Dos and Don’ts When Travelling as Grey Nomads
It’s the trip you’ve always dreamed of: retiring, cashing in your SUPER, and hitting the road to travel the Aussie plains as Grey Nomads. The golden years are made for enjoyment, but partner travel comes with its own unique set of challenges.
To get the most out of your RV journey, we recommend these tried-and-true tips...
DO: Divide (responsibilities) and conquer
- Make a list of the most important duties required for a successful trip;
- Begin by identifying where each of your strengths and weaknesses lies, which chores you both enjoy doing, which ones you hate, and if there are any jobs that you are unable to do (e.g. driving);
- When there is a chore that you both hate, like taking out the trash or emptying the grey and black tanks, we suggest alternating to keep things fair.
DO: Take a test drive
With age we become wiser, and it’s always wise to test the waters before diving in headfirst. So, if this is your first journey we highly recommend going on a “shakedown trip.” This is a small, local journey that you take before heading out on your big adventure. It will help you identify and iron out any kinks in your rig set-up and assess your allocation of responsibilities.
DO: Spend some time alone
As the age-old adage goes: absence makes the heart grow fonder. Ensure that both of you take the time and space to enjoy your own interests, whether it is reading, meditating, going for a walk, cooking, etc.
DO: Communicate calmly and clearly
It’s easy to lose your cool when things go awry. You might find yourself running out of petrol, in the middle of nowhere, driving a large vehicle with the hot summer sun impairing road visibility... but you need to stay calm. “Back seat drivers” and “I told you so” have no place on RV journeys. If you’re a passenger, remain cognizant that being behind the wheel of an RV can be stressful.
DO: Take breaks
Maybe you can’t drive for 10 hours straight like you used to. No biggie! You’ve got the time, so stop and smell the roses, catch your breath - your driving will be all the better for it.
DO: Plan for comfort
When it comes to comfort, you shouldn’t skimp on the devices and tools you use every day. A few things to keep in mind:
- Bedding – some like it soft, some like it firm, some like to spread out, and some steal all the doona. Do a test sleepover to assess whether your bedding suits your sleeping style.
- Fan - Nothing ruins your plans for the next day quite like a restless sleep. So, get yourself a fan that fits above your bed and doesn’t die on you unexpectedly. With 20,000 hours of run time, we suggest the Sirocco II Elite. Or, its predecessor, the Sirocco II.
- Plenty of comfort foods, energy-filled snacks, coffee, and water.
DON’T: Be afraid to make friends
This trip is all about getting out of your comfort zone. So go and introduce yourself to your neighbours at the camp site, ask for directions, or strike up a convo with the guy at the petrol station! The characters you meet along the way will make your journey that much more colourful and memorable.
DON’T: Sweat the small stuff
You will need to compromise a lot on your journey: on your plans, your route, what you’re having for dinner. So, make sure you save enough energy to advocate for the decisions that mean the most to you or you’ll wear yourself out, real fast.
DON’T: Leave your family in the lurch
Sure, they’re happy that you’re living your best life on the road but they know (and you know) that you’re not as agile as you once were. So, keep your kids happy by maintaining regular contact, packing a first aid kit, and storing all the necessary emergency numbers in a safe place. If you’re going off-grid, a satellite telephone is always a good idea.
Above all, DO have fun.
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