Latest news from Cheesy, including those photos:

Sorry for the delay in updating you all. I am still in NZ, I leave this Sat and will be very sad to go. I've had the most awesome time. I have done so much and met so many fantastic people, all of whom will be friends for life. I have recently finished working on a farm.
 
Right, the update is as follows:
 
I spent my time with a family in a place called Chertsey which is about an hour's drive south of Christchurch and just outside a place called Ashburton. It was a mixed farm which basically means cattle, sheep and crop. The farm is about 550 acres which is just below the average NZ farm.

On my first day I de-wormed about 250 sheep and lambs which they call in the farm trade as "drenching". It involved rounding the sheep from their paddock (which is hard work in itself), putting them in the shed and lining them up through a series of gates. After they were segregated I then jumped in amongst them, grabbed hold of their necks, pulled their heads up and gave them a shot of medicine through a syringe straight into their mouths. It was absolutely knackering which was made worse as the weather was hot. Not to mention that a few of the sheep were pretty stubborn and strong so shifting them was a bit a of a nightmare.

Other tasks included: driving a tractor with a trailer hooked on the back carrying a few tons of peas in readiness for the farmer to drill, repairing an electric fence that the cattle had wrecked, feeding the cattle hay, digging holes for a new paddock (which gave me the worst blisters I have ever had!!) One of the most fun jobs was on my last day when we moved sheep from one paddock to the next and had to walk them down the road. Naturally, cars came from both sides and a traffic jam ensued, but all worked out well in the end.

All in all it was the most fantastic experience. One funny thing that happened to me was when I drove the ute from one of the furthest paddocks back to the farmhouse at 7.30pm as the farmer was doing some night work. It was pitch black and it was impossible to see further than my nose even with lights on so I ended up lost and driving for about 45 minutes around the whole farm before I finally got back to the farmhouse. Very funny but extremely embarrassing.

In addition to all of that, the farmer took me out for a flight on his plane to Rakaia Gorge and Ramsay Glacier which was the most spectacular experience. Surprisingly I wasn't nervous or scared though the flight was a little bumpy and very noisy. However, all of that was worth it as the scenery was out of this world and the trek was great as there was not a person in sight. Furthermore, you can only access the place by plane or heavy duty 4x4 and is about a 5 or 6 hour walk from civilisation. Good job the farmer didn't keel over as I would have had to use a few survival skills. I managed to capture the flight and trek on DVD so will bore whoever wishes to see it when I get back I will gladly arrange it or maybe a slides evening (just joking!!). 

The food on the farm was superb; the meat in NZ is best I have ever eaten. I tasted Venison for the first time which was beautiful, as well as white bait and crayfish. Not to mention the endless home baked cakes and scones I devoured every morning and afternoon.

I also went to Blenheim and the Marlborough Sounds for fishing and cricket tour with LPWCC followed by a trip down south to Invercargill for a few days. I was only 10 hours or so away from the South Pole! I returned from a week in Wanaka last Monday with a few mates which was great and just got back from trekking in Arthur's Pass. Between all of that I went swimming with Hector Dolphins at Akaroa, again an amazing experience.
 
I'm off to Sydney again this weekend for 3 weeks as my mate is getting married. Then off to San Fran for 3 days. I met an American couple travelling from Cairns to Sydney and they offered me their place to stay for Thanksgiving, how nice eh? They were enchanted by travels and the things I have done and would like me to spend some time with them in San Fran. Nice people. Then I'm off to NYC, DC and Connecticut to see cousins and aunt and uncle. I return home in time for Christmas. 

I played my last game of cricket for LPWCC on Saturday. I had a photo taken of myself, Trev Luke, Ian Malcolm, John Quinn, Rick Horsfall, Paul Bennett; all ex fosters players. We played Sydenham hospital and won which was a great way to finish my time here. I managed to "burgle" 3 wickets as well.

There is also a photo of Mark aka Pimpster and myself when I was in WA.......

........and a photo of Lance, Kuza, a guy called Bruce (LPWCC Cricketer and myself. I hope everyone is well. See you all soon.

Once again NZ is stunning and I recommend a few others come over and have a look!!
 
Laters

Paul (Cheesy)