My dear Family and Friends,

I do not know wear time has gone! Already it is almost the end of January 2011! I am much more settled here than I was at first. I am renting off a brother in the local Blenheim congregation. I have made some good Friends here and have done some great things.

I spent almost two weeks with my friends Michelle and Tony in Northland in the far north of the North island. I had a lovely time with them. Its quite sub tropical wear they live. In my spare time in Blenheim i have been on some nice outings with friends to different places. We have our district assembly in Nelson next week end. 

The work here is tough but I am much more used to things now and i am part of the team at Pro-Vine Viticulture which is reassuring. Usually when i learn a new job i am slower but once i get better i pick up speed, Like anything i suppose.

Our team mainly work for Oyster bay Vineyards. Oyster bay own several Vineyards and cover a large area in Marlborough growing grapes for the production of some award winning White wines sold worldwide. 

Since the beginning of December i have learnt various jobs on the Vineyards, Learning the huge array of jobs that have to be done in order for you to enjoy a glass of chilled New Zealand White wine!

Harvest is getting nearer so at the moment we are reducing the amount of bunches per Vine, This is a tedious fiddly job but as an important task. Oyster bays Vineyard managers consult with the Viticulturists and Winemakers regarding steps to take, taking into consideration the science behind the art of Expertise Wine making!

The rule of thumb is a Struggling Vine makes good Wine. So good wine is made from a vine that has fewer bunches than an over vigorous vine of many smaller bunches. Good air ventilation and high light levels are very important. I am reading up on Viticulture and combined with work this is a very rewarding experience.

The Harvest is getting nearer so there is allot to do, I am hoping to stay here in Blenheim until the Kiwi Autumn/Winter, then travel! Vanuatu still under planning.

I will update the blog every 2 weeks from now on and will add photos soon,

Cheers,

Felix

Dear Friends and followers,

I am sorry i have not updated for a while. I thought i had no news to share but thinking about it a lot has happened in the short time i have been in New Zealand.

Since starting work i have turned up every day and tried my best at each days work, naturally getting better and quicker at the job. We at Provine viticulture work at many different vineyards in the Marlborough region lifting trellis wires, bud rubbing, fruit and shoot thinning at vineyards such as Oyster bay, Montana and the less famous vineyards too

After my first week of work (despite starting on Wednesday 1st) i left the hostel i was staying in and moved into a room in a small house at the other end of town. At first i felt lonely, i had isolated my self from people/Company moving out the hostel but i decided that if i am to get the meetings regularly i kneed to be nearer the hall, which is also the other end of town, just around the corner from the house.

I went to the Blenheim Springlands congregation meeting on Sunday 5th and being with the brothers and sisters was a breath of fresh air. I took part in the watchtower discussion and spoke to the brothers afterwards. 
After speaking to one of the brothers about my plan to go to the South pacific to explore and join in and help with the ministry some wear that needs support i was introduced to a brother called Marty, who leads the Nivan studies (Nivan's are people from Vanuatu). Marty explained to me the opportunity's with Nivan's in Blenheim and also in there home land. I went on a study with him last Thursday with a Nivan called Judah.

Vanuatu formally called the New Hebrides consists of about 40 islands and is situated east of the Solomon islands and west of  Fiji. A poll recently voted Nivans worlds happiest people, Nivans speak Bislama a form of pidgin English. They are a very smiley people, it is hard to believe there ancestors were Cannibals. Vanuatu is famous for the vine diving ritual on Pentecost island that bungee jumping was inspired by.

On Saturday i went country witnessing and in the afternoon i visited some lovely beaches and swimming spots on the north east coast of the south island with friends from the congregation. On Sunday afternoon i went Scallop fishing in the the sounds with Marty and some other brothers, which was great fun!

Moving out of the hostel was after all a good decision, tough at first but through trusting in Jehovah and getting to the meetings, ministry etc... i have got to know people, and have made some friends.

My plan is to work here until the end of February and then get myself out to Vanuatu.

I will update soon

Cheers,

Felix

Dear Friends and followers,

I have finished my first day working for a Viticulture contractor. It is among the hardest work i have ever done in Horticulture. It is a remarkable experience working in a new area of horticulture and in such a beautiful location. The quicker i get at the job the better i can earn too (payed hourly but if quick there are bonuses).

I am working for Provine Viticulture and am the only Pome, the rest are Maori's Kiwi's and Pacific islanders (i like them!) The work is physically demanding particularly in the dry summer heat. The days are usually about eight hours long though sometimes longer.

Today as part of a team of about 25 labourers we did wire lifting on Oyster bay's Sauvignon and Chardonnay vines in the Wairau Valley, which cover 180 hectares. This is aleat modern Commercial horticulture making my old job look like a walk in the park (however much i miss that park, and all the people too)

I have got to know many Vanuatuans and Kiribasian's who work the vines seasonally too, which is interesting as they are surprised i know about there homeland. I am trying to learn basic Nauru-an.

Will update soon.

Cheers,

Felix

Dear Freinds and Followers,

I am in Blenheim. At last i am here after an exhaustingly long journey. After my breif stay in California i flew accross the Pacific to Auckland in the north island and then down to the south island. I caught a bus into Christchurch then killed time before catching a coach up to Blenheim at the northern tip of the south island.

The weather has been spectacular. and the air is noticably fresher and cleaner than the States and the uk. The place is how i left it, but i am so glad i am in the south island as the scenery is gloriouse.

I start work wednesday very early. I have contacted the bethel and have an address for the Kingdom hall. I also have the meeting times etc...I am pretty echausted this tiredness is catchign up on me...

Cheers,

Felix

Dear Friends and followers,

Howdy from US of A's (Borat)

I arrived yesterday evening after an eleven hour long haul with air New Zealand. Friend Russ met me and since then we have been hanging out as they say over here.

The weather is bad here, but not snowing. Drizzly rain and a cold air. Nothing to write home about...

Went to Joshua tree national park in south eastern California. An incredible desert like land with impressive boulder like rock formations, a gritty sand with islands of vegetation, Mainly Joshua trees and Cacti. Surprisingly cold though for a desert.

We took a two wheel drive truck through a 30 mile four wheel drive intermediate track towards Palm Springs. It was insane!

Will write soon,

Cheers

Felix