Share my syntropic journey in Northland, New Zealand

Infos

• 

  Description

  I have previously been an artist in clay, textiles and graphics. I owned an art gallery for more than nine years, specialising in handmade New Zealand made works but now I concentrate on developing my neglected small holding.
  I garden organically, growing some vegetables and fruit but planting support plants too.
  I have travelled a little in Italy, Korea, Spain, Canada, UK and Australia and am interested in other cultures.
  In my 50's I went to University for the first time and studied geology, gaining a BSc in 1997. Although I am now 82 years old, I am fit and active and most of my friends and associates are much younger. I am interested in interacting with many cultures.
  Ten years ago I moved to Kaiwaka, Northland to a 3 acre block which needs a lot of work to develop further. So far I have planted many trees and perennials. For the last three years I have adopted Syntropic principles, a step further than permaculture which is about sustainability. Syntropy is about creating abundance and improving the degraded earth.
  My dream is to gift my property to the community as a teaching centre and suitable plant propagation unit for Syntropic food forests.
  Current accommodation is a Queen bed plus a double airbed when needed in a modern self contained cottage.
  The help you will be asked to do can be quite physical and sometimes tedious as you would expect in a farm setting. Climate change sees us often out in light rain and strong winds so if you are averse to less than ideal weather perhaps you may consider that my place is not for you.

• 

  Types d'aide et opportunités d'apprendre

  Aide avec des éco-projets

  Jardinage

  Bricolage et construction

  S’occuper des animaux

  Aide dans une ferme

  Cuisine/repas pour la famille

  Aide à la maison

  Entretien général

  Aide informatique/internet
• 

  Objectifs de développement durable de l’ONU que cet hôte essaie d'atteindre

  ...

  ...

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  Qu'est-ce que c'est ?
• 

  Echange culturel et opportunités d'apprendre

  I am convinced that human beings cannot go on trashing the planet and I try to make a difference by being as self sufficient as I can. I minimise vehicle use; plan any purchasing trips to fit in with other needs such as visiting family or attending medical care. Those who have stayed and feel they have learned from me have posted feedback which gives a good picture of what exchange I can offer. I have many old skills, learned as I grew up on a back country farm without electricity and miles from the nearest neighbours. Many of these skills such as butchering poultry for the table, cooking on a wood fire, looking after animals, making bread and various methods of food preservation have been lost by younger generations and I believe it is important to know these skills to be independent if there is a disaster or crisis.

• 

  Projets impliquant des enfants

  Ce projet peut impliquer des enfants. Pour en savoir plus, consultez nos directives et conseils ici.

• 

  Aide

  My 3 acre plot is mostly over run with Kikuyu grass but there are many fruit and other trees, some needing care. Work would mainly be preparing garden beds, digging holes for tree planting, clearing long grass, mowing (ride on mower and push mower, weed eater), making compost and general maintenance. Any one with building skills would be welcome to build animal shelters, shelving etc. Garden fencing is also needed.

• 

  Langues

  Langues parlées
  Anglais: Courant
  Espagnol: Débutant
  Italien: Débutant

  Cet hôte propose un échange linguistique
  Cet hôte a indiqué qu’il souhaitait faire partager sa propre langue ou en apprendre une nouvelle.
  Contactez-le pour en savoir plus.
  
• 

  Hébergement

  Accommodation is a modern double queen bed plus a double airbed in a modern self contained cottage.
  The cottage is stocked with food and visitors cook their own breakfast and lunch and come to my house for the evening meal which I usually cook.
  The village is about 5 minutes drive away with a specialist Dutch cheese shop/delicatessen and an unusual cafe`. This farming area has many attractive beaches and historic sites but there are no cities nearby. The nearest bank is about 40 minutes drive from here and the only local ATM has a surcharge to use. I have a small dog which I have re-homed. She has some behavioural problems but is safe and getting better with kind treatment.
  Water restrictions may be in place from late December through to April if necessary.

• 

  Autres infos...

  I supply all bedding and towels etc but would expect workers to bring their own soap, toothpaste, cosmetics etc. This is a non smoking household.
  It is wise to bring a full range of clothing and stout footwear.
  There are many beautiful places to visit locally if you have a car, beaches for swimming, fishing and surfing. Lots of small towns with great cafe's, museums and art galleries. Unfortunately the local roads are very busy with heavy traffic and are not safe to walk beside as there is no 'shoulder'.

• 

  Informations complémentaires

  • 

    Accès Internet

  • 

    Accès Internet limité

  • 

    Nous avons des animaux

  • 

    Nous sommes fumeurs

  • 

    Familles bienvenues

• 

  Espace pour garer des vans

  I have, previously had a 4 berth campervan parked near the house on a gravel driveway which is a bit tricky to negotiate for the inexperienced driver.

• 

  Combien de volontaires pouvez-vous accueillir ?

  Plus de 2

Sécurité du site

Feedback (41)