Two nights ago a small campervan pulled in next to us at Burren Junction. Out got a husband and wife, and we all said hello, how are u? They had German accents and could speak english so we told them to bring up a chair we were having "happy hour".
What a fantastic night, they having been sailing in a small yacht for 5 yrs. They had been all round the world. They tied up in Middle Harbour Syd and brought a campervan and now seeing some of the Inland. We all had an enjoyable night, even though it started pouring down. They are now heading over to Bourke, Broken Hill and down the Murray Darling River. Free camping is unknown in Germany. Have to pay everywhere you go. We are certainly the "lucky country" Meet some lovely people in our travels!!
Cheers Val and Rob  

-- Edited by valnrob on Tuesday 9th of November 2010 01:00:21 PM

Always like to meet people from o/s. We have met many, usually young backpackers, and usually in out of the way places. Always nice to get someone from outside Australia's perspective. Embarrassingly, the last young couple we met (at Stanage, QLD), had only one negative comment about Australia, and that was how much rubbish we left lying around.

That was one thing I really noticed when I came back from over-seas in the late
60s'.

Gave me quite a shock when I realised just how much Australians really do rubbish Australia.  Wherever you go in other countries, there are Rubbish Bins placed not too far apart along the Highways,  on the spot fines for littering, and you do notice how much cleaner they are.

We have the [IMHO] best country in the world to live in, and we don't look after it very well at all.

Cheers,
Sheba.



-- Edited by Sheba on Tuesday 9th of November 2010 07:12:34 PM

-- Edited by Sheba on Tuesday 9th of November 2010 07:15:26 PM

Good comments Sheba. If you do see someone "doing" the wrong thing and say somethiing all you get is a load of abuse! Hopefully it will improve.

Terro

It's obvious in SA that the recycling deposit works. The other states have some recycling but no deposits, so there's still mess with plastic, glass and aluminium. Paper is another issue. Kids need to be re-educated to be tidy, and they can teach the adults. Qld is very messy.

You're absolutely right, Granny. We lived in SA before 'going feral', and the first thing we noticed, particularly in WA, was the quantity of empty bottles, cans, etc. along the roadsides. I have never understood why the other states haven't adopted the SA legislation. Since its introduction in 1977, collecting bottles and cans has earned Boy Scouts and schools a LOT of cash. In the city, homeless men and women have 'rounds' - certain areas where they ferret through the rubbish bins and extract all the returnable items, which now include the smaller flavoured milk and juice cartons; at the current rate of 10c each, one can make quite a few dollars with a little effort. Meanwhile, we'll just have to continue picking up at least some of the rubbish wherever we stop. :( Cheers -- Andrea

We travelled all over Europe in the late 60's & early 70's and the things we remember & treasure most were the hospitality and kindness of the many strangers we met. As struggling students, money was tight for us and we appreciated any home cooked meal or sight seeing ride we were offered. We now do the same - I often offer backpackers a meal and if they are staying long enough we take them sightseeing. They especially love 4X4ing along our beautiful coast line. They ghasp when we drive onto some of the beaches. Some have kept in touch (so easy now with the net) and we have offers of accomodation from all over the world. One couple cancelled their last week in Sydney & surrounds just to stay and catch worms & fish. Some days I feel as young and enthusastic as them.