Our Home away from Home

We are spending our last few weeks in New Zealand with our adopted Kiwi family: Sue, Richard and Ava. We realized that we have wwoofed with them five separate times this year, adding up to a total of nine weeks! Their beautiful home and gardens have become a second home for us and one of our favorite places in the whole country.

A sunset view over the pearly Tasman Sea (as seen from their front deck)

We have been working a good deal in the orchard this time and have been thoroughly enjoying the abundance of ripe apples and pears on the trees.

A blissful pear experience


Aren't they gorgeous?


Sean, taking a happy little break with a few of the ducks checking out the scene

The six pet ducks who live in the orchard to keep the weeds and pests under control are a crack-up as usual, waddling around, quacking at any visitor who disturbs their peace. Once they get used to you they ignore you and go back to their routine of napping in the shade, chatting quietly, and rooting around for bugs. Very entertaining animals.

Feeding time

We have also been avidly watching the caterpillar colony that lives on a swan plant in the garden. They are quite beautiful and form the most amazing chrysalis.

Getting ready...


Voila! Suddenly the thick black and yellow caterpillar disappears and overnight is replaced by this incredible translucent pod, edged with the most perfect gold embellishments

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We have been spending a number of afternoons trying to improve our sourdough making techniques. It has been interesting experimenting with different flours, proofing times, refrigeration, steam creating methods, etc. So far, no loaf has been inedible, in fact most have been delicious. Only one was lost in a halo of flames (note: parchment paper is flammable) and had to be sacrificed to the compost. Three weeks and six kilos of flour later, it's really starting to come together nicely. Lou also got the chance to spend a few hours with a master baker, a friend and neighbor of the family, who happily shared advice learned from many years of bread-making. Thank you Sue for making that possible!

Lou with the first all-around successful loaf: good strong crust with a chewy and holey interior -- and pretty as well!



This last batch looked the most beautiful (deep cuts with a sharp knife are crucial)

Adventures in bread-making continue and when we get back I would love to teach anyone who wants to start making their own! It isn't as difficult as it seems and is well worth your time, I promise.