IN 2020, we'd met a couple in a Troopy at the Pink Lakes in north eastern Victoria. They were young, just over their mid 20's, and starting a big trip at the time the world was shut down. Uncertain of taking 4WD tracks themselves, they were keen to come along with us, having admiration for our 50 year old Landrover. We had a great time with them - though they were half our age, we all got along really well. Cue two years later, and Raynor and his best mate Jack were on their way back from Western Australia and thought they'd call in and see us. Three days later, they are still here - currently cooking lunch in my kitchen, after collecting eggs from my chooks.

Jack's car had to be towed here from an hour away, and he's awaiting a coil to arrive so that he can get it on the road again, so they asked if they could hang about til then. Of course they could - at the risk of sounding like an old person, they are lovely young men - polite, curious, kind. They've asked me about mushrooms, herbs, surfing, chickens, sucking information from me like a sponge, fascinated. With Jamie they've talked endless mechanics. WE've talking about travel, religion, mosquitos, cooking, covid, and everything in between. They're a joy to have around.

On Saturday we took them to Erskine Falls out the back of Lorne to show them the waterfall, a real attraction around here. We drove some bush tracks and then they shouted us a pie and coffee at Dean's Marsh - mine was lentil and vegetable, theirs beef. They're big meat eaters but also are fascinated by the veggie meals I've made them which is sweet.

We spent a lot of time on the Sunday drinking beers and shooting arrows - seems like a good combination, right? The sunshine is out in full force and it felt like a proper holiday sitting in the shade of the trees having a laugh with friends. Sometimes I forgot I was old enough to be their Mum. It's quite strange, isnt' it, to have young people to seek you out. They seem to like our stories and find us excellent value. I'm worried I'm going to run out of fun facts and things to say.

This morning I got up early and went for a solo surf. I find it hard being around poeple so much - I get a little hypersensitive and wired. It was nice to wash that all away and come home and find them still here. They were wandering around my garden with beers misidentifying all my plants which was hilarious, like two uninformed garden gnomes. I walked them around and fed them plants - horseradish leaves, gotu kola, mint, garlic scapes, broad beans, which they greatly enjoyed.

They even keenly watched Jamie working on a gearbox.

Now they're keen to housesit for us in January. They'd be perfect houseguests and love our place so much. They're constantly grinning in wonder, thrilled with the chickens, killing themselves laughing as they feed them spaghetti or watch them run across the yard. They've tidied the kitchen immaculately, brought in the washing, and took time lapses of the daises opening on the grass.

It'll be very quiet around here when they go tomorrow, but I think I'll also heave a sigh of relief. I do love my own space too, though it's been unexpected fun to have such guests arrive.

With Love,

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