When you travel in Australia you’ll see us on the side of the road. When we’ve had enough of driving it’s time to take a break, unpack the thermos, pull lazily into the next roadside stop.  Just like the pioneers of the Wild West, we pull our vehicles into a circle but luckily there’s no Indians attacking. Just the huge road trains burning noisily down the highway. The drivers don’t have time to join the circle. They’re to busy meeting deadlines.

At the end of a long day we pull into the caravan park, set up the chairs, open the eskie and pluck out a bottle of chilled Sauvignon Blanc. The sound of laughter comes from behind the caravans. So this was where they hangout. 5.30pm, drinks under the big shade tree. They come from all over the park. Carrying chairs, glasses and bottles. It‘s time for a drink, the evening ritual. Naturally you join them.

 We are the baby boomers, children of the 60’s – peace, love and all that stuff. Now we’re spending the kid’s inheritance. The one we worked so hard for while we raised those kids. They’ve all got good jobs as a result of the university education, now it’s our turn.

The kids think we’re selfish, ageing hippies. Maybe we were hippies once but life was put on hold as we raised our families.  Some say we are looking for our lost youth, but in reality we’re really just picking up where we left off thirty-five years ago. Years of climbing the career ladder, raising families, paying the mortgage, being responsible parents, respectable role models for the kids. After all, we didn’t want the kids to take up alcohol or drugs. But the kids aren’t here. They’re back at home being respectable, climbing the career ladder, raising families, paying the mortgage.  Now they’re the role models. We don’t have to set an example for anyone. No more responsibility.

It’s time to hit the track. We may not smoke pot anymore, but that doesn’t stop us from having fun and solving the problems of the world.  Our bodies are now our temples. Wine - which ones don’t upset our stomachs? Organic wine versus mass produced? Thirty-five years ago we ended the Vietnam War, now we’ve got time to work on solving the crisis in the Middle East and get a head start on the challenge of Global Warming. It’s always easier to save the world over a nice drink and a good cheese with the Stones and Hendrix playing in the background.

We laugh about the money the kids are spending on the grandchildren with their fancy private schools. No wonder they have to work so hard.

Thursday is pension day. Caravan parks around the country empty out. The super cheque has gone into the bank. It's time to fill the tank and head off down the road again to some inviting new paradise.

By Denise Ogilvie