Went down to Dover for an early morning spin before too many nutters got in one’s way, about six thirty'ish. Got into town and passed a bike with German plates on, going rather slowly. Rode up Castle Hill and round the back to Langdon Cliffs, now aware a bike was following with its lights flashing. Stopped at the National Trust hut to see what was wrong. Switched off the engine and walked round to see if something was falling off. Took my lid off as did the other rider, and was greeted with "G’Day I'm Australian". He was backpacking through Europe and just landed here with a broken rear brake lever and wanted to find a Triumph agent. Little did I know I was in for the most hilarious two days for years.
Whilst we waited for the clock to be nearer opening time he told me of his journey so far. He had travelled through most of the ex-eastern block countries, Russia, Mongolia etc. He caught a train to Hamburg where he hired the bike. From there he rode down into Italy stopping in Rome. There he had his backpack stolen with tent, camera, phone and travel details. He was left with the bike and what he had on him. Not daunted, he replaced everything he could and continued his tour. He is an ex sheep farmer now into cattle as the wool trade collapsed.
Took him to Ashford Laguna who were greeted in the same way. "G’day, I am from Australia". Luckily they had a lever and fitted it there together with new rear brake pads. David, the Australian, was most impressed with the help he had received, but there the fun started. He had two cards, both Australian, but neither worked on paying the bill. He paid cash and that left him short of readies, but he had a bike with brakes now. Having had his camera and phone stolen, he replaced these in Italy. Neither had instructions, other than in Italian. The phone had to have a sim card in every country he went to. So off we went too Tesco’s to get a new sim. The assistant was greeted in the usual way. David now did not know how to fit the thing.
The card seemed to fit 365 ways and it had a memory card that had to line up with the sim.
Eventually it all started working. He rang his son in Oz to see if there was enough money in the account, which there was. The start up credit was now used up so he put his last ten pounds cash on it. With this he rang his Mom in Oz, that got rid of the ten pounds credit. No cash, no credit on the phone and a sim that did not work! Two Aus bank cards that did not work. Not looking good.
I suggested he have a word with Ann, our local village shop owner. If Ann can sort it all out she will. "G’Day I am from Australia". Ann looked at the first bank card and said "Not surprised, it’s out of date as from today ". Dave had been out of Oz for three months! The other, Ann sorted out to dish out money at a bank cash point. To Dave's delight it did. All this took from nine am to three pm. By this time it was raining hard. The intrepid traveller asked if he could pitch his tent in the garden. I said most certainly not, there is a bed he can kip down on and a shower and washing machine he can use. He wanted to see a bit of England so we went for a ride in the car in the rain and had what he wanted, real English fish and chips.
The following morning we had a quick ride round Romney Marsh where the Oz sheep came from.
Up through Rye, Peasmarsh, back to Tenterden, skirted Ashford, down to Lympne on to Dover and the Ferry.
He was going back to Hamburg to return the bike, catch a train to Frankfurt for his flight home.
One problem. When he lost his first back pack it had all the details of where the shop was in Hamburg. This did not deter David. He remembered he caught a bendy bus to get there. So his logic was, I will tour Hamburg until I find a bendy bus number 257, follow it and all will be well.
Now, I had the great pleasure of his company for forty eight hours. Heard the greeting "G’day I am from Australia" countless times. The lads in Laguna Motors all had smiles when we left. Ann and her customers all had smiles. The Tesco girls had them as well, the waiters in the restaurant all shook hands and said good night with a smile. Now that cannot be bad! I had spent forty eight hours with a disorganised whirl-wind from down under and was sorry to say good bye. He promised to send an email when he gets home, but who knows, he may be riding around Hamburg still. I would not put money on it.
So, you really do meet the nicest people on a bike.
G’day Guys,
Ron Foreman
I want to go faster, I want to go faster..
