So, snowsports. One of the main reasons I’m working on the mountain. I have now had the chance to try both snowboarding and skiing. Initially wanting to learn snowboarding, I soon found that this was not a wise move for someone with previous back and rib injuries. I have since turned my hand (or feet) …
Things have settled into a nice routine in my simple mountain life. Every day life at Staffies becomes more community oriented as bonds grow stronger. Before arriving I was slightly sceptical at the prospect of having a roommate, however I have come to love sharing my space with Gabs, a bright, bubbly woman from Devon, …
By Friday afternoon I had arrived at The Lodge or ‘Staffies’ as it is locally known. Staff accommodation is located in Whakapapa Village at the base of Mt Ruapehu. Over the next two weeks the number of residents increased from around twenty when I first arrived, to an impressive sixty. The atmosphere is similar to …
So after finally feeling completely settled in Wanaka with some great friends, a lovely home and a job, I am once again heading off to a new location. Why would I leave when I finally have everything I’ve been working for over the past few weeks? It turns out I was successful in my application …
Aside from walks in the area, my immediate objectives were to find a job and a home here in Wanaka for the winter. Both were easier said than done with a whole crowd of hopefuls here on the same mission! It took around four weeks of searching, checking the weekly Messenger, a local magazine full …
Wanaka is a small town just north of the larger and better known Queenstown. It is well known for its attraction of the ski slopes during the winter season, though since arriving i have also learnt that it is an extremely popular summer destination. The town is situated on the edge of Lake Wanaka, a …
After the Queen Charlotte Track we took a day off to plan our trip down to Wanaka, the town I plan to stay and work throughout the winter. Our first stop was to be Christchurch, the most populated city on the South Island, still currently recovering from the 2011 earthquake. Our accommodation was in the …
The day after setting foot on the South Island, CeCe and I began our first trek. This was to be a three day journey over 71km (45 miles) within Queen Charlotte Sound, carrying everything we would need on with us including tent, sleeping bags and food. We were up early, needing to be at the …
I left the farm with CeCe, as we had similar aspirations over the coming weeks. Our plans would take us towards the South Island where we both hoped to do some of the numerous walks and multi day treks New Zealand has to offer. Our first destination would be Wellington, the capital of New Zealand …
I recently signed up to be part of the New Zealand Wwoofing (willing workers on organic farms) community and within a few days had arranged my first stay. The idea behind wwoofing is that a volunteer will stay with a host on their organic farm, working in exchange for food and accommodation and providing a …
