Sunday, Jan 18, 2009 at 10:01
Richard
Our route (briefly) went from
Perth to Kalgoorlie (to buy some gear we (make that "I") left behind) , across the Nullarbor ,Eyre Peninsular, Southern Flinders, Barossa,
Mildura,
Bathurst,
Wisemans Ferry and then generally up the coast to
Cooktown. Coming
home was via the Barclay/Stuart Hwy to
Darwin then
Kununurra and the coastal Hwy back to
Perth. Where possible we stayed off the main Hwys and for the first 2 months it was easy to do and just a case of taking each day as it came. One highlight of our trip was discovering the
Murray river, its history and current problems- Coming from WA we don't see many (any) fresh water rivers that flow all year round. We came across the Murray at
Blanchetown and followed it up into the Murrumbidgee, the history and
camp sites along these rivers is just great.
We did own a camper (soft floor version) and toured WA in it but after a disastrous trip (we were flooded out) I agreed with my other half and it was sold to purchased a 2nd hand caravan. Its great, its main advantage for us is protection from the elements and set up time is minimal. Being a 4.45mtr poptop its relatively easy to tow and handle, the first month of our trip (we left 1/8/08) was generally wet and cold and in the camper it would have been very very testing. The van at least provided a dry warm place to retire to. Space wise its tight but after a week on the road you work out your systems, it certainly makes you a tidy person if you are not already. We took far to many clothes and food. If the weather is reasonable you don't really need very much in the way of clothes and I finally convinced my other half that yes there were supermarkets and shops in the East so there was no need to take provisions for three months- support the local community and buy it as you require it. Yes, sometimes a bigger van would be nice , the missus would like a
toilet and shower but that means a much bigger van for bigger $'s and I'm not comfortable with towing a much bigger van .
I agree with your comment about sitting outside and meeting people, how many caravan owners do you see pull up and disappear into their vans never to be seen until its time to leave. We have an enclosed awning but have only used it once in the last 3 years, if the weather is OK we will sit outside to eat/relax under the rollout roof. I have made up some shadeloth walls which go up should we require a little privacy or wind/sun break
Retirement wise I'm in a similar boat. I did pull the pin to do this trip , as planned, (we decided to do it before the price of fuel went through the roof ,it was a $1.45cpl when we left its now about $1.00cpl - thats my luck for you) however with the downturn I'm now back working part time as I don't want to drawdown our capital base.
Regards
Alanc
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