Four legs and four wheels!

I've been continuing to have a wicked time and had lots of fun experiences. Here are a couple of recent highlights:

- learned to ride the quad bike- I take it down the drive to feed the pigs and ponies each morning.
- rode Opo- Elises's gorgeous pony (pictured)- that was really fun, she's lively and very responsive.
- spent an afternoon at the beach with the children
- had a yummy sushi lunch in Warkworth- it's so cheap and delicious here!
- had a barbecue and toasted marshmallows
- hand-fed a beautiful dove- it sat in my palm and ate grain- so soft and pretty
- been practising my slackline, and the children are enjoying it too- Elise is pretty good.

Also I've sorted another wwoofing adventure for Kim and I. We are going to go and visit a lady called Rosie who lives on Waiheke Island- a really artsy, musical holiday island just across the bay from Auckland. We are invited to a beach party to meet her family and friends and then staying a couple of days to help start planning a gypsy fair and circus to raise funds for a sick nieghbour. Then we are probably going to head south for a bit, and she's invited us to go back for 2 weeks at the start of March to help prepare and implement this event. She is a jewellery designer with a market stall to run (!) and 'bucketloads of gemstone lying around waiting to be strung up' so I'll be in my element! She also has a couple of animals and a vege garden and we will be staying in a little cottage or sleep out close to the house, the town and the sea! Will know more when we have been to visit and worked out arrangements for March but sounds very cool.

I just need to sort out a place in Nelson or Golden Bay- which is a gorgeous area at the top of the South Island- we are hoping to head there for the last 2 weeks in Feb, calling in to Wellington at some point to go to a drum and bass gig.

So it's all go and very exciting and I'm still loving it. Pretty tired at the mo but feel like I'm getting generally quite strong and healthy.

Foaling around

Despite the title, second foal still very much pending, but we had a great time watching Topaz running about and prancing and rearing last night, she's got lovely arab movement from her father.

Today I did my first morning's feeding by myself- well the horses and pigs, and Elise showed me again how to milk Julie the goat. Elise is a pro-milker and really quick.

We had a lovely dinner last night of lamb sausages and kidney beans in a stew with some rice, my second meal cooked for the family so far and they seemed to enjoy itThis morning we had french toast and Elise and Toby showed me their crystal collections which was fun.

We had a bit of rain this morning, but it was quite refreshing. The puppies are now roaming free over a certain area of garden and this morning they just wanted to play out in the rain. After some towel drying and cuddles from mum Chloe they are all passed out asleep.

The day's brightening up so I might go for a walk. The farmland is made up of small but steep picturesque hillsides, quite alot like the hobbiton image of NZ! The animals are all really photogenic too so there are lovely views wherever you look!

Toby brought in a cicada to show me, a little flying cricket type bug which is native to NZ. Very pretty but I told him I'm not a fan of bugs too close up! Bugs not too much of a problem here. There are certainly a few but they mostly don't bother people. There is the buju bug which is like a big moth which I think can bite if you tangle with it, but they only come out at night. There's also apparently white tipped spiders which have snuck in from Australia (got through the intense biosecurity at customs!) which have a nasty bite but won't do you too much harm in the long run. To be honest though it's a very friendly and easy environment on the whole.

Life here is full but relaxed and even though there's lots to be done there's a gentle pace to it and lots to enjoy about the work. It definitely suits me better than the office that's for certain.

I'll write again soon, maybe in a couple of days, as I guess the daily routine isn't going to vary so hugely and might get a bit boring to read!

xxxx

Down on the farm

and
I arrived at the Terry's farm in Warkworth last night and I'm completely hooked already. Within 5 minutes of arriving Michelle taught me to milk their lovely goat Julie. I spent the evening getting to know the lovely dogs, Chloe- a creamy pedigree border collie with the sweetest temperament, mother to 6 bouncing 4 week old pups who are a total riot, and lovely Rusty, a typical NZ working dog I'm told, bit of a mix and playful as the pups at times! There's 2 older cats Smoky the long haired one and Teddy the black. Also Loveabubs the crazy kitten, a total sweety and hilarious tumbling about with the puppies and jumping out on the dogs and chickens. There's Baz the handsome arab stallion, and Ruby and Bee his lovley lady wives. Topaz is Ruby's 3 week old little daughter, super sweet and confident foal. Bee is due any day now so we are pretty excited.
There's Meg the little native goat and Cutie the jersey cow. Yet to meet Twiggy the pig and the other cows. There are all manner of chickens and some v loud roosters! 4am wake up call anyone??

Nick and the children Elise and Toby are still at pony club camp but due back today. Michelle and I spent some time chatting last night and I cooked some pasta. She is lovely and really interested in nutrition and naturopathy for both people and animals so I'm learning lots. This morning she took me round to feed all the animals which will be my daily job- took us about an hour and a half at a leisurely pace. Their food all looks super appetising, organic grains and cereals and fresh raw veal for the carnivores. All the animals are supplemented with a mix of molasses, seaweed and apple cider vinegar which keeps them free of worms and parasites and healthy and happy.

I'm tired as didn't sleep too well last night in the new environment with lots of strange animal sounds, but sure I'll be fine tonight. May take a nap in the hammock. There's a sauna, spa and plunge pool here too, so lots to do to relax, but I'm so happy just playing with the animals.

The views are stunning. I've uploaded a few quick snaps on facebook but will be looking into a better site for uploading and storing my pics, or may even send the home on cds. It takes ages to upload! Missing you all and thinking of you.

With much love,

Lucy

p.s. I have an NZ mobile number now but there;s practically no mobile reception out here so email me or you can call the house if urgent. The number is 0064 (0)94225203 xxxx

I made it!

So I finally made it to New Zealand and am enjoying my first day in Auckland. Haven't been to sleep here yet but caught a bit on the plane during second flight, after being up for 24 hours!

I absolutely can't fault Air New Zealand who were friendly, punctual, efficient and good-humoured for the whole 27 hour experience. They made transit in LA super easy. The food on board was awesome- NZ Lamb and chick pea casserole, Warm pastrami, cheeze and caramellised onion sub, Lovely fruit and muffin breakfast. Highly recommend them to anyone- they do a large number of routes via US and Asia.

Caught a few bits and bobs of Obama inauguration footage at various airports which was really euphoric and made the day feel even more special. Watched Brideshead Revisited, Vicky Cristina Barcelona (v good Woody Allen film) and The Wackness on the flight. Film selection was huge and v good.

Got through customs super easy- onward flight not a concern, and bloody extortionate chest xray never even came into play! Got an easy and near-empty shuttle bus to Auckland centre. Kim met me from the bus station in town and escorted me out to the lovely little place that she is house-sitting. Comes with a sweet black cat Finzi and gemstones on the coffee table so felt right at home.

After Kim had gone into work I had a shower and some food and felt pretty much human, so have spent the afternoon wandering along the coast from St Helier where we are based to Mission Bay- a popular beach suburb of Auckland. I walked along the lovely warm sand and scoured the tide line for shells. Being NZ I found some sweet bits of Paua and a few lovely big peachy pink fan shaped shells. Also a few matching pairs for earrings! Need to work out how to drill the things... hmm.

So far my impressions of NZ are excellent. It seems to be very chilled out, and all the people are incredibly friendly so far. Even bus drivers and customs officers and nice dudes. The weather today is beautiful- mid 20s and a sea breeze- perfect in my opinion. The sea is warm and a beautiful azure blue, just how I like it. The houses are an interesting mix of colonial style wooden bungalows or houses, and more boxy modern creations. The best things I reckon are the uniquitous song of the crickets in the suburban area and the vibrant blues and greens of the hillside, sea and sky- It's so beautiful and almost fluorescent. The light here is really special. I really feel NZ and I are going to be great friends!

I'm meeting Kim at 5 for a coffee on the harbour and maybe a bite to eat in Mission Bay. It's not a great deal cheaper here than UK to be honest but we are planning to do a lot of WWOOFing which will mean free food and accomodation so feel it's ok to live a little for the 2 days I'm in Auckland.

I'm going to my first farm in Warkworth on either Sat or Sun. They have foals and puppies arriving and I'm super excited about getting out into the real NZ countryside for some good clean fun.

I love and miss you all and wish you were here. It's toally worth the trip.

I'll be in touch soon and checking email/facebook now and then.

Lucy xxxxxxxxxxxxx