rob2ozoverland: A Day at the Community

This was my fourth visit to Wilderland Trust, a Community, which is set in hills in the Coromandel Peninsula, historically an area of forestry and alternative living situated on the east coast of North Island.

Below is a series of pictures of events during a typical day at the Community, which was established in 1964 by Dan and Edith Hansen, who were pacifists and vegetarians. Thousands of people have stayed on the 300 hectare farm over the intervening years.

I was an early riser and made porridge for the 18 or so staying with the community

The composting toilet

Kindling wood and logs had to be cut in order to make the fire for cooking and heating water, along with the solar panels. I had become proficient at this when in Tasmania

Cooking great food had become a competitive sport, much to my great pleasure

A rescued turkey had been adopted as a pet by the kids. They were able to pick "Squeaker" up and talk with "it".

Transplanting brasicas into mulched beds, which had to be covered against birds

A view of the bush from the organic shop which we took turns in manning each day. Pampas grass in the mid distance is a pernicious weed, but looks good in pics

Sitting around after lunch

Part of the kitchen in the communal hall

All sorts of organic products were made for the shop. We have over 130 bee hives. Most of the the honey is manuka, a great earner. Creams and potions, native herbal teas, a book exchange, as well as seasonal fruit and veg

A plate of scrumptious food for lunch

Views towards Whitianga Harbour

On many evenings there was live music and singing. Most of the stuff was only known to the young

The pleasures of a simple camp fire and conversation

The transport to the shop

A wide variety of accomodation has accumulated over the years

The Dome House

A lovely little old caravan

A little wooden house on stilts

The Octogone, where I once stayed

Another non-standard residence, a tepee, which is surprisingly spacious. The large pebbles set in the centre, to keep the fire in check, keep one cosy at night

I lived in an old Bedford camper van,. This was the view from the doorway

My favourite fruit, the feijoa. It does not travel, so it cannot be sampled in England. It was discovered in Southern Brazil by a German explorer. It has few pests in NZ, so grown organically. Each fruit has a slightly different taste

is like paradise for me: scenery, healthy and wonderful people who choose to live communally

Another unusual fruit, the tamarillo. There are four varieties of avocado and six of plums that are grown, which gives long seasons

Eating freshly picked figs straight from the tree

Banana passion fruit. There are also other fruits grown: persimmon ,loquat, melons and cherimoys, which Mark Twain said "it is the finest fruit known to mankind". It originates from the Andes