Kaia

Animal of the day:

I think Kaia is my favourite dog right now. She's usually level headed and nice. She is an Austrian Shepherd. 

Mojo

Animal of the day :

Mojo is a Waikato bush pony. He grew up in the wild and was caught and sold as a youngster. 

Jazz

Animal of the day:

This is Jazz. She is an old lady.

Luca

Animal of the day:
Luca

Don't ask me what breed she is because I don't know. But she is nice and fluffy. We brush her every day and still have lots of dog hair everywhere.

Nagi

This is Hnagur, he's called Nagi. His full name means small rock. It's icelandic as he's an icelandic horse.

Animal of the day

As far as I know it doesn't have a name, so I'm just gonna call it Scarecrow. It stands in the orchard, but it's not doing a very good job. The birds keep stealing the apples. I think Scarecrow needs a trip to Oz.

Arnie

Animal of the day:
Arnie is a young haflinger. He's very photogenic and cute. We groomed him today so hopefully he looks a little better in reality :-)

Bella

Animal of the day:
Bella

She is the smallest of the three dogs where I'm wwoofing now. Tonight she's sleeping in my bedroom some her owner is spending the night in Christchurch. I don't mind her snoring :-) She's so chubby and cute! 

Relocation

Yesterday I relocated. I'm closing in on Christchurch. For now I'm staying in this wonderful bedroom about 20 km north of Christchurch. Outside the window there's a beautiful garden and paddocks with four horses in them.

New sleeping bag :-D

Today I traded my ridiculous indoors sleeping bag for a warm winter sleeping bag (I also added $60). No more cold nights for me!
Although I won't be needing it for a while, as I'm now staying in a warm, welcoming and comfortable home. I'll tell you more about that tomorrow.

Claverley

Sorry for not updating lately! Cell phone reception is poor here. The last week I've spent at Claverley, Snip and Antheas farm. They're really nice and I've had a great time! Getting here was kind of complicated though. Their farm is only about 10 km south of Kaikoura, right by the sea. But as state highway 1 was closed, due to risk of landslide after the rain, I had to take the inland road around. Luckily I had nice company :-) Here on the farm I've helped with shearing some sheep, butchering a deer that Jamie (Snip and Antheas son) shot, stacking bricks, setting up a fence, tearing down a fence and lots of other interesting things. It's been an experience to remember! 

Seals

Yesterday was a rainy day. But in the afternoon I joined a guy from the hostel and went for a walk on Kaikoura peninsula. We saw lots of seals. They were slacking around everywhere and didn't seem to mind us. Although we stayed the recommended 10 metres away from them.

Kaikoura

I've hitchhiked to Kaikoura. It's wonderful by the sea :-)

Hanmer Springs

Today I woke up in Hanmer Springs. I slept at the YHA Kakapo Lodge. It was pricey with 30 $ per night (I only stayed one). But well worth it. We were only three persons in my room and the hostel is very well maintained with great facilities and personally decorated. And the staff are lovely.
Although Hanmer Springs seems to be a tourist trap so I'm heading out into the backcountry again. It will probably be a while until I update again. Cellphone reception is scarce out there. And I'm loving it! :-)

Nelson Lakes national park

Sorry for not updating for a while! I was out in the backcountry without cellphone reception. From Saint Arnaud I walked south. At noon today I arrived at Boyle village. I was not eaten by sandflies (even though they did give it a good try) nor did I fall from a cliff into hard and grim death (also a possibility going down Waiau pass). The weather was amazing. Only yesterday evening did it rain and by then I was safe and sound in Boyle flats hut. I might write more about it if I feel like it later. Right now all you will get is a single photo:

This lake had the simple name Blue lake and is one of the clearest waters in the world.