So I thought I'd give you an insight into having HelpX helpers come and stay. Ian and Carolina are our first helpers, and we are their first hosts. Given that we live in the middle of nowhere, I told them I would meet them in Dannevirke and they could follow me out to the station. Of course the evening they decided to arrive there was a gale force wind warning in place for Hawkes Bay/Wairarapa. These poor Chileans were forced to drive out from Dannevirke through howling gales of 130 km/h with tree branches all across the road. Between Weber and Pongaroa it looked like a tornado had passed by. Of course given that we live in the middle of nowhere, I always use a trip to town to get lots of things done. On this occasion I decided I would pick up a new farm dog for Scott while I was out. The poor thing was on the back of the truck in the gale force winds. I am sure Ian and Carolina thought I was cruel and heartless having him up there. In the end, when it started to rain as well and the rain was driving in sideways, I decided I would stop and put the dog in the cab. Again, given that I had used the opportunity of going to town to do other jobs, I had the three girls and a whole lot of groceries and farm supplies in the truck, along with school bags, swimming gear etc. Madeleine was sitting in the front and ended up with this great big hairy smelly farm dog sitting on her knee. It did cross my mind at this point to wonder what on earth the Chileans might be thinking and if they could hear the sound of duelling banjos as loudly as I could (if you have seen the movie Deliverance you will understand) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uzae_SqbmDE&noredirect=1.
Of course the wind created other problems. I told the kids that they needed to use the toilet before we left town because there is nowhere to stop and I would not be stopping on the way home. Halfway between Dannevirke and Weber Lizzie decided she needed to wee. I asked her if she could hold on until Pongaroa, to which I got a very terse "NO, I WILL PEE MY PANTS". Of course I am driving at 100km/h at this point (or thereabouts), have a dog on the back, the Chileans following me and there are bits of tree branch swirling around outside. Thank goodness for McDonalds and my quick thinking. I set Lizzie the challenge of peeing into an empty McDonald's drink cup in the back of the truck without taking her seatbelt off...thinking that she might then decide she could hold on. Lizzie is always up for a challenge. I handed her the cup, proceeded to drive normally while she peed in the cup. She did really well, didn't spill a drop and showed an amazing level of dexterity. She would not be pleased with me for telling this story and banned me from telling anyone including Scott. However it is too funny not to share. This left the problem of what to do with urine in a cup? Why, you put it in the cup holder of course!
So we finally arrive at the station where Carolina proceeds to ask "Where is the farm?". We have teased her about it ever since. Farming in NZ is quite different to farming in Chile. Ian and Carolina have fitted in so well with our family unit, although it has been a bit of baptism of fire for them. Scott got them up at 5.30am on their first morning to go for a pig hunt which I will share in the next instalment.
Perhaps the salient point that should be taken away from this blog episode is never ever EVER travel in a vehicle with me or you may find yourself with a dog on your lap and having to pee in a cup.
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