What a week it has been..

Ah yes, the blog.

I seem to have lost track of time, this week has been full of news.  Tragedy continues via plate tectonics as japan suffers from an earthquake the world won't forget; followed by a tsunami that creates nuclear havoc. My thoughts go out to those in need.

Fortunately I am safe at mangarara.  It has been a good week of work I am continuing to learn much about livestock farming (and family life).  The Hart clan has been quite fun to be a part of, not a dull moment.  Their compassion and generosity has made my stay here unforgettable.

On Monday two things happened that are worth noting.  First, another family came to the farm to stay for a couple night's during their own nz journey.  Also greg hart gave a presentation that night at the local town hall about is experience at findhorn Eco-village in the UK.  Greg shared some great points including how stronger community is an effective, and essential way to live more sustainably in our daily struggle against peak oil/limited resources and climate change.  It is so difficult because of the influential nature and strength of consumer culture and capitalism which seems to lose a sense of community in a wash of individualism.

A good example of a cause-and-effect of consumer culture would be the current situation in japan.  Their government  had built an excessive amount of nuclear power stations and were pushing very hard to sell more and more cheap energy to consumers via electronics like heated toilet seats and heated floors.  The sad irony about the first explosion was that the plant that was first damaged was set to be decommissioned this march.

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The family that came to the farm originally is from the usa but now lives in fiji.  They have invested much time in Eco-communities and had recently finished the one that they currently reside in fiji.  They are visiting nz to wwoof as a family. They were wonderful company and I hope to see them again some day.

One last weekend on the farm then back on the road.

Much love