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I can still remember that moment; the moment Sam and I looked at each other with sheer desperation. We were exhausted. We were shattered. After spending two years in Melbourne during lockdown teaching full-time, the walls of life were narrowing in. Deep in our hearts we knew our next move was going to be life-defining. It was now or never.
“Ok, what do we need to do?” asked Sam.
“We need to go all in,” I said. “There is no other way.”
We sat in silence contemplating the gravity of this moment. For Sam, having experienced the music industry close down due to restrictions and having no gigs for two years, the only path to launch his solo career was to get on the road and leave Victoria. We simply couldn’t waste more time or delay our dreams any longer. For me, at 37 years of age, I knew if we didn’t make that bold move now and REALLY go after our dreams, we could be back in Stage 5 restrictions and unable to leave our townhouse. We must make haste.
“We need a motorhome,” said Sam.
“A motorhome?” I asked.
“Yep,” Sam nodded. “If we are going to get on the road and tour, we need something big enough for you, me, Bear and all my music equipment to fit in. And we need to be comfortable.”
I let the idea of this percolate in my mind – a bubble of inspiration and hope dawned within. This idea felt charming. It felt like the walls of life were parting and a crack of light appeared drawing me towards it like a snake charmer coaxing a snake out of his basket.
“Ok. I have three conditions…’, I said.
“If we want to get on the road and tour in a motorhome, I need: a hot shower, a toilet and a plug/electricity so I can blow-dry my hair. That’s it! Just these three things. If we can make sure the motorhome has these, I don’t mind how long we are on the road for or how far we have to travel.”
Sam flashed one of his cheeky smiles. I knew instantly this was a deal.
“Deal?” I asked.
“Deal,” he said.
Over the next few days, Sam and I searched frantically for a motorhome on Marketplace within Sam’s budget. We needed something that he could fit all his amps, speakers, guitars and cases in without clogging the interior space. We wanted a brand that would be reliable and that was well looked after and in good mechanical condition.
One Saturday morning in mid-December, 2021, Sam looked up from his mobile with a sparkle in his eyes.
“I think I’ve found the one,” he shared.
“Yas! Where is it?” I asked.
“It’s in Syndey. I have a really good feeling about this one. It’s in excellent condition. It’s owned by an elderly couple and it’s got low kms and full mechanical history.”
“Wow, sounds great! Call them!” I said.
Twelve hours later Sam and I jumped in Wolf – our little van – with a Keep Cup of hot coffee and Bear sitting in the back, we hooned up the Hume Highway en route to Sydney. We felt wild. We felt free. We could sense that life was opening up for us and we were ready to take that next bold step to purchase a motorhome, put our belongings in storage, say goodbye to family and friends and dive into the vast unknown of life.
“We only have a few more days until Stage 5 Restrictions come into place again and we cannot leave the State. This motorhome has to be the one, or the borders will close,” I said to Sam, nervously.
“We can do this, Bunny,” said Sam. “I think this is ours. If it is, then we can leave in three days. We can do this!”
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