Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Slack Bugger

Wednesday, 30 May 2012 - Day 1,265

For all those tragics who have been following my blog. Sorry, Sorry, Sorry.

Robert Burns once said "The best laid plans o' mice and men gang aft a'gley" or in Oztralian, shit happens! My plans for a life of sybaritic pleasure travelling around this great land went pear-shaped because of the Global Financial Crisis. When I retired in October 2008, I had everything planned out to a tee, but in the 30 days between claiming my superannuation and receiving the cheque, I lost $65,000 which, here at the blunt end has meant, quite simply, that I have run out of money to continue my care-free travels. As a consequence I have been reduced to working for a living. Life Sucks!

I am currently working in a flour mill. as a casual, loading pallets and counting the days to when I can pay off the credit card, put some new tyres on the Sorento and head for the bush again. The Aged Pension doesn't kick in until September so I guess I will be here until then. The thought of a winter spent down south isn't all that attractive, but I console myself with the thought that if I have to spend a winter, Perth is probably the best place to spend it.

On the positive side, I have a new person in my life. Anne is a person who, like me, doesn't want a live-in relationship, but who will be happy to have a full-time relationship with a person who is away a lot of the time and who is prepared to take extended trips away with me. Talk about having your cake and eating it!!!

By the time I am ready to take off again, the weather will be improving, so my plans are to set out in late September or early November and do the "Woodlands-Granite Way"  from Hyden to Norseman again, It was really fascinating when I did it in November 2009, but the weather was dreadful! Also I want to do the Holland track from Hyden to Coolgardie (or vice-versa) down through Cave Hill and Victoria Rock. The south coast is also attractive, I have heard of a place called Cosy Corner which looks like a must see.

There cannot be anything more boring that a traveller who is not travelling, but bear with me, I will be out and about again soon. It may seem strange, but I get a warm feeling by sharing my experiences with you, almost as though you were there with me when I am relating my travels. Here's to the future!

See you soon,

Mike

6 comments:

The Retro Roamers said...

Hey Mike

Good to see your post again. I thought you must have got real serious, and moved back into suburbia with the white picket fence. (how rude!!!!!!)

Yeah mate the GFC got a lot of us, however as I do work for Ms. Gillard these days, at least one can survive to a degree.

In Darwin at the moment. Clear skies 32 degrees every day. Hopefully stay for the winter.

Look forward to your next post and congrats with the new person in your life.

Cheers and beers

Marion and Steve said...

Mike
can't stop that travelling urge the GFC might slow you down but not stop you Great to hear about Anne We just got back from a few days at Kokabin rock did'nt know it existed till recently great little trip
Cheers Steve

Unknown said...

G'day Mike.
Nice to see your still kicking around. We hope to be joining you on the road next year.Planning on a minimum of 2 years to do the BIG lap.
Hopefully by then i will have figured out this blogging thing LOL
cheers Bill

grill n chill said...

Hi Mike.
From close to day one i have been a keen follower of yours. Your spirit of adventure and desire to seek freedom is a dream of mine that i admire greatly and envy.
Take care
Peter. chill n grill

grill n chill said...

Hi Mike.
From close to day one i have been a keen follower of yours. Your spirit of adventure and desire to seek freedom is a dream of mine that i admire greatly and envy.
Take care
Peter. chill n grill

Explore Australia said...

Hey Mike
As we edge ever closer to September we hope that your travelling days are on the very near horizon!

Let us know when you take off, we'd love to follow along via your blog!

Explore Australia
www.exploreaustralia.net.au