the Times Your news and views? Email us at thetimes@thegreynomads.com.au

In this issue: •Miles, miles and miles of beach •Itching for a ‘lotionless’ solution •Single minded?

The magic of the campfire gets grey nomads talking

‘We don’t want to be booked for a rest!’

With Australia facing a long, hot summer, the great grey nomad tradition of a Happy Hour gathering around a campfire is likely to face more limitations than usual.Several districts in South Australia have already de-clared an early start to the fire danger season, and travellers are being urged to pay close attention to total fire ban days. With so many devastating bushfires having caused to much damage and loss of life in recent years, it is no sur-prise that increasing numbers of national parks are discour-aging travellers from lighting campfires.Yet, for many grey nomads, the campfire will always be an integral part of their travelling experience. And they are not alone. Research just published by the University of Utah has revealed how important camp-fires are to the way humans interact socially. Dr Polly Wiessner, a professor of an-thropology, spent months with the Bushmen of the Kalahari and found that sitting around a campfire at night enabled conversations, storytelling, and social bonding that rarely happened during daylight.She found that while daytime

talk tended to focus on eco-nomic matters, conversation around the campfire focused less on day-to-day tensions, and there was more chat about common acquaintances, more storytelling, and more singing and dancing. “I found this really fascinating difference between conversa-tions by firelight and conver-sations in the day,” said Dr Wiessner. “The day is harsh, you see the realities, you see the facial expressions, there’s work to be done, and there’s social regulation … and, at night, people kind of mellow out.”While her daytimes are not as challenging as the Bushmen of the Kalahari, grey nomad Cynthia K still feels that social gatherings are always more lively around the campfire in the evenings.“I enjoy sitting down for a chat at any time of the day but there is something almost

Grey nomads have given an overwhelming thumbs-down to the idea of travel-lers having to book rest areas ahead of time.A whopping 96.1% of respondents to our recent GT poll on the issue poo pooed the plan to ease the overcrowded stopping point crisis.Andrew V was full of skepti-cism … and questions.“Who wants to keep push-ing on just to make the booked rest area?” he asked. “Who is going to police bookings? What happens if I need to rest for the night and the rest area is booked out, but there are unused spaces available?”Eric N didn’t have the answers.“How do you stop peo-ple who haven’t booked from stopping?” he wrote. “And what do you do if you booked and the site is taken?”Alan J said the fact that travellers were often out of mobile range made the proposal impractical, while Johanna S said bookings were good for hotels but nomads should learn to live with the unexpected.Keith M had the simplest solution.“Get there early,” he said.Click to comment

Research reveals why flickering flames make Happy Hours more fun

Campfires lighten the mood ... and make conversations flow

Issue 83: October 24, 2014

Page 1

magical about those campfire nights,” she told the GNT. “If I had to list my top 10 most en-joyable Happy Hours, I reckon nine of them would have been around a campfire.”But does she find the topics of conversations are noticeably different?“I do think that, around the fire, people are less likely to talk about fuel prices and the state of the roads and more likely to share funny stories and talk about family at home,” she said. “I guess it might be that sometimes alcohol is in play, but there is always a different vibe around the campfire.” *How important are campfires to your Big Lap experience? Are you more relaxed around a fire? Do you talk about different things than if you were sitting under the awning in daylight hours?

Click to comment

the Times Your news and views? Email us at thetimes@thegreynomads.com.au

Last week’s picture puzzle solution: The winning entrywas sent by Sandy H.

Do You Know 1. I want to travel between the NSW towns of Bathurst and Orange. Which highway shall I take?2. Glacier Spins (anagram). This town is at the centre of it all.3. Shortest road distance between the Queensland towns of Rockhampton and Longreach. a) 432 km b) 553 km c) 687 km 4. Which ‘Celtic’ town lies at the crossroads of the Gwydir and New England Highways?5. Which NSW town sounds like an Indian food, an Indian food?

(Answers on p. 5)

QUIZ CORNERWin 2 grey nomad

bumper stickers!

Bushfire alertThe official fire danger season has been brought forward in the South Australian districts of Mount Lofty Ranges, Kangaroo, Island and the upper and lower south-east of the state. Previous early start declarations have been made for the west coast, Flinders Ranges, eastern Eyre Peninsula and mid-north districts.

Wallaby horrorPolice allege two men, aged 18 and 19, used rocks and a PVC pipe to kill a pair of wal-labies on a rural property at White Rock near Cairns last month. The men are facing animal cruelty charges.

RVs ‘shrinking’Winnebago in America has reported a drop in the aver-age selling price of its mo-torhomes. The company says demand dropped sharply for its high end rigs, which can sell for as much as $426,000. However, less expensive RVs have been selling strongly.

Slow progressSpeed checks in Western Australia have revealed that, on average, 70.8% of drivers kept to the limit on rural roads last year. Speeds are calculated as vehicles travel over the two black tubes spaced one metre apart.

Nomads in Brief

Motorhomers decide to get on their bikes

Characters of the road

Victorians Hazel & Paul (‘still youngish’) now call the

open road home

What do you travel in?We travel in ‘Penny’ an ex-rental Sprinter base, 6-berth motorhome. It’s a bit rough around the edges but we love her, and it allows us to take some of the grandkids away with us during school holidays. We decided to buy a motorhome as we were not physically able to hitch and unhitch a caravan. We did find that, when set up, we were restricted in what we could see and do, so we now travel with two electric, pedal assist pushbikes. This allows us to explore the local communities and has increased our fitness and benefitted our health.

How long do your trips last?We are full-time nomads, so life is just one big trip, punctu-ated with visits to family and friends.

Where do you camp?We prefer to camp in towns and communities that provide a place for us close to town, let’s say within 6km or 8km. That way we have the option of riding in to get supplies or have a meal, but still have the free

park experience. We have noth-ing against caravan parks but we would rather spend money in the community, which ben-efits the town in general rather than a caravan park. We can’t afford to do both.

Favourite on-the-road meal?The impromptu meal you share with new friends when you realise around the camp-fire that dinner time was an hour ago, and you consider what you can throw together. Usually some potatoes in the fire or a jaffle. It’s not the food, it’s the company!

What wouldn’t you be without?For those cold nights in a free camp we have a DVD player, and a hot water bottle.

Favourite place to camp?There are so many but, for the beauty and remoteness, it would be Cape Tribulation.

Scariest nomad experience?Has to be the time we decided to follow the ever reliable GPS. The ##*?!# thing took us up a road that a camel train would not attempt. There was nowhere to turn because of the cliff on one side, so we had no choice but to continue up the 95 degree incline for the next six kilometres!

.

Hazel and Paul use their bikes to explore local areas

Half-full caravan park Email your entries here

Issue 83: Ocotber 24, 2014

Page 2

GRAB A CUPPA AND TEST YOUR GREY MATTA

Email us the solution to this picture puzzle. Winner will be drawn from entries and announced in Issue 84. CLUE: Lots of grey nomads think is a big problem with many van parks.

1 2

3

Paul & Hazel’s home ‘Penny’

12

3

4

the Times Your news and views? Email us at thetimes@thegreynomads.com.au Issue 83: O

ctober 24, 2014

Page 3

Dear Editor,Re: free camp town (GNT: Issue 82) To the residents of Bulahdelah, a big thanks for having the insight to create such a fantastic venue for those on the road. Of course, those travellers would be more than happy to shop locally as the entire area is one of my favourites, espe-cially Mungo Brush. As for the minority who wish to abuse the generosity of others, unfortunately they will never go way. You either have to cater for them, or catch them through covert surveillance cameras. Parks and reserves use them for those who abuse fire trails. They are cheap and very effective.

J. S.

Dear Editor,It is good to see a positive attitude from what seems to be a very progressive group of local people.

Ian M

Dear Editor,What a bloody great idea this is. When we come your way, we will definitely stop in to say ‘G’day’ and have a coffee.

Gary S

Dear Editor,Good one, Bulahdelah Lions Club. There needs to be more forward thinking people to create the same in many dis-tricts throughout NSW. Grey nomads spend money in the

town … a fact many people overlook.

Allan G

Dear Editor,Yes, we have noticed grey no-mads overstay the time limit in a lot of places and also just dump grey water wherever it suits them. People just have to think and be more respon-sible otherwise we will lose these sites. Congratulations to Bulahdelah community. We will now stay there on our way north next trip and spend our money there to support the township.

David & Chris

Dear Editor,What a great free camp at Bu-lahdelah. We stayed one night there and it was great. A little wet under foot but, if the Lions and council could do a bit more earthworks, it would be even better. We left a donation and, I say to all, give a dona-tion and put your rubbish in the bins. One thing they could do to control the 72-hour stay is to organise volunteer camp hosts who can stay for free over the period they volunteer.

Tom N

Dear Editor,The sooner they start fining wrongdoers and publicising that fact, the better it will be for the rest of us who do the right thing. Good signage that spells out the conditions of the free camp and the penalties

that apply for breaching those conditions is a must – then police it and fine those who do the wrong thing.

Bev H

Dear Editor,It’s great that this council has the forethought to do this. Might I suggest that they look at the model used in Julia Creek in Queensland, where have a camp host … a grey nomad who is allowed on site for a negotiated period of time and ‘polices’ the free camp area. They get a couple of privileges not accessible by those travelling through, but they do a good job and deserve that bit extra. It is a win-win.

Kay B

Dear Editor,The ‘free camp’ at Bulahdelah is not free. The Lions Club of Bulahdelah ask for a dona-tion to help in the upkeep of this lovely facility and, unfortunately, on a number of occasions I have noticed that a high percentage of travellers do not leave that donation.

Carol D

Dear Editor,Go you good thing! Great to see a small community not chucking the towel in. We nomads must support com-munities like this, for all our sakes. The 10% drongo factor ... stay home.

B&H

Dear Editor,Bulahdelah is a great little town and we have stayed there on many occasions. We will always go back.

Robyn K

Dear Editor,It has been proven numerous times in the last 50 years that bypassing a town in the end is the best thing that happens to it. Towns need to embrace it and get on with life after traffic rumbling through their town. The bonus is that travel-lers who want to get to their destination faster will do so, and those who choose to stay and enjoy the serenity will, well, enjoy the serenity. We leave the main road on many occasions in our travels to explore these bypassed towns and what a joy it is.

Allan M

Dear Editor,Well done, Bulahdelah! As the highway goes on to bypass towns as it makes its way up the coast, perhaps other towns and centres will follow suit. It’s a great way to bring relief to a weary traveller and bring the dollar back into the township.

Glenys H

Dear Editor,Great work! Rangers only need to drive through daily to see who has been there too long and ask them to move on.

Avis

the Times Your news and views? Email us at thetimes@thegreynomads.com.au

Dear Editor,Being a retired truck driver, it’s good to see that the park next to the bridge is going to be used for camping in a great area. I always wanted to go there in the truck, but it was a bit big. I will be stopping there on our next venture.

Arthur NDear Editor,Bulahdelah is a great news story where a small town has thrown out the welcome mat for all travellers in self-contained vehicles. For those of us who never use caravan parks, it creates a very wel-coming location for several days of stopping and roaming and shopping. Well done!

Phil JDear Editor,Thank you, Bulahdelah locals. As a motorhomer, I encourage you to police the area for ones who over stay, so that that it may remain open for all to use and not be spoiled by a few selfish travellers.

Paul F

Dear Editor,We stayed there for two nights a few weeks ago. It’s a lovely spot. The townspeople are very friendly. The butcher had the best lamb schnitzels, there’s a fresh fruit and veggie shop just down the road, a chemist, and we couldn’t find fault with any of them. We will go back again. It’s peaceful, as well.

Wandwill

Dear Editor,Such a great idea. Lovely spot to camp overnight.

Sue T

Dear Editor,We free camp simply because we have no need for a caravan park. It’s a shame a few people abuse this hospitality. Thank God, there are not too many.

Pamela W

Dear Editor,Having stayed a night at the Bulahdelah, I can commend all concerned in their endeav-ours. It is an idyllic little free-bie, walking distance to a pub, shopping and amenities. A blissful little spot to recharge the batteries

John F

Dear Editor,We stayed there overnight. Great facility. We purchased a meal, fuel, and some grocer-ies. We used the dump point. All our needs were met. We put money in the donation box and were on our way. I hope the camp keeps running.

Ivan & Di W

Dear Editor,This working together in Bu-lahdelah shows that the styles of camping can work for the benefit of all, so why can’t all councils get it through their collective heads that support-ing both brings revenue into a community.

Richard M

Issue 83: October 24, 2014

Page 4

Dear Editor,Congratulations to the towns folk on being so proactive. We will certainly stop next time we pass that way.

Karen M

Dear Editor,I hope other smaller towns might also read the article and think about doing something similar. We need these lovely places and we would certainly buy in the town.

Carol M

Dear Editor,What a great idea to bring tourists into the town. If we stay anywhere for free we try to spend money in the area providing the free camping.

Elaine C

Dear Editor,Re: Snoring (GNT: Issue 82). One of us snores … we’re not saying who! Ever since we bought our very first van, we realised that if we were to con-tinue this wonderful lifestyle we would have to do some-thing about the snoring issue. We now have single beds, we both use earplugs, and we have a wonderful sleep each night. Yes, we do get some funny looks when we mention we have single beds (at home as well), but who cares! It’s been a Godsend for us.

Judy &Ben G

Dear Editor,Not all snorers have sleep

apnoea and not all sleep apnoea sufferers snore. Also, though sleep apnoea will make you tired, it is often incorrectly confused with narcolepsy which is the one that will make some people fall to sleep in the middle of a sentence, their dinner or just sitting down etc. Nor is the CPAP machine and its equiva-lent the answer for everyone. Some of us have a sleeping reflex where, if wind blows in our face, we naturally stop breathing anyway and thus the CPAP machine is actually worse for the sufferer. There are though a wealth of other things that can be done in order to lessen the effects.

GregDear Editor,I am concerned about the consequences of seeing a doctor re sleep apnoea. If I am diagnosed with this condition, how does it affect my driver’s licence? Any advice would be helpful. I am a solo traveller.

B.M.Dear Editor,Re: 4WD survey (GNT: Issue 82). Older vehicles are better for me. No automatics, no computers, no power win-dows, no gadgets and, result-antly, no electrics to break down. If properly serviced, she lives on forever or close to it providing the enjoyment we all love.

Allan G

www.smartbar.com.auPhone (08) 8384 0292 info@smartbar.com.au

The safer, Australian made alternative

the Times Your news and views? Email us at thetimes@thegreynomads.com.au Issue 83: O

ctober 24, 2014

Page 5

Dear Editor,There is a lot to be said for the simplicity of vehicles of around 10 years or more of age. Modern engine man-agement systems are very complex and beyond most ‘bush mechanics’. It should be noted though that modern ve-hicles are quite reliable. But, for my money, safety is the compelling factor. The cars of today are streets ahead in this regard. Nowadays, we don’t have just one airbag for the driver, we can be surrounded by the things! And what of ABS braking systems or Elec-tronic Stability Systems, or the science applied when cars are subjected to crash testing?

Paul G

Dear Editor,When deciding upon the ve-hicle of choice to pull our van all around this awesome land, we were given two pieces of advice.1. Go with an older 4x42. NOT a diesel!Older tugs are more toler-ant of the harsh Australian conditions and far easier to get going again if they break down. We were also warned to stay clear of diesels because of the sheer costs involved in continuous maintenance to keep them on the road. We bought a manual 1995 ’80 Series LandCruiser that runs on petrol. Although the mod cons are very basic, it is

comfortable to sit in, reliable, and the old girl pulls our van with ease. And that is all we wanted.

Andrew V

Dear Editor,Re: Julie R’s overweight van (Letters: GNT 82) I bought a motorhome with a sign on it: ‘Able to drive on Car Licence’, which meant the GVM must be below 4.5t. When I later checked the compliance plate on the vehicle, it said 4.495t, just a fraction under the limit. I was worried and took it over a weighbridge with no water, passengers, gear etc and very little fuel. It was overweight by half a tonne, so – allow-ing for everything needed for extended travel, plus 130L or so of water and 400L of fuel – it would be way overweight. I went back to where I bought it from and told them they could either refund my money or pay for an engineer to re-compliance it so it was legal on the road. They chose the latter. To all prospective buy-ers … “Check everything!”

Di D

Dear Editor,Re: Self levelling systems (GNT: 82). We only have a 17’ van, but my wife and I talk about how nice it would be to have a self-levelling system every time we set it up. We do a lot of one-night stays, so it’s one of those things dreams are

made of for us. One day, the dream may become a reality.

Mike P

Dear Editor,These automatic self-levelling stays sound wonderful and certainly would take a lot of work out of setting up. I know I would love to have them on my caravan.

Barbara G

Dear Editor,We have ordered a Sunland Patriot SE with the G&S Stabiliser system. We pick it up on November 17, from Caboolture. With electric jockey wheel, we hope this will enable us to van for years to come.

R Duffy

Dear Editor,Yes, I would definitely like to try such a system but the dol-lars may be a limiting factor.

Val S

Dear Editor,We had 12 volt levelling legs on our van for two years but took them off about 12 months ago because they weighed 130kg for the four. Extremely handy, and I do miss them but they were just too heavy to tow around. There are probably lighter and cheaper systems around for smaller vans.

Helen W

Dear Editor,We have a Cruisemaster air

bag suspension system to give the van a smooth ride. One of the advantages is that, with the flick of a switch you use the airbags to lower or raise either side of the van indepen-dently of each other to level it side to side. The Trailer-A-Mate jack takes care of level-ling front to back. When we pack up to leave, we just flick the switches to bring the sides back to the towing level.

Fishcakesfisher

Dear Editor,After a bit of initial experi-mentation, we found choosing a site carefully and using a couple of wood blocks to be cheap effective and fast.

Jon W (Santa)

Dear Editor,The more you stop doing things, the more your body stops doing things.

Ivan WDear Editor,Yes, I would love a self-level-ling system. I have just had a back operation and this would make our lives a lot easier.

Ken SDear Editor,Re: Litter woes (Jaclyn & Heidi: GNT 82). Maybe we could send out gangs of peo-ple doing community hours, to pick up rubbish. They could do something constructive, and put some pride back into our country.

Del

the Times Your news and views? Email us at thetimes@thegreynomads.com.au

Website highlights

Move in Outback? Recently our websitewww.thegreynomads.com.au reported that a new study has found that the Outback desperately needs more inhab-itants if it is to be protected from threats such as feral animals and invasive weeds. The Pew Charitable Trust’s research found that these problems were exacerbated by the lack of people actively caring for its lands.Read more here.

Other website must-reads: Motorhome tragedyOzPig inventor falls to her death

Rest area truceCan truckies and nomads share?

Rail madnessTrain crashes into stranded 4WD

Merchandise magicShirts, caps, and stubby holders

‘Like’ us on Facebook

Invisibility band gets mozzies to buzz off

SURVEYYou love the Outback … but would you live there?

YES NO

Issue 83: October 24, 2014

There are no creatures on Earth which appear more hell-bent on destroying the traditional grey nomad even-ing of fun and frivolity than the mosquito.Generations of travellers have had to run for cover as the buzzing biters descend on Happy Hour gatherings, campfire cookouts, and simple under-annexe sit-ins. Until now, the most popular form of protection has been to liberally cover exposed body parts in smelly lotions and chemicals … and to hope for the best.However, times are chang-ing. The war on the hated mozzies – which, as well as the irritation factor are also capable of passing on diseases such as Ross River Fever – has ratcheted up a gear. The Invisaband is a bracelet that is infused with Geraniol, an all-natural ingredient de-rived from Geranium plants, which is apparently more effective than citronella in repelling mosquitoes.This oil is slowly released through the Invisaband’s mi-crofibre material and is said to

Page 6

disorientate the blood-sucking buzzers so grey nomads (and others) will appear almost invisible to them!When it is not being worn, the band can be placed in an airtight pouch to preserve its mosquito-repelling capabili-ties. It can provide more than 100 hours of protection from the airborne threat, and the strap has different sizing holes so it is fully adjustable.As well as being worn on the wrist, the Invisaband can do its Happy Hour saving job by hanging off the back of a campchair or on the neck of a bottle of wine.The team behind the Invi-saband is looking to raise $US10,000 to fund produc-tion, and is offering early tak-ers packs of five for a pledge of

US$19. It is to begin shipping the product very soon.

• Does this alternative to sticky anti-mozzie ointments sound tempting? How do you keep mosquitoes at bay? What’s your worst ever mozzie misery moment?

Click to comment

Anti-mozzie bracelets eliminate the need for creams and lotions

Brace yourself for no buzz

the Times Your news and views? Email us at thetimes@thegreynomads.com.au

Bonanza for beach lovers

With one of the most evoca-tive names in Australia, Eighty Mile Beach is a place that few grey nomads travelling the west coast miss out on … and even fewer regret stopping at.While the name accurately conjurs up images of an endless expanse of beauti-ful beach, it doesn’t really do full justice to it inasmuch as the beach is actually 140 miles (or 220 kilometres) long! Nor does it give a clue to the incredible sunsets, the fantastic fishing, the incredible birdwatching, or the sense of camaraderie that you typically find here.Located approximately half-way between Port Hedland and Broome, Eighty Mile Beach is the ideal stopping point for road-weary grey no-mads. The sole caravan park is well regarded by travellers and is set just slightly back from the beach, and offers grassy sites and a well-stocked shop to replenish supplies.Top of most shopping lists is fishing bait. Even non-anglers love to throw a line in here, for the photographic op-portunity if nothing else. The locals say that fishing on high tide is excellent with threadfin salmon, blue nose salmon, and mulloway the most sought-after catch.The fabled beach itself is about 100 metres wide and is a perfect spot for shell collectors

and sand dollar collectors to wander. The area’s traditional owners, the Karajarri peo-ple, call Eighty Mile Beach ‘Wender’, meaning ‘a creak-ing noise’ in reference to the sound of walking through dry sand. Behind the beach are dunes and tidal mudflats, which are listed under the Ramsar Convention as a wetland of international importance, and which vary in width from one to five kilometres. This is one of Australia’s most important sites for migratory shorebirds and the hundreds of thou-sands of birds that gather here make it a paradise for binocular-wielding ‘twitchers’. Among the species birdwatch-ers might enjoy spotting are Bar-Tailed Godwits, Pied Oystercatchers and Oriental Pratincoles. Whether you are normally into birdwatching

or not, they do make for an extraordinary spectacle.Travellers in the area between October and April, may well be privileged enough to spot Flatneck Turtles nesting along the beach.Most of the land along the length of Eighty Mile Beach is occupied by the huge pasto-ral leases of Pardoo, Wallal, Anna Plains and Mandora. The Anna Plains station alone covers 3,600 square kilometres and runs around 20,000 head of cattle. This is a big part of the Big Lap!After so many hours behind the wheel to get here and, with so many more hours behind the wheel beckoning to get out of here, not many grey nomads are eager to rush away … and why on Earth would they be? Click to comment

Eighty Mile Beach is a popular spot for anglers

Issue 83: October 24, 2014

Page 7

The showground at the northern New South Wales town of Murwillumbah is set to be opened up for overnight caravans and mo-torhome camping.Tweed Shire councillors have just backed the plan, which they hope will encourage grey nomads and others trav-ellers to stay in the area.Local businesses say rec-reational vehicles have been driving past the panoramic Tweed Valley and pictur-esque villages such as Uki and Tyalgum for years.Mayor Gary Bagnall has long championed the idea of throwing out the welcome mat to RVs but says he has met ‘entrenched resist-ance’ from councillors who preferred to see grey nomads pay to stay in council-run caravan parks.According to a council re-port, camping at the show-ground should be limited to a maximum of 20 RVs.In its submission to council, Destination Tweed said ‘at a minimum, if there is no parking facilities for RVs in Murwillumbah, they will continue (as they currently do) to drive through Murwillumbah and the rural areas and on to Queensland’.

Click to comment

Hoping for an overnight success

Need portable oxygen?

the Times Your news and views? Email us at thetimes@thegreynomads.com.au Issue 83: O

ctober 24, 2014

Page 8

CLASSIFIEDS

DISCLAIMER: The Grey Nomad Times team is not responsible for any sale, trade, or other transactions between vendors and vendees or advertisers and respondents. All parties enter into transactions at their own risk.

Click here to see all the Classified listings on our website

FOR SALE HELP WANTED

Dear Jaclyn and Heidi,I am – or was – a solo travel-ler. I have been on the road for three years and, about six months ago, I met a wonderful man. John, like me, is divorced and we got on like a house on fire from that very first shared Happy Hour. We quickly became friends, then travelling companions, and now I suppose it is fair to say we have become a bit more than that. He is kind, thoughtful, and attentive, and it’s a long time since I’ve been this happy. However, John is now suggesting that I sell my Coaster campervan and ‘move into’ his caravan. I know it’s crazy for us both to be endlessly filling our tanks, and paying for two sites at caravan parks, but living together in a van can put a strain on couples who have been married for 50 years … what might it do to us?

Nom

It sounds like you have found a good man, Nom. You are one of the lucky ones! The fact that you hit the open road in the first place shows you are a strong, independent woman with a love of adventure and who wants to live life to the full. If you love this man, why wait? Life is too short. Who knows which way life will take us. Perhaps John is the one for you and you will travel happily ever after, and perhaps he will break your heart. You don’t know until you find out, and the only way to find out is to give it a go. It is better to have loved and lost then never to have loved at all. And, you really don’t have to sell your Coaster, Nom. Why not just put it in storage for a month or two while you see how things work out? Good luck! Jaclyn

Have you ever heard the saying ‘once bitten, twice shy’, Nom. As someone who has been through a divorce, you will know all too well how painful ‘falling out of love’ can be. The fact that you are asking the question ‘is this the right thing to do?’ means it isn’t the right thing to do … yet! You say you have never been happier so why would you risk spoiling that happiness by jumping into a shared rig arrangement be-fore you are 100% ready to do so. If couples who have been married for half a century find it challenging living 24/7 in each other’s pockets, why subject a new – and promising – relationship that sort of pres-sure test? It’s not worth it, even to save a few dollars along the way. Enjoy a cuddle over at his van if you want, but keep the Coaster on stand-by, Nom.

HeidiClick to comment

‘Do I move in with him?’

TINDAL, RAAF BASE, NT Management Couple wanted – Base Man-ager & Supervisor to start early December. AAFCANS outlets are designed to provide convenient café style canteens, offering meals and convenience products on Army and Air Force bases. Click here for more.

***FLINDERS RANGES, SA Our property of 33,000 acres, is situated 50km NE of Orroroo in the Flinders Rang-es. We are looking for a couple to help out with general maintenance and repairs, and our tourism business. Click here.

***CARNARVON REGION, WA We are a family run cattle station east of Carnarvon, WA. We are looking for as-sistance in the school room, with garden maintenance and odd jobs. Dates: 2 November to 29 November. Can provide power for van, meals and small remunera-tion. Click here for more.

***

CAMPGROUND HOSTS, VIC This summer there is an opportunity to be a part of the Parks Victoria Campground Host program at Lake Eildon National Park and Cathedral Ranges State Park. Click here for more.

***

WINTON AREA, QLD We are looking for an honest & reliable couple or single person to Caretake our 40,000 acre property 95km SW of Winton (1 ¼ hours drive from Winton on the Jundah Road) in exchange for free house (shearer’s quarters) - electricity and telephone supplied. Click here for more.

***AIRLIE BEACH, QLD Caretaker couple wanted for Airlie Beach area on 5 acres for approx. 2 months from late November to mid Jan. You would need your own van but we have a lovely separate camp kitchen area and shower toilet so no need to be self contained. Click here for more.

***WOODEND, VIC Boarding Kennel on 20 acres near woo-dend Vic is looking for a person to park a caravan on site for a week starting the 25/10/14. They do not have to work just be present on site from evening till 8 am each day. Click here for more.

***HOBART, TASMountain horse property on the back of Mt Wellington near Hobart needs a casual caretaker to help with odd jobs, caring for our animals and care-taking the property when we travel for work. A love of animals and nature is essential. Click here.

***

HOUSESITTING

Not on our list? Click here to subscribe

VOLUNTEERING

www.easyoffroad.com.au

Trailers from $44,950Sale Ends June 30

2/5 Solar Pass BIBRA LAKE