A river runs through it

Shleepy Time

Wwoof - Thames in the Coromandel What did you do? I helped out on a farm in the Kauaranga Valley; actually it was at the farm of the former co-leader of the Green Party here. I helped out in daily farm activities.

What type of tasks are you talking about? Well I'm glad you asked: I helped herd the sheep so we could tag the lambs as male or female (it was just lambing season), had to catch the lambs so we could tag them, not easy sometimes. Did you know that they have tails when they are born? Most sheep have their tails removed b/c since they are close to their back ends, when they go number 2, it gets the tail dirty and flies will lay their eggs on it (which then leads to maggots, I'm sure you get the picture). So I helped gather the lambs together and the hosts put rubber rings on their tails that slowly make the tail fall off (about a week to 10 days). Don't worry though after a day they don't feel it anymore. This is the least painful alternative to actually slicing them off.

Also helped with the burning of gorse/wooly night shade and rotten wood on the part of the property not certified organic (some of it is, some of it isn't).

Also rode and drove the 'mule' (see below)

Did you do anything else? Some good tramping (hiking) at the back of the farm

And? Spent a day in the Coromandel Forest Park on the Pinnacles Hike! Start point to Pinnacles Hut to Pinnacles themselves, back down and to the Hydro Camp to the Billy Goat Trail back down past Billy Goat Falls, across the river and to the parking lot. Met a couple from Washington D.C. at the hut and went up to the Pinnacles with them. It was quite windy and it even snowed a little!!!!! Great views, good tracks, good times.

What else did you do? A lot of weeding of thistles (introduced from California); Also helped set up for the Saturday Market in the city, feed the cows, shovel manure to help make compost, and stir a biodynamic/organic mix for spraying the grass

Hay there

Chickweed, great for salads

Overall how was it? It was truly a great experience to actually get to work alongside someone fighting for the environment in Parliament yet also see that they are doing everything they preach at home. I learned a lot about an organic lifestyle on the farm and was glad I could help out with many a different task.
Twins!

In b/w headbutts

Siesta

Where are you now? I'm in Hawkes Bay or part of the Wine Country in NZ. Headed toward the Capital, Wellington after that.

Where are you going? More wwoofing in the North Island before I head to the South Island to wwoof; hopefully the snows still good by the time I reach it. Will try and go Bungy Jumping again and also will have to get on at least one of the National Parks for a few good days of tramping as well.

Until next time Planeteers,

Cheers,

Ty

P.S.

When they recommend that you boil the water first before drinking it, you should probably listen