Am I up to being a bona fide grey nomad?
Can I be a bona fide grey nomad? That is the question. We have only been away this time for a few weeks and have stopped for a while in the Flinders Ranges to work. I do need to work a bit to be able to afford to travel. I thought I would love the grey nomad lifestyle, but I am questioning if I am too old to do it, too set in my ways to do it, not ‘handy’ enough, or am just too lazy to do it.
The dream of being a grey nomad is addictive – I want the travel, the campfires, the serenity of camping by a river or ocean, throwing a line in and eating freshly cooked fish and watching the sunset over a spectacular landscape. Sounds amazing, doesn’t it?
In reality, there are often too many flies to cook outside, there are a million noisy neighbours, no fish, water doesn’t work in the camper, or the off-grid power doesn’t work properly. Or, in our case, brake issues with the camper!
Dream VS Reality!
I get that we have a camper and not a full-size van which I am sure would make life easier as a grey nomad, but! There’s always a BUT. Do I love the lifestyle enough to invest in the full-size fancy, schmancy van. That is the question.
Currently – because I am working, I am living in a house with all the mod-cons – running water, flushing toilet, gas stove, big fridge, fireplace etc. I feel guilty because I am liking it way more than the camper.
Don’t get me wrong, the camper is fantastic when the weather is perfect, and everything goes smoothly, and nothing breaks. So far, this is not the norm for us. It seems that there is always something to be repaired and it is becoming quite costly. Also, the additional cost of towing with fuel prices these days being so high.
Yes, I want to travel and see new places. Yes, I am happy to work casual hours in different places to do this.
What I am questioning is if I would be better to simply travel and book cabins, Air B&Bs or motels or find jobs where accommodation is part of the deal. It is not that we are going to be heading to Bumfu** nowhere generally – it will most likely be regional areas or smaller towns.
Maybe we travel less – say 4 to 5 months per year and stay in cabins or similar rather than 8 or 9 months staying in a camper/caravan and towing.
I guess that is what we have to decide. What is best for us. What causes the least stress and drama. As our name suggests, we are trainee grey nomads so still a lot to learn, I guess. I would welcome comments from readers.
On a brighter, positive note, today we ventured out to Brachina Gorge. The day was perfect, cool morning, sun shining and a lovely breeze.
Geologically, Brachina Gorge is a 20km geological trail that goes through 130 million years of earth history. The scenery is breath-taking and the colours amazing. Over every crest the scenes vary, and my photos really don’t do it justice. It is such an ancient landscape and I felt like a very small part of this amazing country as I sat and just watched the rocks, the hills and the amazing colours.
I was so lucky to see several yellow-footed rock wallabies but like many of our native animals they really do blend into the scenery. It’s a bit like “Where’s Wally” in my photos.
“Where’s Wally” - Yellow-footed rock wallaby
Hawker
We did a quick day trip to Hawker from our new temporary home in Blinman because we needed some medication from the Chemist. It’s amazing what we take for granted living in a large town – doctors, fuel stations, supermarkets, chemists, bottle shops etc. right on your doorstep. I’m learning to plan that’s for sure.
We discovered the Jeff Morgan gallery in Hawker. It was a really, cool gallery with panorama paintings of areas within the Flinders Ranges including Wilpena, Arkaroola, Ron’s Creek and Cooper Creek pelicans. There is also a huge rock collection as well as old cars and a replica shearing shed.
For those travelling there is a general store with food available as well as some basic grocery items including meat and some vegetables. Unfortunately, the Flinders Food Co was closed the day we were there so I will have to put that on the list for next time. They do have a hotel where we had lunch – a steak sanga and a schnitty. Most importantly, they had fuel where we could fill up.
We are yet to explore Wilpena Pound but will certainly do that while we are staying in Blinman – hopefully a flight over the area. We did a quick stop off for a reccy and had a coffee and picked up some fresh milk and a bottle of wine from their local IGA Express store. Turns out that is our closest grocery store. That being said, the local Blinman people regularly take trips to Port Augusta so can do a click & collect pick-up!
My training period is up, and I am doing solo tours tomorrow. Wish me luck in my first trainee grey nomad job.
