The Travellers’ Good Deed Chain – still going strong?

I can’t remember the names of these two German backpackers, pictured next to Major Oak (Robin Hood’s tree in Sherwood Forest) back in 1987. I had just returned to my home town of Nottingham after two months on the road, and taking these two young ladies to visit the highlights of Nottingham was very important to me, although I had only met them the day before. I was intent on keeping a chain of good deeds going. Let me explain..

Earlier that summer I had been travelling by train through northern Scandinavia. On a journey that crossed the Swedish-Finnish border (they were real borders in those days!) the passengers had been ordered to leave the train while they conducted formalities and checked everyone for drugs etc.

Two friendly young Finnish girls struck up a conversation with me, and we were soon chatting away and sharing our travel stories. They were on their way home after a month of Inter-rail, and this was their last leg.

Once back on the train, they invited me to join them in the restaurant car. I happily accepted, and when I offered to pay my way, then pushed my money away and insisted the meal was on them. Then they told me the story. A while earlier, they had been in Germany and had met a German guy who had been on his way home after his travels. He had taken them for a drink in his home town on his arrival and showed them around the local sights. When they offered him payment he said that he had promised himself that he would help a traveller in his home town, after having received the same kindness himself! So there it was. I was merely the latest in a long chain of kindness. I thanked the girls, and made a mental commitment to ensure I repay the favour when the time came.

Sure enough, I was at the station in London, and as luck would have it I missed my connection to Nottingham by no more than a minute. I had no option but to sit around for an hour till the next train. So I wondered into the cafe and put my rucksack down. Very soon two German girls sat nearby, and I overheard them talking about the train to Nottingham. Remember my promise, I introduced myself, and asked if I could be of any help. As a person born and bred in Nottingham and proud of the city, I was only too happy to offer my advice. We started talking, I paid for our coffees and we boarded the train together.

They wanted to go to Sherwood Forest, but as anyone who has tried to get there without a car knows, it is not the most readily accessible place (maybe better now?). Anyhow, I offered to take them in my dad’s car, and we agreed a plan to meet the next day. I enjoyed showing them the main tourist sites of my home town, and as I prepared to go my own way and leave them to their own plans, I shared the story of the good deeds. And yes, the girls (I can’t remember their names but maybe you are out there and recognise the photo?!) promised to do the same on their return to Germany.

I often wonder if the chain is still going? Have you experienced these acts of kindness from travellers who have returned home? It is 22 years on now, but the old romantic in me hopes that the chain is alive and well. And if you are one of the two Finnish girls, a belated big Thank You!