Once again, we call on some help from backpackers

@JudyEv (325818)
Rockingham, Australia
November 27, 2017 9:47pm CST
Some of you know about the large bus that Vince and I converted into a very comfortable motor-home. It’s come time for us to sell it but so far we haven’t had a lot of luck. In an effort to improve its outside appearance, Vince decided to do a cut and polish on it. This involves applying a paste then polishing it off. The polishing involves hard rubbing which, over something as large as the bus, is quite difficult. So we decided to get two back-packers in to help. Donnybrook, Western Australia, has a lot of back-packers who mostly work on the orchards and vineyards. We were able to find two young men who were willing to help us out for a few hours. Of course, they do get paid. So while I’m sitting here typing, two young French lads from Montpelier are working up a sweat rubbing a shine into our bus. They have been out here two weeks and spent a week in Perth before coming to Donnybrook. One has spent six years at university studying neuro-psychology and the other is studying to be a lawyer. Vince told them they should stay friends as they might need each other later on in life. It turns out they are actually brothers! Isn’t it great that they can just take off and head to the other side of the world for a while?
30 people like this
31 responses
allen0187
@allen0187 (58444)
• Philippines
28 Nov 17
That would be great! If travelling was free, I'd never stay in one place for a long time.
8 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325818)
• Rockingham, Australia
28 Nov 17
The one that was studying neuro-psychology has given up his course. He doesn't think he will finish it. He just wants to travel a lot more.
5 people like this
galaxy
@galaxy2017 (179)
•
29 Nov 17
wow, so many peoples like free, including me!
2 people like this
Arthur Chappell
@arthurchappell (45002)
• Preston, England
28 Nov 17
sounds like they are living the kind of adventure most of us can only dream of - great that you can hire them for the bus-work there
7 people like this
Arthur Chappell
@arthurchappell (45002)
• Preston, England
28 Nov 17
@JudyEv really handy for you and the backpackers alike
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325818)
• Rockingham, Australia
28 Nov 17
The ones we've hired have all been great workers and lovely people. Sometimes there is a bit of language difficulty so you have to explain things carefully but other than that, it works out well for us all.
7 people like this
Val
@valmnz (17099)
• New Zealand
28 Nov 17
And no doubt they're happy to earn a few dollars making your campervan look all shiny and bright.
7 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325818)
• Rockingham, Australia
28 Nov 17
This is the first work they've had since they arrived so they were pretty pleased. They get pretty much the going rate for backpackers and it's cash in hand. They ended up staying for dinner and we played a board game and did a lot of chatting and laughing. They were very nice young men.
5 people like this
Val
@valmnz (17099)
• New Zealand
28 Nov 17
@JudyEv sounds like a lot of fun was had by all
3 people like this
Cahaya
@cahaya1983 (11121)
• Malaysia
28 Nov 17
Oh, you don't have plans to travel with the motor-home anymore? It looks very nice inside. Good you got them to help with the polishing!
5 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325818)
• Rockingham, Australia
28 Nov 17
It is quite hard work and it is a big bus so it was good to have some help with it. We will be doing some more travelling but with a car and caravan.
4 people like this
Angie
@andriaperry (116860)
• Anniston, Alabama
28 Nov 17
I would love that bus! I want one to travel in and Plan to hunt for one around here.
5 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325818)
• Rockingham, Australia
28 Nov 17
It's a bit tricky to park sometimes. We have a caravan now which means we can leave it parked up somewhere and go off exploring in the 4WD. You can't do that with a bus.
4 people like this
Rhonda S.
@misunderstood_zombie (8142)
• United States
28 Nov 17
I knew Europe has a lot of people who back across the countries, but I didn't know Australia was the same. Now, you and your husband will always be part of their memories on their great backpack adventure in Australia. Your RV looks really good.
5 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325818)
• Rockingham, Australia
28 Nov 17
Our town has up to about 400 backpackers at the height of the season. They work in the orchards, market gardens and vineyards.
4 people like this
simplyme
@m_audrey6788 (58485)
• Germany
28 Nov 17
Yes it`s great taking off with a nice Van with comfortable things inside
3 people like this
simplyme
@m_audrey6788 (58485)
• Germany
28 Nov 17
@JudyEv Yes and enjoying the view
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325818)
• Rockingham, Australia
28 Nov 17
It is like travelling within your own house.
2 people like this
Judy Story
@jstory07 (134465)
• Roseburg, Oregon
28 Nov 17
I hope that bus will look good when it is all done,
4 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325818)
• Rockingham, Australia
28 Nov 17
It does look a lot better for its cut and polish. Vince has touched up a bit of the paintwork as well.
2 people like this
Anna
@LadyDuck (458233)
• Switzerland
28 Nov 17
Visiting the other sides of the world is very important to have an open minded attitude. You notice people who never went out from their little village.
4 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325818)
• Rockingham, Australia
28 Nov 17
Most of the young folk we've met have been very confident.
3 people like this
Fleur
@Fleura (29128)
• United Kingdom
28 Nov 17
Glad you found some helpers and yes, it's great that they have that opportunity. I am trying to figure out how to fit that kind of thing in again for all of us!
3 people like this
Fleur
@Fleura (29128)
• United Kingdom
28 Nov 17
@JudyEv Yes, travelling as a family. I'm not too worried about fitting in time to wash vehicles ; )
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325818)
• Rockingham, Australia
29 Nov 17
@Fleura I'm sure it's a great education for children too, as well as being fun.
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325818)
• Rockingham, Australia
28 Nov 17
Do you mean travelling?
2 people like this
Morley Hunt
@Morleyhunt (21737)
• Canada
28 Nov 17
The opportunities are there. We just need to reach out and grab them. One of my brothers dared a girl from Australia who was working her way around the world. She and a friend would settle somewhere for a couple of months...earn a few dollars and continue their journey. I seem to have waited a little longer for my big adventure...and it isn't quite that adventurous.
4 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325818)
• Rockingham, Australia
28 Nov 17
I was going to say that I don't think it was quite so easy when we were young but perhaps it was. But there were no mobile phones for emergencies and not such easy access to banks perhaps if you ran short.
2 people like this
John Roberts
@JohnRoberts (109857)
• Los Angeles, California
28 Nov 17
The interior looks very roomy.
4 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325818)
• Rockingham, Australia
28 Nov 17
It is roomy - much better than a caravan but the drawback is that it can be hard to park and there are some roads and attractions where it is just too big to take.
3 people like this
Tokz
@ilocosboy (45157)
• Philippines
28 Nov 17
Is this the interior of the bus, wow this is really amazing
4 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325818)
• Rockingham, Australia
28 Nov 17
Yes, that's the interior. There is a bedroom past the curtain.
6 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325818)
• Rockingham, Australia
28 Nov 17
@ilocosboy We did it together. It was a regular bus when we bought it.
3 people like this
Tokz
@ilocosboy (45157)
• Philippines
28 Nov 17
your husband made this, wow it is really beautiful.
4 people like this
Darcy Nemo
@YrNemo (20261)
•
28 Nov 17
Wow, those two might even be our Topffer's relatives! (Did you manage to practice French with them?)
3 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325818)
• Rockingham, Australia
28 Nov 17
No but they'll possibly come out again one day and if they do, I'm going to get them to check my accent.
3 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325818)
• Rockingham, Australia
29 Nov 17
@YrNemo No, I was too shy and couldn't think of anything to say in French.
2 people like this
Darcy Nemo
@YrNemo (20261)
•
28 Nov 17
@JudyEv You didn't ask our Topffer to do the checking for you last time you were in France?
3 people like this
Fishmomma
@Fishmomma (11377)
• United States
28 Nov 17
I enjoyed my time traveling in a tent many years ago. You meet many people and learn about other parts of the country.
3 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325818)
• Rockingham, Australia
28 Nov 17
That would have been fun. I think it helps 'round out' a person and opens up their eyes and minds to how people, countries and cultures can differ from the ones they know best.
2 people like this
snowy
@snowy22315 (170005)
• United States
28 Nov 17
Yes, that is very neat..
3 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325818)
• Rockingham, Australia
29 Nov 17
It is a great way to travel.
2 people like this
hereandthere
@hereandthere (45651)
• Philippines
28 Nov 17
two very smart brothers! i guess you conversed in a mix of french and english.
3 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325818)
• Rockingham, Australia
28 Nov 17
We stuck to English as their English was very good - much better than my limited French.
3 people like this
Lenore Plassman
@sallypup (57899)
• Centralia, Washington
29 Nov 17
That sure is a pretty camper. Makes me want to come visit you and stay awhile!
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325818)
• Rockingham, Australia
29 Nov 17
You would always be welcome. And if the bus sells, we still have room in the house.
2 people like this
Lenore Plassman
@sallypup (57899)
• Centralia, Washington
29 Nov 17
@JudyEv Thank you. You are so nice.
2 people like this
James Higgins
@JamesHxstatic (29242)
• Eugene, Oregon
28 Nov 17
It is wonderful and good that you all found each other as well.
3 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325818)
• Rockingham, Australia
28 Nov 17
They were nice lads, polite and hard-working. We've had a few out now to help in various ways and they've all been good.
2 people like this
Kandase
@Kandae11 (53679)
•
28 Nov 17
I love the inside of the bus.
3 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325818)
• Rockingham, Australia
29 Nov 17
It's very convenient but just a bit hard to park sometimes. It is also a big vehicle and we're getting older all the time so we're 'down-sized' to a car and caravan.
1 person likes this