SHUT THE FRONT GATE!!

Dougwe · Chief one feather

SHUT THE FRONT GATE!!

Ame25 · Senior Member

You won't regret it Dougwe it's a ton of fun out here in the playground. Happy travelling!

Blue · Senior Member

so did you own the house? or renting?

im probably a bit behind your story... but I couldn't stand not having a HOME to go back to...

maybe im a bit young to be thinking in the ways of "no fixed address"

-- Edited by Blue on Monday 29th of September 2014 08:59:33 PM

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Owned, until last Friday Blue. I am now sort of the caretaker I spose. I don't get the money though until next Monday. I have meeting with Agent tomorrow.

billeeeeeee · Guru

Blue wrote:
so did you own the house? or renting?

im probably a bit behind your story... but I couldn't stand not having a HOME to go back to...

maybe im a bit young to be thinking in the ways of "no fixed address"

-- Edited by Blue on Monday 29th of September 2014 08:59:33 PM

Freedom, Sense of release, lightness, The less you have, the more you are free,, Break the illusion, of materialism, Breaking the illusion of Security, !!And!!, knowing that we are not guaranteed tomorrow, we are only allotted so many breaths, and no more ,,, Sooooo Fu-k what the system, has told us all our lives, lets get out there and enjoy our life, !!And!! not be afraid of the illusion , of, what if,,,, Hope i'm not to far off topic, hehe stay excited world ,,, Ps, People who are not excited , ask Doug, how he feels ,,, you tooo can feel like that see you out there in planet Beautiful Billeeeeeee

exa41 · Guru

you lucky buggers , every time I think about the big trip something happens and it all turns sour , bugger

jules47 · The Happy Helper

7 thing to give up.jpg Doug will have a home - he will have a mobile one! Like us!!!! Takes me ten minutes in the morning to tidy up - and we can be packed up and on the road in just over ten minutes!

We get all the "what if's" - we say - if we get sick, we'll go the doctor, we are responsible for ourselves, whether we live in a static home, or a mobile home - I know where I would rather be!!! Right where the motor home is parked below!!!! (Sorry for the double up won't "remove")

-- Edited by jules47 on Monday 29th of September 2014 10:16:07 PM

Bevandy2 · Senior Member

Hey Doug,
Congratulations mate, how well I remember our big day, sold the house in Perth, furniture in storage, new van and the Fairlane, money all in the bank and we took off, oh what a wonderful feeling, the van is aptly named Freedom!

After many exciting months we found Paradise on the Sunshine Coast, now have a beaut Home Base to return to, and our travels continue.

Best wishes for many happy travels with few encumberances (I learnt that big word in the Airforce, dunno what it means) ha ha,

Should you resettle somewhere eventually, follow the advice we were given, go for the high ground (to be safe from floods) and ensure you have plenty of water, if going rural.
We went rural, on the high country and have a good bore as well as rain water.

Best wishes mate, have a long and happy retirement.

Bevan

billeeeeeee · Guru

exa41 wrote:
you lucky buggers , every time I think about the big trip something happens and it all turns sour , bugger

Howdyeee there exa41, if that's the only problem you have ,,, why are you not out in the play ground,,,??? Guess what ..??? sh-t happens out here tooo , we just all gotta deal with it, too, part of life,, We are all out here in the play ground, You rub shoulders with Millionaires, and paupers, and every one in between, You mix with Healthy people, and unhealthy people, Nice people , and not so nice people, excited ,and dull people,,, enjoy the play ground ,,, might see you out there in planet beautiful........Billeeeeeee

-- Edited by billeeeeeee on Monday 29th of September 2014 10:54:26 PM

-- Edited by billeeeeeee on Monday 29th of September 2014 10:55:45 PM

Glenelg · Guru

good luck mate , i may know how you feel. just behind ya.

Blue · Senior Member

thankyou to you guys for explaining your reasons for selling your house and hitting the road...

I luv Australia, I luv being on the road on my holidays but for now I still need a base, to work, to be here for the kids and grand child...

maybe in 17 years when I retire i'll feel differently...

my mum sits in our house with her sister and they don't do much at all... she feels she has nothing to live for anymore... as all of us kids have moved away from the old "home town" no one drops in to visit her etc..

I wish she'd do a bit of travelling around Australia but she doesn't have any interest... hmmm

GaryKelly · Guru

I heard a bloke on telly last night say something interesting... "it's a miracle we were born at all." Yeah, and when you think about it, there were 100 million little tadpoles or thereabouts all swimming like buggery to be first to fertillize the egg and you won! All those other poor little devils never made it... only you. So make the most of a truly remarkable experience... life itself.

Dougwe · Chief one feather

How,

Blue, due to this being MY topic I am allowed and so are others to do a wombat and wonder "off topic", gee I don't even care if anyone staggers off topic biggrin I had two glasses of a nice red last night and actually felt I could down the rest of the bottle but didn't disbelief cry

I have a couple of personal reasons apart from just wanting to be in the playground full time Blue and people that know me will know those reasons.

I retired two years ago and up until March/April this year felt I needed base camp to come back too but decided my sanity and hopefully health was much more important too me. I only have one Daughter in Victoria and 1 1/2 hours away, not far to me but is to her for some reason. She has her life with her partner so I go to them. Same as friends, they live away from me and don't see them usually unless I go to them, in fact you will be interested to know that I have had more visits from friends I have made from this great forum than my private life friends. So are those private friends really friends I wonder?

As Jules said earlier, I won't be homeless as I will have my Caravan and Car, they are both new so will last me out. When I can't travel any more I will just stay put at some nice spot in my van and see my days out but hey, that's a long way away yet. Anything can happen and has this year. I had no idea at the beginning of this year I would be a full time grey nomad next week.

Mate, just do what you want or need, you are the one that has to be happy. There are a few GN Members from here doing the same thing as me as we speak, that's just us. Only time will tell if we are doing the right thing.

One thing I know is I have felt very positive through this whole process and everything has gone smoothly and to plan, actually ahead of plan really. My new positive outlook will be my travelling companion. Along with the twins of course biggrin biggrin

Look forward to retirement Blue and know when it arrives you will have worked very hard all your working life to get there so enjoy every minute of it.

Sorry all for going on a bit. I'll shut up now.

I heard that down the back biggrin

Dougwe · Chief one feather

How true Gary.

Glenelg · Guru

Dougwe wrote:
How,

Blue, due to this being MY topic I am allowed and so are others to do a wombat and wonder "off topic", gee I don't even care if anyone staggers off topic I had two glasses of a nice red last night and actually felt I could down the rest of the bottle but didn't
I have a couple of personal reasons apart from just wanting to be in the playground full time Blue and people that know me will know those reasons.
I retired two years ago and up until March/April this year felt I needed base camp to come back too but decided my sanity and hopefully health was much more important too me. I only have one Daughter in Victoria and 1 1/2 hours away, not far to me but is to her for some reason. She has her life with her partner so I go to them. Same as friends, they live away from me and don't see them usually unless I go to them, in fact you will be interested to know that I have had more visits from friends I have made from this great forum than my private life friends. So are those private friends really friends I wonder?
As Jules said earlier, I won't be homeless as I will have my Caravan and Car, they are both new so will last me out. When I can't travel any more I will just stay put at some nice spot in my van and see my days out but hey, that's a long way away yet. Anything can happen and has this year. I had no idea at the beginning of this year I would be a full time grey nomad next week.
Mate, just do what you want or need, you are the one that has to be happy. There are a few GN Members from here doing the same thing as me as we speak, that's just us. Only time will tell if we are doing the right thing.
One thing I know is I have felt very positive through this whole process and everything has gone smoothly and to plan, actually ahead of plan really. My new positive outlook will be my travelling companion. Along with the twins of course
Look forward to retirement Blue and know when it arrives you will have worked very hard all your working life to get there so enjoy every minute of it.
Sorry all for going on a bit. I'll shut up now.
I heard that down the back

very good post Doug. goodonya . we all have our reasons . you have done a great job of it all.

Vic41 · Guru

Best wishes for the new life Doug! smile

Born again ! biggrin

Gerty Dancer · Guru

Very very best wishes to you Doug!!! Making your decisions and following through efficiently and promptly is something some of us hesitate too long over.

Edit: OOOh Doug, you wont have a front gate any more! What will be your new saying?

-- Edited by Gerty Dancer on Tuesday 30th of September 2014 08:31:50 AM

Big Gorilla · Guru

Don't forget to turn off the lights Chief.... OOpps sorry, that one is for the Kiwis !! biggrin biggrin

exa41 · Guru

yes Billeeeeeeee, I broke the damn gearbox in the camper for the second time now so I have to repair that before we can go away , one doctors appointment in early December and I`ll be out there with you guys enjoying the good life . Cant sell the base camp though because I have spent the last 30 years building it .

jules47 · The Happy Helper

"SHUT THE TAILGATE!!!" ???

Doug - love your positive attitude, wonder where that came from? A mutual friend perhaps, but it has to be in you for it to happen. This has been an amazing year for you - and you have an edge over some who are just starting out, you have done long term nomadding for quite a while now, so know the pitfalls.

Can't wait to see you on the road again, hopefully at Greens over summer?

life is too short.jpg

Nelly · Guru

Good on you Doug. Wish you all the best with the permanent grey nomads status - sounds good!!! Keep well and happy camping.

10393845_714353488619867_7548738523253291069_n[1].jpg

frangipani · Guru

Yes I understand what you mean about your so called friends, as my daughter once said, "what r u waiting for, the phone that doesn't ring, the ppl that don't come?" Hope I'll have the courage to do what your about to embark on., Good Luck, may your "angels guide you"

kandagal · Guru

So pleased that things went so well for you Doug. We've been on the road 20 years (without a base) & haven't regretted any of it. Cheers Alice

Dougwe · Chief one feather

How,

Thanks again everyone. I'm sure there will be many changes to get used to and different ways of doing things to how I do them now but I know I will get through them and more than cope. A change in routine is all it is.

I have just got back from the Estate Agent and everything is now signed off. I am just waiting for Monday when I leave early and lock the front door for the last time. The Agent will transfer the money to my account the same day. I spose I am like a caretaker here now.

The new owner is coming around Friday so I can run through all those little secrets of how things work etc etc. I know she is as excited as me and I tell you that for free.

Jules, "Shut the front gate" has been a saying of mine for some time now so can't see it changing really.

gwb · Senior Member

We look forward to meeting you Doug on the road somewhere. We are not full time on the road but usually around 6-8 months of the year. Your attitude is fantastic.
Geoff and Bev

Happywanderer · The Master

Well! Shut the front door Doug. I'm excited for you. Won't be long and you will out in the playground fulltime and loving it. Some big changes ahead.

aussietraveller · Guru

Fantastic news Doug the real adventure for you and the twins starts now and living full time in the playground certainly has its attractions and I think the total freedom would be awesome I cant see me being able to seriously consider this option as there are two of us and one definitely wouldn't consider selling up and I would still have some difficulty with it even though I often think and to some extent dream about it.

Will have to remain happy with extended and shorter trips in the playground and we hope you enjoy your new lifestyle and as Billeeeeeee says stay excited

glassies · Guru

Dont forget when u are going thru the sunshine coast to say hi to us here in landsborough
Welcome for coffee or beer or both
Have fun in that big wide country we call australia cheers and bottoms up !!

Blue · Senior Member

thanks for your digression doug...

I remember some years back now when we were flying back in from Brazil, I said to the Mrs, we need to see more of our own country, Australia!!!

then one xmas when I had leave and the mrs didn't I decided to get on my motor bike and travel across the Nullarbor...

well... I was very nervous... I didn't even know if I could ride my bike for a full day!!

but once I got going, I found that I talked to many people when I expected to talk to no one.. im a bit antisocial and like my own company mostly

my bike was like a hot babe in a Bikini so she attracted many admirers... so I ended up talking to many people for hour after the introduction to my Rocket III...

I am happy with my own company, im also happy to talk to others if they want to come over for a chat which many people do...

Australians travelling in the outback are great, both guys and gals..

I remember on our second big trip in Australia.. from Vic to Darwin and return.. both of us went this time.. Me, the Mrs and a Goldwing and Trailer..

on our first night, due to circumstances, we spent the night in an ensuite toilet... biggrin

you just can't write that stuff...

but although we were on a motorcycle.. literally hundreds of Grey Nomads waved to us on the way past... like, once you get passed Port Augusta everyone changes... my Mrs would ask.. "gee, how many people did you wave to today?" ... I'd say.. about 200 evileye .... biggrin

some good people out there doug.. some weirdo's too.. but that's another story... one I have or my Nullarbor crossing.. wink wink

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

enjoy the playground Dougwe, when you get to WA you will be welcome down our hole.

Bugga, I did not go off topic, I must be slipping off to take my meds now. biggrin