van, we have changed the configuration from queen bed to single beds, we have changed our fridge to a compressor fridge, we have added a grey water tank, added lots of storage, added lots of solar (900w), changed to LifePo4 batteries, added an inverter charger, and last but by no means least we have upgraded to control rider independent suspension.

We started off with an idea of what we wanted to tow with, and then we considered a lot of what we were seeing on the forum(s), and we changed that as well.

Where two years ago we were planning to do things as cheaply as we could, we have now changed. Now we recognise that we will get one shot at this, so we are doing things as well as we can.

While I have caravan ed before my partner has not, am I worried that she might not like it, you betya I am. But by making it as comfortable as possible, I reduce the risk of this.

Bryan · Guru

I work with my son and he says he still needs me around so I'm still a gunna. I told him at end March 2016, I'm out.

PeterInSa · Guru

Plendo
Re[While I have caravan ed before my partner has not, ] I suggest you stay in CP's for a while at the start and then only stay at Freedom Camp spots when other people are staying over as well. To me this gradually builds up an newbie to accept Freedom Camping spots on your own by doing it gradually.

Peter

beiffe · Guru

I started with partner but she wanted to be close to her family and did not want to travel further than 100Ks form her family and bugger my friends and desires or the way I preferred to travel.
I took her back to her family after about 4 months on the road and then went out to get the bus serviced and forgot where she lived.
That was over 4.5 years ago and now travel on my own.
You will loove the life and as we only live so long so you have to decide what you want to do.
Some never get around to it, some die before they can start and some just sit back and talk about it.
Regards
Brian

oldbobsbus · Guru

beiffe wrote:
I started with partner but she wanted to be close to her family and did not want to travel further than 100Ks form her family and bugger my friends and desires or the way I preferred to travel.
I took her back to her family after about 4 months on the road and then went out to get the bus serviced and forgot where she lived.
That was over 4.5 years ago and now travel on my own.
You will loove the life and as we only live so long so you have to decide what you want to do.
Some never get around to it, some die before they can start and some just sit back and talk about it.
Regards
Brian

Thats the way I see it Brian,
I just feel for those that forever think about it but never make the move...

Life on the road is only what you make it and if you have someone with you that isn't enjoying it then you will never enjoy it also, you need to make some changes like you did and so did I..

Beth54 · Guru

I'm a doer when my health allows. And I'm also on a waiting list for surgery on my nose, BCC. So I've only been able to go away for a few days or a week at most. And I can tell you, I'm itching to get out there again.

I'll never be a fulltime nomad, for various reasons, but I do hope to be well enough next year to go somewhere..ANYWHERE! wink biggrin

Oh, and I have a long time friend on here who is a gunna, but they will eventually. In the meantime, they're learning the ropes by being members.

-- Edited by Beth54 on Monday 9th of December 2013 08:02:51 PM

neilnruth · Guru

Like Beth, we go when we can. Circumstances don't always let us go when we'd like and this year has meant we haven't been able to travel as much as we would have liked. Sometimes the decisions are hard. We love every minute of being on the road and one day we'll be able to do it far more often. We will probably never be fulltime nomads but we count ourselves as Grey Nomads when we are 'out in the playground'.

Pejay · Guru

We're both - been doin' some travelling over the last 3-4 years, but now with no problems on the home front, we will become 'gunnas'! Got 4 (?) trips planned for 2014, with the first one New Year's week taking our Christmas present to ourselves for a run. More about that in the next two weeks!!

-- Edited by Pejay on Tuesday 10th of December 2013 11:08:57 AM

leevin · Senior Member

Kids/grandies want to visit us they are welcome.....at their own expense.
But, they have to find us first!

Deetric · Veteran Member

My wife's serious health scare last year got me finally to get my skates on. We sold the house. (rather live in a shed anyway). bought the Avan online in QLD near Bundaberg. We were in Perth. loaded the ute and small trailer and headed east with a very sick wife and a 14 yr old dog. (who, by the way has crossed the Nullabor 5 times now) We had been talking for years about getting on the road fulltime and seeing more of Australia.
The doctors had no answers for the illness so why stay and waste more money on the sickness industry. The last lap we thought. But a few months into the trip my brother in Woodend, Vic (cold place) directed us to fella in Swan Hill that did us a great service by giving us answers and a way to get better. It has worked so far. So after 10 months on the road back in Perth selling all we could not sell earlier we intend to do house sits and work occasionally to keep us in fuel money and learn a bit more about the places we visit. A new lease on life for us now.

Meredith · Senior Member

We do as much as we can, and we are gunna do more eventually. We are both still working in our mid 50's but are planning for retirement about mid 2016. There are days where I wonder if we should retire earlier, but financial and other considerations such as care of an elderly mother keep us working for now. We have been taking portions of long service leave over the past 3 years and taking 6 to 8 week trips each year, next year it will be 12 weeks.

Hylda&Jon · Guru

We have already done it for a couple of years with some help from a small inheritance but many of us just don't have the money to be DOERS when we would like to, so, our next trip is GUNNA be when we can afford it. and not before.

Cheers

Jon

GaryKelly · Guru

My experience may be of some interest or value to others. I've been a gunna for several years. Being on a pension, I'm limited to how much money I can spend on a rig. Getting my act together has meant no socialising - no clubs, no pubs, no restaurants. I stay home 7 days a week and cook my own meals so that every spare penny can be spent on the dream of travelling Oz. I've had quite a few people say "you're not going anywhere, Gary", or suggest that I'm all talk and no action. It's taken 3 or 4 years to finally get a camper and ute to suit my purpose, and then quite a lot of extra money to fit out the rig with all the stuff I need. To exacerbate matters, cancer came along and almost buggered everything. But that's now sorted (almost), and after a few more jobs booked in for next week, the rig will be finished. So here's one long-time gunna who's soon to be a doer.

It's also interesting to consider the advice of some who preach adages such as "do it now" or "seize the moment" or "live for today". Those options were not available to me. The only option I had (apart from winning the lottery) was to sacrifice 3 or 4 years to achieve what I now have.

And so say all of us, Amen.

oldbobsbus · Guru

Gary, It was you I had in mind when I mentioned health problems in the OP_..

If you would like to make your first trip a short one up to Grafton I would be more than happy to give you a hand with anything that isn't right..
I have lots of room here 75acres.. so there is a chance we can find you somewhere to park..

I have a 40ft container full of "stuff" that maybe you may need to finish off any of the things that need finishing..

Anyway the offer is there and I am only too happy to help you "Get on the road" and become a Doerer instead of a Gunna..lol..

mr glassies · Guru

hi all
yep ya rite there bob but that goes for most things a not many people out there chase there dreams be it vaning starting a business or even just going on a trip .
most people on here know our story . we try to get away as often as we can but the business always gets in the way .

dibs

Ontos45 · Guru

GaryKelly wrote:
My experience may be of some interest or value to others. I've been a gunna for several years. Being on a pension, I'm limited to how much money I can spend on a rig. Getting my act together has meant no socialising - no clubs, no pubs, no restaurants. I stay home 7 days a week and cook my own meals so that every spare penny can be spent on the dream of travelling Oz. I've had quite a few people say "you're not going anywhere, Gary", or suggest that I'm all talk and no action. It's taken 3 or 4 years to finally get a camper and ute to suit my purpose, and then quite a lot of extra money to fit out the rig with all the stuff I need. To exacerbate matters, cancer came along and almost buggered everything. But that's now sorted (almost), and after a few more jobs booked in for next week, the rig will be finished. So here's one long-time gunna who's soon to be a doer.

It's also interesting to consider the advice of some who preach adages such as "do it now" or "seize the moment" or "live for today". Those options were not available to me. The only option I had (apart from winning the lottery) was to sacrifice 3 or 4 years to achieve what I now have.

And so say all of us, Amen.

I read you mate! Much the same here but have been a "doer" but after having to hold-up owing to van repairs after 2010 floods, Sue and I have had health problems. Her, a full knee replacement and me, bloody breathing problems Doctor and Specialist trying to work out why. After 1 operation and another maybe on ticker we crossing our fingers on road to recovery. Nothing worse than being a fit 65 year old to a 67 year old that needs a carer to shower but we'll get there again, on the road.

The pension is the killer if that's all your income, as is mine and yours, as it limits what you can buy. Sue and I don't go out but drink at home etc. If we go back to a van I will need electrical helpers, elect. jockey wheel, stands, steps and annex, so adds to costs. Even with a bus you (I) need an alternative transport mode to get to shops so if a car, A-frame or trailer.

I'm so glad you getting to see the light at end of tunnel Gary ( and its not the head light of an oncoming train,,lol)

Keep us up-dated as it gives a lot of us encouragement. blankstare smile smile

Peter

Vic41 · Guru

Like has already been said on this thread, a lot of "Gunnas" have their reasons for not being Doers and some are on the forum to pick up ideas for when the time comes (retirement etc) and are very wise to do so, no good being wise after the event by buying the wrong type of rig etc. That's what the forum is all about, helping those with an interest in the lifestyle, whether they already have an RV or not.

However there are some, as has been said, that procrastinate too long when their conditions and situation are right and that is when they need to take the bull by the horns and just do it.

Good luck to the Gunna's and Doers whatever their circumstances...... smile

Peterpan · Guru

I thought I was a "doer" until the pesky gall bladder decided to play up & needed removing.

For the 6 weeks after that I was a "gunna", when cleared by Drs I became a "doer" and travelled

for 2 months covering a mere 6700klms. Plans were being put in place for early next year for a 4-6

month trip. Now another part of the anatomy requires some surgical intervention, so now I'm a "gunna"

again. Once that is resolved that plan will be put back in action and then I'll be a "doer" again. It would appear

that for a while I will fluctuate between the two. So can I be called a "Fluctuator" or something similar?

Somewhere,sometime,somehow we will meet up and enjoy what we do.

Kevin

Radar · Guru

Hi All.

Now I was starting to think I was a Gunna, not becoming a full time Nomad by now after 7 months of retirement 3 months for my wife but with all the trips, overseas travel and there being so many things to do, well I now realize I am anything but Gunna. I have about 7 months spoken for of 2014 already.

I can't' see myself ever becoming a full time Nomad living on the side of the road wondering where my next tank full of water coming from or free camp site going to be, when I have a small but beaut home here in Brisbane with mostly good weather to enjoy.

With caravan always ready to leave we can go for along as we like, with our unorganized overseas travel I reckon that makes us a Doer with a big "D".

For those that think they Gunnas have look about and see if you are enjoying doing what your doing and maybe you really are a Doer. Cheers

BruDi · Senior Member

Interesting thread.

We both like our home and our friends. However we also both like to travel here in Australia and overseas. Every year we head off somewhere and spend a considerable amount of time away from home. We've never contemplated being full time travellers. We love heading off in our van, but we also like to head off in our off-road camper to places we are unable to visit in our van. We already have planned trips for 2014, the Anne Beadell, The Hay River and Vietnam where friends are living currently. Interspersed with that will be shorter trips to who knows where; one of the delights of retirement.

Di