I'm plugged in for an hour during our grocery and supplies run into Queenstown, and I just wanted to let friends and family know that yes, I am alive. When I was picked up at the airport, I was informed that we'd be heading out to Camp Hill, passed Glenorchy (of Lord of the Rings fame), and we'd be without connection to the rest of the world. Let me tell you, upon arrival, I honestly felt like I'd found the edge of the Earth. Surrounded by Mountains, (the Humbolts, the Richardsons, the Cosmos, Mt. Alfred, Mt. Earnslaw, Temple Mt. - I could continue, but the pictures I'll post shortly will get the point across far better than a scramble of Mt) Camp Hill has a few small buildings: the Shire, a 10X20 ft communal space with Kitchen and tv area, with a nice sized bathroom building right near; two huts, both 6X10 living quarters with twin beds, desks, a dresser (and views in every direction); a small studio office about the size of the huts; and the Crow's Nest, Rob's (the owner and master planner) home with a small kitchen (which he never uses) bedroom with AMAZING views, and another bathroom building. I was given the full tour by Rob and Femke, another Wwoofer who'd been there about a week. I was blown away. To start, as isolated as it is, it's also somewhat luxurious - or, servicable, but never cheap - quality. My hut, and the other, have little porches. There's space to eat outside on the deck as well as inside at the counter. We made a massive grocery run where we bought (and cooked, Rob's not much in the kitchen, but makes a mean toasted sandwich) whatever we thought would make delicious dinners (thanks again for the cooking lessons Jen, I've impressed a few people, including myself). Down comforters, cozy lighting, warm heaters, top notch water pressure and laundry facilities - literally the best shower I've had since leaving the USA, maybe in my adult life. Every day we've gotten up, made breakfast, and by 9 am climbed to a certain space on the property where we plant native trees - so many, hundreds of trees. Rob has it down to a science, between gypsum, compost, osmacote, and so much more. It's not easy work, but it's not back breaking. More importantly, it's communal, and we all have been working together really well. But I can't say enough about the beauty of the property. I've been waking up and seeing the mountains out my windows, looming, gorgeous, and after a week I'm still catching my breath. If I had more time and money, I'd do the Routeburn Trek - it goes from Glenorchy to Milford, and it's more of the amazing natural grandeur that I've been immersed in. Not only that, but I've been able to let go of some basic travel worries - figuring out where I'm going, navigating, planning, food, money - not that those things aren't important, but letting go of them for a few days, in that setting, it's seemed a little other worldy. I don't think I could live like this forever, in fact I couldn't, but I'm enjoying it while it lasts, and somehow my overplanning brain has relaxed and been enjoying each day to the next. It's spring here, and the frogs are chirping, the Tuis are singing, and I'm sleeping well after long days of hard work and good food. I know it's a bit ridiculous to say, but the place is magical - otherworldly - Peter Jackson picked the perfect spot. As to the trees, I can pick out different beach trees, broadleaf, wineberry - I've learned so much. It's seemed a bit repetitive at times (I've helped dig, plant,irrigate and weedmat over 1200 trees in a week), but when you look up and see a hillside turned from ugly prairie grass into the beginnings of a native forest - well, it's a new feeling, and I like it.
