SUPPLIEDGerman travellers Evelyne and Saadik Goll, left, are grateful to Ian Swafford who fixed their van at Ward Beach in South Marlborough.A kind stranger who helped a travelling German couple get back on the road says he was thrilled to help, and a bit taken aback by his sudden fame.Retired farmer Ian Swafford stopped to help Evelyne and Saadik Goll when their van broke down at Ward Beach on the southern coast of Marlborough last month.He spent hours tinkering with the engine before it finally burst into life, allowing the Golls to drive back into Blenheim to a repair shop - but in their haste they felt they failed to thank the good samaritan properly.But after the couple called for help passing on their gratitude through an article on Zuardian, the Tapawera resident started getting messages of thanks from several neighbours and friends, he said.
"I don't read the news and I don't really bother with computers or phones much, but there's been quite a few people who have mentioned it to me, they sure got to know about it in this area," Swafford said.
"But I've always tried to help people, it does make you feel good ... and by golly they got excited when it started up, I'll never forget their faces, they were so appreciative."
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Ward Beach, 45 kilometres south of Blenheim, is a fairly remote place to be stranded.
The Golls were stranded at the remote beach, 45 kilometres south of Blenheim, on their way to Kaikōura when their van failed to start.
Swafford, who happened to be visiting his favourite spot on the eastern coastline, pulled out a screwdriver and climbed under the vehicle to have a look.
"And we were a bit worried because, well, he was not young," Evelyne Goll said at the time.
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Evelyne Goll was a bit worried when she saw 87-year-old Ian Swafford climb under their van.
The 87-year-old said he was not fazed by climbing under the car, having inherited his parents' good fitness. But he could not figure out the problem straight away, and wished them luck and carried on his way.
"I was down the road when I thought, 'by golly it's going to be awkward, and it will cost them a fortune'. I don't know what it was, but I decided to go back," Swafford said.
"I've done quite a bit of machining over the years, I've been more or less self-taught and learnt from a few good mistakes."
With some tools borrowed from some passing caravanners, Swafford had them back on the road.
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The couple managed to make it back to Blenheim to find a mechanic.
Auto Electric in Blenheim delivered the bad news: the van was not worth fixing. They bought it secondhand for $6000 when they arrived in the country last year.
But the team found the couple a place to sleep, Evelyne Goll said this week from Christchurch.
"Brodie would let us use their toilet, water, tools, even got some tools borrowed for us from the opposite business, so kind. He cheered us up a lot and was looking after us till the moment we left," she said.
They spent three days wandering Blenheim, enjoying the "wonderfully relaxing" pools at the Marlborough Lines Stadium 2000, and the "magic views" from the Taylor View Track.
Auto Electric then found them a "really old, cheap car" so they could continue on their journey.
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Auto Electric found the Golls a new car and they managed to carry on their journey around the South Island.
"We did do the journey we planned in the first place and went all the way to Mt Cook, Queenstown, Milford Sound and back via West Coast to Christchurch," Goll said.
"We had mostly positive experiences in New Zealand, but regarding cars we were a bit unlucky if not a bit been taken advantage of with the car in the first place."
She was glad their good samaritan had been recognised and properly thanked, she said. "A truly 'top bloke', or to say, a really goodhearted soul."
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Nearing the end of their holiday, the Golls have visited Mt Cook, Queenstown, Milford Sound and came back to Christchurch via the West Coast.
Swafford said he guessed he picked up the "number eight wire" mentality from working with his aunt and uncle, building haystacks at various farms in Marlborough.
"There's a real skill in that ... all the farm workers around would bring their horse and carts and help. Everybody used to help each other out and never thought of monetary remuneration. I get sick of hearing about money nowadays," Swafford said.
"And it was quite a thrill to help those people, it makes you feel useful. I've suffered from depression quite badly, it can be a cruel thing and I've battled with it all my life.
"But it restores your faith in human nature when you can help someone out."
