Linda & Ian’s granddaughter loves to travel.
Linda and Ian M from Victoria, travel for anything from two or three days to two or three months. Sometimes they take the grandkids with them … and they have also been known to pick up hitch-hiking galahs!
What do you travel in?
We have a Toyota LandCruiser, and we tow a Newlands 20’ Limited Edition caravan. Our van is fitted out for free camping all year round. It has a diesel heater and is fully self- contained.
How long do your trips last?
They vary in length from two to three days to two or three months, or more. We are happy to free camp or stay at van parks … whatever is available at that time of night when we should be off the road.
Likes of the lifestyle?
We can go and do what we want, whenever we want, and for as long as we want. It doesn’t get much better than that. And, of course, Ian is screaming out ‘Happy Hour’ at all the people we meet along the way.
… any dislikes?
The price of diesel, and l miss our family … especially our two grandkids.
Has your outlook changed?
Yes, we just didn’t realise how big Australia really is! We have still got a lot of travelling to do yet.
On-the-road hobbies?
Hobbies, hmm! Can you call Happy Hour a hobby? If so, fishing and Happy Hour and talking are Ian’s hobbies, and l have always got my book at hand. l also love fishing. I always start our trips keeping a journal but, somewhere along the way, l get bored with it and that’s the end of our travel journal … but there are always lots of photos.
What ‘must’ you have?
For me, it would be the baby Weber Q that we purchased while at Broome. It goes every- where with us. And for Ian, that would be me … so l can do the cooking on the Weber.
Scariest nomad experience?
Just after we left Derby heading for Fitzroy Crossing, we slowed down just as a flock of Galahs took off and they came straight at us! When the feathers stopped flying, we discovered that one Galah had flown in my window, straight past my head, and was fluttering frantically in the back of our vehicle. l think the poor Galah was more scared than us!
Tips for other nomads?
Instead of the expensive chemicals for the toilet cassette, try Safeway’s ‘Nappy Treatment Plus’ home brand. It does the same job as the expensive stuff. Other than that, just get out there and do it while you still can.
