Margaret and Barry have camped a lot, but never in a proper caravan.
While many grey nomads had their dream trips cut short by the coronavirus pandemic, others didn’t even manage to get out of their driveways before state borders were closed and strict travel restrictions imposed.
Margaret and Barry McCann were anxiously awaiting the delivery of their new Jayco caravan when it became obvious they wouldn’t be going anywhere anytime soon. The van has now arrived but, rather than being parked next to the Indian Ocean, or Katherine Gorge, or Florence Falls, it sits in their yard looking sad and unused.
“Early every morning, for the past three weeks, Barry and I have sat on our veranda, overlooking our brand new van, and wondering when we will be able christen it,” said Margaret. “We picked it up just before the strictest lockdown measures were brought in … and now we are reduced to just reminiscing on past camping trips.”
The couple began their camping lives as ‘tenters’ when they regularly hit the road with their three young children and their beloved Beagle, Cara. As the years passed, they graduated from borrowed sleeping bags and a four-man tent, to a six-person tent, and then to an eight-person canvas tent.
“Eventually our boys became young men and they started skipping our camping trips until often, it was just Barry, myself and our daughter Catherine camping,” said Margaret.
Tragically, the McCanns lost one of their adult sons to the ‘black dog’ and they entered a period of ‘severe grieving’. They moved to country Queensland while their daughter attended university at Gatton and they tried to put their lives back together.
“For the next four years we did not camp as our property backed onto Lake Dwyer and it was almost like camping, but with all the comforts of home,” said Margaret. “The property was a most remarkable place to heal with its vistas and wildlife.”
Eventually, the couple opted for a sea change and moved to Redland Bay, Queensland where their desire to camp returned, although
Margaret admits ‘by this time, we were ageing a bit and in need of some comfort’. So, the tents were gone and the McCanns first bought a second-hand soft-top campervan, and then later a new Jayco Eagle off-road camper.
They had some fantastic trips in the Jayco and tried their hand at fossicking at Sapphire in Queensland, took their new puppy to see the snow at Dinner Plains in Victoria, and visited the underground town of Coober Pedy.
“Our only real gripe with the Jayco camper was the pulling out and putting away of the beds, especially in the cold and wet with freezing hands trying to do nimble movements,” said Margaret.
Margaret has a heart condition and cannot cope with the heat so the campervan restricted how many months of the year the couple could travel. They started to look at caravans … and at air-conditioning. They eventually decided on a 17’ Jayco Pop-top Journey, including bunk beds and an ensuite.
While awaiting the arrival of their new van, they excitedly planned a six-week trip to Darwin and Alice Springs. Then, they started hearing about a new virus and became increasingly alarmed as the government clamped down on movement.
And the rest is history.
“In Queensland though, we will now be allowed to go for a picnic within 50 kilometres of home so I am now hoping for a short camping trip in the not too distant future,” said Margaret. “And I think I might just start planning again for our trip to Darwin … one never knows it just might happen in a few months’ time, so fingers crossed!”
It will happen, your patience will be rewarded, that’s my firm belief.
We’re in the same situation in NSW, have a new 18ft New Age van and can’t go anywhere as yet. Like you hoping they’ll open up local travel, just so we can give it a trial.
We are all stuck in the same boat, we are usually well on our way to FNQ by now, this will be our first winter spent at home in Bayside Melbourne. Already freezing, but in no hurry, the tide will turn and everyone doing the right thing has made Australia one of the safest countries to be weathering this storm. A huge THANKYOU to our government for all their hard work and to all of us citizens that have done the right thing and minimised the fallout.
Friends in the same situation, picking up new camper and nowhere to go. They set up in their back yard and ‘went camping’ for Easter, A good way to get organised for the real thing.
We have a new van too and are raring to go when allowed! Hopefully our patience will be rewarded soon. Hang in there!
yes agree with you ..bought a new van and ready to do W.A. and now I’m just looking at it and dreaming still at home in Vic.
Patience is something we have a lot of at the moment. Keep smiling
See on the big lap
Bought a new tow vehicle, had the van serviced. Was heading to FNQ to see much loved daughter and the Endeavour at the Cooktown festival, but stuck here in southern Vic.
I think we will be able to move around in home state fairly soon, so off to Lakes Entrance, Mallacoota.
I sold up and bought a Jayco Freedom. Lockdown happened and Betsy is in the parking bay opposite my daughters flat