Gray Nomad,  gray with an a for active seniors lifestyle.
 
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Solar energy is our birthright, the concept is so beautifully simple and once the infrastructure is set up, the power is free and little maintenance is required.

Reg and I love our solar power systems, we have solar power to run the electrical systems in our touring caravan we have shared a large solar hot water system, we share with three of our neighbours, making our home solar system affordable and there is never any shortage of hot water.

We have increased the friendly to the environment aspect of our home in a way that would pass any bpi certification experts top standard, as we only have town drinking quality water at one top, the one in our kitchen. All other taps from those in the bathroom, laundry, toilet and the garden run with filtered water from the irrigation water supply. Our energy bill is negligible and we have no water restrictions and never run out of hot water.

I cannot explain solar power scientifically but I will give it a lay person’s attempt.

Objects that appear black, when in a light source, are absorbing all light rays, and that is what we see, no light, no colour, just black. Colour appears, when light rays are split, as through a prism into a rainbow of split colour rays, or partially absorbed and partially reflected by an object and we see that part of the light that is reflected as the colour of the object.

 If all light was reflected from the object, it would not show any colour, it would appear white, as light and it would reflect all the heat from the light source and so white is the coldest colour to wear when outside in the sun.

Because light can be a source of heat, as in the sun’s rays, if all the light rays are being absorbed by an object, the object will also be absorbing the heat from those light rays. That is the simple principle behind solar power.  

Low temperature solar heat collectors are flat plates generally used to heat swimming pools. These are the simplest of the solar heating systems.

 Medium temperature collectors are also usually flat plates used for creating hot water for residential and commercial use and to power the lighting, TV and DVD systems in many caravans.

High temperature collectors concentrate sunlight using mirrors and lenses  to intensify the light and the heat making the solar power sufficient to provide substantial electrical power, not just hot water heating.

This high temperature, solar power, is, along with duel water systems in every home, is where I believe Australia should be focusing attention. Maybe one day, we will see solar power and enough water, as our birthright.

Today’s gray nomad with a solar powered caravan is setting the standard, showing how a small home can be run, almost independently from fossil fuel generated electricity and many of us are asking, if we can do it in our small homes on wheels, we could all be doing it, in the family size home.  

 
 
 
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ADELAIDE             ADELAIDE SHOWGROUNDS - February  24 - 28
MELBOURNE       CAULFIELD RACECOURSE - March  9 - 14
PERTH                    PERTH SHOWGROUNDS - March  18 - 22   
SYDNEY                  ROSEHILL GARDENS (Racecourse) - April  17 - 25
BRISBANE             BRISBANE RNA SHOWGROUNDS - June 9 - 15
 
 
I will be taking the Eco-Tourer slipstream caravan back to Caravan Court, in Springvale Victoria, for its third service in preparation for its third year of touring. We are getting close to leaving for the big trip, nowJ. We are in the final planning and preparing stages. I hope to leave in March.

I am still thrilled with our van and I love the after sales care we have had from Caravan Court. Happy to give them, a free, ‘ plug’. You hear a lot of stories about poor caravan manufacture and after sales care so when you have been sold a well made caravan and treated well, it's great to share the information with others who might be looking for a reliable well designed, caravan. I have not, been paid for any endorsement of the Eco-Tourer slipstream van, Reg and I heartily recommend it.

 

While we are in the metropolitan area, I love to do my exercise in the big stores and shopping malls for a change from the bush.

As I use the wireless internet a lot while I travel, I will be looking at the latest technology that would suit a touring caravan based office. I like the netbooks. We see people walking down the street in country towns with these and I wonder how long before it will be as common to carry the netbook computer around with you, as it is to carry the mobile phone. 

I had thought I might have bought an iPhone, in April, when my current phone plan expires so I am looking at any and every option that combines mobile telephone, an easy to use, full keyboard or touch screen of letters and mobile internet service.

I am very interested in feedback from people as to what they find convenient to use to access the internet as they travel.

I know I need a mobile phone that allows easier texting.

I know I need to keep my internet connection costs to not a lot more than I already spend so I am not certain I would need or use many of the applications and I would not want my phone to play video streaming, TV or music. I find my own creative endeavours enough entertainment, lol, I never need to be entertainedJ.

I know I am ‘stuck’ with the Telstra service as it is the only one that gives the coverage in remote regions, so advice to go with the cheaper companies and plans will not help me.

If I can have fun browsing around all the large technology stores, in Fountain Gate and call it my day’s exercise, then maybe meet a friend for coffee, it will be a great day out in town.

I will make a few phone calls today; try to find out when I will next be in the Fountain Gate area, then I hope to make plans, to connect with my friends for coffee, while I am in the area.

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The art print works I have illustrated my post with today are from my postcard collection, available from my postcard-art.com website, see side bar link or ‘direct from the artist’, while we are on tour, from our caravan awning studio.
 
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