As you come down the drive to the end of the road a circle opens up.
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
March 4th, 2007 at 3:22 am
Dear Guy and Kirrah,
Thanks so much for adding the new homestead section. We have already shown it to our friends who came to lunch today. They all loved your property so much they want to come & stay and are anxious to know when you will opening your retreat for paying guests.
Love Ann, Ed Jo and Robin
March 4th, 2007 at 6:42 am
Well that should be some time shortly after…
The retaining walls are built.
A stone step off the deck is done.
An internal wall removed to open space for a stone hearth, cob wall + adjoining warmbed + “warm hug” couch infront of a nectre bakers oven.
The hot water system is diversified to include functional inputs from the new nectre bakers oven, the solar hotwater panel and gas boost system.
The permanent double chamber composting toilet, housing and walkway access is completed.
And those are just the major project priorities.
The space is stunning, but all visitors will be put to work for a while yet!
November 28th, 2008 at 9:44 am
Hi Guy
How beautiful the energy of your place is.
You and your partner must be very proud of your collaborations and efforts
lovely to meet you
Sue
January 25th, 2009 at 12:07 am
[...] Establishing and Maintaining Integrated Living Systems. [...]
January 28th, 2009 at 7:06 am
Very interesting article, i have bookmarked your blog for future referrence
Best regards
February 23rd, 2010 at 3:13 pm
Peace and Harmony always to Guy and Kirrah,
Your home is truly a spiritual oasis. We at Forest Glen have heard that there are many challenges on your community with some of your co-owners. Patience and LOVE-EXPRESSIONS TO ALL. Healing Energy is channelled to you. May Gaia bless you all with understanding.
March 8th, 2010 at 4:30 pm
G’Day Guy
A beautiful tour. I would love to see it some time and your website is excellent. When are you doing the article for TOB?
Regards
Peter T