The last week or so we've spent at an abode that rests on the side of "Piddling Mountain." This is a polite translation from it's traditional Maori name, which I'll leave for your imagination to figure out. Andy Waterman was our host, a fifty-something year-old sarcastic and extremely proud Brit. With no reservations, Andy's witty remarks and vulgarities replaced normal small-talk, always accompanied by a subtle smile stretched across his carcinogen-creased face. He hand-rolled his tobacco cigarettes nearly every 6 minutes, resting them very loosely in the corner of his mouth. The gravity-defying cigarettes left just enough room for a cheap can of beer, 4% Abv. only. And he always, always wore a camouflage hat. Him and I got along quite well...We had frequent chats and the occasional debate on topics ranging from over-population and environmental biology to Polynesian gardening rituals and war ethics, always over-toned with traces of cynicism and non-politically-correct humor. He loved to criticize Americans for messing up the land "given to us by The Empire," and constantly joked about our "improper" customs and use of the English language donated to us by the British Empire. I won't soon forget something he said during a conversation about the American Revolution in regards to our defeating the Red Coats...
Bitterly he complained,
"The English march around properly, in lines... in uniform. Gentlemen with straight collars and proper muskets, awaiting orders. Now how the hell do you shoot something jumping around in the woods, hiding behind trees wearing GREEN!? You see... the English only lost because of their chivalry...honor."
Splitting his time between the UK and his simplistic escape on Piddling Mountain, Andy has managed to escape every form of Winter for 10 years. When Winter comes in England, he rents out his space to fund his life in Kaeo, NZ, where Summer begins. Once the rain comes in Kaeo, he flies back to England and begins gardening work. His all-volunteer-built home includes a garden shower, compost toilet, pond, pine forest with stream and paths in the back and an Adobe built at the top of his mountain property. Exotic trees, grasses and plants spot the area, with a large pond accompanying the all-volunteer-built octagonal cabin... boat and paddle included. We joked frequently about how he's managed to acquire a nearly self-sustainable retirement community all for himself, built completely by volunteers...
Andy left for a 6 day trip in Auckland while we watched over his property. We lived in one of two outside 60's-era caravans he owned. Our simple task was to feed the "chooks" (Half-beak, Light-twin, Dark-twin, Granny and Two) and cat (Goggles), water plants and trees on dry days, gather eggs and pick veggies from the organic garden (A.k.a.--Great salads every day.) Rainy days were spent quietly in the outdoor-but-roofed kitchen/common area reading, painting, writing, cooking and playing cards. Perfect time to recover the mind and reflect on the swiftly-accelerating experiences thus far.
We also got to know the neighbors across the way quite well. Paul and Katarina were there names. Katarina had us over for dinner frequently, probably feeling sympathetic for our living situation... I should have mentioned that Andy has no electricity, refrigerator, oven, or much else beyond the technology of the 18th century.
Paul and Katarina have a tiny one-room cabin overlooking all of the town atop the tallest nearby point, the equivalent of a block away from Andy's in the direction of UP. It looked a lot like something out of a Dr. Suess book, sans the deformed cats and discolored breakfast foods...
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