Don't you just love it ?

Submitted: Tuesday, May 16, 2006 at 12:24
ThreadID: 33934 Views:2238 Replies:8 FollowUps:21
This Thread has been Archived
When someone posts and tells you that they are off in the morning for x months to somewhere you'd love to go ? As you sit in front of the puter at work, looking at a grimy brick wall, your mind tries to do the trip with them. The receptionist gets a snarl, the dog at home gets kicked, the kids growled at and your poor old long suffering missus won't take "nothing" for an answer when she keeps asking what's wrong.
You might even open your mapping program and check their route. Do a google on the attractions,or read a book about the exploration of the area.
And in X months when they return, hale and hearty you read about what a great time they had, how wonderful the weather was etc but they haven't had time to get any pix on the web.
And then you retire...yeaaa...now for all those trips.
What a pity you now can't afford the diesel :((((((((

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Reply By: Patrol22 - Tuesday, May 16, 2006 at 12:48

Tuesday, May 16, 2006 at 12:48
Yeah not far off retiring myself.....at the drawing boar trying to figure out how I can build a 4WD pushbike with ultra low gearing (so the missus can keep the wheels turning) fitted with dual batteries, a fridge and OME springs and shocks.....figure to move that lot would take about 600/1 reduction at the pedals...:-))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
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Follow Up By: Footloose - Tuesday, May 16, 2006 at 13:01

Tuesday, May 16, 2006 at 13:01
I was reading the story of a couple who rode their bikes around Oz for 3 years. Mind you they weren't retired. Fascinating story told warts and all.
Rekkon I *might* get as far as the shop on a bike :)
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Follow Up By: Shawsie (Member - Bris) - Tuesday, May 16, 2006 at 14:17

Tuesday, May 16, 2006 at 14:17
Pushbikes! My wife's side of the family are distant relatives of William Wills (the ill-fated explorer) and a couple of her cousins rode their pushbikes along his very route through Australia. Tim Wills even WALKED accross the Simpson - Yes! you heard me right! Walked! They put up a website for all to see, take a look - Bloody Mad! goto www.willspower.com
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Follow Up By: Gramps (NSW) - Tuesday, May 16, 2006 at 14:21

Tuesday, May 16, 2006 at 14:21
hahaha "warts and all" I bet that was'nt the only thing they had after riding round OZ.

p.s Have you been looking over my shoulder while I'm reading those posts? I think I'll have to exercise the Moderator button and get that sort of posting banned :))))

Good luck to them all.

Signed

Insanely jealous
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Follow Up By: Willem - Tuesday, May 16, 2006 at 17:56

Tuesday, May 16, 2006 at 17:56
Shawsie

Many people have walked across the Simpson including Warren Bonython and Fred McCubbin in 1973(north/south) anmd Denis Bartell also north south I think at a later date.

Yes, young Tim Wills is very courageous. I met him on the QAA line last year and have corresponded with him since.

I think I will stick to being a driver....lol

Cheers
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Follow Up By: Footloose - Tuesday, May 16, 2006 at 18:37

Tuesday, May 16, 2006 at 18:37
Willem, I'll second that after walking up Big Red a couple of years ago :))
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Reply By: Michael B - Tuesday, May 16, 2006 at 14:01

Tuesday, May 16, 2006 at 14:01
Yep Footy, you are soooo right.

But, the shop is on the market, the troopy is getting prep'd, camping gear getting the once over (and the twice over), reading and reading about places to go and things to see......sigh

Bummer about the price of diesel, still could always sit in the driveway and dream.......

regards
Michael B (SA)
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Follow Up By: Footloose - Tuesday, May 16, 2006 at 18:43

Tuesday, May 16, 2006 at 18:43
Michael, you know the old saying...where there's a will, there's a way :))
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Reply By: boo boo - Tuesday, May 16, 2006 at 15:01

Tuesday, May 16, 2006 at 15:01
Footloose
I'm not counting or anything, but we have about 3years, eight months and 14 days to go for our 6-18 months (depends on the money and inclination
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Follow Up By: Footloose - Tuesday, May 16, 2006 at 18:36

Tuesday, May 16, 2006 at 18:36
I can see you're not counting :))
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Reply By: Wayne (NSW) - Tuesday, May 16, 2006 at 15:56

Tuesday, May 16, 2006 at 15:56
Footloose,

I suppose you don't want to hear that I have 2 days left at my second job, then off to the Canning, east/ west Simpson crossing, Kimberley,Flinders and another west east crossing of the Simpson.

I will not be back until mid October and the best part is I don't have to pay for fuel and I get paid to do it.

When I do get back I have my second job to go back to.

Wayne
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Follow Up By: Gramps (NSW) - Tuesday, May 16, 2006 at 16:02

Tuesday, May 16, 2006 at 16:02
Wayne,

I have asked the Moderator to delete this obviously distressing (to the rest of us) post and severely chastise you for your thoughtless behaviour LOLOLOL
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Follow Up By: Wayne (NSW) - Tuesday, May 16, 2006 at 17:09

Tuesday, May 16, 2006 at 17:09
Gramps,

Don't blame me I have to do it.

If all those people didn't book in for the trips I would be sitting at home. Probably wet and cold instead of chasing the sun for the winter.

Next year Vic has two more trips for me to do during the winter and with the other summer trips in the Vic High Country I will be away from my second job for about 8 months next year.

Wayne
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Follow Up By: Footloose - Tuesday, May 16, 2006 at 18:42

Tuesday, May 16, 2006 at 18:42
Wayne, about 10 years ago I thought of getting into the tag a long business, until I talked to a guyb who ran backpacker tours from Perth to Darwin. It isn't all beer and skittles, even though you pretend it is :)))
Actually I've spoken to a couple of companies who tell me that it's difficult to get good reliable drivers at short notice. Ones that will look after their gear and customers. Pity I'm too old and infirm now to do it :))
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Follow Up By: Gramps (NSW) - Tuesday, May 16, 2006 at 19:06

Tuesday, May 16, 2006 at 19:06
Wayne,

hahahahahaha you lucky bugger :)))
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Reply By: Willem - Tuesday, May 16, 2006 at 17:52

Tuesday, May 16, 2006 at 17:52
Footy

No, not really, mate. I don't look at where someone is going to......

Trouble is, I've been to most of the places....lol

Very few original trips posted here.

You just have to put your mind to it and organise yourself.

Most people wait until they are retired before taking on a big trip. Some of those don't make it and drop off the perch before the time arrives.

Just remember that life isn't a dress rehearsal, its the real thing, and you only get one go at it.

So tarry not and go for it !!!!

AnswerID: 172977

Follow Up By: Footloose - Tuesday, May 16, 2006 at 18:47

Tuesday, May 16, 2006 at 18:47
Willem, I know where you're coming from. I've always trod the least taken path in so many ways. But these days I'm happy to explore my own way. Doesnt matter to me if others have been there, I don't compete with anyone any more. Ego is a tough thing to tame but I rekkon I've done it . Welll....maybe not completely LOL
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Follow Up By: Gramps (NSW) - Tuesday, May 16, 2006 at 23:13

Tuesday, May 16, 2006 at 23:13
"life isn't a dress rehearsal, its the real thing, and you only get one go at it"

A lot of people forget that. The earlier you can do whatever it is that rings your bells, the better. You never know what tomorrow may bring let alone 10+ years from now.
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Follow Up By: Footloose - Tuesday, May 16, 2006 at 23:15

Tuesday, May 16, 2006 at 23:15
Gramps, sadly, as you get older you have a pretty fair idea :(((((((
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Reply By: Member - Phil [Sunshine Coast] - Tuesday, May 16, 2006 at 18:25

Tuesday, May 16, 2006 at 18:25
Gday Footy, we were half way through our trip to the Kimberly etc ,having put the house on the market ,at a high price, assuming it would take a long time to sell, but ,we got a buyer,so I left the camper in Perth & got back yesterday ,to pack up & put it into storage until I decide where to go & live. Might still be able to finish the trip ,who knows. Seriously thinking about gettin a c/van & workin m way round for a ''few'' mths.
Hearing about all those great trips that people are goin on is bad enough, but, havin to come back just b4 the good part starts REALLY SUCKS ! Gotta get back to packing, ..have a good one............
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Follow Up By: Footloose - Tuesday, May 16, 2006 at 18:49

Tuesday, May 16, 2006 at 18:49
Phil, you're just shirty because you've had to pull yourself away from being out there and come back to reality :))
I'm sure that things will get back on an even keel and you'll be "footloose" again :))
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Follow Up By: Member - Phil [Sunshine Coast] - Tuesday, May 16, 2006 at 19:08

Tuesday, May 16, 2006 at 19:08
I dont know about ''footloose'', but I KNOW I,m bloody homeless!!
It,s gotta be good for ya? ......
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Follow Up By: Footloose - Tuesday, May 16, 2006 at 19:22

Tuesday, May 16, 2006 at 19:22
Wherever you hang your hat is home :))
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Reply By: Pajman Pete (SA) - Tuesday, May 16, 2006 at 23:04

Tuesday, May 16, 2006 at 23:04
And before I go and kill him, I'd like to change with Willem,
Like to take a turn at driving where the seasons come and go,
While he faced the round eternal of the 'puter and the journal --
But I doubt he'd suit the office, Willem, of The Overflow.

Sorry Banjo

Pete
AnswerID: 173046

Follow Up By: Footloose - Tuesday, May 16, 2006 at 23:25

Tuesday, May 16, 2006 at 23:25
No he'd probably go missin
In his tired and trusty Nissan
With the dunes forever shiftin
In the early mornin mistin

Without tyre tracks to follow
And the bottle always hollow

Yes I doubt he'd suit the office
With camp slippers what a novice
He could never make the photocopies fly
And people such as he
Make the office people see
For they wouldnt dare to go there for themselves
He may not be quite a giant
Though he's bloody self reliant
He makes see ourselves as little elves.

I can see him in my envy
Though his trailer carries plenty
In the ways he always wrote of all those many years ago
His advice still rings the bell
And it makes you want to yell
Don't think about it mate
Just fire her up and go !

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Follow Up By: Footloose - Wednesday, May 17, 2006 at 08:55

Wednesday, May 17, 2006 at 08:55
Twas the best I could crank out in 2 mts LOL
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Reply By: Footloose - Tuesday, May 16, 2006 at 23:27

Tuesday, May 16, 2006 at 23:27
Sorry everyone..and yes there's a word missing :((
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Follow Up By: Michael B - Wednesday, May 17, 2006 at 08:35

Wednesday, May 17, 2006 at 08:35
Bluddy brilliant Footy..even with the word missin (didn't matter 'cos I put it in myself as I read it)

Michael B (SA)
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Follow Up By: Member - Beatit (QLD) - Wednesday, May 17, 2006 at 08:51

Wednesday, May 17, 2006 at 08:51
A good read and thanks for lightening the day.

Kind regards
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