The Pot Shed - month 1

Flight from Auckland to Blenheim...checked in and waited in the airport then just boarded the plane, no security! The plane was small and I sat under the wing.

After a very short flight I flew in over grape vines and landed to be met by Melisa...she would be my boss. She took me to her home where I would be working and staying in the hostel. I got a tour of the property and meet some of the other guests at the hostel...they were hungover! I spent the rest of the day unpacking and chatting. We watched a film and it was off to bed ready for work in the morning.

I am working at the Pot Shed, this is the name of the shop they have on the property. They also have a hostel and a flower growing business. My job is to help with flower orders, serve customers in the shop, clean the hostel and any other jobs that need doing around the property. 

First day of work was spent with the flowers; I learnt what we do with them. First I had to collect the flowers from the pickers (Trisha and Melisa), snip off the bottom of the storks and then place them in a vase. I got upgraded on my first day to collecting 2 bunches at a time from the pickers! 

Once both glasshouses had been picked it was time to start packing up the boxes for the orders. We had to cup the flowers (this is putting a plastic cup on the flower head to keep it from getting damaged) before placing them in the box, to be sealed and couriered off.

 

Monty had a go

I also cleaned the hostel...I'm sure I don't need to tell you all about what is involved in that like wiping surfaces, hoovering and cleaning the toilet! 

Picking flower days and cleaning hostel days are Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Every evening I eat with the family. There is Andrew (Mel's husband) and the 3 children Kaden, Tylen and Tahlia. Some evenings I cook and also help clean up afterwards. I have been cooking some very yummy meals which I can't wait to cook again. 

Jobs I've been getting up to on the farm this month:
I sold my first pot in the shop
Cleaned up in the shop
Done a lot of weeding
I now am a Window cleaning
Cleaning the house
Clearing the Strawberry plants
Picked blueberries
Gardening, cutting back bushes and vines!

Mel went to Australia on a course for a few days so it was my turn to take the kids to school and pick them up. Before I was trusted to drive the kids Mel took me to the school to show me where it was and she gave me a driving test on the way back and I passed! 

Things I got up to:
There were 12 of us at the hostel; Delphine, Nathalie, Stacey, Luca, Giacomo, Steve, Brian, David, Anna, Federica and Mattia. They were all working on the vineyards looking after all the grapes. 'Grape' Job!

My first weekend I went with Mel and the kids to feed their pigs and we went for a walk around a park by a stream.

Well I was excited to see the super blue moon which would have been a total eclipse but it was cloudy that night and when I woke up it was raining so didn't get to see any of it.

There was a public holiday; Waitangi Day. Everyone had the day off so we all went for a drive to Havelock to do a walk...on the way we picked up a hitchhiker. We helped him on a small part of his journey trying to get to Nelson. We all walked around this track and saw beautiful views of the sea. Afterwards we all want for a drink and a bite to eat at the Captain's Daughter.

Tried to go to yoga with Mel but in the class was full so we went for a walk along by the river near to the house.

The boys room was now empty Brian and Steve left for Christchurch and Luca and Giacomo went off to Thailand. One evening the remaining of us played 'heads ups'. This was such a funny game...especially Delphine acting out killer whale! We played many other games too during the time here.

Valentines Day - All the girls were in on the surprise for Nathalie, her boyfriend had been in touch with Delphine to get a rose, some wine and nuts for her. The girls organised the presents and my task was to place it on her bed while she was at work. She was so shocked but loved it! 

I had an accident with the peeler and a pumpkin...it's OK I didn't loose a finger just all my layers of skin.

I visited a pink lake...that wasn't very pink but it was a great trip out. 

I was more pink than the lake!

Was sad to say goodbye to everyone and there was only Delphine and I left.