One of the very magical things about living in a place for years is that the plants that you like start to grow.
Through a combination of selective watering, planting, weeding, feeding, experience & loving attention we slowly impress our influence on the landscape.
Some plants die in this process, but on the whole our domain is growing to support us. We are cultivating our customised micro-climate.

We’ve got a new cast iron claw foot bath. Well it isn’t new, but it has been completely sanded back and then re-enameled.

This means we got to pick the colour and the condition is perfect!

It also inspired me to do the plumbing properly. The bathtub now bypasses the grease trap and goes straight into the grey water distribution system. Our old bath used to blow the lid off the box.

The other major change is the inclusion of an S bend so that swamp gas from anerobic processes in the system don’t waft up into the bathroom.

Another renovation was the replacing of our old hand rail.

The new version inspires a bit more confidence.

To prevent any unfortunate slips in the shower sending us over the side we also firmly secured a tree to hold on to.

This is how it looked in 2008

At 7:45am this morning, we got a phonecall from Kyogle, “the truck’s about to leave – is there anything you want from the shop?”

The idea that hatched into a plan, which moved into research followed by an investigation.

When the results were confirmed, in triplicate – we were ready to organise the installation of our stoves wetback.

And it’s legal! We made everything to spec and it works well.

I’ve learned so much since my last experimentation with hot water. I feel I know our system.

There were a few physical obstacles.

The tank was going in the attic.

Team work

Frank was awesome.

Oxy torches get the job done well.

It’s been a long day – we just finished cleaning the house at it is 11pm.

And now after it all we can have steaming hot showers in our house!

Very Rewarding!

Thanks to everyone that has helped along the way, Mum and Dad – your support has been invaluable!

We want to share it now!

It is clear by the retired van that this is where you leave your car. Carefully shaded by trees that only drop sticky stuff at certain times of the year – a comfortable feeling of home and safety wash over.

A natural path leads into another larger circle. This special clearing is at the very top of the property with the hill rolling away either side.

Beautiful Music is played around the fire. Our friends come together here to party and celebrate under the full moon.

Moving forward again brings you to the oldest dwelling on the block. A small one room shed. It is a comfortable place, and provides access to the best views. Longer term guests stay here, it has complete privacy from our house (and the rest of the world).

Off to the south-west – The Billen Cliffs can be seen.

To right, three enormous Ironbark Eucalypts provide the canopy of shade – a blessing in the summer sun.

A path to the right leads down to our home:

It’s a beautiful hand built timber pole house, in harmony with its environment. Every care is taken in using natural, healthy, sustainable resources in our lives. The system is thriving.

The trees that were felled to clear the house site were used to build the supporting posts. The canopy that this has opened up allows us to collect our electricity needs, used to power this laptop.

It also allowed some invasive weeds to develop. These were removed recently and space cleared for our largest garden:

Retaining walls are built up from stone that will allow us to rebuild topsoil and grow food.

Across the drive is the centre of our lives:

The deck where we sleep, eat, study, play, garden, practice yoga, write, read, dance and celebrate. Protected from the sun and the rain by a natural cotton canvas secured to the trees. It is the most comfortable space in the entire world. Dozens of bird species, bats, lizards (big and small), ants, insects, kangaroos and possums all agree.

Here there is always time to relax, observe nature, and create beautiful things.

It is also the home to our thriving herb + Kitchen greens garden.

There is an observation lounge just here and…

Our Front Door!

This leads to a small area we keep clear for special beautiful things and a space were we give thanks every day for the blessings and abundance in our lives.

To the left is the Kitchen and to the right, the steps to the split level warm space.
This is our living room and study space, here we are both able to work from home and live in comfort all year round.

Outside on the verandah is our open bathroom, complete with claw food bath.

Home

The rain fell and soaked the wood, opening flaws and keeping us on watch for what we could leave there. A key piece was missing from our divine deck.

The solution came to me in a dream.

Early one morning, before Kirrah was awake I rose with the image still fresh in my mind.

Almost a year earlier, we sat on the dusty streets of Pushkar, India and watched D.P Tent Master work his trade on some enormous pieces of natural cotton canvas.

As we didn’t have electricity for most of the day it was made by hand.

I took it from it’s bag where it had lived the last year, rolled it out and the fit is perfect – I know from my experience here now to trust my dreams and follow the guidance.

As I worked my way around I found reinforced loops everywhere I needed one to tie to the trees. Three hours single handedly before breakfast is all it took.

Step by step, with the resources I already had around, I raised the roof!

Oh and that dream to bring it all together and jump me out of bed.

• The deck is proctected from leaves, rain and falling poo.
• Water runs off into gardens
• Softer wood furnature can be left outside, as can our bed.
• Light reflects off the sail onto the roof and back into the house, giving us much more life and light inside.
• Delicate herbs are wilt-free in our primary garden zone outside the kitchen and now enjoy partial shade.
• It completes the space and feels more balanced.
• It is beautiful and natural.

P.S Dad, thanks for the ladder.

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