western australia

Once again, we call on some help from backpackers

@JudyEv (340278)

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 (58582)

• 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

@JudyEv (340278)

• 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

@galaxy2017 (179)

•

29 Nov 17

wow, so many peoples like free, including me!

2 people like this

Arthur Chappell

@arthurchappell (44998)

• 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

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Arthur Chappell

@arthurchappell (44998)

• Preston, England

28 Nov 17

@JudyEv really handy for you and the backpackers alike

2 people like this

@JudyEv (340278)

• 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

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@valmnz (17097)

• 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

@JudyEv (340278)

• 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

@valmnz (17097)

• New Zealand

28 Nov 17

@JudyEv sounds like a lot of fun was had by all

3 people like this

@cahaya1983 (11116)

• 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

@JudyEv (340278)

• 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

@andriaperry (116936)

• 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

@JudyEv (340278)

• 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

@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

@JudyEv (340278)

• 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

@m_audrey6788 (58472)

• Germany

28 Nov 17

Yes it`s great taking off with a nice Van with comfortable things inside

3 people like this

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@m_audrey6788 (58472)

• Germany

28 Nov 17

@JudyEv Yes and enjoying the view

2 people like this

@JudyEv (340278)

• Rockingham, Australia

28 Nov 17

It is like travelling within your own house.

2 people like this

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@jstory07 (139725)

• Roseburg, Oregon

28 Nov 17

I hope that bus will look good when it is all done,

4 people like this

@JudyEv (340278)

• 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

@LadyDuck (471498)

• 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

@JudyEv (340278)

• Rockingham, Australia

28 Nov 17

Most of the young folk we've met have been very confident.

3 people like this

@Fleura (30409)

• 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

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@Fleura (30409)

• 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

@JudyEv (340278)

• 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

@JudyEv (340278)

• Rockingham, Australia

28 Nov 17

Do you mean travelling?

2 people like this

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@Morleyhunt (21744)

• 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

@JudyEv (340278)

• 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

@JohnRoberts (109846)

• Los Angeles, California

28 Nov 17

The interior looks very roomy.

4 people like this

@JudyEv (340278)

• 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

@ilocosboy (45156)

• Philippines

28 Nov 17

Is this the interior of the bus, wow this is really amazing

4 people like this

@JudyEv (340278)

• Rockingham, Australia

28 Nov 17

Yes, that's the interior. There is a bedroom past the curtain.

6 people like this

@JudyEv (340278)

• Rockingham, Australia

28 Nov 17

@ilocosboy We did it together. It was a regular bus when we bought it.

3 people like this

@ilocosboy (45156)

• Philippines

28 Nov 17

your husband made this, wow it is really beautiful.

4 people like this

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@YrNemo (20255)

•

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

@JudyEv (340278)

• 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

@JudyEv (340278)

• 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

@YrNemo (20255)

•

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

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@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

@JudyEv (340278)

• 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

@snowy22315 (180909)

• United States

28 Nov 17

Yes, that is very neat..

3 people like this

@JudyEv (340278)

• Rockingham, Australia

29 Nov 17

It is a great way to travel.

2 people like this

@hereandthere (45645)

• Philippines

28 Nov 17

two very smart brothers! i guess you conversed in a mix of french and english.

3 people like this

@JudyEv (340278)

• 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 (61172)

• 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

@JudyEv (340278)

• 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 (61172)

• Centralia, Washington

29 Nov 17

@JudyEv Thank you. You are so nice.

2 people like this

@JamesHxstatic (29413)

• Eugene, Oregon

28 Nov 17

It is wonderful and good that you all found each other as well.

3 people like this

@JudyEv (340278)

• 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

@Kandae11 (55040)

•

28 Nov 17

I love the inside of the bus.

3 people like this

@JudyEv (340278)

• 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