Autumn Farm

What a beautiful place full of eccentric people. From what I'd heard about the place before i got there I was expecting to fall in love with it, but I had no idea how truly amazing it was going to be. It's definitely "out there" in terms of location and state of mind and i think thats what i love about it so much. Golden Bay feels like a different reality, in a different universe, a place that's been forgotten. It makes me feel good knowing it's there. If the world fell to pieces Golden Bay would still be there, its not part of the rest of the world.

After a day in transit aboard ferries and buses i made it over Takaka Hill and landed at the door stop of Autumn Farm. It felt good to be at a home instead of a hostel. I was completely taken back by the 12 acre estate that peter has transformed from some fields with a barn back in the early 80's into the magnificent property that is Autumn Farm. It's completely stunning. There must be about a 500 unique species of tree and even more herbs and flowers. They also have 3 cows, some sheep and some chickens. Autumn Farm is in a valley surrounded by beautiful mountains, so when there's a space between the trees that's what you see. And if it wasn't enough there's even a babbling brook that cuts through the property.

I am a Wwoofer there so I do four hours of very easy work in the morning and spend the afternoons exploring Golden Bay with the other Wwoofers and at night end it in a outdoor fire heated bath tub under the stars. The stars here are incredible.

There have been three wwoofers here for the past three weeks. Laura and Dave a young american couple from the Chicogo area and Matt a young guy from Winipeg. It's been amazing getting to know them and being able to experice Autumn Farm and Golden Bay together. There's been a few times I'll never be able to forget and I will no doubt keep these memories very close over the next few years. The couple of afternoons spent at the river swimming hole cooling off. Exploring Rawhiti cave and the beautiful rock formations with only a couple torches. Riding our bicycles into town to get to bar and obviously having a wonderful time getting back home. And finally just the experience of being at Autumn Farm, you just couldn't explain that if you tried. It's been amazing.