Tidying up the power station
I actually did this work earlier in the summer but never got around to posting it. We decided to install another 4kw of solar pv, principally to allow us to run immersion heaters in both cottages over the summer and thus almost completely remove the need for lighting...
Making headway in the garden
Every day now it feels like we are making headway in the garden, this week we’ve brought in 4000 litres of compost to put on the newly manured beds, and that gives us a really nice fine surface to sow and plant into. It’s pretty late now, but we’ve...
Scythes, fresh planting and the chicken hordes
A beautiful summer’s day here at Lackan, and one that began with some scythe action in the front field. The new austrian scythe is incredibly sharp, and I can cut grass to literally an inch long with it if I need to – certainly its as quick as a strimmer,...
We did it! The Northern Gathering was a success.
After months of preparation and planning, last weekend saw the first Northern Permaculture Gathering happen at Oxford Island. Permaculture legend Suzie Cahn started the gatherings off, some eight years ago, and has been central to their organisation ever since. Suzie...
Birch Cottage makes the Guardian Top 15 Off Grid places to stay
Birch Cottage features in the Guardian’s 15 of the best places to stay off grid in the UK – ‘Off grid living with creature comforts’. https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2019/apr/27/15-best-off-grid-places-to-stay-in-uk-cottages-huts Since then...
The Truck in the Times Top 20 Off Grid places
It’s always nice to be recognised, and this week the off grid horsebox appeared on The TImes Top 20 off grid places to stay in the UK list. Introducing people to the idea of living more simply, whether off grid or on grid has always been our aim, and because we...
Wild Horses with Joe Rocks
Musician Joe Rocks and his partner came and stayed in our off grid horsebox earlier in the year, and recorded this version of ‘Wild Horses’ during their stay, which they’ve very kindly shared with us. It’s always lovely to see that people...
A filming day, and the garden makeover continues
There is definitely an increase in the whole idea of sustainable living, living off grid, permaculture, tiny homes – all the things that are part of the ‘how do we survive the next 20 or 30 years’ mix. On Wednesday it was the turn of Jon, filming for...
More seven year improvements
So having got the house to the point where it behaves itself – we have charged batteries, far more hot water, and considerably less chance of it raining inside the house, as well as not having lit the fire for some time now; we have finally been able to turn our...
The storm before the calm
I keep nearly writing posts, and it seems there is so much to put in that it never gets done, so its time for a good update and then we’ll keep up to date. There is certainly plenty going on, so here goes. It’s getting on for a decade since I began this...