1. Choosing Freedom

A large part of our attraction is our love
for the great outdoors

Mid morning Saturday 7 May 2022 - we set off on the first leg of our long awaited trip. After Pete's 5yo grand-daughter Ella plays her second game of soccer at Evans Head, just around the corner from Pete's place. Poppy can't miss that! The first leg is to drive to Melbourne via Sydney, collect the van, visit friends and family, and cruise home over six week. The second leg comes four weeks after we get home from the first. We will pack up and tie up loose ends and head of in which direction we do not know. 

That this trip has finally arrived is as surprising as it is expected. We have been planning to travel around Australia since we reunited in October 2020. Pete had not long been back from a roof top camping trip up to the tip of Queensland. Talk of this upcoming trip was on the table from the start. By June 2021 we were up at the Brisbane Camping and Caravan show to check out an off-road camper trailer. We went up with a particular off road camper trailer in mind; an Austrack. We even put a deposit on one on the first day. We drove home to Lennox Head all excited but, realised we hadn't even scratched the surface of what was available.

Brisbane Caravan and Camping show June 2021
having just put a deposit on an Austrack off road camper trailer

We headed up for a second day to make sure we saw all that was on offer. We looked at a lot a lot of stuff, including the most expensive off road campervan on the market -  and then we came across the Eco Tourer 510 Hurricane Off Road Caravan. I had seen a glimpse of one behind a bush at Corindi Beach when we camped there for Valentine's Day last year in the DonnaVan. A low slung thing was reversed into its spot and then all of a sudden it transformed into a whole different animal with a huge bay window. I just caught that glimpse, and I knew when I saw this van at the show; this was that thing. Pete sat for a bit thinking he was just going along for the ride - but after a moment sitting at the table talking to the guy, and looking across at me perched there on the edge of the bed - he realised this van was it. He wants us to be comfortable. This van has no zippers or canvas, unlike his previous two roof top campers. This one is all moulded fibreglass. And, very homely. We settled on this amazing transformer caravan even though it was twice the price of the Austrack. We have waited eleven months for it to be made. They rang the other week and said it would be ready by the end of April. So all of a sudden the trip is on. We are stoked and can't wait to go get into Melbourne to take possession on 18th May. 

 

The Eco Tourer 510 Hurricane Off-road Video - check it out!

There's nothing quite like being on leave from work with a road trip in your sites. Pete and I are readying everything independently - he's building a bike rack for our e-bikes. My replacement washing machine (after the old one was destroyed in the flood) arrived two days ago - I have washed and washed - all the clothes that have been in storage and smell dank. It's been a juggle trying to dry it all in between showers. I will pack too much as always - but I've got to be prepared for anything! This is a shake down so I will work out how much is too much and cull if needed when we come back to pack in earnest.

I have been enjoying fb updates from a work friend Patty and her partner Warren who bit the bullet and took off in a camper trailer and two cars 18 months ago - they surf and ride pushbikes, kayak and walk. They are in Tasmania at the moment. She said they have less and less desire to return home. Pete and I will surf and walk, read and write, paint and e-bike, fish, snorkel, swim, blog, learn from podcasts, maybe get into a regular yin yoga and meditation practice. Camp oven cooking and fires. We have no plan - just to go and do all the things we love. And, to just be.
  
This blog will be a weekly account of our travels. I did a blog when I was building the mud house which I love to look back on and remember all the things. I know the pull is strong for most people our age to retire and go and live life free. So I hope you will enjoy our travels with us until you can choose freedom whatever that might be for you.

Comments

  1. PattyLouMay 5, 2022 at 9:47 PM

    Ooo!! Nice camper! So very excited for you!! We’re leaving Tasmania this Sunday.. 2 1/2 months was not enough, there is soo much to see and do.. can’t wait to follow your adventures ☺️☮️

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Donna ByerMay 6, 2022 at 1:49 AM

      Hey Patty - thanks! Yes you guys are doing it very similarly to us I reckon. And I totally agree re Tassie - I did it in 2001 with my kids and their dadon an 8 month trip in a 16' poptop- We were there 9 weeks and I cried when we left! I hope we'll cross paths somewhere sometime. D xxx

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