Trio part of rare brotherhood

Carpenters Marcus Hess (far left) Martin Mikat and Moritz Much, from Germany. Photo / Steven McNicholl

Two German guildsmen wearing corduroy flares and black felt hats woke up on the grass at Auckland International Airport yesterday when it started raining on them.

Martin Mikat, 24, and Moritz Much, 22, were expecting to sleep there again last night - and for the next two nights.

The pair, who have just completed traditional German carpentry apprenticeships, are among just 300 of their kind worldwide.

Yesterday though, they found themselves among the many thousands of New Zealand travellers who have been disrupted by the eruption of the Icelandic volcano which has grounded flights across Europe, affecting millions worldwide.

Mr Mikat and Mr Much were among dozens of tired and frustrated passengers waiting in slow queues yesterday to find out if their flights had been rescheduled.

They wear traditional dress and undertake an apprenticeship that involves worldwide travel which sees them work for board, beer and money over three years and one day.

They met fellow carpenter Marcus Hess, 29, at the airport.

Mr Mikat and Mr Much are 19 months into their travels and Mr Hess, who is from a different guild, or "brotherhood", is two years into his.

Mr Mikat and Mr Much learned to restore bathrooms in New Zealand, timber stairs in Switzerland, houses in Finland and they learned joinery and furniture-making in Tasmania, Australia.

Their scheduled flight to Dubai yesterday was postponed until Thursday.

They are on a waiting list and could be staying even longer but, like dozens of others around them at the airport yesterday, were philosophical about their situation.

"Yesterday we slept outside, I think today we do the same," Mr Much said yesterday.

"It's nice enough. We sleep out very often ... why not? It's dry and warm. [We see] 1000 stars."