French Akaroa Farm Tour
A visit to this 5th, 6th and now 7th generation family, descendants of the earliest French settlers on Banks Peninsula, is thought provoking and entertaining whilst it educates you on how farming has developed from 1837 to the present day.
Murray Johns, who farms Paua Bay with his wife Sue, son Will and daughter-in-law Hanna, is a raconteur who will hold you enthralled as he recounts the history of the farming and social lives of his forbears. You will learn how today farmers in this challenging part of the world must diversify and develop to survive. You will witness first hand, how to shear a sheep and learn of the daily struggles of those whose occupation it involves.
You won’t need to be told of the legendary intelligence and worth of sheepdogs on this terrain. The sheepdogs at work are no performing show animals. The relationship in understanding the needs of farmer and flock as they muster the mob and discipline the stragglers, will leave you in awe.
At the homestead, set amidst a beautiful cottage garden surrounded by native bush, you’ll enjoy Sue’s warm hospitality while devouring her delicious scones smothered with jam and cream as you gaze at the coastline and wonder how you will ever leave this idyll to return to Akaroa and beyond.
Murray Johns, who farms Paua Bay with his wife Sue, son Will and daughter-in-law Hanna, is a raconteur who will hold you enthralled as he recounts the history of the farming and social lives of his forbears. You will learn how today farmers in this challenging part of the world must diversify and develop to survive. You will witness first hand, how to shear a sheep and learn of the daily struggles of those whose occupation it involves.
You won’t need to be told of the legendary intelligence and worth of sheepdogs on this terrain. The sheepdogs at work are no performing show animals. The relationship in understanding the needs of farmer and flock as they muster the mob and discipline the stragglers, will leave you in awe.
At the homestead, set amidst a beautiful cottage garden surrounded by native bush, you’ll enjoy Sue’s warm hospitality while devouring her delicious scones smothered with jam and cream as you gaze at the coastline and wonder how you will ever leave this idyll to return to Akaroa and beyond.