Working on the road

We’ve now moved to the west coast of Tasmania, but as we’re all (well me mostly) still recovering from Covid, we’re laying low here. That means there’s not much to report in terms of sightseeing, so I thought I’d write a bit about how we’re dealing with working while we’re on the road. 

We’ve just passed the 70-day mark so we’ve had a bit of time to work out how best to fit in the work, schooling and sightseeing. Personally, I like to get the bulk of the work done on a Monday, then do another day or two during the week as new work comes in, but in reality it depends on a few things:

• The weather – no point working all day if we’ve hit one of those elusive sunny Tasmanian days!
• Where we are – usually once a week we’re on the move so if it’s a pack up/move/set up day then there’s no time for anything else
• How much is going on – if I’m busy with work then it just needs to get done and the sightseeing will have to wait.

Besides the “when” question, there’s also the “where” and “how” considerations. So far, I’ve worked in the tent (when it’s been freezing cold), in camp kitchens, in a shed, next to the ocean and in libraries. Each has their benefits, obviously it’s nice to be working outside but sometimes it’s too cold, too sunny, too windy or there’s some other problem. The libraries are great as they’re warm, dry, comfortable and have free internet. I’ve even taken care of a website “emergency” via my phone in the middle of the harbour on a boat cruise off Port Arthur.

If I’m working in or near the tent then the main considerations are internet and power, both of which are tricky but not insurmountable. For the internet, we have a Telstra Nighthawk on a generous data package (more than we need) so I don’t have to ever worry about running out. We also have a booster aerial which we can use for times when we want a couple more bars – we just stick it up and point it to the nearest tower and get a bit of an internet boost. For the power, it’s a long and convoluted system (see Jim’s post about power) which includes solar panels, batteries and an inverter. So far, even with the limited sunshine we’ve seen it’s actually all worked pretty well and I seem to be able to use 240v power for as long as I need without any issues.

The other factor is my travelling buddies. The tent is pretty small in the scheme of things and if the weather is bad we’re all in there together trying to work or do schooling so it’s just a matter of blocking them out to try and get it done. When it is fine enough, even just being a few metres away under the shade of a tree can make it a little easier to concentrate.

In terms of connection with my clients, I was very keen (and still am) to be as available to them here as I was when I was at home, partly because that’s what they have come to expect, but also because I want to be able to offer the same level of service and prove that this working/travelling malarky can be done.

So far in Tasmania, there have been very few times when we haven’t had internet connectivity so that hasn’t been an issue, but there will be times in remote parts of Australia where this is more of a challenge. Even now, sitting miles from a town and with no other people around we are still enjoying good internet coverage.

Besides the practicalities, the main other consideration is getting the balance right between working and playing. Work can be lumpy, so I don’t always know from week to week how much I will have on, but so far, because we’re travelling slowly, we’ve always had time to fit in all the work and the sightseeing at each place before we move on. Yes it would be great to not have to work, but reality is the mortgage needs to be paid and the trip needs to be funded somehow so working it is. Until the lotto comes in anyway.