Emma joked that a Pole Shift must have occurred due to the unseasonably good weather. High temperatures of over 27 degrees Celsius are forecast to last until Sunday.
I made use of this sunshine and the morning dew to finish off some scything I started for Jude. She was most grateful for my help. Allegedly, she is now being denied the help of volunteers due to her honest reply to questions asked by participants of the 'Low Impact Experience' week. For many reasons, she is not a happy hippy. Well, for starters, she's not a hippy...nor is anyone else here for that matter...
Just before lunch, I switched to polytunnel tasks and bolted braces along the top of the frame to the cross members. It was after doing this and gazing at the frame that I was struck by how much like a giant rib cage the structure looked. A whale skeleton. Hit by its natural form, I then pondered if, by planting trees instead of poles, it could be grown. Then a better idea hit me. How cool would it be to not build a house, but grow it! A truly natural living house! In my minds eye, it's possible and somehow, someway, I resolve to do it. When I mentioned it to Jude, she said she'd heard of such and idea being done in Ireland.
The mind can be most entertaining when not torturing.
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Showing posts with label volunteers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label volunteers. Show all posts
Tir-Y-Gafel's Finest Hour - Thursday 12/05/11
Today marks a winding down of labour on the hub build as tomorrow a bulk of the volunteers are due to depart. A thank you/farewell meal was organised on a 'bring a dish' basis.
If I have been overly cynical or critical of this community in the past, there was, in my eyes, no reason to be so about this event. Everyone displayed enormous generosity. Be it of their time and/or in their offerings.
The two dining tables were laden with delicious food contributed by residents and volunteers alike. Nigel led and award ceremony and presented tokens of appreciation on behalf of Tir-Y-Gafel to those who have donated so many hours of their time to constructing a marvellous and beautiful facility. That night, this settlement that I have observed for nearly a year, demonstrated what a community is all about and by doing so, did itself very proud indeed.
For me, this was Tir-Y-Gafel's finest hour. A benchmark and beacon of hope.
M Jones
If I have been overly cynical or critical of this community in the past, there was, in my eyes, no reason to be so about this event. Everyone displayed enormous generosity. Be it of their time and/or in their offerings.
The two dining tables were laden with delicious food contributed by residents and volunteers alike. Nigel led and award ceremony and presented tokens of appreciation on behalf of Tir-Y-Gafel to those who have donated so many hours of their time to constructing a marvellous and beautiful facility. That night, this settlement that I have observed for nearly a year, demonstrated what a community is all about and by doing so, did itself very proud indeed.
For me, this was Tir-Y-Gafel's finest hour. A benchmark and beacon of hope.
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| The Children Playing On Left Over Bales. |
M Jones
A Childs Dream - Wednesday 20/04/11
We are enjoying an extraordinary run of glorious weather. Spent yesterday with Jude, Emma and a volunteer called Andy. We tried to erect a yurt. This yurt demanded we listen to it and would not yield to any command in the same fashion of an unbroken horse. We started at 14:00. By 18:15 I was too tired to carry on.
Nick jumped out on us from his caravan to pass on the news. Kits son has been born by caesarean section and is healthy and well. Well done Saara!
Throughout the colder months we talked of the need to get some bikes and get out cycling. Only today did I realise I had that opportunity thanks to a bicycle kit said we could use. So I went pedalling. Went pedalling nowhere particular with no timetable and it was fantastic. I covered a fair distance in the end and at different points experienced profound joy. Happiness so strong at times I laughed. I also saw things I couldn't have seen whilst driving. We travel too fast and thus it demands much concentration. I saw awe inspiring and beautiful details in the landscape, the hedgerows, the fields and even the roads themselves. I don't know why but there appears to be an awful lot of gloves littering these country lanes...
When my journey ended, my body felt no form of exertion. I could have been asleep for two hours. I was reminded of the energetic days of my childhood, when running or cycling meant nothing to my muscles. If anything I felt energised after exercise.
I am a child. A child who slept and dreamed a dream of what it could be like to be a boring adult.
This child is waking up.
This child vows to never be lulled to sleep like that again.
M Jones
Nick jumped out on us from his caravan to pass on the news. Kits son has been born by caesarean section and is healthy and well. Well done Saara!
Throughout the colder months we talked of the need to get some bikes and get out cycling. Only today did I realise I had that opportunity thanks to a bicycle kit said we could use. So I went pedalling. Went pedalling nowhere particular with no timetable and it was fantastic. I covered a fair distance in the end and at different points experienced profound joy. Happiness so strong at times I laughed. I also saw things I couldn't have seen whilst driving. We travel too fast and thus it demands much concentration. I saw awe inspiring and beautiful details in the landscape, the hedgerows, the fields and even the roads themselves. I don't know why but there appears to be an awful lot of gloves littering these country lanes...
When my journey ended, my body felt no form of exertion. I could have been asleep for two hours. I was reminded of the energetic days of my childhood, when running or cycling meant nothing to my muscles. If anything I felt energised after exercise.
I am a child. A child who slept and dreamed a dream of what it could be like to be a boring adult.
This child is waking up.
This child vows to never be lulled to sleep like that again.
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| Purple Sprouting Broccoli Already Going To Flower. |
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| What's The Time Mr Wolf? |
M Jones
The Regrettable Strike Of Ms Anonymous - Wednesday 24/11/10
Once again, there is trouble in paradise. 10:00 Tuesday morning began another Lammas Committee meeting. All very routine until the last agenda item. "Long term volunteers : financial/legal/privacy and how do we get rid of those who do not want to leave?"
A valid agenda item as it is written. Pertaining to another volunteer who wouldn't cook for themselves (privacy issue for the leaseholder) was of foreign nationality (legal?) broke (financial) and now didn't want to leave. Unfortunately, thanks to someone who I shall kindly allow to remain anonymous, it morphed into a debate when said person randomly brought up that Kit intended to allow us to inhabit a static on his plot. In my opinion this was most regrettable. Obviously Ms Anonymous had motives...
First off, yet again, there were wild inaccuracies, very few facts and subsequently fearful speculation. The same recipe for disaster that occurred not a month prior.
Secondly, this arrangement does not exist yet. Far better would be to find out exactly what is being proposed, gain clarity and move forward. Most interesting was the fact that despite Ms Anonymous knowing the facts, us having confided in her on this matter, she failed to elaborate to the group. Preferring to slink back and allow the mess to erupt.
It was proposed that all volunteers sign a contract with an end date. A residents meeting was suggested in order to discuss the matter and ascertain what exactly should go on the next committee meeting agenda. Despite us being one of the areas of focus of this residents meeting, we were not invited to attend and provide our side of the matter.
The residents meeting, I believe to be a sensible thing. But we couldn't help coming away feeling stabbed in the back, unvalued and unappreciated. Just disposable items ready to be replaced.
That is probably due to not being in a position with any form of power. Therefore our reaction was to reach for that which is in our power. The ability to stay, or rather, leave.
As the dust has settled, so have emotions, but an uneasy air hangs like a mist in the valley. The committee asked that things be put on hold for two weeks. What they don't know is that we have already postponed the caravans delivery three times, Following the verdict, we delayed twice more and now the vendor is understandably wanting to know what to do. With this in mind we've agreed to delivery next Monday. This has already prompted the question from Ms Anonymous "Why have you not waited, at least until after the residents meeting?" This is unfair and unjustified in my opinion for the following reasons.
It is wrong for people to assume we have any power. Let alone, the power to engage in any activity that does not carry the consent of a plotholder.
It is unfair, in light of the many previous occasions we have already postponed and waited.
The other factor to consider is that we are not out to be defiant, undermine, or upset people. We have simply been presented with a wonderful and generous opportunity to better our current situation, our hearts and intentions are pure. I have faith, that all considered people will see truth and reason, and see us for the valuable asset we are. Kit seems to...
M Jones
A valid agenda item as it is written. Pertaining to another volunteer who wouldn't cook for themselves (privacy issue for the leaseholder) was of foreign nationality (legal?) broke (financial) and now didn't want to leave. Unfortunately, thanks to someone who I shall kindly allow to remain anonymous, it morphed into a debate when said person randomly brought up that Kit intended to allow us to inhabit a static on his plot. In my opinion this was most regrettable. Obviously Ms Anonymous had motives...
First off, yet again, there were wild inaccuracies, very few facts and subsequently fearful speculation. The same recipe for disaster that occurred not a month prior.
Secondly, this arrangement does not exist yet. Far better would be to find out exactly what is being proposed, gain clarity and move forward. Most interesting was the fact that despite Ms Anonymous knowing the facts, us having confided in her on this matter, she failed to elaborate to the group. Preferring to slink back and allow the mess to erupt.
It was proposed that all volunteers sign a contract with an end date. A residents meeting was suggested in order to discuss the matter and ascertain what exactly should go on the next committee meeting agenda. Despite us being one of the areas of focus of this residents meeting, we were not invited to attend and provide our side of the matter.
The residents meeting, I believe to be a sensible thing. But we couldn't help coming away feeling stabbed in the back, unvalued and unappreciated. Just disposable items ready to be replaced.
That is probably due to not being in a position with any form of power. Therefore our reaction was to reach for that which is in our power. The ability to stay, or rather, leave.
As the dust has settled, so have emotions, but an uneasy air hangs like a mist in the valley. The committee asked that things be put on hold for two weeks. What they don't know is that we have already postponed the caravans delivery three times, Following the verdict, we delayed twice more and now the vendor is understandably wanting to know what to do. With this in mind we've agreed to delivery next Monday. This has already prompted the question from Ms Anonymous "Why have you not waited, at least until after the residents meeting?" This is unfair and unjustified in my opinion for the following reasons.
It is wrong for people to assume we have any power. Let alone, the power to engage in any activity that does not carry the consent of a plotholder.
It is unfair, in light of the many previous occasions we have already postponed and waited.
The other factor to consider is that we are not out to be defiant, undermine, or upset people. We have simply been presented with a wonderful and generous opportunity to better our current situation, our hearts and intentions are pure. I have faith, that all considered people will see truth and reason, and see us for the valuable asset we are. Kit seems to...
M Jones
Work Camp - Saturday 30/10/10
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| Simon D's latest creation... |
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| A walled garden, eventually... |
With an influx of volunteers, this place became quite a work camp. Ayres and i concentrated on building and seating the first cross beam of the henge. Took all day to cut and fine tune two joints. Others were employed looking after the many children, digging a foundation trench for a shed and transporting top soil into raised beds where garlic will be grown.
After lunch a large ominous cloud rolled in and pelted us with rain and hail. In the polytunnel the sound was magnified making conversation nigh on impossible. Have found myself feeling lethargic and drained. I still haven't shaken my cough. Have resolved to take it easy tomorrow in order to knock this on the head.
M Jones
Ramming And Whacking - Thursday 28/10/10
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| Foolishly, i made a hand print in the grime from the paraffin lanterns, and was made to clean it. So being immature, i only cleaned my side... |
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| Emma using our rescued hand powered Singer sewing machine for the first time. The cold called for some heavy curtains that made a huge difference. |
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| Hinge snapped :-( |
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| Kit having a quick whack by himself. |
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| Still whacking... |
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| His wife Saara is away...Keep whacking Kit. |
Monday nights football was very productive, had a fantastic game following which it transpired the oppositions goalkeeper was none other than the owner of the farm next door. This prompted me to suggest us volunteers trooping down to his to help out. This i feel, will give us the husbandry and livestock experience currently lacking at this phase of Lammas' development. Would also help with public relations. Nice and neighbourly and all that.
Tonight we have a gathering of volunteers down at the local pub. I believe its intention is to be a relaxed, informal affair where we can raise and discuss topics of varying importance. Might turn out that the term 'piss up' becomes more accurate...
M Jones
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