Kerikeri Organic!

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January 31st 2010

Published: January 31st 2010

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KIWIbeeez

the farm store

self service, all the fresh, organic goodies you could dream of

How can I possibly explain our time at Kerikeri Organic? Well, from the moment we arrived, we were surrounded with a feeling of being at home. The overwhelming sense that this was land that was loved, lived on and sustaining to a big, happy family was everywhere; and from the very beginning we knew that we were a part of something good, and that's a good feeling!

The WWOOF cabin on the property which was our home for one week was a simple, hand built structure, and we LOVED it! two bed rooms with curtains instead of doors opened into one large room which held two couches, a fire place, a wooden kitchen table two gas burners, and a modest book shelf- full of books. We had running water, a small shower, a bed and... well, what else is there? Oh, a toilet, there wasn't one of those in there but there was an outhouse out back. A functioning compost toilet, and as usual, we're happy to help... any way we can.

The cabin also came with an absolutely wonderful, loving and joyfully silly german woman who has been a self-proclaimed kiwi for nearly 10 years. While she lived

sunset on the farm

about 10 meters behind us in a sweet little, blue camper, she shared a shower and a kitchen with her, and enjoyed every minute of it.

Each morning we woke up at about 7am, had a coffee and a quick breakfast (usually cereal or toast with marmite), and then headed up the trail, in our work clothes, to meet Marty in the shop. Another cup of coffee was always waiting for us which we all enjoyed together, along with some good laughs, before we headed out to the farm to begin the day's tasks.

It really was back-breaking work, and while i'm sure Joe probably wouldn't be able to agree, it was the most demanding physical labor I have ever done. Never mind, Joe agrees. But it was work we were honestly HAPPY to do. We stayed in the fields hours past our obligatory 4 hours/day, not because we had something to prove, but because we cared about the farm and the people who spent their lives living on it and from it. It was a bond that was surprisingly deep for only having had one week to sprout.

We drove away from Kerikeri Organic with darker

the front porch of our sweet cabin

home sweet home, miss it already

skin, stronger muscles, and some pretty serious blisters. We were so sad to go, but happier than ever that it happened in the first place! And to think, all because we tried our luck at a little farmers market one sunday morning...

The only certain thing ahead of us was a 5 hour road trip to a town we'd never heard of (and didn't know how to pronounce), and to knock on the door of a friend of a friend, who we'd never met. Tune in next week to find out where and who.

THANKS FOR READING ABOUT THE (MIS)-ADVENTURES OF LENNY AND JOE!
much more to come (man are we behind).

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