No one size fits all when caravanning

What does it take to be a grey nomad?  Do you need to have a new, shiny caravan with all the bells and whistles being towed by a new, huge, expensive 4WD, eg. Land Cruiser or RAM?

Or, can you have a basic camper or caravan and a regular vehicle more than 3-5 years old?

Jayco Lark at Kempsey Showgrounds

It seems that the magazines are targeting the former.  Surely there must be more ‘everyday, regular, average people’ out there caravanning/camping and seeing Australia.  After all, everybody sees the same things weather you are in a $200,000 rig or a $50,000 rig.  We are all putting money into the economy.  Some more than others, obviously.  In our case, the bakeries get a good share (nothing like fresh baked goods from a country bakery)

I am starting to think there is a bit of a class distinction in the grey nomad world.  Those with the brand-new shiny rigs and those with the cheaper/older vehicle and smaller van/camper.  Has anybody found that as a ‘regular’ camper, the big rigs tend to avoid you in the caravan parks or campsites?    Maybe it is just me they are avoiding.  Perhaps they saw us setting up with me yelling and swearing. 😀

For some reason I was expecting a little more camaraderie and happy hours with others around the campfire singing Kumbaya (just kidding).  Only about singing Kumbaya, though.

In reality, it seems campers head into their van/camper quite early and aren’t seen again until the next day.  This could be for all sorts of reasons like security, big day exploring, not wanting to miss an episode of MAFS (That last one could well be us)

To be honest, I can be a little antisocial as well.  I am pretty happy with my own company or a good book or a game of scrabble.   Don’t get me wrong, we have a smart TV and can stream shows etc (well, in theory we can do this).  Lucky, we have some board-games in the van for when theory doesn’t equal actual.

I have also found that on many of the Facebook group pages there is so much negativity and arrogance from people – especially around weights!  It seems so controversial – along with whether to have a generator or not or those that don’t turn on their UHF radio.  I’ve even seen people complaining that other campers walk too close to their campsite – is that a little precious?  We are only trainees so I am no expert and this is purely my observations so far.  This could change as we do more travelling and stay in more places.

Most of us have probably spent many years working and having to put up with crap from employers, co-workers etc.  Many of us are at a point where we can head off and simply do what we want, when we want, yet there are people on Facebook and in CPs still trying to tell us what we should be doing and how to do it. The surprising thing with Facebook posts is that these ‘self-confessed experts’ never seem to agree.  Surely, that should tell us something … 

We all decide to go caravanning or camping for different reasons.  Some want to go completely off-grid for weeks at a time and go where most of us wouldn’t dream of taking our vehicles.  I call that bum-f*** nowhere. Others simply want to camp beside the beach or waterhole and fish, others like to be close to towns where they can shop and explore.  Others use it as a hiking or riding base.  Some like to set up in the same spot for a length of time while others are in and out overnight. 

I think we have to remember that we are all different and there is no right or wrong way to caravan and/or camp.  Don’t let the magazines ‘van-shame’ you.  Not everybody wants or can afford a $200,000+ rig. 

Also, I am starting to think people should not have huge expectations of a romantic, perfect camping experience.  There may be some Instagram moments but be prepared for flies, mosquitos, wind gusts, things breaking, things not working, dirty amenities, grumpy neighbours.  Remember, your Instagrammable moment isn’t the same for everybody else.  Unfortunately, imagination isn’t always the same as reality.  (Anybody with a Jayco camper will vouch for this)

Just because some ‘old mate’ tells you what they do, doesn’t mean that is right for you so don’t feel you are doing it all wrong.  Even when a group of ‘self-confessed experts’ sit around watching newbies try to reverse and set up – ignore them.  They were newbies once and I guess they have very little to occupy themselves so need to intimidate others to feel good about themselves.  Hang-on, isn’t that the definition of a Bully?

YOU DO YOU!