We’ve been busy at Open E Land for the past few weeks with preparations for the summer camp. Registration details, logistics and a rough timetable for the camp will be posted within the next week.
We have some unfortunate news regarding our planning application. Basically, it won’t be until next year that we we can build any permanent structures. It would have been possible to build the strawbale building as a temporary structure and then at the end of the camp pull it down and store it, but it didn’t seem worth the expense, effort or risk it is never approved.
So instead of the strawbale workshop we’re going to making some temporary eco structures: a reciprocal wood roof building (possibly with a green roof if we get time) and a cane dome (a bit like a bamboo star dome, only different!) as a second sheltered area for laptops and the like. Materials for both will be sourced locally.
All the other workshops will be going ahead: Permaculture (with Huerto del Sol and Mill Millchimp), 3D Printing (with Zach Smith co-founder Makerbot Industries), Open Source Electronics (including Arduino), Off Grid Solar Power and Compressed Earth Brick Construction plus lots more open, ecologically focused good stuff.
It’ll be hot in August, but fortunately Open E Land is blessed with a reliable breeze and a wealth of rivers and lakes for swimming nearby. We’ve been doing some investigation and there are some lovely sites ranging from very natural to others with cafes and bars.
We recently visited the incredible Sustainable Forest Garden project in central Portugal. It’s awe inspiring to see permaculture being applied on such a massive scale to create an abundant, natural landscape. It’s managed by just two people who are able to sustain themselves from its produce. We particularly enjoyed the herbal infusion plucked from the garden.
There is a large number of interesting permaculture projects in the area now and we and are hoping to organise an expedition at end of the camp. Ray from The Hive has offered that people coming to the camp could stay over at his project if they want to extend their trip.
In the green house our vegetables are doing well and our experimental crop of Stevia seems to be liking the local conditions. Nature is playing its part with dozen of new grape vines springing up through the wild flowers.
Apologies you’re one of the people stuck in the queue of unanswered emails – getting the bottom of the planning issues has been the priority for the past few weeks. Regular service will resume soon.
Too bad there is no earthship workshop, but there will be plenty of other interesting stuff to learn. Can’t wait!