TANGO FALLOUT
DREAMING OF A BIG TRIP
Andrea and Blake are both teachers at the same school . Andrea has two daughters , 6 and 10 , from a previous marriage , who attend the same school , too .
“ We engaged in a leave scheme whereby we could sacrifice 20 per cent of our salary in order to accrue leave and be paid to take a period of sabbatical leave for a once-in-alifetime trip together around Australia in 2026 ,” Andrea said .
“ The dream was born . We fervently began budgeting and planning , quickly deciding to travel with my husband ' s sister , her husband and daughter too . Their leave was all arranged and we knew we had to upgrade our existing ( much beloved !) Jayco van to a newer model to enable us to be self-sufficient when travelling .
“ After lots of caravan expos and shows , we decided on Tango based on the owner ’ s upbringing and experience within the industry , and initially felt confident in Tango ’ s hands . We paid a deposit in July last year for a van to be built and delivered to us by May 2024 . We then also had to negotiate the reality of what a coparenting family on the road would look like , with the girls flying in and out of places to spend time on the road , as well as at home with their dad during the year of travel . We have bought them books on travelling Australia to read up on and choose the destinations they most want to visit during our year of travelling .”
The pair spent last summer travelling in their previous van and listed it in a slow market – it took a long time to sell , and when it finally did sell , it was for a lower price than they knew it was worth .
The opportunity to explore together as a family , to make new memories , was what the Pitmans enjoyed most .
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