Down, Down and Away

BanditDave Fri 08 Mar 2019, 3:39 pm

First topic message reminder :

Down, Down and Away

BanditDave is on the move.

I got married in Melbourne in 1971 and moved to Launceston in 1972. I was a radio technician with Dept of Civil Aviation.

A year and a bit later, having purchased a house in Perth (Tas), I was promoted in my job and transferred to Hobart.

After 5 years in Hobart, I wanted to explore other parts of Australia, so applied for another promotion and got a job in Canberra.

15 years in Canberra I once again had nomadic urges so quit work and moved to the Gold Coast.

Three years on the Gold Coast was more than enough for me so we bought a tent and some camping gear and went exploring Queensland.

Over a 3-4 week period we got as far as Cooktown and back stopping at every town en-route.

Arriving home it was time to decide where to move to. The two picks were Cairns and Mackay and as Mackay was a bit closer, that was the decision. 15 years later and it was time to move again.

We had travelled extensively throughout Australia; mostly on motorcycle(s) so had quite a lot of knowledge of desirable/undesirable places.
The decision was Hervey Bay.

Twenty five years in Queensland and now a lone traveller I thought it time for another change.

Time for some snow, frost, rain, fog and other fun things in a colder climate.

Even though I had lived in Tasmania previously, I had been working full time and never really got much time to do any serious exploring.

Friends and acquaintances who know I am moving are asking me where I am moving to.

I ask if they know where Geelong is and if they say they do, I say I am moving just south of there.

For anyone ‘struggling’ with this, the answer is Launceston.

With access to the internet and social media it is possible to buy and sell pretty much anything, including houses, so the entire ‘adventure’ can be planned from my study without venturing outdoors

The house is pretty much ready for sale except for a few touch ups with a paint brush and some garden maintenance.

I am also selling all of my furniture to make moving simple. The motorcycle and mobility scooter will also go as they are easily purchased in the future.

I have purchased a covered trailer which along with my small car will carry all of my worldly possessions.

Selling off all of my surplus furniture and other goodies will take a little while, followed with putting the house on the market. I expect a quick sale as I am very negotiable so should be finalised by about spring. My house in Mackay was under contract in 24 hours so yes; I am a pretty negotiable person.

My two dogs will fly from Brisbane to Launceston (too challenging from Hervey Bay so I will drive them to Brisbane) and be collected from Launceston Airport by the boarding kennel staff.

I will drive my car/trailer from Hervey Bay to Melbourne, sail across to Devonport and drive to Launceston. This will take around 3 to 4 days.

Not being familiar with Launceston, I will rent for about 6 months and in that time either build or buy a house.

I figure if I offer to pay the 6 months rent in advance, I can easily get a short term lease. I will do this prior to leaving Hervey Bay so that on arrival in Launceston I can collect my dogs and drive directly to my rental house.

I already have some flanny shirts and tracky dacks so all I need to blend in with the locals is a beanie and some ugg boots. I probably should grow my hair a bit longer but will stop short of dreadlocks.

I am looking forward to my first visit to some snow with my dogs. I can just imagine there reaction to being able to walk on it and lick it. Should be very entertaining.

truck Sat 28 Sep 2019, 5:49 am

BanditDave wrote:I have waited for over 4 months for my present real estate agent to sell my house and I have finally given up on him. I have appointed a new agent starting next week.
. . .

Real estate must be slow moving everywhere ATM.
We have a block of dirt at Mission Beach in Nth QLD on the market for Hmm, about 3 yrs. A couple of enquiries but nothing more.
We'd given up and then out of the blue an offer, and hopefully sold. The next day all over the news there are stories of a Syd-eny company investing in Mission Bch and prices are expected to rise.
Timing . . .

BanditDave Tue 15 Oct 2019, 7:40 am

Well, it looks like my overseas adventure is about to begin.
I had a sale contract on the house but the buyer failed to get finance and the contract fell over.
It's in the hands of a competent real estate agent so I have decided to leave it empty.
Yesterday I finalised a lease for a little house in Launceston.
It is quite challenging when you have dogs but I was successful.
Dogs are flying out of Brisbane. I am driving car/trailer to Melbourne and going across by boat.
To be continued ...........

Chook Tue 15 Oct 2019, 10:23 am

BanditDave wrote:Well, it looks like my overseas adventure is about to begin.
I had a sale contract on the house but the buyer failed to get finance and the contract fell over.
It's in the hands of a competent real estate agent so I have decided to leave it empty.
Yesterday I finalised a lease for a little house in Launceston.
It is quite challenging when you have dogs but I was successful.
Dogs are flying out of Brisbane. I am driving car/trailer to Melbourne and going across by boat.
To be continued ...........

Good luck, hopefully a few of us will be over to visit you Barry and Gus in about 12 months

BanditDave Tue 15 Oct 2019, 1:20 pm

I'm not sure you know but I am a vegetarian.

You will need to let me know when you are coming over so that I can purchase additional packets of TOFU (yum! yum!)

Chook Tue 15 Oct 2019, 4:03 pm

It's a shame you are so far away, you could drop past and give me an excuse to cook these that were purchased by "someone" who didn't read the label properly Wink

Down, Down and Away - Page 2 73140606-533955837433690-8898316611107160064-n-2

BanditDave Tue 15 Oct 2019, 5:28 pm

I have been a vego for over 23 years and thoroughly enjoy it.

I find it sad that there are vegos around that have to eat "pretend chicken". These people really puzzle me as to their motivation to consume such strange food.

I don't suppose anybody has come up with a carrot made from mince beef as yet.

Anyway, rock on over and enjoy some TOFU with me when you are here.

I'll even try to source some Hare Krishna music to play whilst you are gorging yourself on the TOFU

barry_mcki Tue 15 Oct 2019, 7:20 pm

Just checked the Tas Bio-Security web site for you Dave and noticed this:

BanditDave Tue 15 Oct 2019, 10:28 pm

Now that's a little disappointing Crying or Very sad

Oh well, as long as I can have alpaca or llama milk on my corn flakes I guess I will be content.

I guess I will have to leave Trevor, my rhinoceros beetle behind as I'm not sure he has been vaccinated.

I've been busy growing a mullet and along with my flanny shirt and ugg boots I should be able to blend in with the local crowd.

gus Wed 16 Oct 2019, 8:33 pm

No chance ,the single head is a dead giveaway .

BanditDave Thu 17 Oct 2019, 8:58 am

gus wrote:No chance ,the single head is a dead giveaway .

I've got a good scar on my neck which can explain the previous existence of a second head.
Regrettably, I think my mullet will cover it.

BanditDave Fri 01 Nov 2019, 7:15 am

Well, today the journey begins to my new overseas abode, Tasmania

Down, Down and Away Very Happy

Chook Sat 02 Nov 2019, 9:17 am

All the best with the move and your new life

madmax Sat 02 Nov 2019, 11:49 am

BanditDave wrote:Well, today the journey begins to my new overseas abode, Tasmania

Down, Down and Away

BanditDave Wed 06 Nov 2019, 7:14 pm

Well. stage 1 of my adventure is completed.
The Bass Strait crossing last night was rather calm. Tonight is with gale force winds. Good timing ay!
Met two fellow passengers who are both moving to Tassie to build new homes, one from Kempsey, the other from the gold coast.
Lucky I made the move when I did. I reckon it will be full pretty soon.
Moved in to my rental house and started unpacking
With all of my downsizing I still reckon I have too much stuff.
I'm still walking around in shorts and T shirt

Chook Wed 06 Nov 2019, 8:00 pm

BanditDave wrote:Well. stage 1 of my adventure is completed.
The Bass Strait crossing last night was rather calm. Tonight is with gale force winds. Good timing ay!
Met two fellow passengers who are both moving to Tassie to build new homes, one from Kempsey, the other from the gold coast.
Lucky I made the move when I did. I reckon it will be full pretty soon.
Moved in to my rental house and started unpacking
With all of my downsizing I still reckon I have too much stuff.
I'm still walking around in shorts and T shirt

barry_mcki Fri 08 Nov 2019, 10:32 am

Welcome to tropical Launie Dave, I'm just about to head to the mainland for three weeks seeing we have not paid the rates to have a summer this year in Tassie.

Photo is Great Lakes Hotel Miena, about an hour and half south of Launceston on Wed morning.

We moved down in 2012, and I reckon there are still boxes that haven't been unpacked. And that was after a massive garage sale before we left. They have free hard waste at the tip this weekend, think a couple of things we bought down and haven't used are about to find a new home.

BanditDave Fri 08 Nov 2019, 12:30 pm

Howdy Barry,
I had forgotten what snow looks like.
I definitely packed way too much stuff also.
I bought a new refrigerator with me
Got dogs vaccinated yesterday (thanks for the tip)
Got new bed yesterday.
Got new washing machine today
Well that's all the new purchases done.
My minimalist lifestyle is looking good
See you when you get back.
Regards,
BanditDave

gus Fri 08 Nov 2019, 8:58 pm

Yep must have been the day before we were in the west Coast last week . It was 32 deg

BanditDave Sat 09 Nov 2019, 7:15 am

32 degrees is the main reason I left Queensland, plus the mozzies and brown snakes. Crocodiles were fine as they didn't come in to my house.

gus Sat 09 Nov 2019, 2:14 pm

This will be your only problem down here .
Down, Down and Away - Page 2 $_20

BanditDave Sat 09 Nov 2019, 4:27 pm

Are they brother and sister?
They look rather alike, apart from the differences of course.

gus Sat 09 Nov 2019, 5:12 pm

They are actually both teachers , makes you wonder what the students are like doesn't it Laughing

.

barry_mcki Sun 10 Nov 2019, 4:55 pm

You should see them when they dress up for Halloween Razz

BanditDave Mon 23 Dec 2019, 10:01 am

Well, here I am in Launceston after spending nearly 25 years in Queensland
What a great decision to escape the oppressive heat and move to a climate that has 4 distinct seasons.
I am currently living in a 69 year old rental property which although less than ideal is secure for my dogs and the roof doesn’t leak.
I have purchased a nearly completed new house (from a spec builder) and will be moving in about 6-8 weeks time.
My new house is very “energy efficient” and not too far off my original planned design. It has double glazed windows, insulation including concrete slab, walls and ceiling and good solar orientation so I think I am on the right track.
Looking forward to some new vegetable gardens, hopefully without the amount of bugs as in Qld.
Some saltwater fly fishing is also on the agenda being only 1 Km from tidal part of Tamar River. I have kept my #10 fly rod which will cast half a house brick, probably a little over the top for trout fishing though.

Vaughn123 Tue 24 Dec 2019, 7:36 am

What suburb did you buy in ? Ex Lonnie boy here , now Hobartian

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