starting again

29.6.2011

Today we have a treat in store. We are driving down to the glass works to see what is happening with the windows. Peter says he has already done some and he is pleased with the results. I love the workshop because of all the colours and textures of glass on display. It is such a wondrous material. In our old house the corner of Edd’s fish tank made a rainbow of light on the brick floor when the sun shone at the right hour in winter. I once had a photo of one of the grandkids catching a rainbow in their hands.

Our windows also tell the story of the rainbow but they also symbolise hope of an era of peace in our new home. One of Sundays permaculture group said that the new building resembles cloisters in an abbey so perhaps the coloured windows will add to the feeling of a sacred place. To me a home is sacred. It should protect the family who live in it and give them the space to lead meaningful lives.

28.6.2011

BUILDING NEWS

At last it has stopped raining! Unfortunately we also have no builders and it seems an awful shame not to be seizing this window of opportunity. Edd rang everywhere yesterday trying to contact Geoff and just when he had accepted failure, who arrives at the gate but Geoff himself. This was fantastic because not only could we organise work to start again but also they helped get the fire insert off the back of Edd’s ute and into the house.

This is the first of our homes internal organs to move in. Very exciting. We think that it may be easier to take the ute and a trailer to pick up the bricks in two trips rather than borrow a truck. Edd has begun moving more of the recycled bricks from our old house to the building site ready for use. We need to mix the bricks from the start to get an even balance of colour so we need all the bricks on site before the front arches can be started. On the other hand the materials are all here to start the fireplace.

OTHER NEWS

Our spirits rise as the mud dries. We are all very tired after many sleepless nights but basically we are still all heading in a positive direction. India has now done her year eleven exams and Josh has also done well enough to keep going on his course. Today the kids have orthodontist appointments so soon I have to drive them to the bus so they can meet X in Lilydale and she will drive them the rest of the way.

At least this has meant a late start, as I do not have to get them to school by quarter to nine. The weekend was very busy. On Saturday there was the market and looking for bricks and on Sunday we had a group of 25 permaculture students for a site visit. Luckily the sun shone this time and everyone could relax a bit.

25 people are a lot to manage in an open area. When this happens Edd talks to the group at one end and I talk to a group at the other. I am not sure if the middle section gets to hear anything. One just hopes that people position themselves to get what they want from the experience. At least when they sit down for lunch in the ruins we can pass the photos and written information around everyone.
We are always impressed with the people who come and really enjoy having them over.