Little boat adventure

We’ve had a few bike rides along the river near where we are staying in isolation, and witnessed enthusiastic locals’ fishing from its banks or in a tinnie. Always keen to get on the water, we set off to explore the mighty O’Connell River and its mangrove tributaries, but unlike the locals, without fishing gear.

Private boat 'ramp' on the O'Connell River

How to live simply in a motorhome

You’ve heard the saying that less is more. I believe that the less complicated life is and the less stuff you have, the more content you are. Living in a motorhome is a simple life: we have all we need, and we can go where we like, and whenever we like. Well, not at the moment but we’ll pretend all is well in the world. ☺️

How do we do this, you ask?

Taking a break in Beechmont

6 ways to stay sane while living in a motorhome

“You’re living the dream!”, we are quite often told. Well, yes, we are, but it takes a while to work things out so it doesn’t become a nightmare.

Let’s face it, living in a motorhome is not for everyone. It’s all well and good to go travelling for a set period of time: you usually have a wish list of the sights you want to see and things you want to do in the allocated period, and then return home to your respective corners at the end of it.

But, if you live in an 7 x 2 metre space fulltime, as we do in Delvy, then there are a few strategies to put in place to remain sane and to continue to enjoy the experience.

Delvy gives us the freedom to enjoy the great outdoors in comfort.

Coronavirus lockdown

We are camping on a floodplain, the Goorganga Plains wetlands, but it’s nearing the end of the wet season in the dry tropical region of the Whitsundays. Conway Range is at the northern edge and the Clarke Range to the south west, with not a hill in between. Long stalks of sugarcane ruffle in the wind, creating a Mexican wave; a random waft of burning off drifts past. A rooster crows, a tractor drones in the distance, the tin roof crackles as it’s heated by the sun.

One thing that is noticeable about living in isolation in a rural area: it’s quiet. No traffic noise, no sounds of music or other people’s voices; just nature’s tune. So very peaceful.

The advantages of getting up early, spectacular sunrises

Life off the road

Living on the road with no fixed address, what does one do when the government announces a ‘stay at home’ mandate? We can stay in Delvy – we have been for over 12 months now – but Delvy wouldn’t be welcome to keep travelling around rural and coastal towns of Australia throughout this coronavirus pandemic. And neither would we want to intrude or possibly burden small communities as we all endeavour to practice social distancing to help stop the spread.

Heading south on the Bruce Highway between Bowen and Proserpine

Mt Buller

We’ve been busy on the road – well as busy as anyone can be tripping around in our motorhome, Delvy, enjoying the great outdoors of Australia. Recently, a few people mentioned they have missed reading the Adventures of Delvy so it has motivated me to fill in some gaps since I last wrote.

Having just spent a few days at one of my favourite places in Australia, I thought I would start there. Some 6 years back I managed a lodge, SkiLib, over two summer seasons on Mt Buller in Victoria’s High Country, and have been keen to return for some time. After enduring the heat from the lowland this summer, the coolness at 1590 metres above sea level was very welcome, as was the spectacular scenery.

On the road from Mansfield. Mt Buller ahead in the distance.

The best of both worlds

For total freedom to explore this planet, what more could anyone want other than a bus and a boat? Up until last week, we have been enjoying the benefits of both for the last few months.

Boat and Motorhome - the two best toys