Practical Information For PDC

Accommodation

Accommodation option choices were made when you booked and have been allocated in the order they were received. When you arrive on the farm for registration you will be shown to your camp site or room.

Things to Bring

• Sleeping bag.
• Towel
• If you are camping, bring ALL bedding.
• Enough clothes - laundry facilities are available but limited. We need to watch our water supply if the weather is dry.
• Raincoat, wet weather footwear.
• Toiletries (please bring bio-degradable, non-toxic products only)
• Insect repellent
Flashlight and batteries. It can be very dark at night and so this is essential equipment here on the farm.
• Stationary for taking notes and drawing designs e.g. notebooks, pens, folder for notes/hand-outs, coloured pencils, felt-tipped pens, rulers etc.
• Any material you have about the place you may want to develop a design for (photos, aerial photos, maps).
• Musical instrument if you have one.

Food

The food provided will be mainly organic, including meat, eggs and milk. Vegetarians will be catered for. If you like real coffee then you'll need to bring your own and a plunger (instant is provided). If you have any special dietary needs, please bring sufficient supplies to meet your needs.

Time to Arrive

The course starts at 5:30 pm on Friday, February 5 2010 with a Powhiri, introductions and orientation. A light dinner will be served at around 7.30 pm and there will be an evening discussion and course overview. Please arrive on Friday between 3pm and 5pm for registration. We ask you not to arrive any earlier on Friday, as we won’t be ready! The course ends after lunch on Saturday, February 20 2010.

If you wish to stay in the area before Friday, there is a motel in Matakana, and lots of B&Bs (see www.matakanacoast.com). There are campgrounds (some with cabins) in Warkworth, Sandspit, Tawharanui, Pakiri and Whangateau.

Email Connection

Participants may connect their laptops via our broadband connection. For checking emails. Internet facilities are available in Warkworth.

Telephone

Telephone cards are available in Matakana, which allow cardholders to make phone calls cheaply and easily on our phone. There are very few places on the farm where there is enough signal to operate mobile phones.

Matakana Coast Region and Map

There are many beautiful places to visit close to Rainbow Valley Farm, including vineyards, beaches, regional parks, a marine reserve and islands. For information visit: www.matakanacoast.com

Recommended Reading

An Introduction to Permaculture by Bill Mollison & Remy Slay
Permaculture: A Designers Manual by Bill Mollison
Permaculture: Principles and Pathways Beyond Sustainability by David Holmgren
Earth User's Guide to Permaculture by Rosemary Morrow

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