A High Country Life

A High Country Life by Philippa Cameron opens a window into the vibrant and challenging life on Otematata Station, a sprawling 40,000-hectare high country farm in Otago, New Zealand. Managed by Philippa and her husband Joe, a fifth-generation farmer, the station is home to 30,000 merino sheep and 500 head of cattle. Their days are diverse and dictated by the whims of nature, capturing the picturesque yet demanding essence of rural life. This memoir chronicles the rhythm of the seasons from Philippa's perspective as the station cook. Each chapter immerses the reader in the diverse challenges and activities that come with each season—autumn mustering, spring lambing, the biting cold of winter, and the intense summer heat. Amid these vivid descriptions, Philippa's narrative also reflects her personal journey juggling responsibilities, nurturing her two daughters, tending her garden, and looking after various farm animals. Philippa is known for her culinary prowess, and she generously shares her experience through selected recipes that have become a hit among other farm cooks. Hosting an Instagram page @whats_for_smoko, she connects with a wider community, providing a glimpse into her kitchen where she prepares hearty meals to feed the hungry musterers. The book contains a collection of her most reliable recipes, each tested and approved by the hardworking farm teams. In A High Country Life, readers will find an enriching tapestry of rural living intertwined with Philippa's resilient spirit. Her storytelling not only sheds light on the operations of a high-country station but also celebrates the strength and camaraderie woven through the fabric of farm life.