While having his right leg amputated above the knee on his 60th birthday has changed the way Geoff Geall enjoys his grey nomad adventures, it certainly hasn’t stopped them … far from it!
Ex-truckie, Geoff, and his wife, Yvonne, were already massive motorhoming enthusiasts when a foot infection from diabetes threw a hand grenade into their lives back in 2009.
After a period of shock and re-adjustment, the couple decided the setback was not going to stop them doing what they loved.
So, in May, 2012, they picked up their fully self-contained Winnebago Esperance motorhome which had been adapted to make life easier with a wheelchair.
Geoff loves the grey nomad lifestyle.
Geoff is a keen bowls player and competes in carnivals.
Part of the bathroom wall was taken out to enable Geoff to transfer to the bathroom; a drop-down shower chair was added in the shower; a lift-up flap floor was put over the steps to make it easier to load the wheelchair; and several other little rails and handles were added.
“Eleven years and 134,000 kilometres later, there have been many changes for all of us,” said Yvonne. “We have been winding our way through all Australian states to national parks, music festivals, lawn bowls carnivals, family gatherings, new fishing spots, and just exploring.”
Geoff and Yvonne travel for several weeks at a time and prefer to stay out of the big towns and cities.
Geoff and Yvonne have made modifications to their motorhome.
“We love to bush camp as often as possible, so having a fire, cooking outside, exploring the area and meeting our neighbours is important to us,” said Yvonne. “Most of the mobility issues that Geoff finds are the footpaths and shop entrances and, of course, the rocky gorges and waterfalls in national parks.”
But the couple do venture into small towns if they are on the trail of a lawn bowls carnival …. they’ve been to six so far this year.
“Geoff is a great bowler and plays in his manual wheelchair,” said Yvonne. “We have plans this year for more lawn bowls carnivals, maybe another music festival, and we might even keep going west and find a King George whiting … who knows what the future holds?”
WIN! WIN! WIN!Grey Nomad Members are being given the opportunity to win an organic bamboo fitted sheet set designed for caravans from Ecoluxe Travel Decor. The winner can choose a queen, double, or two singles. The prize is valued at approximately $100.
Click here to find out more about the prize, and how to enter.
Members: If you wish to enter, please click here.
