Yep, it's been a month and like I predicted I didn't have any time or energy to update my weblog before this. In my last blog I already shortly described the farm. I'll try now to give a more detailed impression of this great experience.
The morning that I drove Marieke to the farm, we were stunned by the view. Driving up to the farm over a gravel road we saw farmland left and right and straight ahead the southern alps covered in white snow. The only word that came in our minds was WOW!
After meeting Dorz, she showed us around and invited us to the party that night. The office manager was leaving so this would give us the opportunity to meet everyone. What great timing for us to arrive on the farm! Trudy took us shopping for our gear and eventhough I hadn't officially said I would stay, they also bought everything for me. Overalls, wet weather gear, gumboots and gloves. This is what I call a warm welcome.
After debating if we should dress-up, we decided not to after all we were on a farm, we drove to the party. There we met everyone. Mike, the big boss, even introduced us in his speech. Seeing as this was the beginning of the busy calving season this would be the last time everyone could get pissed in about 3 months. Thanks to some argentinian liquor Nico had brought back from his home country this target was reached without any problem. Some of the guys even thought they would impress us by showing more of their body that Marieke and I had hoped for ;-). We left the party at 12 because work started at 8. At that time we thought that was early. Now we now better!
The first few days started of slowly. We began at 8 and because it was weekend only the necessary jobs where done so we finished aroud 4. In the morning we fed out hay. Standing on a trailer three bales high we quickly learned the tricks of pushing of the hay efficiently. It was a good morning workout! Most enjoyable where the moments sitting on the bales while driving to the next field taking in the beautiful scenery.
After a few days staying at Craigs place, we moved into our own units. Our own little house with bathroom. Marieke and I each had our own! The kitchen and living where in a separate building. After traveling for 3 months this felt like paradise to me.
Halfway through the first week my unit started milking. My alarm was changed from 7 to 5.30. And later on even 3.50! The girls (cows) are brought in, pushed into the rows and then we cupped them. Seems easy putting one cup on each tit but try doing that when the cow is kicking. How would you feel if someone was trying to put a cold metal thing on your tit! But I learn quickly and it soon became a routine. After milking came hosing down, witch I kind of enjoyed because it meant getting rid of all that cow shit! It's unbelievable how much of a mess these girls make.
After breakfast we had to get the calves, tag the heffers (girls), bobby's (boys) don't need to be tagged seeing as they go on the truck after four days. Now I now what we eat when we're served veal ;-(. The mothers had to be found, most of the times they don't stay with their calve, and put in with milkers. The rest of the day basically consisted of feeding our girls. Putting them on the crops, moving fences, giving them a new break of grass, feeding out supplement foods. All of this while driving a bike, quad or tractor.
I must stay that I probably enjoyed that the most. Being outside all day driving 70 km/h on my bike from one end of the farm to the other. Sun on my face, enjoying the view. Yes that's when I felt really happy.
Marieke and I worked really hard, where tired and complaining about everything to each other. But luckily this just made us laugh because although it was exhausting we had the best time! A few nights in the Hororata local pub, a team building day, dinner at the block with everyone made us really feel part us the team. On our days of we went to Christcurch, spent a lot of time drinking coffee in Methven, Snowboarding on Mt Hutt, shearing sheep. This all made it an experience never to forget!
After Marieke left I spent a few more day on the farm just to relax and figure out what my next move would be. I left for Christcurch after saying goodbye to everyone, but not a definite goodbye because I'll probably be back in summer.
After being part of a small community for 5 weeks and having my own place I found it difficult to get back into the travelmode. The big city made me feel very lonely so I drove to Akaroa on the Banks peninsula. I found a sweet little hostel, met Georgina, Annika and Brian and began to feel more confident again. I did this whole travel thing on my own for 2 months so I can do it again! It just had been a while seeing as I met Martha my third day on the south island, so I hadn't traveled alone for 2,5 months.
After spending 4 days enjoying the sun, reading and doing some short walks I drove to Arthur's Pass to catch up with Tanja. She's working there in a pub and has her own place. It was a big contrast with Akaroa where it felt like summer. Here it was still winter. It rained three days and to me this place is one of the most depressing I have seen in NZ. The only upside was a nice track we did. I reminded me a lot of the Coppland track I did with Martha. Same kind of weather and scenery. Very beautiful! Three nights where enough and a drove to Greymouth. The sun finely decided to show it self and the drive down was very nice.
In Greymouth I made a plan to do some hikes. I wanted to do a 5 day track, the St James walkway, but didn't want to go alone. Reefton seemed like a good place to meet somebody who would possibly also want to do the track. Unfortunately one of the hostels was currently occupied with contractors and they where using the dorm as a game room. The other didn't look nice at all and was empty. No problem I thought, the lonely planet also mensioned a backpackers in Springs Junction with was even closer to the beginning of the track. Just my luck that the lonely planet I have is 3 years old and this backpackers doesn't exist anymore!
My only option was to drive another hour to Hanmer springs! But my luck changed and I found the "le gite" hostel. The minute I walked in I felt so comfortable, just like home. I decided to stay here for a week. Do some day walks, read my books, watch video's. Yes I'm back in the travelmode!
