It was a picture perfect setting. We grabbed a grabone voucher for an experience on a farmstay at Karamu, near Hamilton. A gorgeous outlook to sit and relax, read a book, take in the scenery and smell the fresh country air.
Nicola had a headstart with joining the farmer on his motorbike to round up the cows, so she showed us the way. We wandered down the old country lane to see the young calves.
It had rained the night before, so it was lucky we had the good old gumboots on, like true farmhands, to combat the mud on the way to the cows.
The resident farm dog enjoyed much smooching and cuddles after his long hard day at work.
The day we arrived we were told the pregnant mare was due to give birth. We couldn't have had better timing. By the next morning, the new foal had made his way into the world. Nicola was allowed to name him, so "Splodges" it was. Here he is at 1 day old!
By the end of his first day, the farmhands helped Splodges get used to being around humans, with his ever present Mum right beside him. Daniel was just happy to marvel from a distance.
Both Nicola and Cameron got to help out milking the cows, whilst Daniel and I took a wee roadtrip to Hamilton for the afternoon.
They got very good at milking in a short space of time.
The kids also got to go and feed the eels and take a night trip with flashlights to see the glow worms.Todd, Nicola and Cameron went on a horse trek. Todd says it is the first and last time for him on a horse! Poor horses got scared from a goat jumping out of them from the bushes and they took off, riders and all!
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| Brokeback Mountain sans gays?! |
Todd and I were amazed at how much the kids rated the whole farm experience. Pure enjoyment. Just the perfect age for them to do this we think.
With the house perched on top of a hill overlooking the farm, with good company, what could be better time out? A great weekend enjoyed by all.
