While we have been readers, subscribers and keen forum followers for some years we have today - or yesterday - decided to "join" the group.

I'm Kevin (67) and with my wife (64) of many years have entered the world of the Grey Nomads or Geriatric Gypsies to see more of this wonderful country before we are confined by age or disability.

We started out some years back with an Australian Offroad Odyssey ZR Camper which was great and allowed us to explore huge sections of the far north and north west but with the extremes of climatic conditions and our inability to install a split system in the camper we have moved on. Our current rig is an 18' Galaxy Southern Cross Off Road tandem - Alpha Centauri - with a 2006 Toyota LC100 4.2Turbo GXL complete with bull bar, driving lights, UHF radio and polyairs on the rear.

The Galaxy has a Queensize bed (almost), radio/CD/DVD/TV, Winegard Antenna, Toilet and shower, 4 burner gas stove, microwave and 3way Dometic 120 L fridge. We have 2 x 9kg gas bottles on the front bar and two spare wheels on the rear. I have added two pole tubes to front and back for the annex and car cover. I have also added two "saddlebag" boxes between the front stabiliser legs and the wheels to carry the sullage and water hoses so that the front boot does not get water.

For the past two years we have been out and about for about 5/6 months. 2006 we did the wheat harvest in central Qld and the cane harvest in Mackay. 2007 we joined Outback Links as Drought Assistance Volunteers and spent our time in and around Charleville working with the graziers who were and still are doing it tough. Plans are in place to go out again in early June but possibly further out around Boulia. This is a great way to get to known the areas and the people and there are more than monetary rewards to be had from helping out.

Currently have our home on the Sunshine Coast on the market and plans in place to buy again locally but smaller than the 6604 sq m we currently have to look after.

Looking forward to being a regular on this forum.

Kevin J

PS tried to upload a photo of the outfit but can't see where it has taken.

deleted

Thanks for the welcome. Still trying to get the photo to upload.

Kevin J