Thursday, March 1, 2012

FREEDOM: Saga of the "Recreational Vehicle"

My husband retired and I, in sympathy, stopped working - about 7 years ago. Traditionally, here in Australia, when people retire they generally buy a caravan or motorhome and "drive around Australia". These people are fondly named "The Grey Nomads". Well I colour my greying tendencies - so the name never quite fit me. What little hair my husband has, was and is, in fact, very grey - so he fits this mould.

We bought a small motorhome (sight unseen - just pictures) over the internet, and my husband flew to Sydney to pick it up and drive it home. Here it is:

"Matilda" - camped at Ormiston Gorge - Northern Territory


Here she is with full outfit on, Arthur's lake, Tasmania.


Over the span of about 2 and a half years, we saw a lot  of Australia over four trips, spanning about 4 months per trip. Needless to say, the whole experience was AWESOME and a fitting introduction to "Freedom" in retirement. 

We then sold Matilda to a very nice older couple (greys) who live on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland. The motorhome was unable to be stored at our place due to her height. And to leave it out (not undercover) was not an option.

While we were happy to have sold her privately, and pretty much recoup the money we had paid for her,

there was this niggling "oh no, what have we done!!" feeling inside.


Have we just sold our FREEDOM??


After a while I started feeling a little sad for the loss of our "Recreational Vehicle" and began to think how nice for us AND our little dog "camping" and "adventures" would be. But there were very few options for people travelling with dogs.





Well...............




Guess what we did today????












Happy Days!!! After much deliberation, my husband and I decided on a compact and fold down caravan, small enough that we could tow it with our medium sized car. We ordered a brand newy today with many extras including air-conditioning and full annex and awning to double the living space when camped. It will take approximately 4 months to be constructed and delivered. 



So who's a Happy Camper now??????



10 comments:

  1. Oh that looks amazing - so compact and sleek! My Mum bought a small pre-loved motorhome when she retired last year and has been going for weekends away with her friend and their whippet. Not much chance of good weather here in the UK right now but it has always looked tempting especially when it's so hard to find anywhere to go with several dogs. Sure you'll have many happy days away with Rubie now - look forward to seeing photos when you do explore - love from Leigh & Magic xx

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  2. WooHoooo! Happy camper indeed! Congratulations!

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  3. OH BOY HOWDY... THAT is soooooo cooooool Drooooool. Much easier to Store and to Pull. Grrrrreat. Can't wait to see it in the furs!!

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  4. That is so awesome! I've been looking at pictures of those online, and other similar ones, for ages, wishing I had the money to pick one up. That should be a super fun camper to have, and be so much easier to store!

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  5. Beautiful little camper! Whats first on your travel agenda?

    We're gonna keep an eye on you guys!

    Jo, Stella and Zkhat

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  6. This blog is just great, Poots, so happy you started it. Most people retire and complain of boredom but just see how much one can do with that spare time!

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  7. You are going to have SO MUCH FUN! WE would love to have a camper like that one! Enjoy!

    Your pal, Pip

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  8. Wow! Won't you have fun out and about in that!

    Pat
    Critter Alley

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  9. Hi Poots, wow whee you lucky things. Your new caravan looks amazing. At least you have four months to totally enjoy planning your next adventures. Great news for you all. No worries, and love, Carol (and Stella and Rory)

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  10. Great stuff when and where for the first trip

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