Today is the first free Monday since starting work in New Zealand in nearly 5 months.
On Saturday Jon, Newton and I drove about 300 kilometers north to Jonti's farm.
Farms in New Zealand aren't exactly what I would call farms. Jonti's family's property is more like... Just a large property, maybe a ranch? Jonti's grandfather bought the land in the 1960s and everyone told him that it was worthless, but it has got to be worth a fortune today! There are cows and sheep grazing on the hills and the family also plants and harvests trees for lumber. They have recently planted a tiny vineyard and some olive trees as well. Anyway, the farm was nothing like what I expected!
Driving up to the top of the farm
A view of the farm from the beach-
You can't really tell, but there are sheep on the hill
Every Labour weekend, Jonti's family and family friends go out to the beach and do some work. They build really cute one room cabins that people can stay in.
We got to help out with some of the farm work!
Collecting rocks for a wall
Planting trees
Newton absolutely LOVED the farm! It was the first time that he got to run around without his leash, it was his first time seeing a beach and his first time going in the water! There were dogs to play with and people to play with and beer to drink! (Newton also stole some gin and tonic from Jonti's uncle.)
Newton loved digging in the sand!
He wasn't so sure about the water, but he went in up to his knees.
Oh no- a sea monster!!
All in all we had a great time at the farm. Jon and I both got a whole bunch of mosquito bites, but it was well worth it! Hopefully we'll get to go back in the summer and see how our trees are doing.
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