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

Outback exodusGrey nomads are doing their bit to inject life and economic vitality into the Outback … but it may not be enough to save struggling communities or prevent damage to a desper-ately fragile environment.It’s an Australia-wide problem but one which is being acutely felt in Queensland. New data shows the population living in the state’s Outback regions de-clined 1.1% between 2012 and 2017. The figures are mind-boggling. Just 88,000 people now live in an area of 1.1 million square kilometres. The land mass comprises 20% of Australia’s total Outback area, but is home to a meagre 0.35% of the national population.A new report has warned that unless people start moving back, the declining population will put an ‘unmanageable bur-den’ on its natural habitats.“The work of land manage-ment now falls on fewer shoul-ders,” said the report from an alliance of groups working under the name, Our Living Outback. “Without active land management, our remote landscapes quickly decline in health while the species they support either decline or disappear altogether.”The groups say it means fewer jobs are also being created and schools and medical services are at risk, with the drought

compounding the problems.However, while local popula-tions dwindle, visitor numbers are up. Nearly 800,000 people visited outback Queensland the year to June 2017, with three-year visitor trends above the state average. The problem is that, with local populations declining, there aren’t always enough tourism and hospital-ity operators to cater to the needs of these travellers.The Outback Queensland Tourism Association says the situation is dire in some areas.“There’s a lack of chefs out west, there’s a lack of front-office staff,” said the organisa-tion’s general manager, Peter Homan. “There’s a lack of tour operators and tour drivers.”While those specific employee shortages may not have a direct effect on the majority of grey nomads, the air of decline most certainly will.In Western Australia, new Aus-tralian Bureau of Statistics data shows a net loss of Outback

Page 1

residents for the past five years. Even major towns like Gerald-ton, Bunbury, Esperance and Carnarvon are in decline.The town of Sandstone about 60 kilometres from Mount Magnet is an example of what is happening. As of June 2017, just 85 residents live in the area, with 26 residents having left since 2014. Experts warn that Sandstone could be a ghost town by 2030.Rural de-population is a major problem that has politicians searching for answers. In the meantime grey nomads are be-ing asked to keep doing what they are doing.“What better way to say ‘we’re thinking of you’ than to actually visit these wonderful Outback communities and spend your money in their lo-cal economy,” said Queensland tourism minister, Kate Jones. • Would you consider moving to the Outback after your Big Lap? Click to comment

Issue 182 September 28, 2018

When the going gets tough, grey nomads get going ...

and they make a difference

Gone with the wind ... Australia’s rural population continues to fall

In this issue: Lost Trades Fair Found •Fresh concept for produce •Seven dwarfs discovered on Big Lap

TimesIt’s starting to get hot and sweaty up north … and the vast majority of grey nomads have already said ‘enough is enough’.A convincing 83% of respondents to our recent GNT poll on the issue said they were now on their way south. Most though, like Kate B, are not in a hurry.“We’re heading south but will take at least two months to get home to Melbourne,” she said.Trevor T had his plans changed by circumstances.“I had to put a new engine in our Prado at Tennant Creek and that took three weeks,” he said. “By then, the weather was getting hot up north so we decided to head south instead.”Jim K never headed north in the first place. He has been in the southern part of Western Australia since Christmas, and is now on South Australia’s Eyre Pen-insula.“A diesel heater and good insulation are much easier to live with than air condi-tioning,” he said. “The other big advantage is there is hardly anyone else around.”

Click to comment

The road leadssouth for mostGNT readers

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

When Happy met SneezyMy wife, Robyn, and I have just returned from a few weeks touring around west-ern New South Wales and Queensland. Now, I under-stand that, statistically, six out of seven dwarfs are not Happy, but it came as a sur-prise to meet Grumpy, Doc, Dopey, Sleepy, Sneezy and Happy in so many parks and rest stops along the way.When you have the oppor-tunity to travel in a leisurely manner through our great country, enjoying the sights, sounds and smells of the bush, what is there to be Grumpy about? But he keeps pop-ping up and glaring at you because your van is too close to the edge of his site or you, in his opinion, have made a loud noise, by coughing, and interrupted his peace and quiet. And don’t you dare let the gravel road surface crunch under your feet as you creep past his site.You only need to start to make an adjustment to your equip-ment or rig and Doc arrives, complete with an extensive knowledge of all things van-ish. No problem, however trivial, has ever missed Doc and he can’t wait to share his brilliant solutions with you, even if the only problem you have is a leaking water fitting.

Doc knows best and you really should value his wisdom so freely shared with all who are within hearing distance.Unless of course you are Sleepy. After several hours of driving through the sameness of Bourke to Cunnamulla, all you want to do is spread out the deckchair and relax. But Sleepy you may be by name and/or nature, but sleeping is not allowed as Mrs Largevan provides loud, and often contradictory, advice to Mr Largevan on how he is to reverse into the site next to you. Has there ever been any research on the impact of van reversing instructions on mar-riage break-up?You can identify Dopey quite easily. He has a 10-litre bucket to catch his grey water, but forgets to empty it for 48 hours, or doesn’t bother with a bucket or drain pipe, but just lets the grey water run onto

Page 2

Issue 182 September 28, 2018

When Brian and Robyn (above) set up camp at a caravan park or a campsite (left) they say they can usually idenity the nomad versions of all seven dwarfs

the ground. If he is downhill from you then it’s not your immediate problem, but if he is uphill, you are really going to have a fun stay. And those poor souls who follow Dopey onto his site arrive to a mud bath, or at best a sloppy, smelly grass site. What do you mean use a drain pipe to the pit? Dopey hasn’t worked that one out.Still dealing with delicate mat-ters, Sneezy doesn’t seem to realise that all noises in shared amenities blocks, are shared. Now noises are inevitable in these situations, and the better parks provide some radio or muzak as white noise to cover the inevitable. Sneezy seems determined to make every-body aware of his noise-mak-ing repertoire by the loudness and frequency of his ‘sneezes’. I would feel sorry for his poor health if the public display was not so obnoxious.

Heigh-ho, heigh-ho, can you spot these characters asyou go? Brian Bradley can!

Of course the redeeming fea-ture in all of this is the num-ber of times you meet Happy. In every park there is at least one, and usually several, Happy campers. They stop for a chat, but know when to move on. They can give you some advice about the best park in the next town on your trip. Happy will share infor-mation about road conditions, good places to get a decent meal or generally chat about the trivia of van travel. I think more than six out of seven are Happy. Thank heavens!Why do I write this to grey nomads and not take it up with the people or parks on my trip? It’s not that I am Snow White in these matters. The truth is, I’m … Bashful .

• Which of the seven dwarfs have you met on your travels?

Click to comment

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

Page 3

It’s hardly a secret, but the traditional country pubs so beloved by many grey nomads – and so central to commu-nity life – are falling on very, very hard times.While many rural hostelries have been operating success-fully for numerous decades and are exceptionally well run, they are facing the brutal reality of a cultural shift that threatens their very exist-ence. Drink driving laws have affected custom, social media is changing the way people in-teract with each other, people are choosing to drink more at home, and rural populations are declining. It’s a potentially fatal quadruple whammy.While iconic destinations such as the Birdsville Hotel, of course, are insulated from the harsher economic realities of the changing beer economy, other less vaunted hostelries are not. In recent times, the Hawker Hotel in the Flinders Ranges has called time on its 134-year history, and many other pubs across the country have also closed their doors.Some innovative landlords are trying things such as offer-ing free camping to travellers as a way of drawing in more custom, and the diversifica-tion away from the core beer

business doesn’t always stop there.Country pubs are starting to introduce new reasons for customers to call in, ranging from art galleries and mini-museums to laundromats and gourmet pie shops. There are also reports of others host-ing festivals and markets, or putting more emphasis on serving high-end restaurant meals, breakfast, coffee and cake.In the Victorian town of Warracknabeal, Sally Gebert has transformed the fortunes of the pub by hosting food festivals, and staging a wildly successful barbecue competi-tion. The pub has gone from serving 15 lunch meals on a weekend to around 150 regularly, making food core

to their business.“The whole drink driving thing means the pub culture has really shifted,” Mrs Gebert told the media. “If your food offering isn’t there, if your coffee, tea and cake selection aren’t there, you’re not going to make money out of a pub.”While grey nomads have shown themselves increas-ingly willing to support local rural businesses, it is clear that – other than in a few select locations – they cannot save struggling pubs alone.• Do you support country pubs as you travel? Do you think it’s a shame that some of the old ‘spit and sawdust’ drink-ing venues are becoming more gentrified and serving coffee and cake? Click to comment

Issue 182 September 28, 2018

‘Let them eat cake’Coffee and pastries are on the menu in many country pubs seeking to stay afloat

Home of Old Tom

Open 7 days a week (closed Christmas Day)

184 Imlay St

Eden NSW 2551

02 6496 2094

Peeping Tom Police have charged a 40-year-old man with tres-pass and peep or pry for al-legedly looking at a woman getting changed in a Byron Bay caravan park shower stall. The 37-year-old was getting dressed when she al-legedly saw a male staring at her from under the cubicle’s dividing wall.

Van crashA seven-year-old girl and 45-year-old man were in-jured after a car and caravan collided 20 kilometres south of Springsure on the Daw-son Highway in Queens-land. Paramedics treated the girl for hand injuries while the man suffered injuries to his head.

Nomads in Brief

Grey nomads and other travellers flock to the Birdsville Hotel in season ... but not every country pub has the same draw

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

Page 4

Issue 182 September 28, 2018

I class myself as Mr Average being an ex- truck driver and my wife being a ex-teacher. However, we have worked hard for a long time so why not live on the road the same as we do at home with a TV, AC, heater and all the other things you have at home? We live in a great country where, if you work hard, you can reap the rewards.

Peter BIf people choose to make a van their home, good on them. With rising electricity prices, rates and other expenses at an age when you have to watch every penny, I think it is a good choice. We are sick of mowing the grass, and having repairs and maintenance on the house. Go grey nomads, have fun while you still can.

BevMy wife and I have been able retire and buy a caravan and 4WD to pursue our dream of travelling Australia. While spending somewhat less than $160,000 we found caravan-ning is not necessarily a cheap pastime. Fuel costs, caravan park charges, repairs, depre-ciation, insurance, registra-tion fees, etcetera, all add up. Being self-funded retirees, we have to watch the costs closely and make economies where we can to eke out the life savings. We have met grey nomads of all types and in all different rigs, and we ap-plaud them all for living their dreams.

Stewart GWhen we retired, we sold our home in Sydney to buy our Avida Longreach motorhome … that’s how we could afford

it. Living in it full-time we needed the space that it offers. We are self-funded retirees and need to carefully manage our expenses. Some might think that we are frugal but we prefer small towns and buy locally as much as we can.

Rudy VJust wondering if many retirees spend large amounts on their big rig so that they can claim a higher old age pension?

Rob E

We travel in a home-built camper with solar panels – no toilet or shower – but pretty much custom built for us and our dog. We free camp whenever possible and it does surprise me that lots of our neighbours are huge rigs with all the bells and whistles. I’m not sure you could necessarily call them miserly … but who knows?

Sharon S

We have just spent 14 months driving from Canberra to Broome and back in our new $89,000 caravan. We are on a small pension, so we can’t

afford to throw money away, but we didn’t want to miss out, so we picked what looked like the best adventures – swimming with Great White Sharks at Port Lincoln, a cruise to watch killer whales, and a visit to the Horizontal Falls from Broome. These were the big ticket items; there were so many free or low-cost places to visit. We can’t afford to do it all, but we’ll do the best we can within our means.

Peter & Angela BCount me in as a ‘miser’. I resent being charged $40 or more for an unpowered site. I never use swimming pools or slippery dips or kiddy stuff … I just want a quiet corner to chill out. I have a fully self-contained motorhome and prefer free camps or show-grounds.

John MFifteen years ago we down-sized from a five-bedroom family home to a two-bedroom unit and used the surplus dollars to buy a motorhome, help our three children, and to add to our

savings. Even though my su-per pension for us as a couple is LESS than the Federal Gov-ernment’s old age pension, we receive zero from Centrelink to help us along, so it’s back to the ever declining savings! So yes, our travelling has to be frugal, and expensive accom-modation ie: caravan parks are never going to become an option for us.

Phil JGrey nomads may have to be thrifty out of necessity, or be cashed up but still be thrifty because that’s the way they’ve always been. Of course, it’s no one else’s business!

Cliff BA big expensive rig? Not for me. I spent my money on booze, women, and gambling and wasted the rest! For the last year I have been living on the road in my ’96 15’ Jayco Westport poptop – on a pension and with a small bit of capital. It cost me $10,000 to buy and I’ve probably spent nearly $4,000 to get it upgraded. It only has a sink/basin and one tap, and is set up to be self-contained with a Portaloo and grey water col-lection. I turned 70 last month and made a 10-year plan to tour Australia. I am happy as Larry and snug as a bunny in my hutch.

Howard J

When my wife and I retired, we thought long and hard about what to get. It’s OK to spend big on a luxurious rig, but we decided to get a new small 16’ van and still have enough money to do a couple of overseas trips. We love travelling in our van and we don’t want to be frugal when on the road. These two grey nomads just want to have fun!

Joe B

Long-term travellers Terry and Sherryl Storrier couldn’t resist sharing this image with GNT readers. “We loved the name of the ‘bowling club’ at Pardoo Station in Western Australia’s Pilbara region,” they laughed. Have you got a favourite pic to share? Email it to us here.

Moneybags or misers?GNT readers share viewson spending habit ‘debate’

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

Page 5

Issue 182 September 28, 2018Re: Driveway parking (GNT:

181). If people want to park their caravan in their driveway they can. We used to have our van at the front of our residence until we moved and we now have a small block and have had to place the van in storage, but we don’t mind. It really is no one’s business where a van is parked as long as it is not interfering with their daily activities or contra-vening any local laws.

Neil PThe issue is when lazy indi-viduals think they have the right to park it on the street, thus often dragging down the value of everyone’s house in that street.

Jason FI have to keep my ‘83 Viscount Grand Tourer near a bus stop. The buses stop in front of my driveway, so I have to park it up the road a bit further. It is half on my property and half on the next door neighbour’s property. However I have had no complaints from my neighbours or the bus drivers. So it is a ‘live and let live’ type of situation. The van has been out the front for 30 years or more, and yes I still use it.

Douglas LAs long as you park off the public area it is no business of neighbours where you park.

John MRe: Outback movies (GNT: 181). How about Wolf Creek for the ultimate tourist

frighten awayer! It certainly didn’t help me persuade my Mrs that we should do more bush camping!

Jerry M Last Taxi to Darwin and The Dressmaker were both excel-lent films, as was Charlie & Boots with Paul Hogan and Steve Jacobson.

Lyn McRe: State of origin (Letters: GNT 181). I don’t believe anybody touring Australia really can tell where you are from or care, for the most part – excepting the southerners above Tasmania. I still reckon they should be required to have passports and visas to go from Victoria to Australia!

Greg

Good and bad exists every-where, in every state. Queens-landers and Victorians are totally alike, ie they appreciate the tourism dollars that each brings into the other’s state in the right season. Businesses in other states surely feel the same. Next question?

Tony HRe: Mosquito devices (Gadg-ets: GNT 181). Years ago, we kept mozzies away from our barbecue areas by carrying and burning dry cow manure in an old hub cap. It doesn’t stink or let off any smoke and it doesn’t stand out when everyone is sitting around the campfire.

StanRe: Weird encounters (GNT:

180). On a trip, my husband and I met a chap in Mount Isa who had been a police officer that worked in the Outback catching cattle and sheep rustlers. He told us about an experience he had with this same description of a light. He referred to it as a Min Min light. He said that he was heckled when he told his story, and that most people didn’t believe him. So, there you go!

Chris MRe: Know-it-alls (Jaclyn & Heidi: GNT 181). I am totally over smug virtue signallers telling me how wrong I am and how the world would be saved if only I saw the genius of their position. Almost every Happy Hour now will have someone intent on lectur-ing the uninitiated on their blinkered short sightedness. It’s the old adage: “It’s better to not say anything and appear a fool than to say something and remove all doubt”.

JohnIan, I would not be inter-ested in your opinion of your diet, your God, your car or anything else. I have enough opinions of my own!

SteveRe: Withdrawal symptoms. I absolutely love travelling but my partner only likes short trips. When l got back from a recent Northern Territory trip I couldn’t settle, so l sat beside the van and read the paper!

Bob P

Thanks to veteran grey nomad Margie Grosvenor for sending in this stunning image capturing the magical photographic ingredients of water, sun, cloud … and sheer beauty. “We love free camping in the bush and have done it hundreds of time over our caravanning years,” said Margie. And, looking at the picture it’s not hard to see why!

www.selfdriveadventures.com +612 4786 0222

info@selfdriveadventures.com

NAMIBIA - BOTSWANA - EAST AFRICA - MADAGASCAR - MOROCCO - EUROPE - VIETNAM - AGRENTINA - PERU - BOLIVIA

Click here for special Grey Nomad's Rates

Experience Southern Africa's Wine, Wildernessand Wildflowers on a guided self drive tour.

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

Appealing idea to keep produce fresh

It’s one of the biggest bugbears of Outback travelling grey nomads … how the do you keep your fruit and veges fresh while out in the wilds for long periods of time?It’s a Big Lap conundrum that has seen grey nomads wrap precious produce in special cloth bags and in newspapers in an attempt to delay the inev-itable. Now, science has kicked up another partial solution.US company, Apeel Sciences, has created Edipeel, a product made with edible extracts from plants that can be sprayed on fruit and vegetables and will apparently at least double their shelf life.The company basically collects and re-combines non-toxic organic compounds known as lipids and glycerolipids, which are derived from the unwanted peels, seeds and pulp of various types of vegetables and fruit. This produces a powder that can be mixed with water and sprayed on to the surface of food, or the food can be dipped into it. This then dries into a thin added peel, which forms an edible barrier to keep oxygen out and water in … prolonging life.

Page 6

The coating is reportedly colourless, odourless and taste-less, and there is a different for-mula for each fruit or vegeta-ble. The company, which has ambitious plans to expand its operations quickly, has so far developed Edipeel products for three dozen crops, including avocados, asparagus, peaches, lemons, pears, and nectarines.The US Food and Drug Administration has approved Apeel’s first products as ‘gener-ally recognised as safe’ mean-ing they’re okay to eat and sell. Edipeel can also be used on organic produce.The company’s founder, James Rogers, looked at the way the carbon and iron barrier on stainless steel keeps it from rusting before coming up with the Edipeel concept. He says the process allows produce to last up to four times longer, even without refrigeration.

Issue 182 September 28, 2018

“As soon as you see how it works, you know that this is going to be a thing in the world,” Mr Rogers said. “See-ing it work, even at a small scale, it was like: ‘this is the future’!”As well as potentially helping hungry grey nomads eat more fresh food on the road, Edipeel could reduce the amount of fruit and vegetables lost to spoilage, and allow growers to pick and ship produce when it’s ripe, rather than picking under-ripe produce with the hope it ripens in stores or in homes. Apeel Sciences is currently looking for partners as it ex-plores all the ways the technol-ogy may be used in the future.

• How do you keep fruit and veges fresh on the road? Could Edipeel improve your Big Lap? Click to comment

Website highlights

Eureka!Recently our website www.thegreynomads.com.au reported that every grey nomad who travels with a pick, some sort of metal detector, or a sieve in their rig will be hitting the treasure trail with renewed vigour following the unearthing of a monster gold nugget worth at least $110,000 in the north-ern Goldfields of Western Australia. Read more here.

Other website must-reads:

Big spenders!Free campers dig deep

Roadhouse richesSerious sale price surprise

Not againInskip Point beach collapse

Too distracting?Dead dangerous display

Jetty joyWhyalla’s circular solution

Merchandise magicGet your grey nomad gear

SURVEYHave you ever found

treasure on your Big Lap? Yes No

Avocado without and with Edipeel treatment after 21 days

16th - 18th

NOV 2018

JOIN USWWW.EDITHBURGH.ORG.AU

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

Find the lost trades fair

Any grey nomads visiting Toowoomba over the next few days would quickly realise why it is often referred to as ‘The Garden City’.The hugely popular Toow-oomba Carnival of Flowers runs until Sunday, September 30, and the place is positively blooming, with an estimated 176,000 seedlings and bulbs planted for the 10-day event. Situated, 125 kilometres or so west of Brisbane, the universi-ty and cathedral city famously boasts 150-plus parks and gardens and is reputedly the best place in Queensland to experience all four seasons.The 140,000 or so people who live here on the edge of the Great Dividing Range know they are lucky to do so … but grey nomads can at least tem-porarily enjoy some of that good fortune also. The city’s colonial history dating back to the early 1840s is clearly in evidence, courtesy of some magnificent old buildings, including the National Trust-owned Royal Bull’s Head Inn.Of course, it is the Cobb+Co Museum which is the head-line attraction and visitors can view a fascinating collection of horse-drawn vehicles here as they trace the rise of the iconic company as it helped open up the area back in the 19th century.For grey nomads eager to really immerse themselves in the past, and perhaps remind themselves of the sights and sounds of their childhood, the Lost Trades Fair which runs from October 6-7 is an absolute must. The event gives master artisans of more than 50 heritage trades a near

unique opportunity to dem-onstrate and share the skills which are slowly becoming rarer and rarer.Artisans will include a sixth generation cooper (barrel maker), plus stonemasons, weavers, blacksmiths, leather plaiters, penny farthing mak-ers, spoon carvers, a book-binder, a saddler, and a toy maker.Acting CEO of the Queens-land Museum Network, Dr Jim Thompson, said the Lost Trades Fair gave grey nomads and other visitors the rare op-portunity to see a wide variety of traditional trades being practised up close and to speak with the tradespeople. “Cobb+Co Museum, with its own trades workshops, is the perfect place to shine a spot-

light both on the trades that are usually practised behind closed workshops doors, and the amazing dedication, pas-sion and willingness of these craftspeople to pass on their skills,” Dr Thompson said. “Visitors will get an authentic experience as they learn first-hand about historic crafts and trades that were once com-monplace, and which con-tributed greatly to Australia’s development as a country.”Last year, more than 7,000 people visited The Lost Trades Fair.

• Do you remember some of the heritage artisans, such as coopers, stonemasons, black-smiths and leather plaiters, ply-ing their trade?

Click to comment

Page 7

Issue 182 September 28, 2018

QUIZ CORNER

Win grey nomad stickers!Email the solution to the puzzle. Winner announced in Issue 182. CLUE: Someone has done to this box what many travellers strug-gle to do with their caravans. What is it?

Do You Know1. It may be considered back-wards at the moment, but if the Victorian town of Arudlim gets itself in order it will become known as what?

2. The tiny village of Wee Jasper located at the foot of the Brinda-bella Ranges in New South Wales was reputedly named:a) After the local Aboriginal word Weejuspah meaning land of the caves.b) By a Scottish explorer who found green gemstones in the area and decided they were ‘wee jasper’.c) After the lifeboat which brought Captain Hamish Mc-Donald ashore after his vessel, the HMS Jasper, sank off Botany Bay .

3. Hoarse Duo (anagram). Normally a welcome sight for weary Outback travellers and thirsty rigs.

4. If you look in front of Dorah, it’s clear she doesn’t draw or lose. But will that help you find which Outback Queensland town she is part of?

5. I am driving directly between the small towns of Bombala in New South Wales and Cann River in Victoria. Which high-way am I on?

Answers on p. 8

Grader

Last week’s picture puzzle winner was Joan Brumby

George Smithwick (cooper) and Kerry Riehl (wheelwright) display their handiwork

Not on our list?Click here

to get the Times delivered to your inbox

a

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

Page 8

Dear Jaclyn and Heidi,I don’t know what to do. I must admit that it took a lot of persuading and cajoling by me, but my wife Jenny eventually agreed that we would travel out of season in the north. We are currently up in the Territory and, as you might expect, it is pretty sweaty and steamy. Is it ideal travelling weather? No. But, as far as I am concerned, it is something different and exciting. We’ve been around the block a few times and I just wanted a new experience and to escape the crowds. The problem is Jenny just won’t stop whingeing. She takes every opportunity to remind me this was my idea, and to endlessly point out the negatives instead of looking for the positives. I guess it’s only going to get worse as the Wet Season proper arrives. Shall I just give up and head south?

Steve

Wet season trip souring Oh dear, Steve. I do sympa-thise but sometimes trying a new approach doesn’t work out. It’s all part of the learn-ing process. I can understand your frustration if you are enjoying the excitement of travelling in the build-up, but you should give Jenny some credit for having given it a go despite her reservations. It really isn’t for everybody! Having already ‘cajoled’ Jenny into travelling out of season, you should probably listen to her now. If she’s not enjoying it, she’s not enjoying it! The most successful Big Lap itin-eraries are the ones that are flexible allowing you to react to new events or new priori-ties. Your priority should now be to put a smile on Jenny’s face … and on your own. I know it’s probably not what you want to hear but it’s time to cut your losses, Steve.

Jaclyn

What a total stuff-up! A dream trip turned into a bicker-ing, simmering, child-like ‘you-said-I’d-have-fun’ feud because of a communications breakdown. I don’t suppose it really matters whose fault it is now but it’s either yours for steamrollering through your preference despite her clear reservations, or it’s hers for agreeing to something - however half-heartedly – if she wasn’t fully committed to giving it a red hot go and making the most of the adventure. Where to now? That’s simple, Steve. Sit down and thrash this out once and for all. Either Jenny says ‘let’s make this work’ and means it, or you pack up the van, fill up with fuel, and start hotfoot-ing it down the Stuart. Either way, bloody enjoy it! The thing about being part of a team is you’re in it together. You ei-ther both win or you both lose!

Heidi Click to comment

Issue 182 September 28, 2018

Cliff plungeA 50-year-old woman has died in Galway County, Ireland, after strong winds blew her caravan off a cliff during a heavy storm. Police said the woman had been sleeping in the caravan at the time.

Campfire horrorA six-year-old boy has suffered horrific burns to his feet after stepping on smouldering coals from an abandoned campfire covered with sand at the Teewah Beach camping spot on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.

CLASSIFIEDS FOR SALE

Nomads in Brief

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

Page 9

Issue 182 September 28, 2018

PRIVATE CAMPS

FOR SALE

HOUSESITTING

HARVEST CASUAL JOBS AVAILABLE!Work available at sites in Rural Southern NSW, Victoria and South AustraliaManpower is working with GrainFlow (a wholly owned subsidiary of Cargill Australia Limited) to recruit their Casual workforce for the 2018/19 Harvest. GrainFlow Grain Centres are state of the art grain storage and handling facilities, delivering a fast and ef-ficient professional service to grain growers.Experience in the grain storage industry or a similar role is an advantage but not essential as training is provided. You must be able to work flexible hours and various shifts and ideally hold a current driver’s license.Click here.

***VARIOUS LOCATIONS ACROSS AUSTRALIACALLING ALL RETIREES. JOLLY SANTA’S REQUIRED to work in Major Shopping Centre’s across Australia including regional areas. Must be available for 4-6 hour shifts 5+ days per week through Nov-Dec. Full paid training, costume provided, plus competitive rate of pay. Valid paid WWCC also required.Please email Margaret at margaret@sceneto-believe.com or call Margaret on 0412 755 181.

***CATTLE STATION, KATHERINE REGION, NT Single wanted for NT Cattle station: We are seeking an experienced station cook to provide meals for 10 – 15 people per day.You will be required to ensure that there is food for smoko and lunch as well a healthy main meal for dinner. Some other duties will be required including moving sprinklers, mowing lawns and keeping kitchen area clean and tidy. We have a fully stocked rec club and free wifi.Food and accommodation is supplied as part of your daily wage. We would require a 3 month commitment from the successful applicant. Click here.

***GEORGETOWN, QLDCaretaker for property Rockyview Station, 70km west of Georgetown, gardening, to mow and water lawn, 3 – 5 hr house cleaning once a week, change water in cattle trough about once per week, power and amenities.Would prefer a long term if possible. Road is bitumen for 69 km and 1 km of dirt all weather road. Click here.

***CALOUNDRA, QLDSwim Teachers Required – Caloundra QLDWant to help save lives? Join our team of swimming instructors! Motorhome site with power, water and full amenities available. We’re offering approximately 9 weeks work from October 11th to December 10th. Up to 25 hours per week during school hours. Fur-ther work available in Term 1, 2019 as well. Required qualifications include CPR, Posi-tive Blue Card and Swim Australia Teacher qualification (or equivalent). Click here.

***NORTH KIMBERLEY STATION, WALooking for a couple to caretake isolated cattle station over the Wet starting immedi-ately for 6 months. Must have basic bush mechanical skills, interested in conserva-tion, duties would include weed manage-ment, gardening, Tractor/slasher and mainte-nance of buildings and machinery. No road access for up to 6 months so couple must enjoy each other’s company! Click here.

***FLINDERS RANGES, SA I have recently had two lots of wonderful guests to help me recover – after my broken ankle. I’m looking for a couple (or single person) to continue to help me out on the farm. The farm chores would only be for 3 or 4 hrs per day and would involve, feeding and exercising my Working Dog Studs, whipper snipping, mowing on a ride on mower, watering and being a second pair of hands for me. Click here.

BREMER BAY, WARelief Assistant Manager/s wanted - Bremer Bay Caravan Park. The Assistant Manager/s will report to the Managers. The position or positions are required for the period 1st of Dec 2018 to 1st of April 2019. An offer of ex-tension to continue employment may occur dependant on the requirements of the park & if suitable to the applicants at that time - but the terms of the contract now advertised will vary. The successful applicant/s will be able to demonstrate previous experience in the key criteria listed in the job description/s. There is one or two individual positions available dependant on the successful applicant or applicants. The position/s will be rostered over a 7 day period & paid a PT Salary rate. You will need your own accommodation (Caravan) - site available at the park. If you are interested in becoming a member of the Bremer Bay Caravan Parks dynamic team, please contact the manager Joye Smith at managerbbcp@westnet.com.au for further information or to obtain a copy of the Job Description/s. Applications close: Friday 12th of October 2018. Click here.

***CERVANTES, WAWe are looking for an honest, reliable , ener-getic couple for caretaking Nambung Station Stay. We have a small rural caravan park located 44kms south east from Cervantes near the Pinnacles in the Mid west of WA. This position would suit a retired couple with own caravan and transport. Duties would include reception, cleaning and general maintenance. Urgent to start November 2018 to May 2019 minimum. Click here.

***YULEBA CATTLE PROPERTY, QLDWanted caretaker for cattle property near Yuleba . Duties Watering and mowing of lawn and general garden maintenance .Checking and pumping of waters and clean-ing stock water troughs. Keeping house clean and tidy. Checking of fences to ensure stock stay in desired paddocks. Click here.

***

RENMARK, SALooking for house sitters – with own accom-modation from middle of October till as long as you wish, up to Xmas if required, room for motor home or caravan, power and water in exchange for looking after vegie garden (for your use) mowing lawns and water gar-dens. We are friendly people and easy to get along with — We pop in from time to time , as we travel extensively, Click here.***COLLIE, WAWanted house/ Lifestyle block sitter during January in Collie area. Two horses, one cat and garden needing care from Dec 31st to Jan 18th 2019. Both horses quiet and easy to handle, will require water to be checked and possibly tap turned on to fill trough. Horses just need checking to ensure no injuries etc. Cat will need feeding, garden watered and produce eaten. Click here.***GERALDTON, WAA couple required for housesitting 15km east of Geraldton town on 180 acre property for a couple of weekends in October but can stay all of October. Will be required to feed working dogs and check cattle and horse troughs. Own accommodation necessary. Click here.***YEOVAL, NSWHousesitters wanted with own caravan for 8 days. Wednesday 3rd Oct to Thursday 11th October. Power supplied and toilet/shower if needed. Basic jobs- to feed 3 small dogs and cats. We are a Farming property with cattle. Click here.

PROPERTY SALE

HELP WANTEDFORBES, NSWSingle or couple with own accommodation to help young family, 50 west of Forbes. We have 3km of Lachlan river on our property great for fishing. We are seeking help as we are currently renovating our house and working on the gardens. A bit of a handyman and an interest in the garden would be preferable. Approx 2 weeks of work possibly more for the right person. Click here.