Meet the cutest and friendliest sheep in the world in our farm in Rotorua, New Zealand

Details

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  Description

  Ive had a last minute cancelation. I now have 28 April to 4 May
  
  Hi,
  Days available
  
  19 May to 21 May
  26 may to 1 June
  9 June to 15 June
  16 June to 22 June
  23 June to 29 June
  30 June to 6 July
  And so on.......
  
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  My goals is to be self sufficient as much as possible. I have solar panels so I ask guests to mindful and turn lights off when not needed, I grow as much of our food as possible. I have a vegetables garden and greenhouse. I make most things from scratch and preserve as much as I can.
  
  My husband and I moved from the big city to start our next great adventure. We bought just over 5 acres of bare land. We have built a garage with workshop first and live in that until the cottage was built. Sadly he has since passed away 2023.
  
  If you like the country side with fresh air, home grown food, friendly animal this is the place to be. It is nice and quiet, a great place to be away from the hustle and bustle on town. If you walk up the small hills at sun raise and sunset there is a beautiful view. We are 30 minutes out side of Rotorua. If you are coming by bus the intercity bus stops at Mamaku bus stop and we can pick you up from there. Having your own car is handy if you wish to sightsee.
  
  I have 3 very friendly Border Collie dogs, Aunty Lily, Basil is the dad of our boy Charlie Brown, who live inside. They love to have lots of cuddles and will jump up and sit on your knee every chance they get. They live inside so can be a bit busy at times, mostly when you arrive or if the haven't seen for a bit e g sleeping. They enjoy being around people and love lots of attention.
  Each has there own personality. Charlie is the clown of the family always falling off the couch and crashing into stuff. But he does love a cuddle. Basil is a real softly, quiet with the sheep. He keeps the charlie in check and puts him in their place when he over step the mark. Lily small but loud, always has to get the last word in. And tells you off if she if you have been away ( in bed asleep or gone into town) so don't be surprised when you come in the morning and she tells you off for being away 🤣. She is active during the day but very cuddly in the evening or rest times. I do a border collie walk once a week which you are welcome to join us either along the lake at Hannah's bay, redwood forest or another couple of pretty urban walks, as well as dog training.
  
  Basil loves to play fetch, if you want to play with him we do ask that the other dogs are either put in the kennels or inside. And in your free time please. Basil obtain an injury recently.
  
  I have one cat called Buddy who is a stray and often goes bush for months at a time.
  
  I have chickens which have been rescued and ducks also which get let out each morning and feed, and lock up safe for the night and are feed again. During the day they are free range.
  
  I have 2 cows, Cookie is the black and white one. And Alfie the brown one. During autumn though to late spring are given silage 2 or 3 times a day. They are nut train and can walk them from paddock to paddock.
  
  My proud and joy are my sheep. They are Valais Blacknose Sheep and known as the cutest sheep in the world. Hattie is my favorite, she a purebred ewe who had a tough start to life, so had be hand rared and is very spoit and loves thin slices of apples. I also have Margaret who was bottle feed a few years ago. All sheep are very friendly and enjoy eating multi nut and are easy to move as long as you have a bucket of nuts. They enjoy lots of attention and rubs. Lambing season is between September and October, which is a busy time if we are feed any orphan lambs from one of the local sheep stations and caring for any very tiny, sick or orphan lambs from our own small flock. Feet care and drenched is done though out the year. During lambing season lambs gets docked, castrated and tagged. Like the cows they enjoy silage 2 or 3 times a day during autumn to late spring.
  
  I am not a business and I don't sell anything. Everything I grow and preserve is for myself and my guests. I have a good size vegetable garden and greenhouse. From time to time one of our animals is processed onsite for our own consumption. But I can let you know when that will be.
  
  All the water is from the rain. It is collected, and purifier. I do ask guests to be mindful when using water. I do buy in gas for our hot water, which is not that self sufficient. I'm sorry no long shower, please put the plug in the sink when rinsing dishes or clean vegetables etc.
  
  If you don't have transport the intercity bus stops at Mamaku. Which the corner of state highway 5 and top end of Maraurara road Mamaku. It is 3 minutes away so I can pick you up from there. Please do not book for the Rotorua bus stop. Please be mindful there is no bus service from us into town.
  
  I normally like to host for a week, just because I am not sure how much work will be available. I hope that's ok.
  
  If you have any questions please let me know. Happy traveling

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Animal Care

  Farmstay help

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance
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  UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

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  What's this?
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  Learning how to grow and preserve food. Baking and cooking. I enjoy a wide range of food. Most of our food is home grown and home made.
  Animal care including care of the beautiful Valais Blacknose Sheep.
  To enjoy nature and see some beautiful sun raises and sun set from the top of the small hills.
  I can teach dog training and self defense and karate

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  Help

  The work can be hard so I am looking for hard work people who can work on their own and or with others. Who have a can do attitude and willing to give anything a go.
  
  This is a working farm ( it may be small ) but doesn't mean it is not busy. you are very likely to get muddy and dirty. As well as " other stuff💩" so gumboots and gloves are needed I do have some sizes available but not all. Wet weather gear may also be needed as well as sun hats and sunblock important too. As you could be do work outside in all weathers.
  
  At the moment I have 2 jobs big jobs on the go at the moment pasture maintenance which is weeding the paddock (Don't worry I don't expect you to do that the whole time. Maybe an hour or so a day). I also need help with sorting the shed, weeding and feed the vegetable gardens and the paddocks.
  
  You may need to feeding out twice a day. Which means giving silage to our 1 to 2 small flock of sheep and the cows.
  
  On a farm there are a variety of different activities I need help though out the year. So if you like getting your hands dirty and you are happy work on your own, taking ownership and proud in your work send us a message. A can-do attitude and willing to work and a give anything a go is important to me. Sometimes you maybe working with other people.
  
  Other jobs that maybe happen.
  Feeding the animals
  Feeding lambs
  moving animals. The are super friendly and easy to move
  Remove weeds from pasture
  Collecting eggs
  Gardening
  Help organise the workshops and sheds
  Tidy up outside
  Helping me preserve food, canning, dehydrating , fermenting or pickling.
  Baking
  Cleaning the house
  Painting
  
  A normal day if there is such a thing on a farm🤣 starts at about 7:30 let the chickens and ducks out and feed them and collect the eggs and washing them.
  
  Monday to Friday
  Breakfast is normal 8am followed by helping with dishes/ cleaning up after the meals.
  Variety of different jobs depending on the time of year, weather and importance.
  On dry day we try to work outside unless it too hot. On wet days we try and work inside which is often cleaning unfortunately. However if an urgent job arises we do work outside in the rain. Sorry. Or if you prefer an outside let me know.
  Lunch normal 12:30 followed by helping with dishes/cleaning up after the meal.
  Free time
  Depends on the time of the year putting the chicken and ducks away is either before or after. Dinner is normal at 6 to 6:30 and tidying up and helping with dishes.
  
  Saturday and Sunday are days of rest, meals are at the normal time. I do ask if you are having meals on the weekends that you continue to help with dishes and tidy up the kitchen area. Please let me know if you will be out as all meals are prepared on Friday thank you.

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  Languages spoken

  English: Fluent

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  Accommodation

  There is Queen size bed in the east wing of the house. The bathroom/ shower is right next to that room.
  
  I do ask that bedding is removed and the bed is made up nicely for the next guests and bedroom and bathroom are cleaned on the day you leave.
  
  Bedding and towels go in the laundry to be washed.

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  What else ...

  Sadly i no longer have much internet. The best serve provider is spark or skinny. Skinny is cheaper. Other internet and phone providers dont work at my place.
  
  The closest town is Mamaku which as a dairy. Its advisable to have your own transport if you wish to sightsee. There is no bus service into Rotorua.
  
  The intercity bus has a bus at corner of state highway 5 and top end of Maraurara road Mamaku, which I pick you up from, if that helps. Please do not book for the Rotorua bus stop.
  
  Please be mindful there is no bus service into town. Having your own car is a benefit so you can do some sight seeing in your time off.
  
  Rotorua is about 30 mins which is a great place to explore in you share time. I highly recommend visiting the skyline, the local hot pools, the culture of Venues and beautiful redwood forest and blue lake are just a few of the amazing things you can do.
  
  There are a variety of smaller towns and cities close by within 30 to 90 mins away each having some great activities to do and place to see.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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  Hours expected

  Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week

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