Our biggest trip yet!

Submitted: Wednesday, Apr 01, 2015 at 12:15
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As some of you already know, David has had some personal health struggles over the past 2 years and coupled with financial pressures and work stress, we've decided to close our office and call it a day. We have decided to buy a caravan, put the kids in boarding school, and will be heading off for permanent living "on the road".

The site will continue but without further development and management until such time the period of hosting has expired. This includes ceasing site transactions, customer service, sales etc. We know this might come as a shock to many of you, but after 15 years of operating ExplorOz it's just become the time.

So if you see us out there, give us a shout and pull over. We'd love to share a cuppa with you!
Michelle Martin
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Reply By: Member - Laurie K (WA) - Wednesday, Apr 01, 2015 at 12:17

Wednesday, Apr 01, 2015 at 12:17
Now Michelle, the date wouldn't have anything to do with this decision ........ would it?

Happy Easter Egg Exploroz team

Laurie
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Follow Up By: Zippo - Wednesday, Apr 01, 2015 at 12:42

Wednesday, Apr 01, 2015 at 12:42
Kill-joy ;-)
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Follow Up By: Members Pa & Ma. - Wednesday, Apr 01, 2015 at 14:47

Wednesday, Apr 01, 2015 at 14:47
Hello Michelle,
I too, was unaware of David having any serious health issues and am very sorry to hear that he has.
Thank you for all the work you have both put into this site , I trust you'll both be back after lunch where ever you plan to have it.
I'd better go & change the calender over.
Take care, safe travels. Ma.
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Follow Up By: Member-George (WA) - Wednesday, Apr 01, 2015 at 22:57

Wednesday, Apr 01, 2015 at 22:57
Today is the 1st of April.......Hmmmmm. We'll see
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Reply By: vk1dx - Wednesday, Apr 01, 2015 at 12:44

Wednesday, Apr 01, 2015 at 12:44
Submitted when? Is that AM or PM

"Submitted: Wednesday, Apr 01, 2015 at 12:15"
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Follow Up By: Member - Allan L2 - Wednesday, Apr 01, 2015 at 12:51

Wednesday, Apr 01, 2015 at 12:51
It's still AM in W.A.

Cheers,
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Follow Up By: The Explorer - Wednesday, Apr 01, 2015 at 12:51

Wednesday, Apr 01, 2015 at 12:51
Tis PM. I think AM shows as 00:15
I sent one final shout after him to stick to the track, to which he replied “All right,” That was the last ever seen of Gibson - E Giles 23 April 1874

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Follow Up By: The Explorer - Wednesday, Apr 01, 2015 at 12:57

Wednesday, Apr 01, 2015 at 12:57
Sorry, yes its was submitted 9:15 (AM) (West time) but shows on Eastern States (NSW/VIc ?) computers as 12:15 (PM).

Cheers
Greg
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Reply By: member - mazcan - Wednesday, Apr 01, 2015 at 13:44

Wednesday, Apr 01, 2015 at 13:44
hi Michelle and David
i was unaware of Davids health issues but often wondered what sort of superman qualities he possessed to be do running marathons and as well be able to maintain this wonderful site in the way he has all hours of the day and night at times
it's sad to hear it will be coming to an end but nothing is forever and when all is said and done
we are only human our health no mater what we are doing is paramount to our future and can't be taken for granted
i personally thank you both and staff for this great sight you've created and wish you all the very best in your future ahead a pity the children have to go to boarding school but in hind sight it never hurt those of us in the past who had to endure it speaking on broad terms
cheers and the very best for your future on the road
barry
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Reply By: Member -Dodger - Wednesday, Apr 01, 2015 at 17:31

Wednesday, Apr 01, 2015 at 17:31
All I can say is , Thanks for a great site and I do hope you enjoy your life on the road.
Now if you see an exploroz sticker on a van then call up and we will have a cuppa for sure.
I do hope to see you somewhere in the great outdoors of OZ.

Cheers Dodg.
I used to have a handle on life, but it broke.

Cheers Dodg.

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Reply By: OBJ - Wednesday, Apr 01, 2015 at 19:20

Wednesday, Apr 01, 2015 at 19:20
Pick your route carefully. They have now banned 4WDs in the NT. Maybe you could buy a Holden Barina and throw a few small tents in.
OBJ
:)
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Reply By: Rod W - Wednesday, Apr 01, 2015 at 21:59

Wednesday, Apr 01, 2015 at 21:59
Hi Michelle and David,

Thanks for this site it was/is one of my at least twice daily look-ins at work (but that's coming to an end in April).

I hope everything works out for you both and enjoy your travels. See ya on a track somewhere.

All the best
Rod
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Reply By: Member - Boobook - Thursday, Apr 02, 2015 at 07:11

Thursday, Apr 02, 2015 at 07:11
Michelle, is this a joke or real? It is a very strange, ill timed announcement that deserves clarification to your customers if this isn't an April fools day joke. Yep you got me.

I am very sad if David has been ill, you two have set up a useful resource for travellers but currently your post looks like an April Fool's joke that has been left hanging out there. Having only just taken up my subscription after letting it lapse for a couple of months I currently feel that I am the April Fool for handing over money recently.

It's really hard to know what to think.

Surely this announcement isn't a formal notification that a year of services paid for won't be properly honoured. Or are we getting another announcement that pro rata monies paid for services in the future will be refunded?

Could you please clarify the "April's Fool Joke"

Maybe the heading of this thread should be retitled either April Fool's joke or Scam Watch.
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Follow Up By: Steve in Kakadu - Thursday, Apr 02, 2015 at 09:32

Thursday, Apr 02, 2015 at 09:32
April Fool's joke or Scam, either way you have been had lol.
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Follow Up By: Member - Boobook - Thursday, Apr 02, 2015 at 09:56

Thursday, Apr 02, 2015 at 09:56
I always knew there was a sucker born every minute. I just didn't know it was me!
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Reply By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Thursday, Apr 02, 2015 at 08:58

Thursday, Apr 02, 2015 at 08:58
Hi Michelle

I can just see you leaving the girls behind.........NOT

I can just imagine what they would say....YES, no more mum and dad to tell us what to do.

Have a great day and hope things are going well with you and David.

I sent him some track files the other day and would like to know what he thought about my comments.


Cheers and all the Best



Stephen
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Reply By: Member - Beatit (QLD) - Thursday, Apr 02, 2015 at 11:27

Thursday, Apr 02, 2015 at 11:27
I certainly hope David is OK and this is just a prank. It would be sad to think of life without EO but if this is genuine it would be a pleasure to see you on the road and have a cuppa.

Kind regards
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Reply By: ExplorOz Team - Michelle - Thursday, Apr 02, 2015 at 12:05

Thursday, Apr 02, 2015 at 12:05
Good morning, yes folks this was a harmless April Fool's joke. You've been had.

Unfortunately, the part about David's health is true. 2 years ago he slipped a disc in his upper back/lower neck that really put a spanner in the works. We were just about to start (yet another) major renovation of our house, and as a triathlete he had quite a few problems keeping up the training without severe pain, especially swimming which had to be done with a front snorkel - much to his disgust! Then about 9 months after getting that sorted he took a bad fall off his bike at a round-about after clipping the road with his pedal (cleated), which tore his leg out and he did a few bounces on the road with his helmet (which saved his life no doubt). Unbeknowns at the time, he had torn the labrum in his hip but he keep having pain after cycling and wondering why. In January this year he took a nasty crash off the kneeboard when out having fun with the kids on our boat and it completely stopped upward strength in his hip so couldn't cycle at all. MRI revealed he'd torn the labrum in his hip - so probably done the first time off the bike and torn further off the kneeboard. He's finally just completed the surgery but with all the time off from training (and making up for it with many more long hours on ExplorOz software development) he developed a DVT (deep vein thrombosis) in his lower calf!! You would think that would be enough bad luck but 2 weeks ago we noticed a swelling in his lower abdomen that just didn't look right. Off to the doctor again and sure enough it was a groin hernia so off to another surgeon today. He hasn't been very happy - to be such an incredibly fit and healthy person that is so strong and capable to be hit by such a strange freak run of physical ailments is quite distressing.

But he has managed to almost complete our renovations despite all this and we are back on track. Hip surgeon yesterday said he's good to start riding and swimming again (pending the hernia).

So - yes the big trip is just a dream. We're far from retiring. ExplorOz is not about to be shut down, far from it. That was just a story.

We actually had quite an elaborate April Fool's Day prank to play on you all but we formulated the concept a little too late on 31st March and couldn't quite execute it in time so look out next year ;) so this was a little prank only posted in the Forum to see what sort of reaction we'd get. Did you get fooled?
Michelle Martin
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Follow Up By: Bob Y. - Qld - Thursday, Apr 02, 2015 at 12:29

Thursday, Apr 02, 2015 at 12:29
Fooled..........um, maybe Michelle, but would have been very, very disappointed if all of it was true!

Really hope David has a clear run now, until he's old and dottery, and that you can get away on that big trip. Girls in boarding school??? Wonder what they'd think about that? Ours were not too impressed with it, though they made some life long friends.

Okay, so we're back to normal now, eh? Happy 'n safe Easter,

Bob

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Follow Up By: ExplorOz Team - Michelle - Thursday, Apr 02, 2015 at 12:34

Thursday, Apr 02, 2015 at 12:34
Thanks Bob,
Actually both David and I were boarders but could never afford to send our kids off! No idea how our parents managed, guess it was the 80s. We live in Perth and our cost of living here is exorbitant I tell you!
We had our big trip in our 30s - with 2 years living on the road/off road before the kids were born so our penance now is to be older parents that have to put up with getting away during school holidays only.
Michelle Martin
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Follow Up By: Member -Dodger - Thursday, Apr 02, 2015 at 13:25

Thursday, Apr 02, 2015 at 13:25
Well I'm glad it was a great April 1st Joke. It got me however I do hope that Davids health probs improve.
I used to have a handle on life, but it broke.

Cheers Dodg.

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Follow Up By: Member-Heather MG NSW - Thursday, Apr 02, 2015 at 16:53

Thursday, Apr 02, 2015 at 16:53
Hi Michelle...I couldn't quite believe it but only because you put in the part about putting the girls in boarding school and leaving them behind..Although I don't know you personally, it seemed to be a very out of character thing to do from parents who love going remote places camping as a family!

And I,like Bob, am very relieved to know it was just a prank, as I do love being a part of this group and using the forums, blogs and shop, along with all the other member features. Its been invaluable to us in our trip planning and getting up to date information about places to stay, road conditions and anything else to do with our trips.

Sorry to hear about Davids health problems but hopefully now you are on the tail end of all that and he will see improvement. Over 10 years ago John had a couple of years of major, potentially fatal, health issues however since then we have had years of wonderful, healthy life together and all of it retired. (The health issues forced medical retirement). That is when we discovered EO and a love of traveling Australia. So thank you both.

Enjoy you Easter break. We have grandchildren duties and then in less than a fortnight are headed, slowly, for WA... again.... for a few months.

regards,
Heather
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Follow Up By: ExplorOz Team - Michelle - Thursday, Apr 02, 2015 at 17:05

Thursday, Apr 02, 2015 at 17:05
Yes there were 2 big hints in there - kids into Boarding School just wouldn't make sense if we were roaming free. And the caravan... really? We are swaggers now.... it would be a big jump and would no doubt cause some restrictions depending on what we got and we don't have the money to afford what you'd really need - ie. a Bushtracker or similar.
Michelle Martin
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Follow Up By: Member - WBS - Thursday, Apr 02, 2015 at 17:54

Thursday, Apr 02, 2015 at 17:54
I'll tell you what!, The timing of this prank was impeccable, I had just finished paying out $49.95 to become a member. The next post I read was this one. Bloody hell!!!! I said a few choice words before realising the significance of the date and working out that it may have been a hoax. Mind you I had a few doubts.
WBS
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Follow Up By: Navigator 1 (NSW) - Thursday, Apr 02, 2015 at 17:55

Thursday, Apr 02, 2015 at 17:55
Hi Michelle,
I am so please it was just a joke.
The thing that didn't sit well with me was you are David buying a caravan! I thought you would at least buy a 4X4 motorhome like us.
David, hope all your ailments are on the mend and you can get to your active life.
(I must admit that I was worried about what would happen to all my Blogs)
Love to both of you,
Robyn & Chicka
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Follow Up By: Slow one - Thursday, Apr 02, 2015 at 17:57

Thursday, Apr 02, 2015 at 17:57
Michelle,
One of your problems is triathletes require lots and lots of servicing. The other problem is, if you decide to trade him it will cost you to have him towed away.

Always remember not to get the Abbott swagger.
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Follow Up By: Member - John and Val - Thursday, Apr 02, 2015 at 20:54

Thursday, Apr 02, 2015 at 20:54
Hi Michelle,
Well we sort of fell for it, scratched our heads, couldnt quite square it with all the hard work you have both put in. Leaving the girls and going off in a caravan....not likely.
So we are very glad it was just a joke. Hope you both keep well and strong, and that David is back to his active life soon.

Cheers,

John and Val.
J and V
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Follow Up By: The Landy - Thursday, Apr 02, 2015 at 23:38

Thursday, Apr 02, 2015 at 23:38
Phew!

The kids in boarding school squared it off for me; that did't cut muster...

Hey, but I hope you both keep good health!

Cheers, Baz
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Follow Up By: Rod W - Tuesday, Apr 07, 2015 at 21:15

Tuesday, Apr 07, 2015 at 21:15
Well I'm only able to comment now as I've been out bush since posting my comment of support above.

WHAT AN ABSOLUTE DISSAPOINTMENT, A JEST IN VERY BAD TASTE PARTICULARLY WHEN IT STATES ABOUT PEOPLES HEALTH AND LIVES. YOU HAVE LEFT A VERY SOUR TASTE IN MY MOUTH. WHATS THAT SAYING.... "PEOPLE WHO CRY WOLF".
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Reply By: Member - Judy and Laurie - Thursday, Apr 02, 2015 at 21:08

Thursday, Apr 02, 2015 at 21:08
Hi Michelle, David and family , Hope David gets well , its not a great time when you have an illness in the family as we know all to well. Hope you have a very happy and safe Easter .
regards Judy and Laurie
ps so glad ExplorOz is still alive and well
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Reply By: Member - Tony (ACT) - Friday, Apr 03, 2015 at 08:12

Friday, Apr 03, 2015 at 08:12
Ok Ok Ok. Would have been fooled except by the time I looked at it, I could already see the next post. Good one Michelle! Nerida (wife) says she would have got a lot more work out of me as I wouldn't be spending so much time on the computer! lol! Anyway, really glad to hear ExplorOz isn't going anywhere but sorry you are still missing out on the wonderful touring world - its a great life! Promise to think of you often on this year's 7 month trip on the road.
Hope David makes a speedy recovery and is soon back to all the physical activities he so obviously loves.
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Reply By: Mick O - Monday, Apr 06, 2015 at 17:45

Monday, Apr 06, 2015 at 17:45
What, I've just returned from the high country and the site's still here. Strewth and thank god for that. You had a few people going Michelle, including me for a while. There were even a few over on facebook jumping up and down with glee saying;

"See, I told you that EO wouldn't last without me" lol.

Thanks to all those who donated towards paying the EO hosting for the next 6 months. I'm popping down to the casino to invest it on 22 Red.

Cheers and happy Easter...bunnies.
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trip would doubtless be attended with much hardship.''
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Follow Up By: Member - John (Vic) - Tuesday, Apr 07, 2015 at 00:17

Tuesday, Apr 07, 2015 at 00:17
Some people are way to easy to suck in huh! :)

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