Travel Tale

 Back in the day I used to travel foregin places like New Zealand. NZ became my favorite destination. I visted there 13 times and toured the entire country . NZ consists of 3 Islands, the North Island is the 7th largest island in the world but has less than 2 milion people. the south island is less populated and extrtemly beautiful, mountians Glaciers fiords, very pristine and clean,I once backed packed in the Hollyford trail and was totaly alone for 9 days. My 1st visit was around 1976 and we were hitchiking and were picked up by a lady, Molly M., in a Jaguar xj6,who drove like a bat from you know where. She invited us to her farm located in the Hawkes Bay region on the North Island. Her family was Ken her husband, and 3 boys, James, Phillip and Cedrick. Their farm was one of the most beautiful places ive ever seen, 3,500 acres of rolling green paddocks and you could see forever. We were made to feel like part of the family.We would ride farm motorcycles endlessly  all day, I actualy lived on farm for a 6 months and someday dreamed of my own farm. The boys were incredable farmers,  taught by their father, Ken, as well as  rugby players, pilots, and motorcross riders, beer drinkers, who were really good at all they did especially farming. Their farm produced more sheep per acre than any other farm in southern hemisphere. We invited all to come visit us, in the US, however Ken would never leave his farm. He told me he wanted to die right here mate with me gumboots on and explained to me that shortly after ww2 broke out he enlisted in the NZ army and was  captured by the Japs and spent the duration of the war as a POW,it was hell,. They said better to die than being taken by the Japs, but he told me the one thing kept him alive was returing to his farm,. Ken survived and did return. One day Ken was bulldozing and went to refuel, told the boys hed be right back. After awhile Dad didnt show so Phil went to find his dad and found him laying on a pile of straw apparently napping like he often did, however this time he did not wake up from his slumber. Ken died right there in his sleep with his gumboots on just as he wished. They loaded dad up and  took him home for the last time.  Molly told me when she saw the truck with  all the boys and farm dogs following up past the cattle guard she knew her love was gone. They buried him overlooking the valley and Ken got his wish and is resting in peace where he belongs overlooking his farm. My wish is that I too drop beside my plow and remain forever on my farm which I love dearly as Ken did his farm. This man was and still is an inspration to me, its about hard work, honesty, loving land, life, family and livestock, thats  what I learned from Ken and my experience on his wonderful farm and family.. RIP Ken and thanks for eing a part of my life..Peaceoutchickenman