The Grounded Nomads, Barb and Rene

For Barb and Rene, life has always been a journey both literally and figuratively. Born just a year apart, Barb in a small Yorkshire village in England and Rene in the bustling port city of Rotterdam, the couple’s lives began on opposite sides of Europe. Yet fate, and a shared spirit of adventure, would eventually bring them together on the road to Perth, Australia.

Their early experiences as migrants still echo vividly in their memories. “I can remember being very, very scared when I was five years old on the ship, coming to Australia,” Rene recalls. “All my brothers and my father were getting chucked into the swimming pool because we were crossing the equator. That was traditional on the ship, King Neptune's ritual, all the men got chucked into the pool, and they got covered in flour when they got out. And it just frightened me.” Barb echoes the sentiment: “As children we were petrified. It was really frightening, because there was lots of noise, and all the older people, the teenagers, had a ball.”

Despite such early uncertainty, the couple built a life rooted in resilience and optimism. After settling down to raise their three sons in suburbia, retirement reignited their travelling spirit. Now, they traverse Australia with a caravan, as “We prefer being able to drive off and explore,” they explain, describing that most days begin with a simple breakfast and end 250 kilometres down the road.

They walk, they explore, and at night, they keep sharp with games of Scrabble and Boggle. Currently paused in the Shire to visit family and help with flood repairs, they remain as grounded as ever. Barb and Rene have completed the great 'Lap' around Australia three times, making friends and still speaking with the same enthusiasm they had as young explorers.

Rene’s reflections carry the quiet wisdom of a life well lived, shaped by the example of his father. “When they came to Australia, they were determined,” he says. “They came with an attitude—to love what they were doing, to enjoy it, and to make it work. And they brought us up that way.”

That spirit of contentment has stayed with Rene and Barb throughout their own journey. More than seasoned travellers, they are thoughtful observers of what it means to build a meaningful life. “If I was to give any advice to young people,” Rene offers, “I’d say, have a look at what you’ve got. It’s too easy looking for the grass on the other side of the fence. Australia has so much to show us… such a rich history, such a rich ember—a spark to keep you alive.” Then, with a grin, he adds, “And don’t get old.”

With gratitude in their hearts and the road beneath their feet, Barb and Rene remind us that life’s richest rewards are rarely found in faraway places. Instead, they are discovered in the simple moments, in the freedom to move, and in the quiet joy of appreciating what’s already here. Their story is a gentle but powerful reminder that happiness isn’t over the next hill—it’s made wherever you are, with what you have, and who you’re with.