Energy freedom
So the end of a sunny spring day, and although it is only April, we are finding that our 4kw solar pv (which is the most common pv installation size in Northern Ireland) has supplied our needs all day, including a couple of loads of washing, running a regular fridge,...
Access all areas
Ahead of our series of green woodworking courses with Steve Ryan, we’ve been busily making it easier to access the woodland clearing that we’ll be using, starting with some steps into our native tree plantation. Eventually we’ll create a circular...
How to build a simple all purpose shelter
One of the most loved spots on the farm is our fire pit, but given our Northern Irish climate, there aren’t a huge number of days when people can sit around the fire. We really needed a space where visitors could sit out of the rain. The solution came in the...
Permaculture Gathering 2015
This year’s All Ireland Permaculture Gathering is coming to Northern Ireland for the first time. 2 days of workshops and talks, and the chance to share ideas with like minded folk. Camping from friday. We’ll be meeting at Tubby’s Farm in Hillsborough...Time to shout
What an extraordinary week. We quickly forget that some of the things we get up to are perhaps seen as unusual, and that our view of the world is likewise not always terribly mainstream (whatever that is). So it is always interesting when people want to come and take...
A new neighbour
Well we have a new neighbour – 3 fields away is this 250kw turbine, and it has been fascinating to watch the progress as it has grown over the last few days. As you can see, it is a fair size, and certainly makes an impact on the skyline. Interestingly I find...No guilt? Just kidding
Today I am including a caveat to my ‘All the benefits without the guilt’, as a way to show how easy it is to fall into a particular mindset. My previous post made it all sound so simple. Why do all that work when a simple device can make your life easier?...
All the benefits without the guilt
Something I am starting to understand about generating your own energy is that in the same way that you have to watch when there is little sun and no wind (which is pretty rare), you also have to find ways to use power when it is available. Here we cook, heat water...
Northern Ireland Community Energy
Well, it has been a busy old time, with all manner of works happening, both here on the farm and out in the world. Having left the world of making websites behind, I have made a little foray back into the business to produce a site for Northern Ireland Community...
Last few Green woodworking places left
We have just 2 places left on each of our Introduction to Green Woodworking courses with Steve Ryan. The first course is on 25th April, 10am – 6pm, and is £65 including materials and lunch. The second course is on May 23rd, , 10am – 6pm, and is £65...