Should I stay or go?
Solo traveller Dianne Douglass had just decided to sell her house and live and travel in her large motorhome full-time when the war in the Middle East broke out.
With diesel prices now commonly over $3, her plan to head north to Queensland for winter is now in doubt … and the settlement date on her South Australian home is just a month away.
She says she has two choices.
“I can stay put in SA and just do short hops from one free/ donation camp to another,” she said. “That means coping with cold, wet, windy, stormy weather and muddy conditions pretty much everywhere with a border collie that needs to get out at least a couple of times a day.”
Solo motorhome traveller, Di Douglass, is pondering her next move.
Dianne, who suffers from quite severe arthritis, says her other option is to start heading off to sunny Queensland slowly, with no side trips or sightseeing, trying to conserve fuel and ‘praying that when I get to the next place I’ll be able to get diesel’.
“The more I think about it, the more I’m leaning toward trying to get further north, probably straight up the Newell Highway,” she said. “Then again, I have to ask myself should we as grey nomads be using up precious diesel just for leisure, when it might be taking it away from so many people on the land who may be running low and need the fuel urgently.”
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Local trips replace Nullarbor crossing
Mark and Cherile Haigh had planned a four-month trip to cover the south of WA before winter there really set in, having covered the northern part of the state two years ago.
Cherile Haigh decided to cancel her trip to WA
They had booked parks many months ago and their New Age Desert Rose caravan was all packed up and ready to go … and then things changed.
“Whilst the cost of fuel is a high concern, our biggest fear was towns running out of fuel, especially crossing the Nullabor,” said Cherile. “We estimated our fuel bill was going to be north of $13,000, way above what we thought originally with an estimate of around $5k.”
The couple has since cancelled all the holiday parks and tours they had booked.
“Given that we had packed the van and sorted out everything prior to leaving, we decided to just go to South Australia where we are now and travel around the south, spending Easter in Quorn before heading back along the Murray to home in central Victoria,” said Cherile. “Our thinking now is we will try again next year if the world comes back into its senses.”
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WIN A COBB GRILL GAS+
Grey Nomad members are being given the chance to win a Cobb Grill Gas+, the ultimate portable barbecue option for those who live life on the road.
The just-released grill connects directly to LPG, adding extra versatility to the existing Cobb range which already includes charcoal and Butane gas options.
The Cobb Grill Gas+ also has built-in Flame Failure Device (FFD), a wind-resistant burner design, a cool-to-touch outer base, and is easy to clean.
Retailing for $479, the Cobb Grill Gas+ comes with a cooking plate, 1.5-metre hose & regulator, lifting fork, and a carry bag.
never ever sell your home any dramas on the road & you’re f….d..rent the house while on the road or get a house-sitter