Footrot Flats came to life with ‘gumboots on’ and ‘give it a go’ and ‘that’ll do’ in the beautiful Pohangina Valley near Palmerston North for ESOL Intensive students.

After feeding the calves, and scones and butter at the homestead, each student caught their own lamb and held it while Craig, the farmer, ‘did the bizzo’ of docking and worming.

Next, a shearing ‘demo’ by Craig with only one tiny nick … a sheep all ready for summer. After a quick look at the garden and a swing (not everybody fell off) it was off across the paddock and up the hill in a howling gale to Jenny’s totara cross and views of the farm and the Kapiti Coast.

Surprisingly, Craig’s farm hat stayed on in the wind, and so did Hari’s Nepali one.

Craig threw some lemons in a few bags, we gave back the gumboots, yelled ‘goodbye’ and ‘thanks’, and headed back to town.

Students said: ‘I feel very happy’; ‘Craig is very nice’; ‘The dog was not scary’; ‘The gumboots are heavy’; ‘I want a sheep’; ‘The home is very beautiful’ and ‘Next time?

Thanks, farmer Craig, you really made us love being Kiwis!

Writer: Mary Legg, ESOL Intensive teacher