What is HelpX you ask? Quote from their website: “HelpX is an online listing of host organic farms, non-organic farms, farmstays, homestays, ranches, lodges, B&Bs, backpackers hostels and even sailing boats who invite volunteer helpers to stay with them short-term in exchange for food and accommodation.“
We took our first ferry and visited our first wild beach, Mitimiti. What I mean by a “really wild beach”: a beach that is off the beaten track, gravel roads, only very small towns on the way, no phone signal. The only people you see are locals and they are few and far between. Windswept and wild you have to be careful on the western beaches as the currents are very strong. The water is pristine and warm. You can just walk for miles.
After a swim and some lunch at Mitimiti we head over to meet our first HelpX family. *A note about google maps and NZ roads: It feels a bit like uncharted territory up here, certainly google has not invested much time with their maps here. The route google sends you might seem to their algorithm to be the fastest most direct route but it is often not the easiest.
We followed googles directions and was taken through a bit of a baptism of gravel, single-lane roads, drop-offs, and dust. The last stretch of road being James and Polly’s 1k long driveway through 2 rivers and bush. Our nerves and bones a bit rattled (Jacky really taking it all in her stride) we arrive at Jame and Polly’s home. James is a self-taught builder and Polly is a writer (check out some of her brilliant writing here), they live off-grid with their two children and dog. The section of land they have is a small valley and the house they have built is a lovely mud-brick house the is spacious and very homely. It feels like they have all mod cons but there is no electricity and you really do not miss it. We had our own very cozy space away from the main house in a caravan they have set up that was originally their home when they first moved onto the land. The silence is just awesome here, with no phone signals and just nature all around. We are surrounded by dense native bushland, the water comes from their spring and they have done a wonderful job planting so many fruit trees and vegetables. We spent the week working with James and Polly making a courtyard and playing with Veta (8), Zendo (5) and Pax the dog. There is a stream to cool off in the hot afternoons. Great food, great conversation, and great play were had. I really feel like we made good friends and I look forward to seeing them again.
