Paying forward in Paynesville
Before starting my Workaway I had decided to spoil myself with a few days off and connecting with the locals of Paynesville. Luckily I found a couchsurfing spot again! My host, had generously offered to pick me up from the train station in Bairnsdale.
Due to the political situation between the US and Iran, and the therefore threatening upcoming fuel shortage, the State of Victoria had decided that public transport would be free during the whole month of April and May! Good for me…. and for the environment, as people now started to consider leaving their car parked at home. So off I went…
I very much enjoyed my train trip while the wonderful scenery was passing by. In Bairnsdale the cutest little Oldtimer Mini was waiting for me together with its owner, Dave, with the most welcoming smile. This time my couchsurfing experience would go beyond …. This time it would become about truly sharing our travel stories from the past, while making new memories to last forever.
Dave flew, back in the seventies, to Germany to buy a motorbike and travelled all the way home to Australia with his girlfriend. Passing countries such as Iran, Afganistan and more. That’s when he learned about the generosity of locals who invited them in for the night and a meal on various occasions. Long before Couchsurfing even existed. Once he had doubts about how he could ever “pay that back”…. his host told him…. “You don’t have to pay me back, you pay it forward!” And that’s what he does, in the most impressive way, ever since.
Oldtimer time
After the usual small talk, Dave took me on the way home in his Oldtimer Mini to see some sights. Eagle point a stunning viewpoint, a river with huge pelicans and I even saw two emu’s. We enjoyed a wonderful evening chatting along, while making plans for the next day. He would take me early in the morning for coffee with his friends and afterwards we would check on some other MINI’s before heading to Dargo. I was impressed…. at least I thought so. Little did I know!
The next day came. Morning coffee was great… I felt very welcomed by the local community! Lovely men and even more handsome dogs! Back home, we had breakfast and then got into another car. This time it was not the MINI (1965) but a Triumph TR3 (1959). Oh goodness me…. I was totally smitten! Shining in a bright lipstick red equipped with the most elegant leather seats and the cutest little mirror… I instantly felt like a movie star, only totally underdressed for the occassion!
Dargo
Meeting more of his friends in Bairnsdale, while working on their MINI’s was great. The roadtrip to Dargo was heaven! Lifting up my head, watching the leaves of the immense trees, spotting a wallaby, a wombat and some kind of reptile which name I am unfamilair with, while listening to the sound of wind and the birds…. I cannot find words to describe the feeling!
Dargo turned out to be a wonderful town in the middle of everywhere. We enjoyed a lovely lunch at the pub and wandered around to the river. Dave was such a gentleman, and I felt very well looked after.
Buchan Caves
Weeks later it turned out to be his birthday. I really wanted to “pay forward”, as the chances are very little that I will ever be able to invite him back to my place whereever that might be in the future. Happiness grows by giving without expecting anything in return. So a “happy-birthday-date” was born. I baked a chocolate-whole oat cake, some home-made sourdough bread stuffed with figs from the garden and bought goodies for a picnic.
Dave was in charge of the drinks. He had also bought some fresh strawberries and a choco-dip. Meanwhile I went to buy the tickets for the Buchan Caves, he wanted to set up the picnic himself. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I returned. He had spread out the most colourful plaid, three cusions with the most wonderful pattern I have ever seen were sitting on top of it. But what blow me away, was the red carpet leading from my side of the car to this amazing spot.
“Oh….” I couldn’t bring out more! Dave looked back at me, with his kind generous smile.“I wanted you to be able to get barefoot from to car to the table” he mentioned.“I am so impressed!” was all I could say. Once I got myself together, I started setting the table, we had insence sticks all this lovely food and the best day ever. I am so grateful, when magical moments like this happens.
The Royal cave was absolutely worth visiting. There’s a Fairy cave too, but we didn’t go into that one. Lots of hiking and cycling possibilities around. On the way home we stopped at Lakes Entrance and enjoyed the sunset at Metung. Bonding for life here!
A couple of days later I would find myself visiting Lakes Entrance again. This time for a wonderful long walk along the beach with Liz. Another amazing woman from Paynesville who I met through Kirsten. Sharing a lovely walk, enjoying the view over the Entrance while having a little picnic (again…), meeting new people and finishing the day with a delicious lunch. Travel-soulmates that’s for sure!
Paynesville as well as the Raymond Island community is a place where I truly feel at “HOME”.
Kindness can surely be found everywhere around the world!
