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We had met the Harrison's (Chris, Jill, Britany and Angus) in November when they were kind enough to show us there winery, cook us dinner and have us to stay in the garden after we met Jill at the wine tasting. When we said our goodbyes to them then they mentioned to us that we could house sit for them when they went on holiday to Taupo at the end of January. At the time we were not sure what our plans were but as we were travelling around the South Island we realised that it could work out perfectly!
It was lovely to see the family again and they were so welcoming! We arrived a couple of days early as on the Saturday Chris had a marquee selling their beers from the Roosters Brewery at the Hastings Beer festival! We were happy to help out :) It was a cool festival and the weather was perfect. We were set up right next to the stage and it was obvious that Roosters was the most popular beer in the area! It was a long day but helped by access to the tap, especially the Wheat Beer . . . Yummy!
The next day we helped the family pack up and Jill, Britany and Angus went to Taupo. Chris still had a few things to do for the brewery and vineyard and he left the next day.
It was so nice to be in a house with access to an oven, electricity, hot water and sofas! We were in charge of looking after the two bantem 'chucks' and Randy the rooster! Randy was quite a handful and could only be let out when the chucks were in their pens! We were warned that he some times attacked people . . . He definitely didn't like me and went at me every time I tried to put him back in his pen! Whereas when I came running in the house terrified James just walked out said 'in your pen Randy!' And he just waddled right in there!!!! Not impressed. We mainly just chilled out for a few days at the house as it was in such a lovely spot and we had no worries about finding somewhere to stay etc. On Thursday we headed to Chris's dads vineyard in the afternoon to help but the bird nets over the vines and clip them on. We met up with Bryce and his wife Elaina in the evening for a couple of beers at Roosters. it was lovely sitting in the beer garden and having a chat. We did the nets on Friday as well and James also went back on Saturday. I stayed in the house on Saturday to sort a few things out and rest my ankle as it was a bit sore. On Sunday we had a day in the house cleaning and cooking a roast for the family's return.
They had a great holiday. Britany had caught 2 trout on the boat!
James went back to do the nets on Monday and I went to the Medical Centre. My ankle was still troubling me so I (James) wanted a second opinion and advice the Dr had a good look and a poke and said that he reckoned that I had torn my tendon. His advice (to my dismay) was to do as little as possible! Not much walking, no stretching, not to carry heavy things etc. I was not too happy but at least he didn't think that I had broken it. They gave me a tighter strap which was more supportive. That evening Britany cooked us one of her trouts on the BBQ! It was delicious!
We could have stayed in Hastings for much longer as the family were so welcoming but we knew that we didn't have long left in New Zealand and we decided to leave on the Tuesday.
On our way out we drove up to Te Mata Peak. It was stunning and the view over Hawkes bay was amazing! It was a great way to say goodbye to the area.
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