12 Months ago today...............

Submitted: Monday, Mar 22, 2010 at 13:44
ThreadID: 77084 Views:3365 Replies:8 FollowUps:7
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We gave our bosses two weeks notice that we didn't require their services any more,went home and started packing the van.
Two weeks later on a Saturday morning we drove out of Brisbane and hit the open road for the next 5 years or until the last of our kids leave home and we return to sell it.
DO WE REGRET GIVING UP WELL PAID JOBS FOR A LIFE ON THE ROAD.........

Nooooooooooooooooooo Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!!!!

Its not always smooth and trouble free out on the road, but neither was it in the suburbs either.
Have we found plenty of work ---yes some good,some bad, but as long as they pay we stay, for a few days ,weeks or months depends on how we feel.

Some places we leave in tears as we have meet such great people who have become good friends
We are now at a stage where people call us and beg us to come and work for them.
What would we change if we could ........... should have done this 10
years ago

SEE you all out there someday soon....
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Reply By: PradOz - Monday, Mar 22, 2010 at 13:55

Monday, Mar 22, 2010 at 13:55
Oh i am jealous. Pity my swmbo isnt interested in doing the same. Maybe it will be just me out there one day - hmmm.

I would love to read a blog of you travels and experiencs if you ever get around to doing one. Keep having fun and living the good life....
AnswerID: 409907

Follow Up By: PradOz - Monday, Mar 22, 2010 at 13:57

Monday, Mar 22, 2010 at 13:57
ps - what age were you when you hit the road and how old are your kids? cheers....
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Follow Up By: Member - On The Run - Wednesday, Mar 24, 2010 at 16:05

Wednesday, Mar 24, 2010 at 16:05
We were only 49 & 48 when we left we decided to do it now before too old to enjoy it. our youngest of 5 is 19(kids wont leave home so we did)
We have travelled 35,000km so far been working in SA,QLD,NSW,VIC and are currently in TAS till current contract ends then north for the winter either the Far NQld or WA havent decided.
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Reply By: Member - sdr00y (Beecroft,NSW) - Monday, Mar 22, 2010 at 14:21

Monday, Mar 22, 2010 at 14:21
Nice work. Some of us can only dream...

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AnswerID: 409908

Reply By: feathery - Monday, Mar 22, 2010 at 15:03

Monday, Mar 22, 2010 at 15:03
Wife and I plan to do the same 16 August 2012 but what vintage are you as I am worried that 2 days after I turn 55 is to soon what do you think
AnswerID: 409911

Follow Up By: Member - Michael P (QLD) - Monday, Mar 22, 2010 at 19:11

Monday, Mar 22, 2010 at 19:11
feathery,
I pulled the pin at 60 {that wonderful man Peter Costello said I could access my super tax FREE) after 41/2 years have not one single regret. I normally hitch the van up & head off for 2-3 months then come home spend some time with the kids & grandkids, sort the house & whatever. Then start planning the next trip.
Mike.
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Reply By: Whitewulf - Monday, Mar 22, 2010 at 15:06

Monday, Mar 22, 2010 at 15:06
Well Done !!

Would love to have the courage to do that now.
The wife and I plan to do similar later in life, why not rent out the house instead of selling, this way you will still get a bit $$
AnswerID: 409912

Follow Up By: Member - On The Run - Wednesday, Mar 24, 2010 at 16:09

Wednesday, Mar 24, 2010 at 16:09
2 of our kids are still at home but when they go we will come home tidyup and sell up not because we need the money, we are currently looking for land in Tassie to spend the summer and then somewhere north of tropic of capricorn for the winters
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Reply By: jeep cherokee - Monday, Mar 22, 2010 at 15:42

Monday, Mar 22, 2010 at 15:42
Great to hear a good story like yours.My wife and i will be doing the same around April next year,for however long it takes, except we are selling up and investing the money,less hassels than renting, plus the interest rates are going in our favour at long last.
We also have no plans to return to the big smoke so buying again when we decide to settle dowm will be easier.Can you pass on any tips from your experiences ?
AnswerID: 409915

Reply By: Member - Uncle (NSW) - Monday, Mar 22, 2010 at 15:49

Monday, Mar 22, 2010 at 15:49
We did the same for 11mths back in 2008. Had a ball, plenty of work wherever you go, and I'm buggered if I'm waiting till I "Retire" to do it again. Life's way too short to keep making excuses.



enjoy yourselves, and get a blog going if you have time, we all love reading them on here.Take care and drive safe Unc.
AnswerID: 409917

Follow Up By: Whitewulf - Monday, Mar 22, 2010 at 20:57

Monday, Mar 22, 2010 at 20:57
@Uncle, On The Run, Anyone else :)

How did you go about looking for work ? (local pub, Paper)

Thanks
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Follow Up By: Member - Uncle (NSW) - Monday, Mar 22, 2010 at 21:48

Monday, Mar 22, 2010 at 21:48
We called into a Cattle Station up in the Pilbara,(they are always keen to see visitors) and it all went from there. They usually start mustering about May / June and can last till Nov. If you are multi skilled. it's a real bonus.!
Plenty of work in van parks, roadhouses, cafe's etc. and yes pub's and papers are also a good source, as well as chatting to people in and around the van parks.
From what we saw in WA especially, mining companies were sucking up all the workers and this left many vacancies in the "normal" work force. Most cattle stations will have a position available somewhere on there property for someone who is keen. My wife and I had the opportunity to run a station just outside Marble Bar as well, but at that early stage, with no experience, we opted for the jobs on another station, with Jodie as a cook, and myself as a ringer and general hand.

have fun cheers Uncle.
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Follow Up By: Member - On The Run - Wednesday, Mar 24, 2010 at 16:13

Wednesday, Mar 24, 2010 at 16:13
have no probs looking for work , ask a local, the local paper,internet, work of mouth, we turn away at least one job a week from people all around the country who have heard about us and beg us to come and help out.
Can be anything from gardening painting cattle work what ever
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Reply By: On Patrol & TONI - Monday, Mar 22, 2010 at 20:11

Monday, Mar 22, 2010 at 20:11
On The Run
What age group are you guys & what kind of work are you talking about, I WANT TO KNOW NOW!!!! LOL

Seriously please MM me if you dont want to talk here, good luck Colin.
AnswerID: 409952

Reply By: Karen & Geoff - Monday, Mar 22, 2010 at 20:52

Monday, Mar 22, 2010 at 20:52
Hi guys, good on you! We are both 44 and we have just retired. We have sold our house, stored our furniture in a container and head off on Thursday for "as long as it takes".

We have a 25 foot 1 bedroom unit on wheels which we had custom built, and a new cruiser ute, well 12 months old now, but it has taken us that long to set it up to travel Australia.

I think we are going to really enjoy it, we cant wait.

Karen
AnswerID: 409959

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