Kooloo Paluzza

So at the moment at my accommodation there is a huge field outside my window, but as of tomorrow my view will be destroyed because they start building work to expand Kooloobong and more than double the capacity. This sucks, and everyone is massively annoyed by the plans. We will have to go elsewhere to sunbathe, there will be no more slip and slide, and they will be building through exams. In order to bid farewell to the hill in style, Eric, Matt and Gus organised a massive event on the field and called it Kooloo Paluzza

The boys got 2 kegs of beer and made about 45 burgers, and heaps of people turned up for fun times. We got out the slip and slide, had a mini paddling pool, water guns, played football, volleyball, and all enjoyed the sun and made the most of the field in the sun. The area by the pool got pretty muddy so I'm pretty sure I wrestled someone in it. We started drinking at about 11.30am and I don't remember anything past about 4pm! Apparently I was there for the barbecue (but I don't remember it) and I must have just gone straight to bed to pass out after that because I went missing, and it would explain why I woke up really confused at 3am... People managed to party on without me though but from what I've heard not many people made it past about 10pm, so I didn't miss too much!

Massive thank you to Eric, Matt and Gus for putting in so much effort and organising things so well, and RIP Kooloobong field!

In other news, Amanda, Charlie, Matt and I have joined forces with the Norwegians and are all going on a road trip during Spring break! We've hired camper vans from a site called Wicked Campers who are loaning us three camper vans and we will be driving up to Byron Bay, and then possibly up to the Gold Coast and Brisbane! We're all super excited for this, and we leave on Friday! Watch this space when we get back - I'll let you all know how it goes!

WWOOFing in New Zealand

So... Charlie and I are going to New Zealand in November and want to spend a week on a farm, but we just can't decide which one! So I am going to ask the people (you) what your opinion is. We've got a short list of 6 farms, which I will list below. Please post a comment and let me know which one you think we should go to. Tried to include all the info from their sites. Much appreciated guys!


Cleavedale Farms

Commercial dairy farm milking 250 Jersey cows with home orchard and garden. The farm operates at two locations. Dry stock are run on a 40ha farm adjacent to the Waihou River and Kaimai-Mamaku State Forest Park (trout fishing and hunting). The milking cows are farmed on a 80ha family farm bordering Matamata in the Waikato. We are central to many tourist locations including Rotorua, Taupo, Waitomo and are only 1.5 hours from Auckland.

Isobel and Dick Worley

Te Aroha is at the south end of the Coromandel, beside the Kaimai range. Planted 200 young native trees and shrubs in half acre garden which is at the bottom of Mount Te Aroha. Need help looking after them. Also building steps, grass-cutting, weed-bashing, tree management, and household tasks. We are retired, English, and have wwoofed in NZ ourselves. Non-smokers only. Accomodation in separate converted jail with toilet and shower. Eat with us. Hot pools 3 mins on foot. First contact by email please

KandoiT

Great for Wwoofers who enjoy nature as we back onto the Hakarimata Scenic Reserve with its large Kauri, Rata and Rimu that tower over a canopy of tawa, kohekohe, hinau, rewarewa, mangeao, pukatea and manuka. (Some of the nicest bush in the Waikato). We are in the final stages of building NZ's 1st "Earthship" home (a house built from car tyres and other recycled materials). A remarkable piece of land, (1 hour south of Auckland) with excellent views overlooking the Waikato.

Nga Toka Mapuna

We try to live by environmental principles and are developing a sustainable system on our property. We welcome others who have skills and advice to offer and who can help us with out projects. We have a 8.5 acre block at Waitomo Caves with 2 goats and some chickens. We also have a bach at Kawhia beach.

Woofing activities include looking after animals, tending gardens and some small maintenance activities. Local regional activities include caving, blackwater rafting, rock climbing, fishing, hiking, nature trips. Its a beautiful region. Only 1 hour to the beach and 2 hours to the mountains.

Gorilla Hut

We have here what I hope is a great place for travellors to visit, experience and relax. We have a few projects on the go with organic veges over the summer and a fleet of vans/caravans being renovated, along with other maintenance and hands on jobs.

The Gorilla Hut get's it's name from my son and I's stuffed monkey collection. Set up in the 'Bar' it creates a great friendly environment for people to socialise. I spent over 8yrs travelling myself and the hope of this place was to offer likeminded people a base where on the otherside of the world they may still be able to call it home, as I had the opportunity to do in several countries. We also have a fleet of vans/campers etc which eventually will become a budget rental business, so if you're looking for a vehicle for short term or wanting some advice on purchasing vehicles please feel free to ask. At home I cook most every night (once for 24 people) and over the past year the only complaints we've had is that everyone ends up putting on weight. Many friendships and travel companions have been formed here and my son and I hope that one day we will meet almost everybody that has become part of our family once again. You can view past friends and family via 'the gorilla hut' on facebook. All the best, Damon and Gabriel

Inclover

Hi. I have a 240 cow dairy farm just north of matamata. (hobbiton) near the beautiful kaimai ranges. My location is close to hot pools, great waterfall and nice walkways. I live here with my dog Storm and cat. Accomadation is excellant and I enjoy great fresh food. I have a relaxed approach and think it is important that you enjoy your stay. Spacious rooms, mtb and spa are avail for your use. I am a keen sailor, diver and have a yacht near Waiheke. Jobs are varied and interesting. These may include milking, feeding calves.

I enjoy meeting overseas people and appreciate the help around the farm. . Hopefully you will learn new skills. 15 minutes away is the famous 'Hobbiton' from the Lord of the Rings

Hopefully you can now see why we're having so much trouble deciding! Let us know what you think, cheers guys! x

What a way to make a living

Well, I realise I've been a little quiet on here recently, but I've just had nothing interesting to blog about really! The workload here at The Gong is pretty excessive compared to Sheffield, for example, back at home I would have to do one pre/post lab per week, and last year only three of the post labs were full formal write ups. Out here, I have two or three post labs or assessments due every week, and every post lab is a formal write up. The reason for this is because each subject has its own lab over here (instead of a big lab module back home) and there is no communication between the subjects because people can take whatever combination of classes they want... On top of this, I have mid-session exams coming up this week, which we don't have in Sheffield, so I'm having to revise on top of everything else. All in all, the work required for one semester is...

17 lab reports
2 spectroscopy assignments
1 literature review
1 presentation based on literature review
3 mid-session exams and...
9 hours of lecture content every week

So I've not really been able to experience Australia as I'd like to during term time, but don't worry, I still jump at any chance of getting my groove on and partying. Even managed to go see a band last week called Architecture in Helsinki, so if you haven't heard of them I'd recommend them! They're an Australian band and have been around for a while - no idea if they ever made it to the UK, I thought I'd heard of them but all of their music sounded new to me so who knows :p

In other news, Spring is finally here, and I can definitely feel it getting warmer (especially because of that gaping hole in the ozone layer). Beginning to spend more and more days lazing in the sun and not getting much else done, but I'm completely okay with that (I'm also okay with getting a hefty tan)! I also got round to booking my flights to New Zealand, and I'll be there between the 20th November and 20th December! Getting pretty excited, hoping to do some WWOOFing while I'm over there (Willing Workers on Organic Farms - work on a farm in exchange for food and shelter), so I'm in the process of picking out a farm to do it on!

Summer in the southern hemisphere is going to be awesome, and I can't wait to enjoy every second of it!