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

East Coast escapades and a short farm sit - Jan/Feb 2022

 

Rangitata River Mouth

We had been invited by a friend we met while fishing in Twizel before Christmas to use his bach at the Rangitata Huts sometime.  We had also offered to do some work on the place for him in exchange for use of his hut.  This seemed the perfect time to check it out as we made our way from Dunedin up to our next sit in Ashburton.

What a gorgeous spot!  Right on the beach at a renowned fishing spot!  Someone could not have been happier.  Having completed the work we promised to do there was plenty of time for fishing.  This is a renowed spot for catching salmon and although we didn't catch any, or saw any caught, we were happy enough to catch the plentiful kahawai that frequent the river mouth.

One of the smaller kahawai

We caught quite a few of these beauties and decided to hold an experiment to see if, in future, we could come up with a good way of keeping fish a bit longer while travelling in our van where refrigeration is at a premium.

The large bottle on the left is pickled fish and the small jar is boiled fish, the traditional Maori way.  Verdict:  pickled fish was disgusting.  In fact, as much as we hate waste and usually eat everything regardless of favourites, this one went back to whence it came ... the ocean.  The boiled fish was quite fine but there really is nothing like fresh fish.

Time to head north to our farmsit in rural Ashburton.  Here we would have no domestic animals, just a few fun farm ones.

These two gorgeous goats being
firm favourites.

The girls

The boys

Apart from counting heads each day and mowing the lawns, which was quite the mammoth task!, we were left with plenty of time for fishing.  We didn't catch much of interest but we never mind whiling away the day staring at the ocean.

James in his happy place

This was just a short interlude to our life on the road but it we sure do appreciate opportunities to see new places and stay still for a moment.  Such are the joys of house/farm sitting.