WWOOFING - Yes That is Actually What it's Called

Last saturday Laura and I packed up our bags and headed out of Wellington city, where we had spent the last week. With our big bags on our backs we headed towards the train station to get a train headed to Lower Hutt (a small town just outside of Wellington city).

Now Google maps told us it was an 18 minute walk. What we didn't exactly take into account was the fact that we had our extremely heavy bags with us and I swear to you every time I put it on it seems to weigh 5 pounds more. Our bags caused us a bit of a time delay so it ended up taking us about 40mins to reach the train station. Needless to say by that time most parts of my upper body were sore. 

So now I am in Lower Hutt... doing something called WWOOFING

The House

WWOOFING stands for Willing Workers On Organic Farms. Basically what it is, is working on someone's farm or in their house doing whatever work they need done for 4-6hrs a day in return for free food and board.

The Beautiful Property 

Within the first few minutes of talking with this lady whose house we're staying at Laura and I both mentioned our dietary restrictions... Hers being vegetarian and celiac and mine being vegan and gluten free. I didn't think this would be an issue as she advertises her home as being meat free and health conscious. So I'm sure you can imagine how surprised and slightly taken aback I was when she replied with: "Well that's going to be a problem I don't like vegans, they are all weak"

EXCUSE ME? WEAK?

Well, i thought to myself, I'll sure show her.

Off we went on a tour of the property,  trailing behind her paper and pen in hand trying to scribble down all the tasks she expected us to get done.

She started us off working in the front garden digging up all the grass so she could do some planting.

Other daily tasks include feeding the doves, walking the dogs and watering the plants...

It may sound a bit monotonous but I assure you there is never a dull moment. The other day as we were leaving the greenhouse to walk back to the house we started being chased by sheep.

Now I'm telling you this from experience... sheep are actually very intimidating animals. Don't let their fluffiness or the cuteness of the baby lambs fool you! But I figured out the trick... stay calm and just give them what they want!