(For those of you that have been following my somewhat erratically documented journey, you will remember that at the beginning of March I left you all in Tauranga, having just enjoyed a day out on a boat exploring the area. Well what I might have kept from you is that I had arranged to do some wwoofing (willing workers on organic farms) and was all set to get a lift to my new adventure the following day. This is my story of the past month. And actually proves the point that change isn’t a bad thing at all. Even if I always have trouble believing this! )

Sunday 11th March – Saturday 14th April

Torrent Farm, Rotorua

It has always exastibrated me slightly that people laugh when I say I hate change and new things. I know that it can sound odd- to feed my passion for travel I explore new places and try new things all of the time. But believe me, you can still feel fear, even when reaching for something you want..

After all, ‘ courage is not the absence of fear but rather the belief that something is more important’ In my case, seeing and experiencing as many different places and cultures as I can; having my eyes opened and beliefs shaken and rearranged by those I meet. These are all important enough for me to brave the unknown and embrace the differences found as I go forward. Even if the idea of change is something I’m never quite comfortable with.

So arming you with this insight into my -somewhat twisted- mind, I feel I can share that today I’m sad. Not because somethings wrong or im homesick; But rather because the next chapter of my journey is about to begin and as always, I’m reluctant to leave behind the familiar.
This morning I said goodbye to Torrent Farm, where – apart from a brief jaunt to Auckland to see Ed Sheeran in concert- I’ve spent the past month of my time in New Zealand.

In return for my room and board I’ve worked 4hrs a day in a lovely countryside location a little outside of Rotorua. While not having my own transport can be a bit of a pain, I’m more than happy spending my downtime reading, chatting to friends back home, and most importantly, playing with the dogs and horses. And my ‘boss’ Georgia is more than happy to have me tag along when she goes out too.

I had originally come to Georgia’s after replying to an ad in the hostel I was staying at before going to Tauranga. Having decided that I didn’t want to be tied into one place and job quite yet, wwoofing (not in its strictest form but rather working for accommodation) seemed a good thing to try. I may not make money but I am saving it. The ad was looking for help sorting out their gorgeous sprawling home, which Georgia plans to open up as a B&B in the near future.

None of the work has been hard. Beginning with washing down walls and masking up rooms ready to begin painting; to cleaning windows; to cleaning the house. My original two weeks with the family went awfully quick with me meeting a couple of Georgia’s friends and also her mum and her partner. Both Thursdays became days where I would join Georgia as she gave riding lessons and then we had amazing home cooked meals with her mum and partner before staying overnight. The next day Georgia would turn into a crazy-ier- person and run around and up the mount while I walked up it with her mum. Well. The first time. The second week I insisted on being left to go at my own snails pace up, before joining back up to make the descent. Then it would be coffee or shopping and errands before heading home in the afternoon.

Within a few days of arriving I was handling one of Georgia's foals, Holly, and her mum Valla most days and keeping Buddy one of the dogs with me whenever I could. And I even got to go with Georgia and a livery to box one of the horses down the road to watch Georgia jump him. He's only four and until the day I arrived Georgia was the only one to have ever ridden him. He hasn't had much work and yet he still did pretty well as he did a few circuits of the jumps.

As it worked out the young girl that had tried him the day I arrived, went ahead and brought him. Or more precisely her parents did. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to little kids being put on horses so early despite it being common in most places that arnt the UK!

Two weeks after joining Georgia we made the hour long drive to the Equestrian centre in Taupo where Marley’s new owners were to pick him up. It was an amazing drive and having never been boxed for longer than 15mins before, Marley was such a good boy especially when changing to an older, smaller box before continuing his long journey. ( And I know you’ll wonder and I’m happy to report Marley made his 5hr drive like a champion has settled in amazingly well at his new home)

Once they were safely on their way we hung out for a few minutes. First to use the toilets which normally I wouldn’t mention but coming out the door, we saw a flyer on the noticeboard which had Georgia’s picture smack bam in the middle of it promoting EquiBrew- I can’t even comprehend how weird that seems. And then there was a driving show taking place so we wandered over and watch that for a few minutes before heading on. On the way back town we even did the tourist thing and stopped at the dam, but must have just missed them opening the gates as the water was already rushing into the canyon but it was still an impressive sight

Once back in Rotorua i got droppped off in town and spent the day showing Cam, an old work friend, some of the free bits around town...in between rain showers. We had a massive meal consisting of fried burgers (note to self, check the kitchen appliances before shopping next time) and went to the cinema to see the Black panther movie. The next day I made my way to Auckland for the Ed Sheeran concert which I have to say was amazing! Georgia’s dad, Dave, finds it highly amusing that I came all this way to see one of the UK biggest singers. I find it kinda fitting since it wasn’t until I was here 3 years ago that I started to come around to his music. No matter where I went there was no escaping it and now I’m an actual fan. And despite doubting how a guy and his guitar would hold up as a performer, I had no need for concern as he held your attention from the get go. I even fell for one of his kiwi opening acts, Drax Project , so now I have some new music to listen for. The best end to the evening came when I tried to sneak in without waking my roommates up, only to realise there was still only two of us and she wasn’t even there. About 20mins later she did the exact same thing! It turns out was both been to the concert 

Before heading to Auckland I had already arranged to come back to Torrent Farm afterwards because I wasn’t ready for the dream to be over just yet.. And not only did I come back for a little more than two weeks but I brought my old work friend with me.

Cams only out in NZ for 3 months but like me has a WHV and I was lucky enough that Georgia and Dave agreed to have us both back. The first few days were spent pulling up the overgrown veg garden. Neither Cam or me have much of a clue when it comes to gardening but luckily for us it was just pulling everything but the rhubarb up. It took two of us 3 days to do the veg patch as well as an overgrown corner between the raised bed and the hedge on the edge of the lawn. Once we got a system going it was quite therapeutic and Buddy and Laya certainly enjoyed it! Buddy spent a lot of time alternatively helping us dig the roots out and running off with the stakes....which would have been fine if most didn’t have nails in!

Thursday evening we headed into Rotorua with Georgia and one of her friends to enjoy the night market and to go to the cinema. The market consists mostly of food stalls, a few craft types and live music so getting dropped off while they went to pick another friend up, Cam and I went and got henna tattoos. I had gotten one when I stayed here before as I’ve been contemplating getting a tattoo for the past year and this is a cheap and easy way to try different variations of what I want. While I got mine Cam decided to get a cool sun on his arm, complete with glitter! We then had to try and keep them dry as we made the rounds.

During a particularly hard downpour we found ourselves under the wine tent and learnt a little about the process. We came away with a Plum wine and I had another wwoofing offer! I also saw that the company I did the twilight sup with now have a stall. I got taking to Nev, the business partner of Matt who took me out. He offered us half price tickets if we went since I’d already gone and would bring them a new customer. It was really tempting but we didn’t have many evenings left that were free.

After meeting back up with the group we ended up at a pub restaurant as we had plenty of time before the movie. From here we somehow ended up at a club similar to workman clubs back home. We had time for a game of pool that I tried my best to sit out of for everyone's safety- before going back to town.

After Cam had been there a couple of days a friend of Georgia’s came around with another potential wwoofer and soon we were heading to Blue lake. Georgia and her friend were going to run it while Cam and I walked it. Needless to say despite our normal pace, they were still done way before us and were actually looking for us thinking we were lost!

Before coming back to the farm I had found out we were to be farmed out to one of Georgia’s friends that I’d met. I first met Yoyo, my first full day with Georgia and then another time or two later on. Since he had helped with some plastering while I was away, we were to go help clean a house he was renovating.

I have to say this was probably the ‘hardest ‘of days work I did all month long! He knows what he’s doing, that’s for sure, the house looks amazing. But getting glue off the windows from the insect screens....yeh he also knew what he was doing giving us that job! What you might not understand is the amount of windows and glass in the houses out here. In the 7 odd hours we spent here, we didn’t even finish one level. I think we both felt bad for it but he’s had to do it himself before so he knows it’s not an easy job.

After calling it quits for the day, we went to Georgia's mum’s for dinner. My third and final time and as always it was ridiculously good food and somewhat crazy company- you can see what Georgia will be like in a few years  Also it was a great visit because I got to meet Linden, their new Weinmeraner puppy! As if a puppy wasn’t reason enough to be happy, there had been a whole saga over getting him the week before so seeing him in his new home was great.

With a full house currently the three of us drove back home that night, with Georgia blasting out her beloved Celine Dion to help her stay awake as she drove. I feel sorry for Cam given that it took me back to my childhood and I was surprised at how many lyrics I still knew. Cam still managed a nap in though, even with both Georgia and me singing along. Good times 

We spent Easter on the farm though there were debates over Easter being the Sunday or Monday...? I’m lot religious and have worked too long in retail to pay much attention to it. Either way we were told we could take the day and just enjoy it. While this was really nice of them, I really wanted to get the last touch ups done on the rooms we had painted because Georgia’s already started buying the bits to finish the rooms off. As I got to masking and painting I realised that even in that short amount of time I had forgotten how long masking takes!

Monday was Cams last day and we arranged with Georgia to get dropped in town so we could go to a trampoline park. It was my first time visiting one of these and I was surprised how hard I found it to let go and try different things-can anyone say control freak! Still Cam was doing enough somersaults and flips for the rest of us and I was secretly pleased to be better throwing hoops than him!

Admittedly I can’t to save my life when I’m on steady ground but I did okay with the bounce factor. I even impressed a kid when I got two in a row. And I can already sense your questioning ‘since when I care about a strange kid?’ Well this kid,I had already seen do 5 or 6 back somersault earlier on. They were one after another, never losing speed, height or control. Pretty impressive.

Once our time was up here we decided to do the bowling alley. Now my ex used to love bowling and we went a fair few times even though I sucked at it but I still haven’t played more than probably 8 or 9 times in my whole life. And I can safely say, some things don’t change! Cam thoroughly thrashed me and while he tried to give me pointers I didn’t really care enough to adjust much. So long as we're having fun, then I’m good at not being great at it. Plus I got my turn at beating him in mini golf. I only won by a couple of points due to his getting 3 holes in 1. But it was a win never the less.

The day was rounded off by walking back into town and collecting two lost Germans while we were at it. They were trying to get into town but when we came across them, were heading for the redwoods instead! On getting back to Torrent Farm I dragged Cam up to see Valla and Holly. Apart from his first day here Cam hadn’t been up the yard at all so I insisted he meet some horses. Originally I planned to introduce him to the shetties but it was almost dark and I hadn’t spent as much time with Holly as I liked recently so I dragged him up the hill. Luckily they both survived the experience inspite of the dark!

After Cam left we had a new woofer (the same one we had met the previous week) come, Hannan. She’s lovely and was mostly up to help Georgia with the horses and a few household bits thrown in. But due to Georgia hurting herself, not once but twice, we would end up doing most of the horses for my last week there. Usually I would do the liveries and Georgia’s non ridable horses while Hannan did the three working horses as she has a soft spot for Georgia’s competition horse, George. Slightly amusing as her Kiwi boyfriend is also called George!

Due to Georgia being unable to ride or do too much -though she sure tried!- I finally got in the saddle in my last week at hers. She was trying to sell a horse that had been abandoned by it’s previous owner and had only just begun working it for the first time in a year when she got injured (breaking in a different horse) so she allowed me to take her out when Hanann rode George.

It was great to be in the saddle and it worked out well as both Hanna and I got to ride the horses we preferred. If only I had time to get both myself and her where I’d like us to be. Sigh. She’s got a history involving hunting so even back home she would be wasted on me. Still she does remind me of a much better behaved Maddie, a horse I used to ride and wish I could have made more time for.

Between checking the horses, dentist, farriers etc and the weather taking a sudden turn(there was snow the other side of town!!) I didn’t spend as much time as I planned with Holly my last week but when I did it was clear she’s becoming pretty cheeky. It’s good that she’s gaining confidence in being away from Valla but it makes her quite the handful being as leggy as she is.
I
’m someone that waffles between things and hates committing to anything, even one way of thinking or a belief. However I am intrigued by the butterfly effect and truly believe that even the smallest thing could make a major difference in not only my life but anyone else's that it touches.

I’ve a decade on Georgia and I never did competive riding or even lessons as a kid but like her, my life was all about horses. Leaving that behind in a big way when I was 10 and then taking another step away in my teens before the final one a half dozen years ago, I do wonder who I would have become if that first step was never taken.

Leaving Torrent is the right choice for me right now but both the animals and people have felt like my home away from home so hopefully I will be back soon to visit! Time truly does fly by when having fun.