Why Learning to Tow was the Best Decision I’ve Made
WORDS BY JULIE MAINS, PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRAD AND JULIE MAINS
It’s late Friday afternoon, our first week on the road to somewhere else (I only know it’s Friday because of a text from a friend). The family is calm, Lola back with her beloved laptop watching a movie, Brad reclined in the purple chair dozing - clearly deciding he trusts me to drive uninstructed. We are on the Sturt highway I think, a wide, smooth open road that mildly reflects the first tastes of the outback heading north from Victoria. There are few others than us on the tar and I feel relaxed, calm and free. Apart from the internal exhilaration of the tranquil beauty that embraces me, still in awe of how this whole adventure feels so right, the only physical stimulation is the appearance of the occasional truck in my rear view mirror.
I feel so confident now, having learned the etiquette of the road (if not the etiquette of the caravan park). I take a last look ahead to be certain the road ahead is clear, before proudly flicking my indicator right to converse with the truckie behind and tell him he is free to pass. His awesome grill moves gracefully across the lane, and I back off to allow him more room to proceed ahead safely. When his trailer finally passes my window, I give him a quick flash of my lights to let him know he’s clear of me and can move freely over. As he slides back into the correct lane, I think of how exciting it is for a novice driver such as myself to receive his acknowledgement with a quick blinker flash to say thanks.
FUN PEOPLE ON THE ROAD
We’ve met great people along the way, and one family in particular we look forward to catching up with again. Fellow bus travellers, Chris, Wayne and kids, owners of “Destination Unknown” were a great help, full of welcome advice and good fun to be around.
Wayne helped us get our CB working and it was a buzz to have my first conversation with a friendly truck driver planning his overtake.
LADIES TAKE CONTROL
It seems odd to some, I know, but as I stare into the horizon, visioning (or perhaps imagining) far away towns or objects that seem never to eventuate, I smile to myself, one more time, and try to think of how I could express this feeling in mere words.
I say to all women out there who leave the driving to the men because you think you can’t do it, you can! And it’s awesome fun. It requires responsibility, focus and a little courage sometimes too, but it just feels so empowering.
I have loved to drive the bus, ever since my very first time, when it still had 50 seats. Such a thrill, perched up high upon the road, feeling invincible (and at times trembling with nerves). Managing the hum of the engine, learning when you’re pushing too far, finding the “g spot” as Brad so lovingly refers to that perfect level of revs delivering efficiency and preservation.
The bus is our permanent family home. As I bounce along, elbows nested on the wheel, directing it back to centre again, again, again, my body exhales anything and everything other than a calm, peaceful feeling of content – these are the only words I can conjure. Honestly, nothing, NOTHING can faze me right now.
Even in these early days on the road, I’ve seen the surprise of many women (and men) when they learn that I too get behind that big wheel of freedom. They’re even more surprised when my husband Brad shares his confidence in my ability.
Sure I was nervous at first. It takes practice to get used to the size and to judge the handling of a big rig, and I had to obtain a heavy vehicle licence. But really, it is not much different than each time you’ve purchased a new car - strange and unfamiliar at first, but not long before you become comfortable and confident and forget how foreign it once felt.
Many people have advised against travelling in such a big rig (totalling 16m including car trailer), but we love it. With a family of 3 and a dog, the layout we painstakingly designed is perfect for us. There’s plenty of room to move freely past each other and not feel at all cramped, even in three days of pouring rain in Mildura. From navigating inner city Melbourne to the curvaceous Caloundra Esplanade during the hectic Easter weekend, so far it hasn’t stopped us from getting in anywhere.
Well that’s almost a lie because the Glass House Mountain Lookout (about 70km north of Brisbane), did defeat us. However, we did make it high enough for a beautiful outdoor café. The magnificent views of the volcanic mountain peaks and a smooth iced coffee aided the recovery from the trauma of reversing down the steep incline. Fortunately there was a four-wheel drive track not too far back, so while I ran down the road as safely as I could to stop oncoming traffic, Brad skilfully reversed back and slipped the trailer into the equally steep track, managed a three point turn and we were finally safely back on the road heading down.
We’ve also tackled some exciting entrances, such as arriving in the magnificent beachside town of Agnes Water, Queensland, and stumbling across Workmans Beach Camping Area. Intrigued by a nearby town called 1770, we started down the dirt track. Thanks to the twisting narrow road and the low, overhanging trees I was a bit apprehensive on approach, but with a little scouting of the area and a fair dose of persistence, we made it in – to the awe of the laid-back camp inhabitants. The Workmans Beach is the camp ground we enjoyed most of the more populated campgrounds, along with Carmila free camp – usually, we prefer a little more solitude. However, this animated Agnes crowd just oozed a welcoming vibe.
We have so many stories already to be told in just our first couple of weeks as greenhorn travellers. There are so many fascinating people, each with a story to tell. This is just the beginning for our new life… Somewhere On the Bus. But no matter what your rig, caravan, bus, truck, 5th wheeler – the message I send today is: “Get in control ladies, don’t be intimidated!”
Prying the wheel from your husband’s hands will be hard, but once you have achieved mastery in his domain, there are many benefits to a two-up driving team.
THE PERFECT EDUCATION
While exploring Agnes Beach and 1770, we sought out an educational opportunity for Lola (10 year old) to learn about Captain Cook’s first landing in Queensland – but true to Brad’s nature, we spent more time stifling laughter in the quiet stillness of the little Miriam Vale Shire Museum, giggling at his irreverent jabs at history.
BUILDING A BUS OF UNIQUE PROPORTIONS
We have spent the past 15 months working on the renovation challenge of a lifetime, obsessively working day and night to create this magical place we now call home. Commencing with a 1985 Mercedes PMC school bus, we have a modern, unique and very comfortable new house at no fixed address. The only thing my talented husband Brad hasn’t done with his own two very dirty hands, is the amazing external artwork created by artist “Jaw” from Juddy Roller Studios, Fitzroy, VIC www.facebook.com/juddyroller
