As we go along we meet all kinds in the caravan parks..mostly grey nomads. From bald pear shaped couples in their little fold ups, to lithe, tanned and sinewy couples in their huge 5th wheelers that are as high as ours is long with lounges, bathrooms and even washing machines. Many of them are going round for years, and in fact have sold up their homes and are using the vans as their “retirement homes”,so that each day is an adventure and they can follow the weather, festivals and displays along the way. They seem blissfully happy, and seem to have everything they need, including a positive and healthy outlook on life.
I wondered what they did with all their “STUFF”? You know what I mean..we have a house full of stuff at home, yet we seem to have everything we need for daily life here in this van and all the comforts. Do we really NEED it all, and is the accumulation of all that stuff an asset or a liability to enjoying our autumn years?
But while thinking of it I realised that I LIKED having all our pictures, comfy furniture, and memories around us. Also, we like having our community around us..our parish, neighbours and friends, and a sense of belonging which you can’t get when you don’t stay in any place for long. But most importantly is being close to family...we like having children, grandchildren and close family pop in for lunch, special occasions and for a spot of babysitting. Seeing them once a year as we swung into their part of the world would not be enough for me. So although it sounds romantic and fun, we will stick to caravanning as our recreation and not a permanent lifestyle.
Since a few people have asked about the actual nitty gritty of our trip, I will try and answer a few Q.
We have a 2002 Commodore and tow a 15 foot Pop up caravan (the type where the topmost roof section pops up and has zip vents for cross draughts) It has all the comforts of home except our own shower and loo. There is a gas stove and oven, sink, microwave, two beds, TV with DVD player which tucks away on a extendable arm , Sat dish, radio and of course our laptop with wireless internet (the BEST invention!) We also have a reverse cycle air con which is great for those hot days. We had a special annex (side tent) made which is not the usual canvas, but a plasticised shade cloth type fabric which allows the fresh air to flow in but keeps the goggas out. We only put the annex up when we know we are going to be in one site for a few days, cos although it is all very streamlined, it does take extra time. We also now only put the sat dish up when we know we will be in one place for a few days cos it does take time and is not worth it for an overnight stop. Generally we don’t even unhitch when we do an overnight stop, but if we are going to do any touring then we level the van and free up the car! Although Paul has rigged the van up with 12 V and also 240 V, we have not camped in the bush on this trip. We have a deep cycle battery which we could use to have power in those cases, and generally it copes with most things except heavy users like microwaves. There are many wonderful free campsites and basic campsites in National Parks where we would normally have stayed, but this time we have used our little portable freezer which needs power to stay frozen so we have been reluctant to stay where there is no power. I must say it is nice to have hot showers and loos, but of course that does mean we are paying for accommodation every night.
Caravan Parks vary from quite plush with pools, spas, tennis courts etc, to very basic with just a shower and loo. All have been clean and adequate...of course you pay for the extras. Also, school holidays and public holidays play a big part in the cost...some vary from 25.00 (= empty parks ) a night to 45.00 (and packed like sardines) a night depending on season. We never book ahead cos sometimes we look at a map and think that an area looks great to stay in, but when we get there it’s a barren place with Caravan Park on the main road..so we would rather take chances and just be gypsies. Fuel -planned 5,000kms but done 11,000 kms, at $1.32 - $1.48 even in Sydney.
We eat well and we don’t eat out of tins or takeaways. I have the microwave, a wok, a griller as well as the usual toaster/kettle etc. We eat outdoors when we can and light candles and candlewood sticks for the mozzies. A lightweight table and two deck chairs with side tables completes the comfort.
There is enough storage space if we only take what we need..that is the million dollar Q..what do we really need? Under one bunk Paul has all his tools..angle grinder/drill/tool box etc. With those he has already fixed many things in the van that needed doing. It also has our hiking gear and various spare parts. Under the other bunk is my painting kit in one container, all the paperwork and books in another, and clothes from the next season in a corner. The last bunk has fishing rods, axe, and wet weather gear..with a corner for the beers and wine! The pantry has three shelves for foodstuffs, a cupboard for pots and pans and overhead cupboards for crockery etc. The clothes wardrobe is a bit mean with only 4 narrow shelves, and another small cupboard for shoes. (Not nearly enough for my liking!)The Sat box and other equipment go on top the wardrobe.
Although we are living in a small place we don’t seem to get in each other’s way...although we do have to pass in the passage sideways – a delight indeed. Somehow we each have our roles and we each have our routines and so there is harmony..most of the time. Only when the roles or leadership issues are transgressed do things get heated. The biggest cause of heated discussion has been helped immensely with the new GPS with screen and speech instructions..but believe it or not , even “she” is not infallible and there have been cases of us going round in circles getting heated. A lot of the time we are out sightseeing, and even when we are van bound cos of rain there is always lots to do to keep our interest. We have lovely CD’s, DVD’s, the Sat dish, books, planning our short term itinery, painting.....and of course the internet! Also repairing and maintaining car and van.Best buy..the GPS and wireless internet. Worst buy..a small portable washing machine which works well by turning the handle. But it still needs to be wrung out and it takes up a fair bit of room. With washing machines and driers in all caravan parks for a couple of dollars it was not worth it. So the local St Vincent’s got a donation. So far, so good. We learn all the time!
I wondered what they did with all their “STUFF”? You know what I mean..we have a house full of stuff at home, yet we seem to have everything we need for daily life here in this van and all the comforts. Do we really NEED it all, and is the accumulation of all that stuff an asset or a liability to enjoying our autumn years?
But while thinking of it I realised that I LIKED having all our pictures, comfy furniture, and memories around us. Also, we like having our community around us..our parish, neighbours and friends, and a sense of belonging which you can’t get when you don’t stay in any place for long. But most importantly is being close to family...we like having children, grandchildren and close family pop in for lunch, special occasions and for a spot of babysitting. Seeing them once a year as we swung into their part of the world would not be enough for me. So although it sounds romantic and fun, we will stick to caravanning as our recreation and not a permanent lifestyle.
Since a few people have asked about the actual nitty gritty of our trip, I will try and answer a few Q.
We have a 2002 Commodore and tow a 15 foot Pop up caravan (the type where the topmost roof section pops up and has zip vents for cross draughts) It has all the comforts of home except our own shower and loo. There is a gas stove and oven, sink, microwave, two beds, TV with DVD player which tucks away on a extendable arm , Sat dish, radio and of course our laptop with wireless internet (the BEST invention!) We also have a reverse cycle air con which is great for those hot days. We had a special annex (side tent) made which is not the usual canvas, but a plasticised shade cloth type fabric which allows the fresh air to flow in but keeps the goggas out. We only put the annex up when we know we are going to be in one site for a few days, cos although it is all very streamlined, it does take extra time. We also now only put the sat dish up when we know we will be in one place for a few days cos it does take time and is not worth it for an overnight stop. Generally we don’t even unhitch when we do an overnight stop, but if we are going to do any touring then we level the van and free up the car! Although Paul has rigged the van up with 12 V and also 240 V, we have not camped in the bush on this trip. We have a deep cycle battery which we could use to have power in those cases, and generally it copes with most things except heavy users like microwaves. There are many wonderful free campsites and basic campsites in National Parks where we would normally have stayed, but this time we have used our little portable freezer which needs power to stay frozen so we have been reluctant to stay where there is no power. I must say it is nice to have hot showers and loos, but of course that does mean we are paying for accommodation every night.
Caravan Parks vary from quite plush with pools, spas, tennis courts etc, to very basic with just a shower and loo. All have been clean and adequate...of course you pay for the extras. Also, school holidays and public holidays play a big part in the cost...some vary from 25.00 (= empty parks ) a night to 45.00 (and packed like sardines) a night depending on season. We never book ahead cos sometimes we look at a map and think that an area looks great to stay in, but when we get there it’s a barren place with Caravan Park on the main road..so we would rather take chances and just be gypsies. Fuel -planned 5,000kms but done 11,000 kms, at $1.32 - $1.48 even in Sydney.
We eat well and we don’t eat out of tins or takeaways. I have the microwave, a wok, a griller as well as the usual toaster/kettle etc. We eat outdoors when we can and light candles and candlewood sticks for the mozzies. A lightweight table and two deck chairs with side tables completes the comfort.
There is enough storage space if we only take what we need..that is the million dollar Q..what do we really need? Under one bunk Paul has all his tools..angle grinder/drill/tool box etc. With those he has already fixed many things in the van that needed doing. It also has our hiking gear and various spare parts. Under the other bunk is my painting kit in one container, all the paperwork and books in another, and clothes from the next season in a corner. The last bunk has fishing rods, axe, and wet weather gear..with a corner for the beers and wine! The pantry has three shelves for foodstuffs, a cupboard for pots and pans and overhead cupboards for crockery etc. The clothes wardrobe is a bit mean with only 4 narrow shelves, and another small cupboard for shoes. (Not nearly enough for my liking!)The Sat box and other equipment go on top the wardrobe.
Although we are living in a small place we don’t seem to get in each other’s way...although we do have to pass in the passage sideways – a delight indeed. Somehow we each have our roles and we each have our routines and so there is harmony..most of the time. Only when the roles or leadership issues are transgressed do things get heated. The biggest cause of heated discussion has been helped immensely with the new GPS with screen and speech instructions..but believe it or not , even “she” is not infallible and there have been cases of us going round in circles getting heated. A lot of the time we are out sightseeing, and even when we are van bound cos of rain there is always lots to do to keep our interest. We have lovely CD’s, DVD’s, the Sat dish, books, planning our short term itinery, painting.....and of course the internet! Also repairing and maintaining car and van.Best buy..the GPS and wireless internet. Worst buy..a small portable washing machine which works well by turning the handle. But it still needs to be wrung out and it takes up a fair bit of room. With washing machines and driers in all caravan parks for a couple of dollars it was not worth it. So the local St Vincent’s got a donation. So far, so good. We learn all the time!
