This photo is proof that apart from being special, it really was a fun wedding as well…
Unfortunately our first morning back in Tassie Mania was a big come down after such a great weekend, as the little joey (Nolam) died overnight. It was really heartbreaking, and has prompted me to go on a wildlife rescue course sooner rather than later to guarantee that we really do know as much as we possibly can to help increase wildlife survival rates. We need to learn how to deal with the emotions of not always been able to save them, but at least will know that we did absolutely everything we could.
On a more positive note, we met with our house designers, Guy Greener and Graham Richmond. They loved the concept design, though they did lose a little sleep that night thinking about how to design a four-way vaulted ceiling that meets at a central core supported by tree branches! Graham has already done fantastic work applying the sacred geometric proportions: the primary golden spiral defining the proportions of the whole house flows from the canon of the harmonic mean of both Karim and my heights; the centre of this spiral defines the "centre" of the house (which is where the tree with branches breaks out of the poured earth floor); the clerestory wall line is a golden spiral that flows from the canon of my navel; and the curved wall of the dining and living areas is formed by one quadrant of a circle having a diameter equal to 3/1000th of the semi-major axis of the earth. We still can’t really picture the house from the outside yet, because how to position the roof is one of the designer’s biggest challenges, but we look forward to receiving a 3D image next month.
Carly, Dan and I have been on a mission in the garden, getting it to the stage where (apart from planting each month’s seedlings) it just needs to be maintained over the next couple of years while we work on the house. All the garlic and broad beans are in the ground, the fruit trees have been fed and mulched, and the pigface hedge has been extended all along the whole length of the hazelnut bushes to keep the grass at bay (as well as attract the bees and provide edible fruit of course).
Dan has built all the garden beds extending off the mandala, creating lovely paths in and out of the potting shed and shade house. The foot path now extends all the way down to the chicken system, and extra beds were created along the fence lines to house climbers such as peas and beans. He dug massive holes in front of each post and buried Bokashi, manure and old compost so the earthworms can move in and create the perfect atmosphere for the kiwi fruit and grape vines that we’re planting in July.
He also cut access tracks into the fruit trees to make it easier for us to tend to the trees, and was able to use the soil from here to build the additional beds.
Peter finished building the roof over the frame of the hay shed that Joan built, and now that it’s full of hay it provides extra insulation for the chooks coming into winter.
And the natives are all enjoying being potted up over the past few months, and are looking forward to making their way into their new forest home in July.
We did manage to squeeze in some good times too, one being during a visit from one of Anna’s Melbournite friends, Bronnie. Here’s hoping the Aussies haven’t warped the minds of the poor English and Welsh woofers too much over the past two months, but you can definitely spot the Aussies in this photo!
We also had a fun Easter egg hunt with a few other neighbours and their kids, followed by delicious wood fired pizzas. The kids had a great time finding eggs in the garden and decorating hard boiled eggs.
The adults acted like kids guessing riddles then racing through the garden to find the eggs.
We’re now preparing to leave in two days time for Jordan, Egypt and then onto London for the next celebration of love and union (Gav and Wendy). Now that it’s getting cooler Carly and Dan are looking forward to upgrading from the caravan to the garage, and they continue to spoil the cats rotten. Ella has melted Dan’s heart so much that he’s threatened to carry this photo around in his wallet! So we can leave for a wonderful holiday knowing that they’re in good hands and well loved…
