Now that I’ve figured out how to add pictures without them turning upside-down, I can share some of the pictures I’ve been taking.
This is an example of a cob structure. Cob is made of sand, clay, and straw. We haven’t had a chance to make any of our own yet, but we most definitely will during our time here. This is a bench with an oven attached to it. The cob retains heat – essentially, this is a hand-made heated bench that you can cook pizzas in.
This is another example of a cob structure. All sorts of things can be put into these as you make them.This wall has glass wine bottles, decorative pieces, and a beautiful window. All the items that they put into the structures are recycled, turning “waste” into art. This small wall was built in order to aid in gardening. The cob wall faces south and is heated throughout the day. The plant (currently an orange tree) is on the north-facing side of the wall. When the temperature drops overnight, the wall then “exhales” the heat and keeps the plant warm. This is a great example of natural temperature regulation – the same concept is used in building houses here!
Today we got to see and help with a timber framing project. The posts had been carved from solid, round pieces of wood over the past 9 days, making carefully measured pockets and joints so that the pieces can be fit together. The braces were put into the posts, and holes were drilled in order to put wooden pegs through.
We were able to help with some of the measuring, as well as lots of the heavy lifting. Over the next few days, we hope that the frame of the structure will be up. The final structure will have a living roof on it. It was such a unique experience to be part of the building process. You can tell that community is a huge focus at the village, and it’s amazing how much can be accomplished when everyone is so determined and supportive.
We also spent a lot of time gardening over the past two days. We’ve weeded old, grown-over beds, pruned and strung up tomatoes, harvested snap peas, and eaten more leaves and flowers than I have in most of my life combined. It has been amazing to learn all about the different plants that grow and how to tell what you can eat – so far my favourite is sorrel, which tastes like lemons!
One of my favourite experiences so far has been to see how all the food that we eat came from here. There are huge salads for lunch and dinner everyday, accompanied by something else delicious, and it’s so satisfying to eat what you’ve just seen growing a stone-throw away. I’m trying to remember as much as I can so that I’ll be able to (try to) grow some food of my own once I get home! At the very least, I’ll be able to recognize some edible plants around home.