After 14 years on the open seas, blue nomads Donegal Holloway and partner Kirsty are about to sell their beloved yacht and try life on the open road instead.
The semi-retired couple have been sailing their 52’ Amel ketch, Jasmyn on Blue, up and down the east coast for well over a decade and have loved every minute of it … but now they feel it’s time to try something different.
“Living on a yacht is full-time free camping if you stay out of marinas, as we did, because they’re like caravan parks for boats,” said Donegal. “So, we are pretty clued up on off-grid camping and intend to do it when we are travelling on land.”
The couple are now awaiting delivery of their Great Aussie Gravity 23’ van..
Donegal and Kirsty are swapping yachting life for caravanning life.
And they are readying themselves for the readjustment of living in it as opposed to a 52’ boat where they didn’t have to worry about what they carried and had a 1500-litre water tank with a water maker
The other challenge they see is a financial one.
“Cruising on a sail boat is a lot cheaper than dragging a caravan around the country,” said Donegal.
The couple helped fund their sailing lifestyle by regularly working on a NSW cotton farm from April to June … something they’re keen to keep doing.
“I used to manage a cotton farm here at Wee Waa, and I taught Kirsty to operate most of the farming machinery, so we kind of have a head start with experience,” said Donegal. “But the work is not physical at all, it’s tractor operating.”
He says working on the cotton pick is a great way to earn money quickly.
“You might just have to do long days, 12 hours plus for seven days a week, but that’s how we earn good money,” said Donegal. “Between myself and Kirsty, on a good week, we can gross over $5,000.”
Until their new van arrives in June and they buy a tug to tow it with, Donegal and Kirsty are living in an old van parked on the Wee Waa Showgrounds.
“Because of the extra expense involved with caravanning as opposed to sailing, we now intend to work a bit more on Outback stations, as well as our cotton work,” said Donegal. “Kirsty loves to cook and I can do practically anything as I was also a mechanic in a previous life … we like staying at places for a while, you get to see a lot more of the area.”
And the couple now can’t wait to hit the road.
“It’s going to be a big learning curve for us,” said Donegal. “And hopefully it’s going give us as many amazing memories as our yachting days!”
Grey Nomad Members now have the opportunity to win a fantastic Cobb Gas Package, valued at $439. With the base remaining cool-to-touch on the outside, the Cobb allows you to cook on any surface safely with no heat transfer. Ideal for life on the road, camping, boating, beach cook ups, or even just at home. This light (6kg), sturdy, stainless steel cooking system is a dream to travel with.
Click here to find out more about GN membership, the prize, and how to enter.
Members: If you wish to enter, please click here.
Grey Nomad Members are being given the opportunity to win a Cobb Grill Premier (Charcoal), valued at $279.95. The Cobb Premier is the epitome of a portable and completely versatile charcoal / briquette fuelled cooking system. Built to last and weighing just 4kg, this sturdy stainless steel cooking system is a perfect accessory for the Big Lap.
Click here to find out more about the prize … and how to enter
Members: If you wish to enter, please click here.
Grey Nomad Members are being given the opportunity to win a rearview 170 reversing camera system, valued at $259. This device is solar operated and requires absolutely no wiring and can be fitted by almost anyone within 10 minutes. This means it can be easily transferred from tow vehicle to camper when required. And, best of all, the system offers extremely wide 170-degrees horizontal rear view.
Click here to find out more about the prize … and how to enter.
Members: If you wish to enter, please click here.
