Allan and Jenny made the most of every opportunity
There’s a famous phrase that says ‘life begins at 50’ but, in Allan Johanson’s case, life – or at least a new, exciting, and incredibly fulfilling stage of it – began at the ripe old age of 73!
That’s how old Allan was when he retired five years ago, and also when he started sitting on the verandah playing with his pet chihuahua and feeling increasingly bored.
Then, in a lightbulb moment, he and wife Jenny decided there had to be something more to retirement. In a whirlwind few months, the couple – who have been married for 49 years – sold their Gold Coast home, bought an Elite ‘Murray Diamond’ caravan and a Ford F250 truck … and they were off!
A helicopter flight over Lake Argyle was a highlight
Instead of tending the proverbial roses and looking for ways to fill in their days, the Johansons have instead had the most incredible adventures on the open road, seen the most amazing places, met some fascinating people, and challenged themselves each and every day.
Sadly, Allan’s ill health means the pair have now been forced to park up their rig and have moved into an over-50’s lifestyle village back in the Gold Coast … but they now have enough happy Big Lap memories to last them several lifetimes.
Apart from the many, many stunning places they have visited, the couple say the highlight was ‘meeting great new friends and enjoying the Happy Hour sessions together with lots of laughter’. Jenny says buying a van with all of the creature comforts was a great decision, given how long they eventually travelled for.
“We only free camped a few times as we like the comforts of plugging in to powered sites,” she said. “We found that booking ahead made it so much easier to accommodate the big rig – 53’ overall – and our little puppy dog, Sassy.”
Allan and Jenny loved everywhere they went and approached their life on the road with the attitude that they were going to enjoy every minute of every day, and experience all they could while they could.
They took a Harley ride around Uluru, a helicopter ride over Lake Argyle, and played the 1365-kilometre Nullarbor Links golf course.
“Wow,” said Jenny, “We had a hoot.” But it wasn’t all high-octane action. The couple loved viewing Aboriginal art, visiting historical sites and learning about Australia’s past, catching the odd fish, following the silo art trail, and heading out to old cattle stations.
One of their favourites was Barn Hill station in WA. And what made it so special?
“Easy! Simply sitting on the edge of the cliffs on our unpowered site on the banks of the Indian Ocean,”
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Back in the Gold Coast, Jenny reports that the over-50’s lifestyle village she and Allan have moved into has ‘plenty of activities’, which is probably just as well … because this is one couple who are used to keeping busy!
