UBC Challenge for July 25th was to discuss a time when we took a trip. I am a frequent taker of trips, and I have one coming up. I will share my planning tips. I take long trips and short trips. In Australia I drive or fly to places. Travelling overseas is by plane. I have been to China twice in the last 8 months – but do not plan to go there in the short term, and maybe not at all. Time will tell.
Customs House Goondiwindi
I love driving. I have a new car and am planning to take a 6000 km journey, which will take me from Brisbane down to Canberra, and then on to Melbourne. From Melbourne, I will travel on the Spirit of Tasmania across the sea to Tasmania, and return the same way a week or so later, and from Melbourne travel via the coast road to Adelaide, and back to my home via the near centre of Australia. It requires some planning.
I do a lot of planning. I have an itinerary. I have calculated the distance between the major towns that I intend to stay. I like to drive around 400 kms a day, and as on this trip I will be researching articles for WeekendNotes.com, it will take about 6 hours to do such a distance. I have explored travel websites and magazines to determine my preferred sites to visit and to stay. I seldom book in advance because I don’t know for sure how my day’s travel will work out. (This is my usual modus operandi). I have a calendar page which I have written notes on, and will take with me.
Lists are essential – and I start weeks before the departure date listing things that I want to take. Computer, cables, cameras, cables, Two way radio, batteries, picnic set, fold up chair, food box, cooler, and so on. I have a box near the kitchen in which I place things (usually food) and other smaller items.
Lunch times I usually have a meal replacement – so I have a stack of packets of OptiSlim or similar. I don’t like to waste time finding food to eat, so in the days just before I leave I top up with bottles of water, fruit, nuts etc. I take my own home-made muesli, and small UHT packets of milk. I can, of course, top up my foodstuffs as I travel, but I like to have the basics ready to go.
My Lists include:
- food and water
- snacks
- computer, tablet and cables
- cameras, tripod, cables, flash light,
- fold up chair
- picnic set (plates, glasses)
- picnic rug
- fold up bike, helmet, lock
- coat (am going to Tasmania)
- Clothes and toiletries, medications
- itinerary
- hat, sunscreen, insect repellant
- high vis vest
- Two-way radio
- phone/update phone numbers
- wifi toggle
- Kindle
- pens and journal
I am forever spending nights away from home, so packing my suitcase is usually no problem, it is always partly packed anyway.
I do keep in touch with my family – thank goodness for mobile phones and the Internet!!
One item I will take with me on this occasion, is my electric bike. It is small and folds up and goes into the boot/trunk of my car. One thing on my agenda is to ride my bike around Dubbo Zoo.
Every detail is listed in my notes. I check that I have the required phone numbers – am connecting with friends along the way. Medications are important to me. I check that I have adequate for my stay, plus some.
My car is important, so I usually take time to check everything – tyres, water, oil etc, but with a new car I expect all will be well, though I will peep under the bonnet!!
As I am taking my car, I will not be restricted by luggage weight, but am mindful that extra weight = extra fuel.
My next trip is due to start on August 14th, 2016 when I will head out from my home north of Brisbane around 8 am, after securely locking up my house. My first stop is Goondiwindi not far from the Queensland/New South Wales border, a distance of 414 kms.
One place I hope to visit is the Customs House at Goondiwindi where early in Australia’s history people crossing from Queensland to New South Wales had to visit!
I will, of course, be posting daily.
