When we started volunteering for Helpx stays a couple of years ago we knew we would get to see new and different parts of the world, and we knew we would get to learn a few new skills working in these new locations. What we never ever imagined was that we would get to meet and become friends with so many wonderful people.
Let me quantify that a little, perhaps we realised that we might get to know our Helpx hosts as we worked with and for them but we didn’t appreciate that there would be other helpers staying at some of these places. This has been especially true in Scotland where our annual summer stays in Pitlochry and Aberfeldy have enabled us to meet so many travellers.
Now you may think that ‘Kosta and Jazz’ is some sort of new cheese-based pasta dish. Or it could be a new-wave acoustic guitar duo from New Jersey. Or maybe even a crazy new Starbucks offering involving caffeine and muffins. You would be wrong on all counts. ‘Kosta and Jazz’ are a young Australian couple from Melbourne that happened to be working in Scotland at the same time as us.
When you’re thrown together with other couples you can never be sure if you’ll click and get along let alone become friends. Throw in the huge age difference of well over 35 years and it could be even more complicated. But from the moment we met we really liked them and I think they generally thought that we were ‘okay’.
Kosta’s family are from Crete hence the Greek name so he isn’t your normal Aussie guy, and Jazz comes from Frankston near Melbourne which we know well from our visit there. From sharing a lodge for a few nights to working alongside each other, we spent a lot of time in their company. And it was great.
Ben Vrackie and the Moulin
With the unreliable Scottish weather this year we had to make the most of the good days so decided to take our young Aussie friends up to Pitlochry’s biggest mountain, Ben Vrackie. A beautiful afternoon for a walk even if it was a little breezy and we made it up to the lake at the foot of the final climb. The views were incredible and it gave us a real feel for the size of the Cairngorms. Absolutely stunning.
Coffee and a Cathedral in Dunkeld
Another afternoon saw us all leap in the Fiat and head south down the A9 to the little town of Dunkeld. Another coffee stop in a tiny little cafe where Jazz once again confused everyone with her non-coffee, non-specific, not-entirely-sure drink order. Funny to watch but probably very annoying for Jazz never to get her weird-sounding drink!
Blair Atholl and the Watermill
We had decided early on that we would all go along to the Highland Gathering at Blair Atholl on the final Sunday of their stay as it would be great for them to experience some real traditional Scottish Highland Games and see what all the fuss was about. We’d tried to explain what ‘tossing the caber‘ was but I think it’s something you just have to see for yourself isn’t it?
Unfortunately the weather wouldn’t have it and the rain was torrential on the Sunday morning. Gutted, we went to Blair Atholl anyway but headed for the beautiful Watermill cafe instead. Three of Kostas friends who happened to be in Scotland met us there for a coffee and a chat before the five of them eventually braved the weather and went to the Gathering. Jo and I gave it a miss as we’d seen it last year in much better weather (Atholl Highland Gathering).
Coffee and Annies in Pitlochry
Our final trip out with the Grozzies (Greek and Aussies. Grozzies? Does that work?) was into Pitlochry for a relaxing coffee stop, a bit of a wander around the shops, some jewellery shopping in our neighbour Annies shop, and a slow river walk. Loads of laughs, lots of mickey-taking, and memories to last a lifetime.
A Greek Tragedy
Here’s an incredible story. As you now know, Kosta is of Greek descent although he was born in Australia and lives in Australia. Greece however has a strange law regarding national military service whereby they consider anyone with Greek heritage or parentage to be Greek and thus liable to be called up. Kosta was planning on visiting relatives in Crete in June and needed proof of Australian residence otherwise he would be detained at the border and forced to serve 2 years national service. Crazy huh?
To get this residence form he needed to get the train to Edinburgh, walk to a private residence, get the Greek Embassy lady who lived there to verify his passport, and fax the form to his Mum in Melbourne to deliver to the Greek embassy there. So complicated and a real worry but after a long day he got it sorted. Much relief all round.
Travel and New Friends
Once again we’d met some wonderful people from the other side of the world and made some fabulous friends. This really was something we had never ever envisaged when we first set out over four years ago. So it was with heavy hearts that we dropped Kosta and Jazz at Pitlochry station as they set off for the next stage of their European tour. Hopefully we’ll all keep in touch and get together again in the future.
10/05 – 26/05/2019
This all sounds awesome Jonno. What kind of volunteer work were you all doing with Helpx? It sounds like you certainly made the most of your days off! 😀
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We helped turn around holiday lodges and a country house, cleaning and gardening for around 4-5 hours a day. Good system I think and works so well for both sides.
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That is a good system! So in return you get free board and lodgings? 😀
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Yes that’s the idea. In theory it’s 4-5 hours for 5 days a week for bed and board. Different hosts obviously work this different ways and you need to check the hours etc before you go but it’s a great way of travelling. Plus you meet lots of new people and get to try a few new things.
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I think it’s inevitable that kindred spirits with a love of travel will become good friends. I hope you all stay in touch.
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It’s great especially when age and culture don’t seem to be an issue either. We’ll try and keep in touch, much easier with social media and blogging.
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Wow! I am glad to know about the work thing there. I just got back from Scotland and Ireland and kind of want to go again. Maybe I can look into that. I had a cleaning business so could definitely help in cleaning rooms. Such a fun part of travel is making new friends isn’t it?? This post reminds me to get working on my blog that is way behind as usual. Ha ha. …
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It’s the best way to meet new people and make new friends, as is blogging of course.
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It’s certainly a great way to make new friends from across the world. Scotland always seems to draw you back and I can understand why!
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We don’t seem to be able to stay away, when the weathers good there aren’t many places that can compare with it.
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Absolutely agree there Jonno!
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It’s brilliant how your style of travelling brings such random people together in the most random of places. Obviously it helps when you get on with those people.
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Its one of the benefits of our travelling life that we never really considered when we set off all those years ago.
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How wonderful meeting fellow Aussies there are Melbournians too 😉
Grozzies…. now that’s a first, Lol . 🙂
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Not sure how they’d feel about being called Grozzies though …………………
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I know right!
Happy Sunday guys 😊
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Grozzies is probably better than Auks! Looks as though you had a great time.
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Brilliant time and great to make new friends. Not sure they’d like the Grozzy tag but you’re right, so much better than Auks.
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Lovely young couple – i’m glad to hear he was able to jump through the convoluted hoops and avoid conscription.
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It was a little stressful for a few days with phone calls all over the world and worries about what might happen. Strange system they have.
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Yes Jon, it is definitely a great way to make lifelong friends of all ages and nationalities. As an ex workawayer, I can vouch for this. These friendships you never forget. It’s great to see you all get along so well😊
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I guess all being on the same boat and having similar experiences pulls you together. Age never seems to be an issue although Jo does say I’m a big kid sometimes!
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I lo Ed reading your comments about your helpx lifestyle. I bet it keeps you fit. I’m curious as Jazz’s non-coffee drink?
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It keeps us very fit but can be tough sometimes. Jazz was always after a Chai Tea Latte whatever that happened to be! Too much for me, I’m a black coffee guy plain and simple.
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Another great blog 🙂 Glad that you’re still enjoying meeting new people whilst travelling around! The story about the trip to Edinburgh is pretty crazy,,, and I remember some of the RAIN we encountered in Scotland last September!!
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It’s probably the best thing about travelling to be honest. We love meeting all sorts of people.
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