New insulation for old walls
When it came to refitting the interior of our little cottage – number 81 – we face a different set of challenges to those we encountered here in 79. The little cottage is primarily concrete block built, and cement rendered, so it isn’t the most...
The wait is over – the electricity pole has gone
When we first saw this place three years ago, we fell in love with it instantly, but vowed that the 11 metre electricity pole sighted right behind the house would have to move. Moving it turned out to be incredibly expensive, but removing it altogether was (oddly)...
Green woodworking – video
Green woodworking at Lackan Cottage Farm – here’s a bit of film from our Introduction to Green Woodworking course..
Turning in the woods
Today saw the second of our series of woodworking courses, the introduction to green woodworking, which focused on pole (or bungee) lathe turning, and some work shaping wood on the shave horses. Participants were able to make simple items such as rolling pins by the...
Last minute place on green woodworking course – now booked
Now booked, but more courses coming over the summer.
Down in the woods
Last week our woods came alive to the sound of drawknives and froes as our first group of greenwoodworkers came to make stools with Steve Ryan. It has been wonderful creating a space in which people can come to create, in surely one of the most peaceful settings you...
Living off grid – Calamity Jill
Calamity Jill: Living off the Grid with Jill Redwood from ABC Open Gippsland on Vimeo. I saw this and couldn’t resist sharing – this lady is walking the walk, and I see so much of what we are trying to do here in the place she has, and her lifestyle....
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...