How to stay mobile while circumnavigating our way around this very large island

Alanandhelen · Veteran Member

How to stay mobile while circumnavigating our way around this very large island

shekon · Guru

I hear you. The answer I do not know. Self motivation is the only thing that is going to work I think. Now to get that motivation, well once again it comes and goes with me. I know that the lack of walking everyday as specific exercise has my joints and bones aching in the mornings.

12 months down the track and I love everything about this life style, but I do need to work out a daily exercise programme, probably easy to do, however the self motivation is my enemy. Certainly interested in all the answers that may come this way.

jules47 · The Happy Helper

Self motivation is very hard to come by. There is always some excuse to "go for a walk later", which doesn't happen often enough. We are in a motorhome, and we have the corner bed, but find it great for sleeping, entering and exit, as I sleep in the wall side, and I am also vertically challenged is "interesting", depends if the light is on or not! I think it would be very difficult if you have physical issues.

A lady we knew had Parkinsons, and she and her husband lived in their caravan, on the road, she walked miles every day with her dog - a dog is a great motivator to get you walking, and meeting people as well.

It is a great shame you are not enjoying this nomadic lifestyle Helen, and your husband - we have a little car we tow behind our motorhome, only had the car since just before Christmas, but is terrific, we mostly free camp, and the camps are not always near towns, so the car gives us the mobility to go further afield, and when we get to little towns, we walk up and down the streets, stop for a coffee, etc., as well as do our shopping. We love Micky Micra!

I hope you find a solution - maybe single beds would be an answer, though how you could incorporate them into the mh is another thing.

Enjoy the country, enjoy the travel, start walking around the caravan parks where you are staying - buy a dog to take walking. be a happyamper.jpg

Hylda&Jon · Guru

HI!

All I can say is if the van is your home it HAS TO BE COMFORTABLE. If I know that model the ensuite is cramping the bed so you may have 2 choices. Get rid or move the ensuite and get a bigger bed or change your vehicle for one more suitable for your needs.

Every one of us learns from our first bought mobile home what we should, or maybe should not have, got. I would guess that very few, if any of us get it right first go. We just don't know what we will need till we actually hit the road and experience the nomad lifestyle so, you aren't alone by any means.

Good luck

Jon

Pam · Guru

Hi Helen. I use a pedometer and the 10000 steps app as motivation. Start small and increase your goal each week. Start with walks around the caravan park. On travel days go for a roadside walk when ever you stop. Little bits add up. The hardest step is the first one. All the best.

the rocket · Guru

hi alanandhelen, It will be interesting to follow this thread. I have rheumatoid arthritis amongst other things and have difficulty at times also. we recently purchased agood secondhand caravan with a queen bed and a club lounge . when I am in pain and need to sleep by myself , strop converts the club lounge into a double bed. we now live in it permanently and so far, so good. buying a dog sounds good too and also they word I hate 'EXERCISE'. cheers. rocket.

Bruce and Bev · Guru

So far, neither my wife or I suffer these terrible conditions outlined above, but we are in our early 60s and starting to suffer from abusing our bodies when we were younger and didn't know then how to pick up and move items properly, so we have chronic back pain and shoulders, hips.

It doesn't effect us driving, but we make sure we stop every couple of hours, either because we don't usually move from one camp site to the next, or we stop for a look (and coffee) at the next little town. We also made sure our tow vehicle had comfortable and supportive seats.

When we free camp, we set up, grab our cameras and go walking. Taking the cameras has you wandering all over the place taking pics - much more so than forcing yourself to walk for your health. In CP's we are one of the nosy ones - we wander round the entire camp every late afternoon, talk with people who are sitting down and maybe having a drink, see what new ideas they've come up for their RV (and don't we come up with some great ideas to make life more comfortable).

A dog is a great idea if you make the effort to walk it as you should.

But as you've found, unless you make the effort, it is easy to warm your bum all day long - either in the tow vehicle seat, inside your RV or outdoors in a deck chair. We did this the first long trip and started to drink and eat too much. We now get out with the cameras or walk all the towns, old cemeteries, anything like that and the joints don't seize up so much!

It is difficult for your hubbie with Parkinsons, so how much you can do will depend on how advanced his disease is - he can still get a modern camera which will cope and produce great pics - even with moderate shaking If this interests you, then go to an camera only shop and they will spend serious time finding the best camera for him and then if you need to save money, see if you can buy the same unit from JB HIFI or Dick Smith (maybe even Harvey Norman)

Goldfinger · Senior Member

If you come to the Golden Triangle in Victoria which covers literally thousands of acres of State Forests/National Parks and get your self the new Minelab 2300 gold detector I feel you would put away the' Trivial Pursuits' and want to go for small walks with it which will inevitably lead to longer walks.....the new Minelab 2300 is designed for Newbies and only has a couple of knobs and one dedicated coil..but it finds much very small gold!....even over ground where the best detectors have already been, including the upmarket GPX5000....places like Dunolly, Tarnagulla, Laanecoorie, Maryborough, Talbot, etc etc are all basically quiet places and even Town's like Heathcote just out of the Triangle have strong history of Gold finds..<I spent 12 months wandering round the Heathcote Goldfields/State Forrests....in addition you have Bendigo and Ballarat environs...Interstate, Qld, N.S.W, N.T. and of course W.A. all have recognized goldfields where you can prospect with relative State Miners Rights..

The 2300 is the first detector where users report they find very small/small gold on virtually EVERY excursion they make in The Triangle......I can think of no greater motivator than the chance to find a bit of gold and pay the fuel bills or whatever, plus the ambiance of the Victorian Goldfields among Roos/Wallabys/Echidnas plus health allowing, you can both enjoy the pastime together in the peace and quiet...with these new machines you can cover thoroughly a relatively small area without extensive walking and with the gold being small the nugletts <as I call them> are close to the surface so minimal digging is generally required....I have no connection with Minelab.......these detectors have been out about 12 months now and a few 2nd hand are starting to appear <around $3000 odd> as Newbies want to search for larger gold with more sophisticated and difficult to use larger detectors...many have reported covering their purchase price in small gold finds in the past 6 months detecting..

Just another suggestion.....which may or may not suit your circumstances... and I have found that motivation is rarely a problem once you are there and inevitably bitten by the 'gold bug'....I don't like exercise per ce' but I have been known to walk over 10kms without even realizing I've done it!....I lost about 15kg <118kg to 103kg & had to put extra holes in all my belts to keep my pants up!> on my last W.A. prospecting trip and the basic fitness gained is a side benefit....
I wish you both well....if you wish to PM me that's fine as well ..other GN's have in the past....Hoo Roo

-- Edited by Goldfinger on Monday 26th of January 2015 09:32:36 PM

-- Edited by Goldfinger on Monday 26th of January 2015 09:39:38 PM

Alanandhelen · Veteran Member

Thank you guys for all the support.

I will get a pedometer and we will start walking. Its me, Helen, who has Parky. I can still do most things except sleep. Mornings are awful, simply cant move properly, snuffle to the bathroom etc but once meds kick in, and I am on them every 3 hours, then am almost normal. I love photography and writing. Combine both in a merge email to all our friends and relations about every 3 weeks. Also do
embroidery and crosswords when I can. So am busy but they are all sedentary.

We wouldn't get a dog because we are Cat people. Just lost our beautiful Berman 12 months ago and I would dearly love another but the hurt of losing her is still too raw.

I was feeling rather low when I penned the start of this thread and felt the Winnnebago was not what we has hoped. It had become toxic and until we do something about leaving its confines it probably could turn out to be the worst decision we have ever made. I wanted to know if others felt the same way and how they sorted it out.

We know what we have to do.

Alanandhelen · Veteran Member

G'day Goldfinger

What a surprise solution you have come up with. Shall digest it more when husband is awake in the morning.

Hoo Roo too.

Goldfinger · Senior Member

I forgot to mention Alanandhelen, that the 2300 folds into a small compact package unlike any previous detector and is also fully waterproof..can easily fit in Caravan compartments, folded......even hikers can carry one...press one Factory Pre set button and you're on your way with little set up or instruction required....they have a new 'timing' <PI Pulse Induction detector> which is designed to specifically find small gold which is why it can beat the more expensive PI's GPX4500 & 5000 detectors <on very small nugletts> which had a different 'timing' designed for larger nuggets at depth....they can also be used at the beach for relic/treasure and also following the Country Show circuits the day after the Show has moved on...round side show alleys and the Hurdy Gurdy rides....many coins fall from pockets!!.......tax free mana from heaven same as nugget finds which you don't have to declare......Good luck....Hoo Roo

P.S. I was previously 'Golddetectornomad' on this site....

-- Edited by Goldfinger on Tuesday 27th of January 2015 09:29:03 AM

sandsmere · Guru

I played football until I was 37 and ran marathons from age 15 to 45.

Since I gave it all away I have had a weight problem. ( like too much of it ).

So walking is a must for me now. It can be very hard sometimes. It's just so easy to sit down and have that coldie.

It's all between the ears for me . I have to force myself and once I start it's easy. Just got to start.

Hope you get it under control Helen.

Gerty Dancer · Guru

I dunno. I just love walking, feel all restless and trapped if I cant get out and put one foot after another for a half-hour or more. Going stir-crazy today in the rain so got the dogs, coat and boots and went. We got wet and a bit muddy, but the bush is absolutely magic at times like this... nobody to disturb the peace, only a few birds singing. Now we are all refreshed. aww

I just cant understand when you say you need motivation. It must be awful to view walking as a chore. disbelief No wonder you feel trapped in your motor-home. Our caravan is small and we'd have both gone nuts without our walks.

How you arrive at this walking addiction I don't know, its just me. confuse

wendyv · Guru

Helen,
before you moved into the Winnebago, were you able to sleep ok in the bed you had? The answer to this will tell you whether the problem is the motorhome itself, or your health.

If it is the bed in the motorhome that is the problem, is it possible to change motorhomes for one that has single beds?

The suggestion that Jules made, of possibly towing a small runabout car, is an excellent one. I know from our own experience when we first had the motorhome it was too much of a hassle to pack it all up just to go off somewhere sightseeing - and walking as an incidental! Having the little car is brilliant. Towing it is so easy - don't really even know it is there. The flat tow hitch we have is easy to use - and I can hitch and unhitch the car by myself in only a few minutes.

If you can get a run around car, then it opens up much easier sightseeing whereever you are - and walking options too, because of going to see things.

If you like photography and writing, why not start a blog of your travels? I have found blogger/blogspot good to use for that.

The nomadic lifestyle is embraced by so many people. Make the necessary changes and you will most likely fall in love with it too!

Alanandhelen · Veteran Member

Hello again and thank you .

It's my health controlling my everything. Easier to leave my bed at home than the Winne simply because I had an open side compared to the Winne which is in the corner like a play pen and only an opening at the bottom of it. I bought a $400.00 topper for it and it is soooo soft and comfortable, like falling into powdered snow of which I have done, but after 2 hours or so, pain wakes me and I have to leave it and therein lies my problem....minimal strength and have to 'bum' myself down to the bottom which takes so much effort. Eventually make it and I sit up with head on a pillow on the table for the next few hours......do sleep sitting up, believe it, but also gives me a very stiff neck.

We now know twin beds would be the answer......if we change vehicles that plus a lounge would be the priorities.

Just not sure I want to continue but the thought of spending 2/3 months in Tasmania is luring me to keep on trying and walking as much as possible.......I thrive in cold climates.....Live in the tropics which now, is not conducive to my well being as is too humid.

Didn't mean to winge but somehow this has turned into a 'poor me' scenario which I need to escape from.

Writing down our daily movements and seeing the funny side of things plus taking lots of photos has been my way of keeping a blog of
this trip. The intention was to turn it all into a photo book or 2 or 3.

Believe me until about 12 months ago I was walking 5-7 kms each day on possibly one of Qlds loveliest boardwalks with the ocean on one side all the way......then was told I was doing too much so gave it away completely...mad to stop of course.

I feel like deleting this as its not about what my original intention was . It has got lost along the way.

Gerty Dancer · Guru

Sorry Alan and Helen, my post was very unfeeling. I hope you able to get a set-up with twin beds to solve your sleeping problem. Lack of sleep would make anybody feel unmotivated! Sometimes the drugs prescribed for Parkinson's mess with your mind too.

Best wishes to you both for continued enjoyment in whatever you decide to do.

johnq · Guru

The new 'sliders', with a section that is moved outwards to increase space, might offer the access that any with mobility problems would appreciate.

Here is an example just to get the ball rolling and I am sure that others here would know a number of options that could be built up into a list here to help,

http://www.paradisemotorhomes.com.au/free-time

Some nice soul might spreadsheet the more common 'C' Class licence options (brands, model) against the 'must haves' for two (eg island bed you can actually get around without being a pixie, adequate refrigeration etc) and maybe some 'should haves'.

If you are wanting some freedom from caravan parks, there is the problem of enough water.

I am not so sure that any of the makers are really across what seniors need and prefer, accepting that many of us do have or risk developing, some compromised flexibility and strength. On the other hand, makers are also trying to provide heaps of storage, which compromises available living space and access, and can make doing some things a fiddle.

-- Edited by johnq on Wednesday 28th of January 2015 10:53:24 PM

Alanandhelen · Veteran Member

Mmmmm.

Which do others think 'The Best Motor home'. Heard about a European one about to be unleashed here but forget the name. Said it was beautifully finished compared to others on the market....under lock and key at a Motor Home Dealer in Brisbane.

johnq · Guru

My personal view is that these are nice if you have deep pockets and don't carry a heap of clothes and so on,

www.wirraway.com.au/

However, you should be guided by the experience of the motorhome owners.

neilnruth · Guru

I know this doesn't solve your problem but we are so glad that we listened to an older couple about 20 years ago (when we were 'young') who told us that when we changed our caravan to consider buying single beds. We had a bed across the back of the caravan and I was definitely 'over' my husband climbing over me two or three times a night to get to the toilet. We did get the single beds and it has made a big difference. We even changed from the foam mattresses to decent ones. When one partner has a sleeping problem it is so much easier with single beds.

Alanandhelen · Veteran Member

Yes, climbing over your partner at 1.00 am sucks. Also my husband has long bony legs which hang over the end.....feels like I am girding railway tracks. Each night now I dread the hours before sun up but I always manage to greet the day quite amiably.

Seems like I am not alone and good to hear I have company. Funny how everything seems less of a problem once awake and had your first coffee/tea.

Had a short walk too this morning and found some new friends 4 vans up who just happen to have a business interest in our home town....small world.....more catching up tomorrow after another walk and maybe a swim in the Pacific.....still hankering for the twins though......just makes sense.

iana · Guru

Yeah, know about the coffee Before copy.jpg I wake up just about every morning from 12:30am onwards. The wife also has similar problems. We're trying to find a van with comfy recliners so when one of us wakes up, we can go into the lounge and watch TV, while all comfortable in our recliner chair.

I really don't know why people own Motorhomes, and then for Ch--ts sake tow a car behind. The only two reasons I can see is that they have to move on as soon as they get there, and two that the passenger can sneak to the back for a nap during the trip.

I have been looking at 5 wheelers, full sized bed, easier to tow, and when you uncouple the prime mover its your transport, rather than having to take your home with you when ever one ventures out.

Anyway you certainly aren't alone with those problems.

Alanandhelen · Veteran Member

Love your reasoning. I don't know why people tow either unless its one of those jazzy 3 wheeler bike thingies.
5th Wheelers seem sensible.......had a look through one of our neighbours in a park at Tin Can Bay.....from the States... Only 2 steps up into the bedroom with double bed one could walk around and exit easily....still too long for us though.
The Wirr-away series Motor Homes are glorious....one can only hope and we must have dreams.

iana · Guru

May I suggest you have a look at the Southern cross 5th wheeler web site, or Trulux web site. A 20 ft. 5 wheeler is about the same towing length as an 18 ft. van. Remember the 5 wheeler is the most popular towing unit in Aus.!! yep! take a look at all those trucks out there. Both those companies have solved the height bed problem, and they are much smaller than the American design.
Your sleep comfort problems will be solved with one of those, and get a dog too.
www.southerncrosscaravans.com.au/

Alanandhelen · Veteran Member

About to now. Always something else to look at......must be an answer

iana · Guru

What's happened, no talkee

Alanandhelen · Veteran Member

Good morning iana

Bit slow off the mark as usual at this time of day. Did sleep for about 5 hours straight which is amazing for me too. Yes an armchair to escape to, single beds, and I might just take to this. I didn't swing my passenger chair around even yesterday when we arrived at this destination......Wood Heads or something like that ( fancy not knowing where you are) somewhere around Grafton, because it isn't comfortable to use as an armchair and never used for such. Good for storing whatever though.
It has rained all night, the first real rain since leaving home in October............mad dash to bring inside all that we had left outside about 10.00 pm. Think the rain is the reason I could stay prone on my back....very relaxing.......and so glad it is a Winnebago and not like the majority of our neighbours......a tent.....even though immediate one is a Kimberley........cant imagine what it must be like to have to have to make the frantic dash to the toilet in this deluge.

This is a lovely spot or was when we arrived in the summer sun.....38c according to my husband . and even though no power for air con we had decided to stay on, but with this unexpected cooling rain probably wont. I could take it for a few days though. It is a NSW national park and beautifully maintained but rather expensive.....$28.70. Not sure if that was the pensioner price .....probably was as he looked at the evidence.....our first time in this states national park system. After a lovely moonlit walk last evening the mosquitoes attacked and both of us suffered. I have never had to worry about them, home in tropical north Qld so am wondering why. A good spray of perfume and the itch was gone. Used it because couldnt find the Stingose quickly enough. Must find a cheaper perfume though ........Bulgari.....did bring too, Chanel no 5, but not using that. Read once that if, when camping, a Tick attached itself, use perfume. At the time I thought....Perfume on a camping trip!!! But tried it on these itchy red welts and it certainly did. Mind you, once settled down did find the Stingose for use on my husband.

Have I digressed too much away from original subject? We aren't looking to change vehicles at this stage even though I would dearly love to look around now that we are heading toward Sydney/Melbourne areas where there should be fantastic choices. My husband wont admit to, perhaps, making the wrong choice........very stubborn......he loves having the bed to himself and gets a few good hours more. Me, usually as you know, coffee and crosswords or what I am doing now until sun up and a long hot shower on the body lifts the spirits.

iana · Guru

Good morning Helen,
Yes I too had a good nights sleep, dropped off at about 10 pm, woke and got up at 04:15am, that's a really good night for me. I usually get up a 5 and am out the door at 6 heading for work.
Yesterday I sent an email to Truelux to get more details on their vans. For once the wife and I are in agreement, we must get the recliners, and they must fully recline. Truelux have two 24 foot models that will fit the bill. I also want the bed area separate to the lounge, so that if one gets up to watch TV or make a drink, the other is not disturbed.
Thank God this tennis is nearly over. My wife's very sporty and will sit and watch for hours, right into the small hours of the morning. How I envy those who can sleep at anytime and for so long through anything, what a gift they have. Adequate sleep is so important, lack of it just turns you into a zombie, and all that is wrong is just amplified, when it really isn't that bad at all.
One of the problems I have is that I never stop thinking. So I am constantly exploring, questioning and or redesigning something. I often wonder if it is possible that people can have a completely blank mind? something I cannot imagine.
Saturday I went to the doctor, with in 15 minutes I had handed over $300, I thought hang on there, I cold have brought an air compressor for that! go easy. No I have to have Xrays to check for calcium in my arteries and get a heart monitor fitted, looks like they may explore the idea of killing a node in my heart, so that instead of beating all wonky, it may get going properly again. They have already put me down twice and restarted it but it didn't work (I know .
Then there's sleep appnea, but I don't have to go there.

I wondered what you both did before you began this life?

I am going to have to get going to work now, but have a good day.

Alanandhelen · Veteran Member

Alan is a Vietnam Vet and an Accountant/Auditor and I, nothing so interesting. Raised my family, one son only who now has 2 of his own and when my marriage broke down went back to work for The War Widows Guild in Brisbane until retirement. Loved that job...felt alive that is until the diagnoses of Parkinsons Disease.....I'm OK.

Interesting to hear about your Calcium overload. Alan spent a month in Townsville having tests last October which resulted in them finding this huge Calcium nodule in his Aorta. He hasn't been able to move much for years and that is the reason why.
Impossible to remove so he received a Stent only partly inflated in a 6 hour operation.....back in room after recovery only to find he had to be rushed back to theatre for another Stent above the knee....12 hour procedure. He has improved but not nearly 100%. Never will be but he wasn't putting this trip off.......we huff and puff our way.

I don't think and ponder as much as I used to however Alan never stops.

In a free park at the foothills leading up to Dorrigo behind Grafton. Vans and backpackers pouring in still. Have found the Pacific Highway rather horrid......they all criticise the Bruce in Queensland but the Bruce is superior I feel......a lot of work has been done over the last 5 years. Someone blasted us for what reason we don't know and do feel rather conspicuous at times.........we do pull over when vehicles have piled up behind us and that's when we were blasted. Impatient idiots, no wonder there are so many crosses on roadside.

Time to have dinner and finally a cool change upon us with these nuts falling all around us from these pine trees and black ****atoos having a feast.....rather nice..... even the 4 backpackers having a wonderful time with a Bong......people spotting is half the fun.

No we are not into all things sporty athough when the NFL roars into action Alan is not far from the scene.

We head to the coast again probably tomorrow and then south of Sydney after that....somewhere.......

iana · Guru

Hi Helen and Alan,
From the picture, I can see Alan sitting across at his desk saying "You really are trying to screw the tax office aren't you!"
I'm having a cat-scan on Thursday, hope they don't find anything that not curable. Its getting a bit expensive becoming old.
What kind of xxxxatoos were they? red xxxxatoos are rare.
Four your information, I live in xxxxburn, bloody stupid name.
Tell Alan to put up a post in "I digress"