Work has started on 09.08.2019

You're probably wondering if we're working now or what's next.

Yes, we are working. We started this Tuesday and we were promised around 45 hours per person per week. Of course, we would like to work more to save more, but we'll see.

Originally, we were supposed to work together on John's Farm. The farm consists of two larger farms and one smaller farm. We are provided with work clothing and a vehicle.

However, Mike is working on one of John's farms and Jenny is working on a farm owned by 'Matt', which is 10 km away from where we currently live. We live in Mayfield in an old fire station, which is quite nice. The only downside is that Jenny has to drive about 40 km every day (10 km in the morning, 10 km back home during the break in the middle of the day, because the break is usually several hours long, then another 10 km in the afternoon, and 10 km back in the evening). It annoys us a bit because the van consumes a lot of fuel for these short distances.

Nevertheless, we are staying positive. In the farms we worked on in Australia, we had to drive back and forth for 5 km each time and we had to pay for accommodation. Here, at least we don't have to pay for accommodation, which is very good.

Unfortunately, we still don't have our IRD number (New Zealand tax number). Normally, it takes 8-10 days after applying, and that time has already passed. So, we need to follow up on that. Why didn't we apply for it in Germany? Because you need a New Zealand bank account to apply, which we could only open here.

All in all, we're doing fine :) Mike is being given more tasks as John has realized how versatile Mike is. After all, he has experience on a dairy farm, has a truck driver's license, can drive tractors, motorcycles, and quads, and can milk cows. He's also technically skilled, and having a paramedic around is definitely not a negative thing. Everyone is very impressed with him. Right now, he helps with milking, prepares feed for the cows, repairs electric fences, and is busy for about 7-8 hours a day.

Jenny works on two different farms owned by Matt. She is one of the two calf rearers who do the calf rearing and feeding twice a day. The 'fresh' calves that have just been born need to be trained with a bottle because they are immediately separated from their mother after birth. Once the calves are trained, they can be fed using 'feeders', and they do this quite independently. During this process, it needs to be checked if they walk properly, if they were born with any deformities, or if they are sick. Currently, Jenny is busy for about 5-7 hours, depending on the day. The calving season is just starting, so more and more calves are being born every day (there are currently about 1000 pregnant cows on each farm). So, there will be more work for both of us, but that's why we're here.

Currently, Mike works for 6 days and then has a day off, and the same is planned for Jenny, but for now, she works for 5 days and has 2 days off, one of which she will work in a cafe, but it's still being clarified. At least we have both Thursdays off together :).

There are shopping options about 15 minutes away in Geraldine, there is a 'Fresh Choice' store, but it's a bit more expensive. Otherwise, about 35-40 minutes away in Ashburton, there is a 'Countdown' (supermarket), a 'Warehouse' (similar to Primark for everything), as well as a 'Repco' and 'Supercheap' (for automotive needs), and a 'Mitre 10 Mega' for wood supplies, like a home improvement store. We want to convert our van, currently we have a huge mattress in the back, which is cozy, but we want to be able to sit in the van during bad weather and easily convert the seating to a bed. For this conversion, it's ideal to go to Ashburton on a day off.

What's nice is that we have a great view of the mountains every day :) and we also have a fireplace! Oh yeah, today we have been together for 10.5 years!!! That's why after work we're just going to cook and have a nice evening together :)

Since everything is going well and we'll be working until November, there won't be much new to report here for a while. However, we'll still keep you updated :)