Now I've got your attention, how many GN couples do their own thing solo now and then, such as camping/fishing etc
In my own case, sometimes SWMBO does not want to go everywhere I would like to go or for the same length of time, so occasionally I go off solo and she remains at home with other interests, but she does like the lifestyle and has her own campervan.
I am more into free camping while she prefers the mods at caravan parks but doesn't mind the very occasional free camp but rarely.
SWMBO also prefers more family get togethers etc on the home front so likes to be around for them, even cutting trips short to do so. She does not resent me doing the odd solo trip now and then though if she is not interested in the location or time I want to be away.
Anyone else in this situation (male or female) who has a partner ? Some none camping/RV types find this a bit odd and can't understand it.
Often slip away for a few days on my own, usually to a fishing spot either fresh or salt. Always alternate camp when away, go to bed when I like, eat and drink what and when I like.
Me and the Missus both like the freecamp and park style [ Quite parks only ] And to date have always done it together, However, when I have retired Soon , I can see no problem with doing a solo trip, if I wanted to go at the time and she did not In fact I think it is a good idea, to give each other some room and quite time occasionally
When I first took early retirement due to some health issues my wife had a really good job she enjoyed and did not want to retire, so for several years I did solo trips to the NWA to follow my fishing hobby, sometimes for 4-6 months at a time, and also to escape the colder weather down south.
My wife used to take her annual leave to coincide with the last 3-4 weeks of my solo adventure and fly up to me to Broome or Port Hedland, where I would pick her up an spend the time together then we would journey back home together.
It worked fine for us for several years till my wife took retirement, we now travel full time together.
As for CP's or free camps, we do a mixture of each but mainly CP's if near some good fishing or other attractions.
As for interests she loves reading and walking, whereas I like my fishing, boating and riding my pushbike. It just seems to work for us now.
I was forced to retire 9 months ago and used to do regular monthly trips to Sydney for work. I would always take my wife in fact she wouldn`t let me go without her. We have been into motorsport since the early 70`s and always travelled Australia to follow our motorsport love (addiction if you like) and now in retirement we are probably even closer.
your lucky bugger Vic I wish I could go out without her sometimes we do everything together 24hr a day sorry to say she doesn't have her own campervan I would send her away If that was the case we could meet up maybe 3 times a year just kidding
every one is different Vic just try to see each other on the road some where and more than 3 times a year
Make the best of what you've got mate and don't mind what the neighbours are saying
Cheers John
If you hurry up you can come to Wuruma Dam in QLD next month
-- Edited by Cruising Cruze on Wednesday 26th of February 2014 05:03:06 PM
Thanks for the interesting insight into what you all do, for me I feel the clock is ticking away so can't afford to sit back and resent not going somewhere (stuck on the home front) if the opportunity arises, but only if SWMBO is not interested at that time.
Also good to get away from all those medical appointments etc and the hustle and bustle of suburbia, at 73 and slowing down a bit I want to keep going while I can and enjoy what I like doing best. Better than looking at 4 walls and waiting for your funeral.
Just sticking to WA at present CC, lots to see here I haven't caught up with yet and after a number of trips around the block think it is time to concentrate on doing WA, at least for the time being. Lots of other places I haven't seen too interstate, but impossible for anyone to see all of them, you'd need several lifetimes....
I've only been to one Solo camping trip, that was the WA get together at the beginning of Feb. Kathy normally accompanies me. Due to work we are limited to weekend mainly trips but I've warned everyone at work that as soon as I hit 70 in two years time, I'm out of here.
I do a lot of fishing. Up until last year, I went fishing every second weekend or so, some day trips and some overnighters. I have slowed down this year because I found myself stuck with other things to do. Fishing trips are all solo trips in the 4x4, not the camper.
Good lord, and I thought I had only now come up with a plausible reason for having some time on my own .... time to throw out all his suplus T-Shirts; time to chuck out the blood** beer and restock the bar fridge with wine: time to re reprogram the TV for my favourite programs and not sport; time to find some space in the "man-cave" for my surplus stuff .... need I say more. Girls, just tell him "my sister is arriving tomorrow" You would be surprised how quick that van is packed, the tug fueled and bags packed.
'Come on girls ...... time to stand up and give him the van keys ....
Cheers
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The Maccas ....
2013 Avida Esperance Motorhome - based in northern NSW.
I always fly solo with the van. Hubby has no interest in leaving home unless its a hotel and even then it takes some arm twisting.
On the up side he doesn't mind me going (most of the time) and does check all the mechanical stuff just to make sure everything is ok. I can do as I please, spend as much time wandering around the places I want to see without having to hurry up. Cook if I want or not. Usually freedom camp or DEC Parks. Sometimes I travel with a girlfriend Hers & Hers vans and geocache along the way. See lots of places we wouldn't normally see.
Only down side is I only get a couple of days at a time and don't get away as much as I would like, this thing called work gets in the way.
Being True Grey Nomads, we don't have that ability to go away when we want or to stay home when we want. We chose this as our lifestyle which includes going on holidays together. Next week we are off to Fiji for 2 weeks. I come back to work in Albany but SWMBO goes to New Zealand for 8 days to spend time with 5 of our grandkids.
We discuss and roughly decide what direction we will take but fortunately it doesn't appear to trouble my darling where we go or where we end up.
Even when we are together all the time we still have time alone. FTGN's have different lifestyle patterns than those with bricks and mortar to retire to or even having a van or MH to take for the occasional run.
Hubby doesn't travel so I go mostly with sister and hubby and/or brother and his wife. I am a bit like Jayco Gypsy - hubby checks all mechanicals etc. and I use the credit card while I am away ha! ha! I just love seeing this beautiful, big country of OURS. One day when I get really game I am going to go solo.
Thanks for all the feedback, Carol doesn't mind me going away solo now and then if she is tied up with things to do on the home front and I'm not. Even though she has her campervan (only set up for one person) she still likes me to come along in my camping vehicle as a back up (campervan is old) in case of breakdown etc. She hasn't gone solo in it yet. When we go away together I call it our "chuck wagon" as a lot easier to prepare food in that than my camping set up.
I eat a lot differently when solo, don't go to so much bother with meals but still eat ok.
Using the tent for gear and the Patrol for sleeping in is something I never thought of Cupie, have been using a roof pod for the excess gear and sleeping in the Outlander with rear end tent sock.
Bryan what do you sleep in on your fishing trips?
Nelly, you and Jayco Gypsy have got your priorities right, lol.
Your info on doing things as full time Grey Nomads is interesting too Bob.
Looks like even couples can still have their solo time away now and then when circumstances permit, glad I'm not the only one.
Libby, you're treading on dangerous ground altering things in the "man cave", lol !!
I used to sleep in my car. The front passenger seat folds forward basically giving a flat area from the tailgate to the dashboard. Unfortunately the new one I've had for two weeks doesn't do the same but I can still fit in the back. But I'll most probably make more use of my tent cot.
In terms of food, I eat as much as I can of whatever I take with me. I try not to drink water on fishing trips.
I used to sleep in my car. The front passenger seat folds forward basically giving a flat area from the tailgate to the dashboard. Unfortunately the new one I've had for two weeks doesn't do the same but I can still fit in the back. But I'll most probably make more use of my tent cot.
In terms of food, I eat as much as I can of whatever I take with me. I try not to drink water on fishing trips.
Thanks Bryan, I was wondering what you did for a sleeper with your jeep.
Last time I was in Collie, there was a bloke doing a job there in town for a few days, he had a tent cot in the CP parked near us.
He had put a large tarp over the tent cot and had the tarp pegged down on the corners in a sort of pyramid shape. This gave him storage space at the sides of the cot underneath the tarp to store his belongings etc....
I can understand trying to not drink too much water when fishing, a bit like camping near a waterfall or babbling brook
-- Edited by Vic41 on Thursday 27th of February 2014 05:26:18 PM
Myself and Mrs are still working . Retiring this year.. We bought a converted motorhome 2 years ago to see if we like the lifestyle etc.. Well we bought a newer motorhome end of last year as we like it so much . About 50/50 free camp and C.P mainly C.P when grand kids come with us .. It's actually my Mrs that enjoyes going away more than myself. I grew up in NZ having 16 to 22m boats so fishing outside is my interst.. We go to Bathurst (V8's) every year .Have a parking bay there.. Thinking of selling investments and buying acreage under blue mountains to store hotorhome and other toys.. BUT we plan to be on road the next 6 to 18 months.. The transition to retirement sure brings on anciety yet looking forward to it..
oh yea we still haven't sold the old motorhome..
-- Edited by Aus-Kiwi on Thursday 27th of February 2014 08:08:20 PM
Good luck with your plans and the old MH sale AK, it's always an anxious time wondering if you are doing the right thing but once done if it's well thought out things seem to fall into place.
I think the anxiety of wondering if you can make do on a full or part pension, or only super if enough is a worry everyone goes through.
With a bit of adjustment we all seem to manage ok!.
Regards the grandkids, they get to an age when they don't want to go away with the grandies anymore, too many other exciting things to do (boyfriends/girlfriends to go out with etc).
Hubby doesn't travel so I go mostly with sister and hubby and/or brother and his wife. I am a bit like Jayco Gypsy - hubby checks all mechanicals etc. and I use the credit card while I am away ha! ha! I just love seeing this beautiful, big country of OURS. One day when I get really game I am going to go solo.
Nelly solo is great fun. I've never had a problem freedom camping or in van parks. It's quite funny when other GN nomads realize your on your own. One group when I pulled up were guessing my profession and having bets because I was on my own, another time I was quietly reading in my van and couldn't help overhearing the neighboring motorhome telling friends over drinks "what a capable lady in the van next door...does everything herself" and so the conversation went. Had a good giggle about that one. Me capable lol. I've always been welcomed by other travelers.
Just one of those great Aussie customs. Sometimes I'll have an area all to myself and see no-one...either way it's always enjoyable and always nice to get home but oh so nice being away, even if it's only a couple of nights at a time.
Under the circumstances (health etc) you do very well Beth and another shining example of Girl Power ......nearly as good as us blokes (joking ). Poor old Charlie, he'll love it! (not sure about the man cave renovations though !!)
Under the circumstances (health etc) you do very well Beth and another shining example of Girl Power ......nearly as good as us blokes (joking ). Poor old Charlie, he'll love it! (not sure about the man cave renovations though !!)
Thanks Vic. I've just posted in health & wellbeing that I have a surgery date for my nose at last. So yay! I'll be able to go somewhere in the autumn after all.
I WAS a bit concerned at the title of your thread Vic. Cheeky way to get attention.
Well I'm a solo so I go whenever I please, as long as my health allows it. But I do prefer to go with, or at least meet up with family or friends.
My only restrictions are money, ill health or specialist appointments.
Hey Libby, have you sent Charlie camping?
Great news Beth - the next month will go very quickly, so don't be like me and worry ........ mine is healing really well and I am finally feeling comfortable enough to get out and about without a burka! Will email you in the morning.
Regarding Charlie - yes, I have packed his bags, given him a packed lunch and compass ....... he is thrilled with the prospect of a week on his mates yacht sailing ...... not to mention the rest of the man things they will get up to.; And Vic - I have already had the interior decorator in to attend to the "Man Cave" renovations - just considering colour schemes and carpet at the moment ......... lol
cheers all
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The Maccas ....
2013 Avida Esperance Motorhome - based in northern NSW.
Snip.......And Vic - I have already had the interior decorator in to attend to the "Man Cave" renovations - just considering colour schemes and carpet at the moment ......... lol....Snip....
In fact I think it is a good idea, to give each other some room and quite time occasionally
