Life on the Road

Once off, what a feeling – the KOMBI seemed to fly at 70-80kph!

I put in 150 kilometres the first day, stopping at a bush camp designated in the info books I carry. I hadn't done anything like this in my life and was pleased with my achievement having no hassles whatsoever with the vehicle, I enjoyed my first day on the road. Met up with a couple who were camped next to me and found out they were leaving the next day to go North so decided to convoy with them. My destination from the east was the Northern Territory as I'd worked in the office of an 8360 acre station for two and a half years and wanted to see my old workmates and workplace thus giving me a direction. It was great to catch up after 20 years and see the changes to Darwin and found the station had changed to a Bed and Breakfast and Camping. Found the 'croc' country a bit daunting having my Cocker Spaniel with me who liked swimming, so after five weeks there headed off for the West.

What started all this you ask? Well...

I had moved originally from New Zealand, became an Australian Citizen in 1993 and then from Victoria to Queensland some years later and acquired a lovely little flat with rental within my budget. Employment consisted of casual contracts within the medical profession as Admin/Secretary. Sometimes work, sometimes not and after turning 60 definitely not! Thereafter my days entailed watching the Today Show, an occasional visit from my daughter, walking the dog to the beach, resting, feeding the dog and myself, only to then retire to bed to watch TV or read! What an existence!!!

This went on for months and I was getting more depressed and reclusive as each day went by. I thought that there must be more to life than my present existence and after watching an ABC program titled "The Grey Nomads". Lo and behold the escape of my situation became clear!

The hassles I went through before setting off seemed mind-boggling, including juggling my pension to acquire a few extras that I thought I would need to live on the road. I sold my car for a vehicle I could sleep in and ended up buying a KOMBI. Well, I've driven all kinds of vehicles during my lifetime, but the KOMBI was hard and I didn't have confidence in her after having the gearbox replaced and renewed the universal joints! I had a waterpipe installed on the front, a roof rack installed, cupboards inside replaced, gas bottle and a few other things I thought would be needed on the road, plus a small domed tent – in case she broke down. I just used her for a shopping car and would you believe didn't have enough confidence to take her to a neighbouring town just 20 minutes away! Each pension I always found something extra I thought I would need and eventually after a period of time, decided I was definitely going – bother anything else I thought I would need, otherwise I would never get on the road. So with food aboard, esky, gas ring for cooking, mobile phone, fishing rod, everything sold and the flat relinquished, my Cocker Spaniel and I took to the road. I made him up a bed on the passenger seat and resting on the car fridge placed in front of the seat. I knew he would be quite comfortable, but just had to trust luck that I could drive her!

I found my mobile phone useless over long distances, so with my pension purchased a "Pocketmail" and find it marvellous to send and receive email, which I do at any phone box for the price of a local call!!

A few funny, or at the time, frightening incidents have happened. One was while I was driving towards a bush camp out west and the dog must have had a stomach ache and needed a toilet. I eventually found a truck stop, telling him to "hang on" in the meantime. I pulled over, put his chain to a tree, gave him some water and I poured a cup of coffee. I heard a roaring and looked around the van to see a bull charging! I didn't look like a truck to him I suppose! In haste I unleashed the dog chain and threw both the dog and the water-bowl (water and all) into the van. Jumped in, shaking like a leaf, prayed she'd start as the bull was awfully close by this time. She did – I hightailed it out of there at full speed! Told my doggie that no way was I going to stop again until I was ready and he would have to hold it!! He understood, and did, bless him!

Another incident comes to mind – I pulled into a beach after driving about 350 kilometres knowing I'd had enough of driving and would have to stay at least a week as I'd used up all monies on food and petrol… again! Here the cost was $1 per night, no water, but toilets. Unpacked, set up camp, had dinner and then retired to sleep until whenever. I was awakened early the next morning to a lady yelling, "You wanta fish lady?" I struggled out of the van and before me, waving a fish in the air was this person – I said, "I'd love the fish and will have it for dinner" She said, "We have a fire going – come cook it for brekkie". Her name was Ann and she and her husband stay there two to three months per year. We have been friends since. While there we netted fish each night (allowed there), cooked together and I've stayed with them at their house while the Kombi had a bit of maintenance. We also travelled South West Australia together.

Have had a go at grape picking – lasted two and a half weeks – enjoyed the company of the backpackers, but too hard for this old bod in 40 degree heat. When I left they congratulated me on having a go and guts! The day started at 5.45 am to 3.00 pm with no break – only if you wanted it.

Spent Christmas 2001 at a $5 per night caravan park and was invited to the most delightful lunch of crackled pork and trimmings with homemade plum pudding and even flamed brandy!

Spent last Easter at a beach in South Australia. On the Sunday was greeted with Easter eggs, hot cross bun and a fresh snapper from a family camped just away from me. Plus, when they knew I had to sit for a few more days until pension time, invited me to camp on their five acre property! Lovely of them, but I opted for the beach.

What do I do while sitting you ask? My time is taken up with cleaning the van inside and out, company of my lovable dog of nine years, books to read, emails to prepare for sending, fishing if possible, walks and swimming.

There are a few hassles to overcome in the pension budget like possible vet visits, doggie and personal requirements, van requirements, oil, maintenance etc, insurance payments, rego and prepayments of email and mobile phone.

I'm a novice on the road compared to some who have been 5, 8 and the longest, a couple who have been on the road for 14 years! I plan to meet up with this couple in 2003 somewhere!

I've met heaps of unforgettable people from all walks of life. I wouldn't change my life now unless for ill-health or a complete breakdown of my KOMBI. Beats looking out the flat window!

I've made friends for the term of life left with places all around Australia to stay. If I was a painter the scenery is breathtaking; interest in the different species and colour of animals per state, different shells on beaches; different species and names of fish; the different tackle needed; accustoming oneself to difference of dawns and dusks and when Daylight Saving is in force, the different time zones, the feeling of getting from A to B is invigorating!

A few things come to mind of what Life on the Road makes one become aware of: Water is the most important commodity! You treat this really frugally and if by the sea, I have found that sea water has just the right amount of salt for cooking – thus saving the fresh. After driving hundreds of kilometres and feeling like you're not getting close to civilisation, lo and behold, a Telstra booster station looms up. I've realised that they are situated 50 kilometres from a town, 30 kilometres further one sights a TV relay town, then you know you're nearing civilisation and can find a roadside stop or caravan park or a Roadhouse. This feeling is bliss when you need to stop and rest.

After 38,000 kilometres I have many happy memories and many, many friends. What a life!

My daughter says to enjoy myself while able and my granddaughter, who makes me very proud of her achievements in the Navy, also goes along with this but, I think, may be a bit embarrassed to have a Gran on the road and of no fixed abode!

On my travels a gentleman was overheard to say, "This is our third time around Australia. The first took my wife and myself four years; the second took nine years, but this time we'll take our time". Very good advice to anyone contemplating life on the road!

Lorraine Heybrook, Q21707