Doug Eklom has been full-time on the road for several years
For all the joy, excitement and pleasure that taking the Big Lap gives, it can also serve up its fair share of challenges, setbacks and disappointments.
While sometimes these more negative experiences are the result of circumstances beyond our control, on other occasions they can be the result of a poor split-second decision or a simple misjudgement.
And they can happen to anyone, even the most experienced of travellers.
Full-time solo grey nomad Doug Eklom has spent years on the road towing his Chief Arrow caravan with a Holden Colorado … but his adventures stalled quite dramatically last month.
After a busy day of sightseeing around Beechworth in Victoria, Doug enjoyed a quiet evening in a local caravan park before deciding to sit outside to enjoy a goodnight drink of warm milk and Manuka honey.
“I was going out the caravan door and noticed bugs everywhere so gave a quick spray and then, in my wisdom, turned the light out and as I started down the step misplaced my foot and down I went like a ton of bricks,” he said. “I hit the metal arm of my chair on the right side of my chest and right shin on the step … I was winded, and I laid there not even able to call out for help.”
Doug was in complete agony but somehow, after about 10 minutes, he was just about able to struggle back into his van.
“I managed to get through the night in a lot of pain but around 1pm the next day it all got too much and I called an ambulance,” he said. “Off I went to Wangaratta Hospital and stayed there for four days on oxygen, with two broken ribs and a small puncture in the right lung, as well as a big gash on the right shin.”
Several weeks later Doug is back in his caravan and although he is still very much ‘grounded’, he is slowly recovering and is able to look at the positives.
“I was very lucky and unlucky at the same time but mainly lucky because it could have been much, much worse,” he said. “I am still in a lot
of pain and my strong pain killers only work a little and not for long.”
Nonetheless, as Doug continues to recover he hopes he will soon be able to pack up and continue his adventures, a few weeks older but a lot, lot wiser.
“Hopefully, my experience will remind other travellers of just how easy it is for something to go wrong,” he said.
• Have you ever had an accident that changed your travel plans? Comment below.
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Not hard to do
Same trick. Stepping out of motor home with lights out, slipped on step and broke ankle. 2 weeks for ankle reconstruction, 2 months boot and crutches and still on physio 6 months after. Take care those steps are dangerous.
It’s not just those pesky stairs you have to watch. My husband and I were sitting quietly having a drink one afternoon in our new camping chairs. I looked over at John and I saw his legs tipping over and he somersaulted in the air and landed flat on his face. I started laughing (naughty me but it was a sight) but got up quickly and assisted him to his feet. Damage – very stiff neck, grazed side of tongue and back pain. He wouldn’t call an ambulance but with the help of some active magnesium cream he was better in four or five days. Moral of the story – stick with a reputable company when you buy your chairs as they expressed an upgraded and much stronger chair to Talbingo where we were staying. Didn’t interrupt our trip but it could have been quite serious.
So easy to do I walked out of daughters at 8 in morning mat slipped went down like the proverbial. 8 weeks later still seeing physio, unable to sit can only stand and walk.
Hi Dot, I hope you have had xrays because you can break your coccyx and experience this kind of pain. Very nasty! Get well soon.
so sad he was in a caravan park and no one saw or heard him……bit different if he was free camping and alone……it was always a worry for me, a solo female. I always free camped…..if this had happened to me I would not have been found for days…..but in a park??…….not good. I hope you recover well…happy travels.
Hi Doug, sorry mate to hear you’re still laid up and in pain, hopefully you’ll be back on your feet soon. Regards Gwynne