They say the Bruce Highway is a thing of the past . . . dated, full of potholes, unable to cope with the traffic of the 21st century and pretty much on its last legs.However, in the last 24 hours of the year 2011, Whitsunday motorists witnessed a new historical record for the ageing artery.
Three men on an ancient pilgrimage, wearing costumes from the medieval era, were hitching a ride up north in search of some hands-on work.
Robert Lettner, Dominik Grubinger and Rene Jacobs are journeymen from Eastern Europe, who are skilled in the art of carpentry, are following in the footsteps of their ancestors who have been embarking on similar journeys for some 1000 years.
The journeymen years, which have some similarities to Australian students deferring for a year before commencing university studies, refer to the tradition of setting out on travel for several years. However the journeymen travel after completing their apprenticeship.
The roots of the journeymen tradition date back to pre-medieval times and entice young craftsmen without worldly experience to go out on their own for exactly three years and one day and travel through European towns to find work as proof of their dedication to their chosen field.
These dedicated craftsmen who are two--and-a-half years into their journey after crossing four continents, almost ten countries, a myriad of counties and countless towns and cities, say their seven-day stint in the Whitsundays has been both the most exciting
and frightening of their amazing adventure.
and frightening of their amazing adventure.
"We were caught in that big storm that capsized boats, I have never been so frightened in my whole life," said Robert.
The main aim of the three men’s travels is to find work and while they are hoping to make Cairns by early in the new year, they would welcome any carpentry work along the way.
The journeymen can be contacted via email on rene.jacobs83@gmx.de.
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