Whangarei Heads - New Zealand
Trip Start
Apr 15, 2008
1
40
59
Trip End
Apr 01, 2010
Whangarei,
North Island,
New Zealand
Friday, November 7, 2008
We spent our second week in New Zealand working on a farm as part of a programme called FHiNZ, (Farm Help in New Zealand). This is a great way to see the country on a budget! It is designed for visitors of any age, who want to help in exchange for a room and meals. The idea is for visitors to be treated as one of the family and to experience the real Kiwi farming way of life. It costs £10 to become a member; you get supplied with a list of farms which you can then contact to see if they would like any help.
Our first farm was located in a beautiful position on top of a hill looking out across the Whangarei Heads with the shimmering waters of the Pacific Ocean on the horizon. Our hosts were Ada & Evan, who instantly made us feel at home. We now know much more about life on the farm and have been able to contribute for at least a week in making their lives just a little bit easier! The tasks have been varied, herding sheep, whacking thistles, carpentry, landscaping the garden, housework and of course cooking some meals too. All tasks have been really enjoyable, I know what you're all thinking, it's about time those two did a bit of work!!
There are some great surfing beaches in the area. The water at Ocean Beach looks very inviting but take it from me, at this time of the year (Spring), it is freezing! We must be soft Pom's as the Kiwi's were out there surfing regardless of the water temperature! Whilst at the beach we were treated to a "swim by", by a pod of dolphins which really made our day, even better was the fact that for once we had our binoculars with us so we got a really close up view of them, eight beautiful creatures.
Whilst out this way we met up with Tim, one of our friend's sons. We have known Tim since he was a wee baby! Tim has been out here for 3 years now and really seems to be enjoying the Kiwi life. (Mandy you should be really proud of your son, we went back for a cup of tea, and his house was immaculate, I only hope Luke and Jack have the same standards whilst we are away, we live in hope!!) Anyway we enjoyed a nice ½ Litre of beer! or a handle as they refer to it in these parts, at the Dickens Pub, then went for a delicious Thai meal. It was good to see Tim again, it had been a few years, we thought by now he'd have a Kiwi accent but no he's still very much a North Bucks lad! He did invite us to celebrate Bonfire Night with him and his English friends, but unfortunately we have to drive four hours south for our next farm stay, I tell you it's all go!
