Getting online post startup elegantly?

[nevets]

I have a static IP [set by the utility bsdconfig networking] and usually use Ghost offline to begin with.
Then, if I need the internet, I start the router/modem.

Now, Ghost when it was OpenRC connected fine with Networkmgr live: Ghost RC doesn't [so I disabled Networkmgr starting up in MATE].

What I'm looking for is an elegant way of getting past "no route to host" so GhostRC behaves like GhostOpenRC did.
Currently I'm executing:
$ sudo /etc/netstart
to get on line... any ideas?
Steve