This week on hongi student adventures, we departed from the warm stay with the Maori and arrived at Sentry Hill, a WWOOFing farm. ( World Wide Organization of Orgainic Farmers). PJ, Tom and their three awesome kids, were our amazing hosts that kept us organizaed and made us feel right at home.We sweated hard as we herded and milked cows, cleaned paddocks, and for Liz and Annie castrated bulls. Even though Olivia couldn’t work with the cows or hay or horses or nature, she worked hard in the garden and kitchen! Conor and Matt broke a water pipe, but no worries, it all worked out and we could still take showers. Hannah, always the early bird, loved waking up at 5:30 to milk the cows with PJ and Ruby Doo (the cutest dog ever). We almost lost Annie and John to the Sentry Hill clan because all of the kids and PJ were gingers, or ginga as they call it .
Lets not forget they classy birthday party thrown for the wonderful Page. The party was all the Rage. ( if you havent heard Page’s nickname is Rage, its a long story) All the girls dressed up in (backpacker) fancy clothes and makeup just for this black tie affair. The guys also stepped up their game with plaid shirts and ties ( loan by them by Tom). After having one of the most rich chocolate mousse cake ( gluten free ofcourse) the lot of us went out to enjoy the bright and vivid stars, shining just for the birthday girl.The next morning we woke up early , teary eyed and sad . But we got breakfast cake and speical porridge just for Cameron’s birthday. Now we are chilling in New Plymouth ready to tackle Taranaki Outdoor Adventures.
All in all the stay at Sentry Hill has been unforgetable. we couldnt have asked for a better farming experience!
-Hannah
Click “hongigroup” below for a fun video of some group members at the farm. (not for the faint hearted 🙂 )