I've been asked, 'Don't your kids worry about yo travelling alone?' My answer is, 'No. My kids are reasonably intelligent. (They got their brains from their father. I still have mine.) They will have done a risk assessment. They know with 100% certainty that they will never see me on the evening news being winched from the side of a mountain by a helicopter, or rescued from the jaws of a great white shark. I'll never be seen staggering out of a desert or a rain forest after ten days of deprivation and starvation.'
Non travellers say, 'You are so brave. Don't you get scared being out there by yourself?' They don't realise how busy life on the road is. I am a member of the Campervan and Motorhome Club of Australia (CMCA), one person in a membership of 65,000, couples and singles. Many of them have joined a Solos Network with about 900 members, two-thirds of whom are women, mainly in the older age group. Obviously there are hundreds travelling alone who have not joined the Solos Network. It is a genuine network with access to all the resources of the CMCA and, as Solos, we have our own niche with clear lines of communication. We have a Solos facebook page, a Rally Facebook page with information about upcoming rallies. We have smaller chapters which meet regularly and, as an entire network, we have the opportunity to meet twice a year for rallies which provide information and, most particularly, a chance to meet for fun and fellowship. As well, our Tagalong page allows us to tag along with our members at no cost, either informally or in groups organised by our fellow members,
And this not the only group that caters for solo travellers. Rolling Solo is a group of about 3500 women, representing a wide range of ages and interests. Solos Travelling Oz have more than 3000 members, Glamper Girls have more than 3500. The list goes on. I would hazard a guess that, of about 80,00 travellers on the road at any one time, at least 10,000 are solo women. How could you be considered alone?
Yet, you can most certainly be alone if you want to be. There are plenty of places off the beaten track where you can stay, short or long term. You are really constrained only by the amount of water you carry and how you generate power. Travellers who are permanently on the road are more likely to settle for longer periods of time, to stop and offer Blaze Aid for weeks or months or to house sit for a while.
Travelling around on any day of the week, you will find a variety of stopping places. Some use caravan parks, though this is a very expensive option long term. However, there is now a network of caravan parks which provide budget overnight stays for self-contained vehicles. RV Friendly Towns entice travellers with free or cheap camping, in addition to showgrounds stays which can range from nothing (in Glen Innes and many other towns) to $30. Roadside rest areas are popular and there is a great sense of camaraderie as people settle in for the night. Smaller vans like mine can park in suburban streets without being obvious. This is referred to as Stealth Camping, though it is perfectly legal and safe. In the CMCA we have Member Stopovers (MSO) where members open their property short term to fellow members. There are also farm stays and groups such as YouCamp which provide quiet accommodation in a rural setting at various costs. And, best of all, family and friends often have a back yard or a driveway - and access to hot showers.
Being alone on the road is a personal choice. We are always aware of our safety and that of our fellow solos. Lis, who does safety seminars, said that more than 85% of assaults and murders take place in the home, usually perpetrated by a known assailant, The other danger group is the 15-30 year olds. Most of us are older than that, we are not in a family home, and we are alone. We are the safest people in Australia. Don't worry about us.
