Adventures as a Grown Up

Hoofing It While WWOOFing It

Over my week here at the Continental House/Hepburn Retreat Center I have come to be known as the WWOOFer… Not a volunteer.

WWOOFing is the World Workers of Oganic Farms and they are a group of people that move from farm to farm to help people with their organic goods in return from free accommodation. Well here, there isn’t really a farm but there is a 14 room guest house, two vegan kitchens and a few yoga studios. It’s my job to help with the upkeep and in return I get housing and food and use of the yoga facilities.

I have done everything from clean toilets, vacuum, weed, cook to help with concrete and grocery shop.

I only work 4 or 5 hours a day ad the rest of the time is mine. I spent most of it reading so far. Zalan gave me some interesting things on raw foods, sustainability and the vegan life style and Ostii gave me a book about meditation. When I’m not reading, I go for walks.

There are plenty of Weed Walks (hikes) in the area and it’s by so bad out there with a jumper (sweater) on. I have also walked up to the town of Hepburn (about 15 minutes uphill). Hepburn is small and has about 4 places to eat, a post office, a general store (the size of a living room) and one performance venue. That’s about it.

Just up the road about 5k (3ish miles) is Daylesford. Daylesford is bigger. Think CA gold rush town… Like Sonora I think. Shops, a library, Coles (grocery supermarket) and organic store, some pubs and little cafes like it’s streets.

As I walk along I still forget abs look the wrong way when I cross the streets but that’s ok. They seem to like Americans here.

The walk back from Daylesford takes just under an hour and is down hill. It’s a lovely stroll through the mountainous bush of Australia. Quiet streets with house set back from the road and spread put. They are unassuming and nothing grand bit sweet little country dwellings. Most of them have named their property… I’m not sure why yet.

I walk almost everywhere. I don’t see that changing as my adventure continues; at least it would be all mountains! I hoof it as I WWOOF it to help our world last longer, use less resources, save money, and because i can!