As we come to Mabon –  the Autumn equinox, our busy season draws to a close, and the place has quietened down as our band of volunteers head off, and we host the last events before we take a break. Last weekend’s course – ‘Finding You – A Journey Home’ with Micheal de Buitlear was a great success, and participants had a real chance to spend time in nature, enjoy the peace, and get to know our animals.

Looking back at the calendar is exhausting – we began in mid March, and since then it has been a rollercoaster ride. We’ve yet to do a final count on the numbers of visitors, course attendees and volunteers who have been here, but its certainly more than before, and they’ve accomplished some amazing things.IMG_0490s

Certainly we have achieved some major milestones, the most significant of which is probably the completion of our power system, and move to being off grid. All the solar and wind is now in, and all that remains is to see how it performs in the darkest winter months.  Surplus from the wind turbine, combined with new double glazing, and doors that actually shut means that we are aiming to significantly reduce our wood usage this winter, but only time will tell.DSCF4282

Another great project for the summer was improving the reed bed filtration, and that now properly feeds the pond, from which we can irrigate crops next summer.  Another simple adaptation to the damp climate is a proper covered drying area where clothes, bikes, boots and the like can be dried off. A simple thing but one that makes life easier and further reduces our reliance on using a dryer.

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We got our ‘utility’ room fitted out – we don’t know what to call it really, but its a kitchen where we can make preserves, deal with harvested food and the like, which is designed to be very easy to clean and maintain. Already, stocks of pickled foods, cooked tomatoes, drying veg such as onions, and frozen chickens are building up to see us through the winter months.

Despite appearances, we are learning to pace ourselves (a bit), for the long haul, which seems easier to do now some of the real heavy lifting is done and we have our toes above water, power, fuel and food organised. That said, we have the big projects involving a proper root store, a biogas plant, and a proper rainwater storage and distribution system to come, so we won’t be putting our feet up just yet.DSCF4344s

It has been a real joy to see the classroom used too – everything from Permaculture, to Rocket Mass Heaters to Compassionate Communication has happened in there, and having now got the kit, we are looking forward to some film nights over the winter. Watch this space.

New life abounds at Lackan, this season the hens have taken a real notion for sitting, and so there are currently some fourty chickens wandering about the place –

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some have gone native, and are happiest living in the trees –

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All our volunteers are exceptional people, and we owe every one of them a huge thank you, but I can’t not give a special mention to Felix, who spent over two months with us, and really made a huge impact on the place, not just in terms of physical achievements, but as a member of our family. Hopefully you’ll be back Felix, and we’re saving a project or two for you in 2016.

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