Is that the place with the gumboot?

We had fun farewelling the School Holidays with a trip to Kiwi Valley.  And yes, it IS the place behind the big gumboot on the hill.

We arrived a bit early and got to have a coffee before entering, which was a great way to get the adults properly fortified for the adventure.  Kiwi Valley is a working farm (you can even buy eggs on your visit) filled with sunshine, happy animals, and genuinely stoked-to-be-there teenage workers.  The first stop is the petting zoo, where you can hold bunnies and rats.  Amiri and Arram were not so sure about that, so after approximately 0.0001 seconds of arm-twisting I volunteered my lap for holding purposes and the children clustered around to pet my new little friends.

Then the Fabulous Five went for a tractor ride.

We drove through a field with cows, ducks, and a big warren of wild rabbits.  There was a great view. 

Then we did the big labyrinth.  In addition to finding our way out, which was enough of a challenge, we had to also locate the birdcage, the goat barn...

and the hidden man-made cave, which had a waterfall inside it.

Then we went out on the farm walk.  There were more goats out there.

And I thought it was funny how the sheep left clumps of wool on the fences.

There were lots of chickens and I simply HAD to hold a little chook.  He nibbled snacks out of the boys' hands.

And then it was time for the PONY RIDES.  They got their helmets on and lined up.

Amiri was an old hand at this, a seasoned cowpoke from way back.  (Notice how the pommel has a little horsey on it.)

Arram was a little more cautious and had some quiet psych-himself-up time before the big ride.

I accompanied him at first, but he excused me after we rounded the first bend and he explored the rest of the track on his own.

And because we had so much fun, then we did all of those things again.  And we patted the cow and the loud donkey on our way out but only waved goodbye to the pigs, because the sign said they bite.