CURRENT MISSION

To live a life more gentle on the planet, self sufficiency in a non materialistic green way

ABOUT ME

We're a non heterophobic gay couple, been together over thirteen years, and civilly united for since 2005. We have a 0.86 Ha [2 acre] lifestyle block in Whakamarama, 20 minutes out of Tauranga. We share it with 4 sheep, 17 chickens two dogs, 60 odd fruit trees, 300 firewood trees etc. Live simply, make our own wine, involved in community environmental projects, Green Party. Have guest room and campervan pop-top. Love travelling and meeting travellers with simple needs.

PHILOSOPHY

To walk softly on the planet. To develop our home towards carbon neutrality. To respect Mother Earth, enhancing it for all future members of the earth's animal kingdom. To share its resources equably and sustainably. To encourage the reduction of the human population to that end, in peaceful non violent ways of course.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

WHY I NO LONGER PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

We loved the concept and ethic, but the new owners have gone so FAR FROM THE ORIGINAL CONCEPT WE ARE OUT OF HERE.. We have hosted a heap of folk, but have only surfed once ourselves. WE ARE TOO FAR OUT OF TOWN FOR PEOPLE WHO DO NOT WANT TO WWOOF, unless you have a car and a good history of hosting. We are now most interested in "WWOOFer" guests [WWOOFer= Willing Worker on organic Farms]. We provide all food and accommodation free in exchange for four hours of help around our property a day. You get to experience simple rural Kiwi Green living. We can teach wine making skills and you'll definitely do some tasting! We can only accept CSers with transport as we are well out of town and do not offer a taxi service. We can direct you to our favourite walks in the native forests of the Kaimai Range behind us. We have sheep, lambs at springtime, dogs and hens. The dogs are friendly pets, the rest are farm livestock!

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

We have met some incredible friends, but also had some users and losers. We have so far mostly hosted. We have experienced hospitality overseas when hitching, and felt CS was a good way to repay that debt.
We enjoy people interested in the self sufficiency, organic, natural health lifestyle we try to lead. Those who are; environmentally aware, animal lovers, fun loving, caring and giving, will find a welcome here.
A story?
We had one vegan couple come for only one night, so they asked if they might cook. They came, made a wonderful vegan curry and non dairy dessert [Col's non dairy so bring your own milk cheese etc if that's you] with which we tried a selection of our home made wines, and next day they left a small treasure trove of goodies behind. Next time they want to come for a week, and will be more than welcome, great couple :-)

Interests

Self sufficiency, gardening, wine-making, simple basic lifestyle development.
Walks on beaches with dogs, good discussions, Green politics, enjoying company.
Environmental issues, pest control, enhancing biodiversity, politics both local and national effecting this.

• animals
• pets
• dogs
• chickens
• dining
• cooking
• wine
• cheese
• vegan
• partying
• gardening
• politics
• technology
• traveling
• history
• wwoof
• beaches

Music, Movies, and Books

Movies, generally prefer something that moves or provokes thought to pure entertainment, though we did enjoy Avatar. Anything from 2001: A Space Odyssey, to Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee, with stop offs for such as One flew over the cuckoos nest, and also like such as Opera at the Met series.
Eclectic music from Edith Piaf, through Ella F to Emma Shaplin, Jazz to Opera, Pop to Classic, anything but heavy metal or rap.
Books? a wide range, Lord of the Rings [or Flies], The Kite Runner, Catch 22, any thing well written and thought provoking.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Col did a double traverse of the Grand Canyon while hitching the States in 1981.
Steve was there when the Berlin Wall came down.
We've both holidayed in Europe, Thailand and Vietnam together. Went to Samoa winter 2011. Only once been CS Guests.

Teach, Learn, Share

We are keen to share our small knowledge in organic gardening, wine making, sheep rearing etc here. But we also have much to yet learn. Interested in small scale wind power generators, solar power technology, etc.

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Austria, Canada, Denmark, Egypt, France, French Polynesia, Germany, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Philippines, Poland, Russian Federation, Samoa, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States, Vatican City State, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

New Zealand, Thailand, United Kingdom

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