Farming rural Fairlie - Mar/Apr 2022

 

We got picked up from Twizel by the homeowner where we were to sit for the next 10 days.  Leaving our van behind was a sad thing but we were keen to get on with the job in hand.  We were to take care of three house dogs, five farm dogs, two puppies, a cat, a horse, a donkey, some goats, cows and sheep.  There was not much for us to do on the farm but lots of dog walking and cuddles were to be expected.

Sammy

Uncle Arthur

This little cutie, Smudge, soon became a firm favourite, monopolising someone's lap each evening.

These two gorgeous pups were both going to their forever homes during our sit.  

Boo Boo and Friday

Molly and Ben teaching the pups to play

Three-legged (tripod) Blue teaching the pups about puddles

We soon settled into a daily routine of running the house dogs, or potlickers as they were referred to by their owners, and farm dogs twice daily on the farm.  This was an absolute pleasure.  All the dogs were exceptionally well behaved and well socialised.

Introducing the puppy to water

Only one pup left

Farm dog, Tim

Farm dogs chilling in the swim hole

Farm dog, Tess

During this time the homeowners were kind enough to offer us the use of their farm cottage upon their return from holiday so that we could attempt to get our van going again.  We set the wheels in motion to have our van transported from Twizel to Fairlie where we had pinned down a mechanic who thought he could fix it.  By now we knew the problem was to do with the valves and James had been able to purchase all the parts necessary for the fix.

This became a nerve wracking waiting game.  When will the mechanic get started on the van.  Have we bought the right parts?  Is it even going to be fixable?????

Meanwhile there was plenty to do on the farm and plenty of fun company to be had.

Chillin' with the kids

It was sad to see the pups go, although a joy to know that they were going to perfect homes.

Last snuggles together

Last snuggles with surrogate Dad

It was during this time that we also found some fabulous fungus that found it's way onto our plates.

A circle of field mushrooms

Giant Puffball

Soon enough it came time to move into the farm cottage.  In exchange for the roof over our heads we committed to a couple of hours garden/farm/painting/handyman work each day.  We also had plenty of time to stalk and watch the many fallow deer on the surrounding land.

Gorgeous stags in full armour

And these weren't the only wildlife spotted ..............

A big fat wallaby

The hunter's hut up the top of the farm

When the family returned from their holiday they got a new puppy, Maple, who slotted in to the family like she had always been there!  The other dogs accepted her into the pack so beautifully.

Maple and Ben

Maple and Blue

Maple learning to chill

Maple learning about the farm

Maple learning about cats!

We finally got news that the van was fixed and ready to be collected.  This 10 day farm sit had turned into a one month adventure.  We were super grateful to the family for their hospitality and welcoming us into their fold.  We loved all the animals so much it was kinda hard to leave.  But leave, we finally did!

First night back on the road

Hi ho hi ho, it''s back to Twizel we go! - Feb 2022

 

We had some time before our next farm sit was to start so we headed back to Twizel.  The fishing is great and it is a great place for freedom camping.

Early on, we were joined for a night by Clare's sister-in-law and partner who were on their own road trip from Dunedin.  It was a pleasure to be able to introduce them to one of our favourite camping spots in the area at Lake Poaka.

For the next couple of weeks we got stuck into our fishing and were not disappointed!

Just some of the salmon we caught

We once again sent a heap of salmon off to our favourite guy at Rata Smokehouse who processed and packed for us to share with friends near and far.

Enjoying the fruits of our labour

We also enjoyed some of our other favourite wild food that we found growning among the pines, the yellow bolete.

Once the start date of our farm sit was confirmed and we were getting ready to leave we had a catastrophic mechanical failure with the van.  The mechanics in Twizel told us they couldn't fix it and we embarked on the most complicated and convoluted start to any sit we have ever had.  The first problem being what to do with the van whilst we fulfilled our commitment to the sit?  Fortunately, the people we sat for in Twizel the last time we were here came to our rescue, offering for us to park the van at their home till we could find a way of rescuing it.  It was such a pleasure to see the pup again

Bailey learning to be a van pup

The sun going down on our time in the van - literally