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

In this issue: •Scary nights •Bagging a boat •Cowell is calling

It is sometimes easy for grey nomads to take for granted the amazing lifestyle they are privileged enough to enjoy.Caravanners and motorhom-ers can become complacent about the succession of incred-ible sunsets they witness, the camaraderie of the campsites they stay at, the beauty of the country they travel in ... and even the partner they com-monly share it all with.Couples travelling in paradise can bicker about cooking, disagree about plans for the day, and argue about caravan reversing ‘issues’. For those people, grey nomad Robert King has some heartfelt advice ... ‘treasure every moment together and never ever go to bed angry with each other’.Robert and wife Pam lived on the road for 14 glorious years, travelling by the motto ‘Sub-ject to change without notice’ and being forever grateful for their lifestyle ... and for each other.The couple met in August, 1997, when Robert moved to the coast to buy a property and fate brought him to Pam, a real estate agent. They mar-ried in January, 2001. “Pam and I were hopelessly in love,” said Robert. “We did quirky things together, like getting married in a hot air balloon at 1700ft in the air.”

They began travelling the country in their caravan in 2002 and were eventually joined by Zanda, their beloved Blue Point Himalayan Persian cat.“For 14 years we roamed Australia, we made some in-credible friends and saw some amazing places,” said Robert. “But the joy was living in a confined space and making it work ... we did everything together, no matter what, even down to the washing.”And then in 2015, Pam’s health started to fail. She was found to have osteoporosis with multiple compressed fractures, and was then diagnosed with Polymyalga Rheumatica, a nasty syndrome that can cause pain throughout the body.Robert and Pam decided it was time to wind down from trav-elling and signed a contract to buy a beautiful new home on the New South Wales Tweed Coast. However, exactly one

Despite 14 happy years on the road, their journey

together was way too short

Issue 140: February 10, 2017

Page 1

week later, Pam was told she had a large tumour in the right lung, and then told she had Stage 4 terminal lung cancer and less than six months to live.The couple was devastated, but Robert had to stay strong for his wife. “I practically lived at the hos-pital, trying to support her in every way,” he said. “She was declining day by day but I was there all of her waking day.”When the couple’s new house settled, Pam was allowed to move into her dream home where she could wake up each day and see the sugar cane she loved so much. A week later, she was even strong enough to go out for a few hours. She went to the hairdressers and then out to enjoy her favourite iced coffee. A few days later though, Pam passed away. “For days I drank and cried with grief, the pain was unim-

‘Cherish every moment’

Robert and Pam (above) on their wedding day in 2001; and (left) Pam is all smiles during the couple’s joy-filled trip around Australia.

Times

aginable,” said Robert. “There was a massive chunk now missing in my life and, even now, nine months down the track I sit in my little cocoon and cry myself to sleep.”Robert has had grief counsel-ling and takes great comfort from having his cat, Zanda, almost constantly by his side, but he says the sheer loneliness is still overwhelming.“I’ve been away on a couple of short trips but it will never be the same as it was,” he said. “Absolutely nothing can fill that void.”And for grey nomad couples out there living the dream, Robert’s advice is simple.“Cherish every moment you have with that special some-one in your life ... hold them, hug them, and embrace them every day,” he said. “All the material things in life amount to nothing without that special someone to share it with.”Click to comment

$79 Inmarsat Satphone prepaid credit

FREE SIM for new subscribersNo ongoing fees. Valid 90 Days.

Contact GMDAS: (08) 9331 0070GMDASStay connected at sea

Maritime Charts and Airtime ServicesInmarsat & VSAT Airtime Solutions

Stay connected anywhere

Special offer for Grey Nomads:

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

‘Crikey! What a night, what a fright that was’

Meet a solo lady traveller who loves bush camping ...

but not the long dark nights!

After five years full-time on the road time – most of it camping on her own in remote bush locations – solo traveller, Robin X, rightly considers herself a hardy, self-reliant soul.Yet, for all those hundreds of nights spent in the isolated places that she loves so much, Robin still freely admits that when she closes her caravan door in the evening, she im-mediately starts yearning to see the dawn light again.“I’m pretty much always free camping as deep in the bush as I can get and as soon as the dark hits, I just lock down and make sure no lights can be seen,” she said. “It’s not so much that I’m scared, it’s more a feeling of ‘getting it over with’ I guess.”Robin says that once she is asleep she is fine and that, when she wakes up in the light, she just thinks ‘goodo ... all is good’.“I don’t think I could travel like I do if I was scared every night,” she said. “The only time I’ve ever been frightened in a free camp was when I’d left a plastic bag outside and I could hear it shifting in the gentle breeze and I thought it was footsteps!”

She says she gets the heebie-jeebies in some places worse than others, and sometimes she is totally comfortable.“I’m certainly not awake all night with fear or anything – maybe just more careful that I don’t do anything after dark, such as using the gennie where I’d have to go out and turn it off,” she said. “I make sure everything is done so I don’t have to go outside again until daylight.”While the Australian bush is notoriously full of scary creatures ranging from snakes and spiders to crocodiles and dingoes, Robin says it’s not them that bother her. “It’s just the humans who have the potential to be there and up to no good that enter my mind at times,” she said. “I don’t watch scary mov-ies now, and I don’t leave anything at all identifying outside or tell people on the

Page 2

road that I’m alone or where I’m headed.”While an allergy means it’s impossible for Robin to travel with a dog, she now has a ‘barking app’ on her phone just in case anyone is out there one night. However, she admits she would ‘have kit-tens’ if there ever were some-one, or if someone knocked on her door.“I do rarely see anyone, just day to day, so the chances of someone stumbling across me and something happening are pretty remote I’d say,” she said. “I’m always happy living this blissful life ... it’s just that I still like daylight better!”

• Do you start looking forward to morning as soon as you close the van door? What ‘innocent’ sound has given you a late-night fright?

Click to comment

Issue 140: February 10, 2017

The night-time heebie-jeebies can make this seem like this!

Caravan crashA truck has collided with a vehicle towing a caravan at Table Top in New South Wales. Debris from the acci-dent was scattered across the Hume Highway. Paramedics treated two people for inju-ries. Police are investigating.

Van park closureKingscliff Beach Holiday in northern New South Wales has been temporarily closed in order for work to start on a foreshore wall to stop erosion at the beachside site. The caravan park was severely damaged by erosion in 2011. The seawall is due to be completed by November.

ACT plansThe ACT Government has announced a feasibility study into creating a new national park in the Mount Ainslie and Mount Majura area. The National Parks Association says there is no intent to prohibit existing recreational activities, including the walk-ing of dogs on a leash.

Barra season Barramundi season has reportedly got off to a slow start this year due to volatile weather. However, anglers in north Queensland are being told that restocking efforts mean the barra population is good. The season goes through until November 1.

Nomads in Brief

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

A win-win situationWhile grey nomads may not have the reputation of being the biggest spending group of travellers in the world, there is no shortage of struggling rural pubs who are certainly not complaining.Instead, many believe that the army of older caravanners and motorhomers who have the time and the inclination to get to places others fail to get to, and to spend time in towns that others don’t know exist, can be the difference between success and failure.When a new ownership team took over at the remote Pentland Hotel in Outback Queensland last September, they did so with warnings of ‘the grey nomads will steal your toilet paper’ ringing in their ears.Five months later, new man-ager, Edith Ormonde, says she has seen nothing like that sort of behaviour yet. Indeed, recognising that many grey nomads make a point of stop-ping in at every little country pub they see, she sees them as a critical part of the future.“In the first couple of weeks we were talking to the locals about ways to get the place going and they suggested allowing caravans to park for free out the back,” she said. “It made perfect sense as we have quite a bit of land here that’s flat and quite a bit of it shaded so it was perfect for caravans

to park up.”The decision seemed all the more obvious when Edith looked how much caravan parks were charging ... and was shocked.“If the pub can offer camping and get a few beers or meal out of the deal, it’s a win-win situation,” she said. “In a town of this size – and there are so many like us – we really do rely on the passing traffic to keep the pub going so grey nomads please stop in and say ‘hi’ next time you’re out this way ... your patronage is always appreciated.”To add more interest for visitors, the pub is even in the process of putting together a bit of a museum with informa-tion on the origins of the town and on the old meatworks that used to supply meat during WWII.It’s a similar story over at the Bajool Hotel, about 40 kilome-

Page 3

tres south of Rockhampton, which offers free camping on unpowered grassy sites with showers available on request ... and great meals in the pub.Peggy Sherwood is part of the team that recently took over, and she loves life in the tiny town of just 80 friendly residents.“It is an older hotel with a lot of character,” she said. “And we welcome grey nomads and love to hear stories about their travels and sit around and have a few drinks with them ... nothing like a Happy Hour!”Having travelled herself, Peggy knows how difficult it can be to find free camping, and a place to shower.“There needs to be places for us oldies to chill out after a long drive,” she said. “That is what we looked forward to when we were on the road.”

Click to comment

Issue 140: February 10, 2017

Phil Crockart explains how he got ready

for the ‘culture shock’ of 24/7

caravan life

Allergiesaffect manyGNT readers While the grey nomad life-style is notoriously carefree and relaxed, it seems that for a sizeable minority of travellers – those at risk of an allergic reaction – it is significantly less worry-free.A sizeable 30.4% respond-ents to our recent on the issue, have suffered an anaphylactic reaction to a bite or sting.Annette F has suffered ana-phylaxis a number of times after bee stings.“An Epi-pen and antihista-mines go everywhere with me,” she said. “That terrify-ing feeling of one’s throat constricting and struggling to breathe is a nightmare I would wish on no one ... not to mention the discom-fort of swelling of the limb which has been.”The experts say people can develop an allergic reaction at any time, and Gerry M – who had previously been stung by bees many times – was shocked when he suf-fered a dangeorus reaction to a sting.“I don’t know if it was a different species of bee or what,” he said. “But I know if I hadn’t been relatively close to a town, I might not be here today ... terrify-ing.”

Click to comment

Do grey nomads make a difference in rural pubs? These landlords think so

Manager Edith Ormonde serves customers at the Pentland Hotel

instructional videos19Download the First Aid Fast App Today! AFA Youtube Channel

aplhealthcare.com.au

Contact APL Healthcare.

1300 975 889

Download the First Aid Fast App Today! AFA Youtube Channel

aplhealthcare.com.au

Contact APL Healthcare.

1300 975 889

Download the First Aid Fast App Today! AFA Youtube Channel

aplhealthcare.com.au

Contact APL Healthcare.

1300 975 889

Download the First Aid Fast App Today! AFA Youtube Channel

aplhealthcare.com.au

Contact APL Healthcare.

1300 975 889

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

Page 4

The story in the last GNT on Stealth Camping sparked a strong reaction:In six-plus years we have never had issues with freedom camping. We drive an 11-me-tre bus and pull a seven-metre trailer and most caravan parks are difficult to get into and park. We find industrial estates where the streets are wider, or organise our trips to include a suitable free park. We have found provincial cities more difficult to park large vehicles and have been asked to leave and, when asked to do so, we usually get a suggested spot with the ranger’s OK.

Frank & JenniferAll states have laws regarding driving times and rest periods for commercial drivers, these laws also technically exist for any heavy vehicle. So there is an indisputable reason for stopping for rest.

Leigh PWe stayed at a well-run show-ground/RV Stop in the Glen Innes/Grafton/Inverell area of NSW. We were shocked when a man came out of his van, looked furtively around, and proceeded to empty the contents of his loo cassette down into the grey waste drain. The Dump Station was clearly marked and this lazy sod could see it. These type of people give caravanners a bad name. Off with his head and on goes a cabbage, I say!

Denis & Kathleen R

If free campers support the lo-cal businesses in the town then I find the locals tend to be more receptive. Two towns, off the top of my head, that have capitalised and encourage free campers are Peterborough, SA, and Murgon, Qld. They provide excellent areas within walking distance of the main shopping area and encourage campers to support the town.

Mick SI think it is fine to stealth camp, so long as you leave no signs that you were ever there. The most horrible and annoy-ing thing I find is toilet paper left everywhere! Clean up.

LDYes I think it’s okay to stealth camp as long as your van is self-contained and you are not intruding on someone’s space or making noise. Responsibly dispose of your rubbish and do not set up your chairs or awn-ing. If confronted by a zealous ranger or official, offer a typed form that if moved on you hold them responsible should

you have an accident due to fa-tigue. Get them to sign it and, if they refuse, stay put.

PeterI generally use caravan parks. To me, camping means sleeping out in a tent around a campfire with table and chairs set up. If you pull up somewhere in a self-contained motorhome/caravan to stop for the night without putting chairs or awnings out etc, I don’t deem it to be camping but sleeping.

Di DWe were at the free camp in Childers behind the post office where there was a small white station wagon with a young couple who slept in the back. They left the site early, leaving behind a bag of rubbish and a couple of large wet spots which didn’t look like water. I put the rubbish in the bin so the locals wouldn’t have to see it.

Sue AThere are too many so-called stealth campers. They all

focus on their entitlement and feel everything should be free. Nothing is free and why should you, as an itinerant, get a free run when the local house and business owner have to pay for it? I free camp mostly overnight, but do sup-port private-owner van parks.

Dave II most emphatically agree that we should be able to park for a night away from noisy roads, without cost, and without being bothered unreasonably by Big Brother, as long as we cause no nuisance and leave no trace. Harry ORe: Launceston (Great Places: GNT 139). We went to Tassie many years ago and fell in love with the whole state, but Launceston was one of our favourite places. Absolutely beautiful scenery, history, food, architecture, people, and it’s easy to get around. May migrate there one day but most certainly will be back for an extended visit some time soon. DianneRe: Luxury RV (Gadgets: GNT 139). Not sure how one would get under a bridge with a helicopter on the roof ? They must have extra high under-passes in the USA! Jason FGood luck trying to find a caravan park with sites large enough to accommodate it. Roger B

Issue 140: February 10, 2017

Beachside suburbs are often used by stealth campers

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

Page 5

NEW SOUTH WALESShindy’s Inn, Louth, followed by Tilpa, both on the Darling River. Maude Hotel is a good one as well.

James WCollingullie (near Wagga) – recommended by fellow grey nomads.Rapville (between Casino and Grafton). This pub is the lifeline for this community!

Graeme H QUEENSLANDThe pub at Rosedale about 50km to 60km south of Rock-hampton, Grass oval with an old toilet/ shower block for $15 first night, and $10 per night thereafter. Lovely people and great service. Phillip RMarlborough Pub. We stop here regularly. $10 per night, and we eat at the pub to save cooking in the van.

Brian & JillWe enjoy the meals at the Cor-field Pub, half way between Winton and Hughenden. For a gold coin donation you can use their showers. There’s a free camp across the road with toilets; donations appreciated.

BroncoI really loved the friendly staff at the Bajool Hotel. A welcome oasis for me as a solo traveller.

DeanYaraka Pub in the Channel Country offers great hospital-ity and shire facilities at the rear of the pub for $3 a night!

Mark LThe Pentland Hotel was a delight. Great food and fun atmosphere.

Sue & Jon

We enjoyed our free camp at Nindigully Pub, via Thallon. They make the yummiest food! Add to that ice cold beer, beer garden, free hot showers, plus a scenic footpath and picnic tables beside the river.

StefPrairie Hotel on the Flinders Highway. Free camp, excellent company and great food!

Margaret HThe Royal Hotel at Yarraman is under new management and is very accommodating. There’s a back car park where you can park up the van and it’s got great coffee and meals.

Lisa S SOUTH AUSTRALIASpalding ‘Barbed Wire’ pub offers parking at the rear for vans and motorhomes!

Mark LMungerannie pub. Best I’ve ever been to. In the middle of nowhere on the Birdsville Track. I’m going back to stay more than a night!

Leigh PWe spent a very enjoyable night at Overland Corner not far from Renmark. We parked our van at the rear of the lovely historic pub and had a great meal with interesting conver-sations over dinner.

Ron & Margaret WMount Mary. Off the beaten

track. Very welcoming. Camping next to the pub, power for a small fee. Nice little pub where we were the only ones for the first half hour and then the locals rolled in. Standing room only. The grey nomad could be some of these town’s saviours. Peter M TASMANIAFavourite pubs with camping:Rocky Cape TavernBruny HotelDerwent Bridge Hotel

Jenny T VICTORIABrim. A great pub with camp-ing by the river. It’s a donation only and the publican will even drive you back the one kilo-metre if you have a few drinks! Great place to meet the locals!

Sandra KThe Merino Pub, south east of Casterton was just magic when attending the Kelpie muster in June a couple of years ago

Richard K

Issue 140: February 10, 2017

There are literally hun-dreds of hotels in country Australia and they are all a link to the past. So many were built in the heady days when Australia ‘rode on the sheep’s back’, and more gold was dug out of Victoria than the whole of Cali-fornia. These old pubs are testament to the men and women of those times. No two hotels are the same and they each have their story to tell. Often the townships have grown and died, and all that is left is the hotel.

Ted D (Wily Wanderer)

Free camping at all the pubs is a great idea, and the tucker is always great ... as well as a big percentage of the locals.

Max S

If pubs stop filling plates with chips and don’t charge $7 for a third glass of wine we will come back.

Frank Z

Staying at country pubs is one of the great rewards of travelling but I will say that fuel costs are restricting the length of travel. We no longer travel long distances and only travel short dis-tances of up to 500 kilo-metres and then stay more than a few days. We have a caravan and tow vehicle and I would think that mo-torhomes would cost more to run and are slowly going to be a casualty of high fuel prices.

Terry & Rhonda B

There’s always a warm welcome at the Mungerannie PubPic: Mungerannie Pub

In GNT 139 we asked for grey nomad-friendly pubs. Here’s what you suggested:

Please let us know:Name & location?Camping facilities?

Pet friendly?Comments?

Know a great country pub?

Help us spread the word

Email us here

Unique spots to enjoy a meal and a chinwag

Letters - Country Pub Special

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

Boating fun ‘in the bag’

Getting out and afloat on Aus-tralia’s waterways can deliver a whole new dimension to the Big Lap ... but the idea of lug-ging a boat around is enough to give many travellers that sinking feeling.There’s the hassle, the weight, and the fuel-sapping aerody-namics of toting a tinny atop your tug, and then there’s also the uncertainty of how much you’re actually going to use it. While some find a more manageable kayak a satisfac-tory compromise, others are still missing out because they can’t justify even that bulk.It’s a conundrum that has sparked some creative minds to come up with wonderful concepts such as the inflatable kayak. But, for grey nomads with vivid imaginations who might have nightmares about stray puncture-causing fishing hooks, the more reliable-sounding ‘Justin Case kayak’ could be just the ticket.The idea belongs to a Cana-dian adventurer, Inna Morgan, who shared the frustration of space-challenged nomads and was determined to do something about it. The result is an easily-assembled nylon kayak that – when not in the water – can be folded down into a 102cm x 15cm bag, and weighs just 2.6kg.

Page 6

The kayak’s frame is made of a collection of carbon fibre poles which, when connected together, form a frame over which a ripstop nylon skin is pulled. The inventor says the whole assembly process can be completed in about 10 minutes, and the boat will be capable of carrying more than 113 kilograms. Okay, this is probably not the sort of craft you want to be taking out into the crocodile-infested waters of the north or out into the middle of wide rivers or vast lakes, but it does offer the opportunity to have a paddle around some of our gentler and more serene expanses of water ... and have a bit of fun doing it.It’s even small enough and light enough to take on a long

bushwalk where you might come across a delightful rock pool that you may like to explore a little further. Then it’s a matter of hey presto, off with the bag, and a quick bit of Lego-like assembly later, you’re good to go. Now, you can’t carry a tinny on a hike, can you?The ‘Justin Case’ team is currently seeking funds to de-velop the ultimate in portable kayaks. If and when it goes into production, it is expected to sell for around $850.• Would you be keen to pack a ‘Justin Case’ kayak on your next big trip? Can you think of any bushwalks you have done where you would like to have brought it along?

Click to comment

Website highlights

E-health rolloutRecently our websitewww.thegreynomads.com.au reported that the Government looks set to roll out a nation-wide ‘opt-out’ rather than ‘opt-in’ approach to electronic medical records in a bid to turn around poor adoption rates. Grey nomads were among the groups thought most likely to benefit from the scheme when it went live in 2012 but not everyone has been a fan. There are now 4.32 million Australians with an e-health record.Click here to read more

Other website must-reads:Smoking restrictionsNational parks get tough

Too Happy HourVan park bans tourists

Tassie shockFree camp out, van park in

UHF reprieveOlder radios escape banFantasy islandKangaroo Island shock

Merchandise magicGet your grey nomad gear

SURVEYHave you signed up to

get an e-health record? YES NO

Issue 140: February 10, 2017

The kayak is perfect for serene waterways (top). The ‘Justin Case kayak’ (left) folds up into a small and light bag which makes it a feasible inclusion on bushwalks.

C A R A V A N S T O R A G ESTRONGROOM

www.strongroomcaravanstorage.com.au

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

Cowell has the X-factor

South Australia’s Eyre penin-sula is invariably one of the highlights of a grey nomad trip ... and sensational little townships like Cowell are a big part of the reason why.Perched on Franklin Harbour, the scenic settlement offers great fishing, and boasts a mu-seum, a couple of great pubs, a jade factory, two caravan parks ... and a unique ‘black stump’ attraction in the main street. What else could a traveller possibly want?With a population of just over 1,000, Cowell is on the Lincoln Highway on the eastern side of the Eyre Peninsula, some 500 kilometres from Adelaide. Unlike other communities on the peninsula, it is not blessed with glorious sandy beaches, and its shoreline is instead de-fined by mud and mangroves. For disappointed would-be swimmers though, there is an enclosed tidal aquatic area next to the jetty in which to take a dip. The 146-metre-long jetty itself is a favourite place for grey nomads and others to throw in a line, and they may catch whiting, snapper, salmon, tommy ruff, mullet, flathead, or garfish. A foreshore and mangrove boardwalk has recently been developed and this offers a delightful way to spy more of Cowell’s marine and bird life.The township was originally

settled in the 1850s as wheat and sheep farmers moved into the area, and tourism, com-mercial fishing and oyster farming are now also key industries. Back in the 1960s, the local economy was given a major boost when significant deposits of nephrite jade were found in a 10 sq km area now known as the Cowell Jade Province. The high quality jade is exported all over the world, and visitors can take a closer look at places such as the Cowell Jade Factory.The attractive township boasts some superb examples of turn-of-the-century architecture, including the two welcoming pubs on pine tree-lined Main Street. The stylish Franklin Harbour Hotel was originally built in 1881, with the equally stylish Commercial Hotel built in 1910.The rivalry between the two hotels was actually responsible for the arrival of Cowell’s most unique attraction ... the Black Stump. Back in 1972, prank-sters placed a large stump between the pubs with signs

reading: ‘Best pub this side of the black stump’. After the original stump was stolen, the current larger stump - weigh-ing a whopping 2060kg - was erected in its place.The best place to learn about the township’s history is at the excellent National Trust Folk Museum, which is housed in the old Post Office, built in 1882. Several rooms are furnished in the style of the late 1800s, and there are many artefacts on display.Short drives out of Cowell will uncover more of the area’s historical secrets, including the ruins of Wangaraleednie Station where the original set-tlers – the McKechnie broth-ers – built their home, and the Middlecamp Shearing Shed and Crofter’s Cottage.While reminders of its frontier past are never far away, Cow-ell’s quiet confidence, impres-sive facilities, and country ambience suggest that, in terms of attracting grey no-mads at least, its best days lie very much ahead.Click to comment

Page 7

QUIZ CORNERLast week’s picture puzzle solution: The winning entry was sent by Christian P.

Do You Know1. Decoy probe (anagram) It’s what lies beneath that makes this SA gem so unique.

2. Foul Bay on SA’s Yorke Penin-sula was so called because:a) The beach stinks due to pre-vailing currents that commonly leave it covered with seaweed.b) Explorer Matthew Flinders was annoyed with the place for not having better anchorage c) The sheltered bay was first spotted by the navigator of HMS Investigator, James Arthur Foul, in 1786.

3. I’m in the Queensland town Esk and I want to travel south to Ipswich. Which highway will I take most of the way?

4. If you travelled east to west into Rabelbram, instead of west to east, which famously hot WA town would you find instead?

5. Shortest road distance between Camooweal, Qld and Threeways Roadhouse in the NT? a) 358km b) 447km c) 603km

Issue 140: February 10, 2017

Rest area

Cowell’s foreshore is teeming with marine and bird life PIC: Tourism SA

Win 2 grey nomad bumper stickers!

Email the solution to the pic puz-zle. Winner drawn from entries and announced in Issue 140. CLUE: It can make for a frighten-ing sight on a narrow country road!

STOCKMAN’S CHALLENGE & BUSH FESTIVAL

Murrurundi NSW23–26 February 2017

King of the Ranges Stockman’s Challenge Inc

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

Page 8

Dear Jaclyn and Heidi,We are pretty sociable travellers but are driven to distraction by fellow campers who insist on ‘cosying up’ when there is absolutely no need. When out bush camping, we can’t see why so many insist on park-ing within a couple of metres of us when there’s loads of empty space. I understand some people are nervous of camping in remote areas and feel better when parking near respectable-looking grey nomads. But, honestly, there are limits! It defeats the purpose of being ‘out there’ if you are going to have your personal space invaded. There have been a couple of times when we have actually moved on to ‘escape’. We love being on our own ... but how do you get the ‘keep your distance’ message out without offending fellow campers or coming across as arrogant.

Kay

Space invaders Interesting dilemma, Kay. If you are first ‘in situ’ and there are plenty of places to park, it might be an idea to ‘spread out’ your camp a bit. Get the awning down. Put some campchairs and a table a bit away from your rig. It may look a bit messy and not be the way you like to camp but it should force fellow travellers to give you at least a little bit of space. Alternatively, if you see the ‘offending’ travellers arrive, you might pop out and just suggest a perfect little camp-ing spot just ‘over there’ with a ‘great flat area’, or ‘more shade’, or whatever. They will never be entirely sure whether you are trying to get rid of them or are just being helpful. Failing that, why not get out a bottle of red and get to know your new neighbours?

Jaclyn

Totally understand, Kay. Rude and unnecessary! These interlopers don’t have to know anything about you to know that you are people who are seeking some degree of isola-tion ... or else you wouldn’t be there! Yup, there are some super nervous nellies out there but they shouldn’t make themselves feel better at your expense. At the very least, they should apologise and explain why they want to be near you. I wouldn’t stand on ceremony, Kay. Simply reassure the new arrivals that you are not crazed lunatics ... and then tell them that you value your privacy and would prefer it if they gave you a bit of space. I think most people would respect your feelings and not think you arrogant or accuse of being of-fensive ... and, if they do, who cares? Hopefully, they’ll be a bit more respectful next time around.

HeidiClick to comment

Issue 140: February 10, 2017

CLASSIFIEDS

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

Page 9

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.

FOR SALE

LAKES ENTRANCE, VICOngoing position available. We are a family run caravan park in Lakes Entrance Victoria. We require a couple that are re-tired but happy to stay active during their retirement. We offer a place(house) to live in exchange for assistance in running our park. Jobs consist of cleaning, office work (non computerised) and assist in mainte-nance and park management. Opportunity for extra paid work also at certain times of the year. Click here.

***DUNKELD, VICSuitable to self-contained RV travellers: A free quiet site on a farm setting near Dunkeld, Victoria in exchange for 2hrs / day help. (Shower / toilet , power & water available.) Perfect launching pad for tour-ing The Grampians. Click here.

***ARROWSMITH, WAWe are looking for a person or couple with their own van (free power site) to help with housekeeping at our Nature based caravan park in the Mid West W.A. (Arrow-smith) Aug-Oct 2017 flexible with dates.Knowledge of W.A. wildflowers would be an advantage. Click here.

***MANDURAH, WAWe are looking for a fit-active couple to caretake our quiet caravan park situated south of Mandurah WA. You will need to have a friendly personality and be capable of doing a variety of jobs. The position comes with accommodation. Click here.

Issue 140: February 10, 2017

CLONCURRY CATTLE STATION, QLDEnergetic couple required to upgrade and maintain house and vegetable gardens for a few hours a day on a cattle property near Cloncurry. Other paid jobs are on the list if keen, some housekeeping etc. Own mobile accommodation preferred. Free camping for Power and water supplied, with beef, eggs and whatever veges you can grow if you stay for a while! Click here.

***MARYBOROUGH, QLDHelp wanted for a small farm at Antigua on the Mary River 15 minutes from Marybor-ough. 15 hrs work per week in exchange for a beautiful camping spot on the river water and power included. Must have own shower and toilet. Duties may include anything from gardening to feeding the chooks and collecting the eggs. (small dogs welcome). Click here.

***JULIA CREEK, QLDVolunteer Hosts wanted at camping facili-ties at the iconic Julia Creek Dirt n Dust Festival during April. Host positions will be located at campsites – Pit Stop to the Creek / Festival McIntyre Park / Tent City.Volunteer hosts must have their own cara-vans or campers and be on site from 3-10 April. Some manual labour required. Some reimbursement provided. Click here.

***HARVEY SHIRE, WAWanted- Elderly couple for Caravan Park care taking after hours, in the Harvey Shire WA. Click here.

HELP WANTEDSWANSEA, TASWebster is looking to hire up to 30 work-ers for some seasonal work during our harvest period at our Walnut Orchard in Swansea Tasmania. No skills or previous experience necessary. Work available for up to 6 weeks from the end of March 2017. All work will be paid under the relevant Modern Award. All work is casual with flexible hours to suit your travels. Work consists of picking, processing, machine operator (must be competent and licensed) and general Orchard Harvest work. Click here.

***BEGA, NSWRetired single person or couple for a caretaker position at the Bega Show-ground Bega NSW. The position requires applicant to undertake caretaker duties in-cluding maintaining toilets, and collecting camp fees etc, in return for accommoda-tion in a one bedroom flat. Click here.

***RIVERINA AREA, NSWA small village in the Riverina area of NSW is looking for for an energetic couple to manage the local pool for the 2017/18 summer season. Duties would include pool lawn and garden maintenance along with running a small kiosk on the pool grounds and being a lifeguard during swimming hours. Click here.

***KATHERINE, NTWe are looking for motivated, friendly staff to assist in our award winning tourism business in Katherine NT. We will have some casual part-time positions available 01/04/2017 until 30/10/2017. We are operat-ing 5 nights per week ….approx 3-4 hours work. Experience in hospitality is not necessary (on job training) but you need to want to have fun as our company motto is “We treat people like gold and fluff over them!” Click here.

***

STORAGE

ACCOMMODATION

HOUSESITTINGGLASSHOUSE MOUNTINS, QLDHouse sitter required for the month of April. Suit person with a small van, prefer non smoker and no pets. Click here.

***BAROSSA VALLEY, SAReliable honest farm property/house sitter wanted 7.6.2017 to 10.8.2017 possibly longer, Small rural horse property walking distance to town. Click here.***BALLARAT, VICFarm sitter required for 3 – 6 weeks from roughly 10 April 2017. I have 20 acres and currently run 10 Suffolk ewes, 6 chooks, a young Border Collie and an elderly cat. Views to Grampians. Click here.