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Laura + Erin
Feels like home, tea and all (except Erin makes better food then I do.) Perhaps surprising to you all, the week on the farm has been one of the best weeks I can remember in a long time. Don't worry, I'm not dropping out and moving to a commune, but the thought definatlely crossed my mind more than once.
Picture this: I arrived soaking wet after getting completely lost on my way to the farm. I had planned to arrive before dark, but by six-thirty, I was an hour late, and it was pitch black. Down some dirt country road, I flagged down a truck to ask directions. Five minutes chatting outside my car and it started to pour. The truck driver had no idea where I was going either, so I got back into my car and just started to drive because I felt like I might cry otherwise. To make matters worse, I was running low on gas, another thing I keep forgetting due to the fact that my bicycle runs just fine without it! On top of that, I only had five minutes of time on my cell phone and had already left two messages at the farm. I've been known to exhibit great planning on many occasions, this
Slacking off
Here's me, slacking off when I should be cleaning the stables... not being one of them. The beginning of very bad horror films are starting to run through my mind.
Thankfully I found a gas station before the part where the guy with the axe shows up in the backsear, and just as I pulled in, the farm called me back! I don't think I sounded too cool on the phone because they told me just to put; they'd come and pick me up. (Really smooth beginnings! They must think I'm incompetent.)
Honestly, when I pulled into the driveway it felt like I was coming home! The woman taking care of the farm (whose name also happens to be Erin), was incredibly hospitable. Although, with horror films still in mind, this was also a bit eerie. I soon forgot all scary things because dinner smelt so good. I was so hungry it wouldn't have matter what I ate, but the dinner prepared was incredible. There was fresh trout caught from the river, salad garnished with edible flowers and new potatoes from the garden, home made goat cheese, accompanied by a light Pinot Noir from the region. Oh, and homemade baclava for dessert. After eating a steady diet
Making dinner
85% of our food came from within a 50km radius. The neighbours had milk (jersey milk!) and cheese, we had veggies, fish from the river... of PB+banana sandwiches for a week, I thought this was the best thing that could have happened to me.
I wasn't so sure how much I would remember about horses, but these horses were sweet tempered (and smaller then I remember horses to be as a twelve year old). Grooming them most mornings was no problem, although sometimes doing their hoofs made me a bit nervous. One horse, Sage, could be a bit spiteful if she smelt fear, something I've never been great at hiding. She tried to nip me once and she was more stubborn then I was, so often won our arguements. Other than that, walking them was a pleasure. All my clothes smelt of horses, but they don't mind, I'll just have to wash things for returning to the city.
Martin, I owe you a million times over for getting me to do this, it has been incredible. I wish I could stay longer. I'd get nice and chubby for the ski season!
Instead of fattening up on the farm, the other girl who was working there, Laura, and I have decided to go on a three day hiking trek to
Afternoon off
On an afternoon off, Laura and I went to see some pretty sweet waterfalls. Stuart Island! I'm not really prepared because I didn't bring camping gear, but what-the-heck. I just hope it doesn't rain. I'll try to remember my girl-scouts fire-making skills, although, I don't think I graduated past the "share-and-be-a-friend" stage. It's a good thing Laura has done this before, because I might otherwise be eating dry soup mix!
The plan is to drive to Bluff and take the ferry to Stuart Island. Once there, we start off on our three day hike across the island! So, you ask, what do I know about camping and treking? I'm not sure either. Hopefully I'll remember soon enough.
Again, there's likely not going to be any internet in the bush. So, this is just a quick hello and good-bye from a city stop in Invacargill to get some food. (I bought some chocolate bars in case I can't get a fire going). Wish me luck bush-wacking, I'll update you in three-four days when I hopefully return from the island! Cross your fingers it doesn't rain on us.
xoxo
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