From old hippies, snakes, and gardening

The weather just didn't want to get better. Since the most beautiful beaches are not so beautiful in excessive rain, we decided to make use of our time by doing some work. We found an organic farm through an ad on the internet that offered free accommodation and meals for four hours of work per day. So, off we went!

However, it wasn't the kind of farm we had imagined. 'Korinderie Ridge' is a community that has been living in a forest near Lismore since the 1970s. In 1973, a hippie festival took place in Nimbin, a small town near Lismore. Many of the visitors stayed in the area and founded communities, most of which still exist today. In addition to some long-time members, there are also many young families living here. In total, there are 14 houses scattered throughout the large forest area.

In the community, there is a community center with a kitchen, pizza oven, cozy seating area, pool table, music corner, etc., which can be used by every member. The residents gather here every Friday to eat and celebrate together. Every few months, there is a meeting for organizational matters.

During this time, we mainly stayed with Meg and Jack, an older couple who have been living here since 1977. Their house is pretty cool and has been put together bit by bit by Jack and other members of the community. The couple's three children also live in the commune with their families.

In the beginning, we slept in the Hexagon, a tent-like shelter near the community center. We always had to walk a bit through the forest to get to the shower and toilets. On our first evening, I almost stepped on a snake in the dark. After a few days, we were able to move into a room in Meg and Jack's house. Marine, a French girl, had been living here in the first few days but left after a few days. Interestingly, it turned out that Marine lives in the same street in Paris as Marion, just a few houses further. :-)

Our tasks mainly consisted of painting boards for a pavilion and a lot of gardening work (which I hate!). But you also have to be careful here, after all, we are in Australia! Big fat spiders, a python living in the garden, venomous millipedes, large March flies that want to bite you... Meg and Jack's garden was huge! Everything that the (hippie) heart desires grows here (bananas, sweet potatoes, limes, garlic, pumpkins, weed, etc.). But we were royally cooked twice a day from all the good stuff.

Since the people in the community help each other a lot, we were also borrowed to clean up other members' places. ;-)

I also spent my birthday at Korinderie Ridge. In the afternoon (after we had finished work, of course!), we drove to Woodburn, a nearby town. Many things had been flooded and damaged here due to the cyclone. We ended the evening with a good (cheap) bottle of wine in the community center.

Thanks to the improving weather, we were finally able to continue after nine days! Off to Byron Bay!