Sometimes, even the most cheerful grey nomad can be guilty of taking their incredible lifestyle for granted.
Amid the frustrations of things like high fuel prices, or a busy free camping area, or impatient motorists, or even a puncture, it is easy to lose sight of the big picture. Those lucky few who are able to travel long-term in one of the safest, friendliest, and most beautiful countries in the world are truly blessed.
For every traveller out there living the dream, there are many others who ‘didn’t quite get around to it’, or who were prevented from doing so by ill health, or death, or financial disaster, or one of a number of other unexpected events.
The next time a frustrated traveller is complaining about a lack of shade at the campsite, or the waiting time for a machine in the van park laundry room, or noisy children at a free camp, nearly-was-a-grey nomad, Dave B, is urging them to count their blessings.
A year or so ago, as Dave and his wife Jackie neared their 60s, they decided it was time to hit the open road.
“We did the research, talked to vanners, checked out some shows and decided on a fit-for-purpose van to buy,” said Dave. “We chose a 2016 17’6 Cobra off-road van (made by Brilliant) from Bellarine Caravans in Corio Victoria. It looked great, the price was right and our Triton would pull it with ease.”
The excited couple then went out shopping and bought camping chairs, mats, kitchen items, a Weber Baby Q, proper bedding and comforters, brooms, toilet chemicals, hoses, electrical cords, buckets, a set of Clearview Mirrors, a Stone Stomper rock protector, two jerry cans, an Ascent Canopy for the Triton, inbuilt slide out drawers for the Triton Tub and much more.
“We picked up the van after eight months waiting for the build and drove to Melbourne to pick it up and get the low down on it,” recalled Dave. “We drove the 500 kilometres home and parked it up on a newly built pad area … we were going places.”
The couple were incredibly excited for their first big trip which was to be across to Perth with stopovers along the Bight, and then up the west coast, and across the Top. But then everything changed.
“First our farming enterprise unexpectedly failed and we found it impossible to find work in town or close by,” said Dave. “Bills soon got harder to pay and, after 10 months of it being parked up, we sold the van to pay the bills.”
Even now, Dave and Jackie find it hard to fathom how quickly their dreams unravelled.
“In the blink of an eye, it was goodbye holidays, goodbye money, goodbye dream,” said Dave. “Now I have a bin full of leftover stuff that was bought for the van and I shed a tear each day.”
My husband and I are all ready to go. Do our 3 month taster (teaser) run during my LSL. Now two years on still waiting for the house to sell!
Oh, dear, that’s sad, where is your house? Can you rent it out or house-sit it? Then at least you could get away.
Sorry to hear about your bad luck – but when you get knocked down you dust yourself off and go again – but you don’t really need a caravan and all of the goodies to go with it – you can do it on the cheap – the first time I went across the Nullarbor I did it on a motorcycle and swag, lightweight cooking utilities and heated up cans of ready meals – from vic to Darwin and return with the Mrs on a Motorcycle, Trailer, lightweight 6 man tent.. cheap … same with out tour around NSW … did a Tour around Tasmania on a Motorcycle and lightweight 3 man tent, fold up chair … backpackers travel around australia all the time in nothing more than a small 4cyl car and tent… why everyone thinks they need a big flash caravan, 4×4, kitchen sink etc etc is beyond me… I’ve seen travellers with nothing more than a farm bike and a milk crate on the back of it… Good Luck in the future!! 🙂
So sorry about your news. We have got the van and car and have 4 years left at work till we start. I would be blown away if anything happened and we could not go. I feel so sad for you. I agree with Andrew do it in parts on the cheap. We have still got our tent and if the van went I would be still going with our tent. I encourage you to get out and do little trips or just go for it and if you have to turn back then you at least tried. You will regret not dong it. Best wishes on what you choose 🙂
Unfortunately life trauma in all shapes and forms happen to many nomads. Usually it’s health related. My wife and I are both 76 and have gone full circle. ( Caravan ,Camper trailer and tents.) Due to my wife’s health issues she does give me leave of absence to hit the road . I prefer the freedom of not towing anything so my Nissan X Trail 4 x4 is adequate with its Engel 40 L on dual battery together with my 4p Instant up tent and all the other camping goodies. This allows me to travel roads less travelled. If the weather turns foul there are cheap hotel rooms or cabins at caravan parks. I have bushwalked & camped since 1960 and not ready to vegetate at home yet. Enjoy Australia folks. It’s a special place