Project Gratitude - Video Update!

A little bit about what we're doing permaculture style @ chez Gratitude :)

Thanks to Vladsilav at the Regenerative Institute for giving permission to share as this was made at their request after completing the 'Online Permaculture Design Course' ( https://www.openpermaculture.com/).

Enjoy!

Love & light
Louise (aka Mermie)

Project Gratitude #update 16 & 17 & 18

Some time in Early March...until now (ish)

Update 16

It's been a cold, hard winter and today the wind finally blew off the cover on the roof and then gleefully poured rain and hail in the gap onto the stairs and landing!

On a positive note I passed my online permaculture design course and received my certificate!

My 'Certificate' :)

Still waiting for the quotation for the roof repairs...this is the third man that's been so we hope this one will actually come back with a quote. We figured the other two realised we couldn't afford their prices so didn't bother giving the quotation :D

Jean Christophe has overworked himself repairing the boundary fence at the rear of the property. It was in a terrible state. We only had to buy new wooden posts, the rest was a patch and repair job and we're going to line the line with tyres (two up) in which we're going to plant trees and bushes to create a solid perimeter and reinforce the bank down into the communal fosse ( a big ditch that collects the rainwater run-off from the fields).

Seeding and planting preparations have begun in between drizzly, cold days. Salad has already sprouted and tomatoes look like they're going to pop up their heads tomorrow. Disappointed to find that almost all of the 1,000's of flower seeds I painstakingly collected last year are sterile! Unless I buy new 'organic' or 'heirloom' seeds I guess this is how they've got us now. At least the star flower has offered some fertile seeds as has a recently eaten red pepper :D

If you don't want to donate any cash we'd love some seeds (flowers, veg, herbs....). All is gratefully accepted!


Update 17

I've reduced our 'target' to a more reasonable 20K... for the interim future (aka the next 2 years) we really need to concentrate on the house itself before we can host others. So the roof, insulation and a fully plumbed bathroom are the top priority...of course along with the planting and growing and fencing and chickens to buy so that we can create surplus to sell! Oh it will be bliss to take a real shower! It will come I know it will!

JC has spent the last month single handedly repairing the boundary fence - we only had to buy the new wooden posts as all the rest is recycled materials including tyres and pallets... Thanks to another wonderful donor we were able to buy some conifers and a peach tree. A full update to come as soon as we get another sunny day so I can take the updated snaps.

Pallet Fencing...using tyres too

External view of the awesome pallet fence

New conifers planted in reclaimed tyres

Beginning to resemble a barrier at Brands Hatch...reclaimed tyre buffers with planted with conifers

Update 18

Rather long gaps between posts don't mean no work, lol. We finally got a 'do-able' quote for the roof so JC has been busy with that, with a short break for a family visit. The worst part of the roof has been dismantled (lots of firewood for next winter) and the new beams, tarp and boards are now in place. Next step is the tiles and fixing around the chimney.

JC in action

First new beam in place!

What a difference!

Yes, this was the passage to the loo for 2 weeks...rather tight squeeze or an acrobatic manoeuvre required

We were blessed to receive a gift of over 1400 used (but good condition) roof tiles on my birthday saving almost 2000 Euros!!! Truly a blessing from a neighbour we hadn't even met up until then.

Unfortunately the top beam which continues to the main roof is rotten so we've sheared it up for now and will address that next.

Slowly but surely, with faith and patience and the generosity of strangers, associates and family we're getting there.

Ps. Regarding my desperate need for a shower...well I got one! Not quite what I had in mind, but a shower nonetheless. While the main repairs were in motion, that is the roof was 'off' there was an unexpected deluge one evening and no way to get the cover over it in high winds and rain...the next day I had to don my wellies and rain jacket to go to the loo (which is just under the mezzanine of the bit being repaired). As I sat there...drip, splat, drip, splat, drip, splat! The rainwater had collected in the insulation and proceeded to trickle steadily through the ceiling above the loo. Couldn't stop laughing at the irony of having materialised my desire! :D The moral of this story is be very careful and very specific about what you wish for...lol...though I'm still visualising that 1 million Euros in the bank ;).

Love & light to all
Louise (aka Mermie) & JC

Project Gratitude #update 15

Well, winter's definitely here! The last week has been extremely cold and we had some terribly high winds too. The safety of the roof is quite worrying!!! The plastic covering billowed like a hot air balloon, the wood creaked and cracked, the tiles (those remaining on the end bit) shifted, then the rain poured and the barn flooded..not a drop came through the new roof though so that's something! Seems there's a source under the land which is fit to burst because of the sheer quantity of water falling, and while the swales around the house are working well there wasn't enough time or manpower to fix a drain around the barn.

A rare duo-selfie :)

Oh yes...and the wheelbarrow got a puncture! Can you believe they make them with inflatable wheels...most stupid idea ever unless you intend to only roll it across a well manicured lawn! A new, non-inflatable wheel is 35 Euros...it's daylight robbery.

The other day was so cold (-5 degrees) that the washing I put out in the hope of it at least dripping out the excess water so I could bring it in to dry (washing machine broke - lol it's been one of those months!) that when I went to collect it at 4pm my pyjamas could stand up on their own...literally. I laughed so much, waving a t-shirt with the arms standing vertical, it was hilarious, lol.

What everyone in the country is wearing this season, lol...

Yesterday was a lovely sunny, but frosty day and as it was also dry it gave us a chance to trim some trees and chop much needed wood. The log fire is our only source of heat so it's important to keep it going once you start it in the morning...it takes an unexpected amount of effort! I've taken to watching the old Catherine Cookson adaptations to see if I can get some tips on rural life, lol.

Home-made wood cutting stand (reclaimed wood)

My watchman in India taught me well...

The new pup is settling in well and in just a week she's learnt "bed', 'allez' and 'come'...she's bi-lingual now too ;).

So we remain in hope of help and that there are at least a few friends out there who would buy us a coffee...is that you?

Love & light for now and wishing everyone on GoFundMe a great deal of success with their fundraising.


Happy New Year!

Louise (aka Mermie)

PS. Don't forget to share the link after you've deposited your 'coffee money' wink, wink: http://www.gofundme.com/chezgratitude

Project Gratitude #update 14

Wow, we recorded an all time low temperature this week...11.9 degrees...INSIDE!

Thanks to the donated funds I managed to get some curtains on special offer and with a bit of imagination JC mounted them using 1 Euro wooden broomsticks as poles (wood stained) mounted to the beams above the windows using pieces of thick chain. Because the walls are insulated with the polystyrene and plaster boards it's not possible to fix the curtain poles to the walls. Anyway it looks warmer, feels warmer and by jove I believe it is warmer...14 last night :)

A couple of transformation pics for you from the barn. There's now a huge straw bale in there which I'm using to cover the raised beds and places where I want to plant in spring. Just need to collect some cardboard this week for the sheet mulching.

Almost ready to tumble...

Everything except the ladder & steps is reclaimed materials, either from the land (stones were under the weeds) or from other sources (local DIY depot waste...I mean pallets, come on...waste? No way)

It's back to just the two of us now as Denis has gone home for xmas...and I think he's secretly glad to go somewhere a bit warmer, lol, it's apparently about 27 degrees in his folks house. He called to say that the first thing he did when he arrived was to cut the wifi!! Yeah! The next step is to change the dect phone for a corded landline.

If you're wondering why change the home phone... Well for one, the emissions from a dect are incredibly high, the same, if not worse than a mobile phone antenna (right in your home). They emit a signal every few seconds regardless of whether you're using them or not and they cause me more distress than the wifi.  And two, his sister has recently developed breathing and eye problems and his dad is recovering from cancer and EMF has been scientifically proven to cause or exacerbate these things.

Unfortunately our neighbours have them so I don't visit them often unless they're in the garden, and the post office has one immediately under the counter...I came out of there the other day cross eyed and with a throbbing head. It takes hours to recover...not fun!

We're very much on a drive to save up funds ready for spring when we hope to be able to get the woods changed on the roof...the first major step to getting it repaired now and joined to the new wall. It's a shame we can't do it now because the bathroom is like an ice chamber as it's immediately below the 'gap'. I'm so longing for a soak in a hot bath...but will have to settle for feet in the bowel and a vivid imagination for now, lol.

A bit of work came this week and I've been creating new VO demo's and up-to-date profile so I can get pitching in earnest now I've got a reasonable working space set-up, though a bit cold still. My Auntie has kindly offered to send us onesies for xmas...can't wait :)

Don't forget us and spread our story.

http://www.gofundme.com/chezgratitude

Love & light
Louise (aka Mermie)
 

Project Gratitude Updates 10. 11 & 12

I decide to lump the updates together seeing as they were relatively small. Lots of other things to write about at the moment, just not got the time for it all. It's very difficult to balance life with the things you love, especially when life is filled with so many things you love...feeling blessed that I have so many wonderful and enriching things to do :)

So what's been going on chez nous the last week or so?...Let's have look

Well to start off I had a little emergency situation! After not feeling well on and off for a few months (migraines, arythmia, moodiness and general weakness and fatigue which I put down to possible hormonal changes) I discovered the cause...my laptop is emitting EMF of 0.3 vm2 right in the centre of the keyboard, and that's with everything deactivated -wifi/bluetooth/mains power. This is a real problem because I recently managed to get some work and need to use a safe computer. This means that the priority for funds (in order to be able to create funds) is to buy a new PC. That's about 300 Euros for a basic wifi-free desktop. Fortunately a gentle soul took pity on my plea for help and donated 500 Euros, thank you Roger Hard!

JC and Denis spent the week dismantling an old barn in a neighbouring village. The aged owners said if we dismantle we can have all the materials...that means wooden beams and lots of stones (plus some free firewood) - restore, reuse, recycle and repair!

There was an exceptionally warm day the other day, before it plummeted again, and the council had been trimming the hedges, so a great windfall for me! The hawthorn berries I couldn't reach before, even with the end of the rake, were all around so I went collecting branches.

A perfect spot in the sun

Berry, berry nice!

As well as a huge bowl of hawthorn berrries for jam and a super rice sauce, there's lots of kindling. Got a few jabs though while stripping the branches and breaking them up for firewood, lol.

Feeling very blessed to be living in the countryside where neighbours leave fresh eggs on your gate post and where there is more of a sense of community than in the city...even though there are very few people around.

After the short spell of sunshine came rain, and lots of it, which is great because it's given us a chance to see where all the water flows, and it does...flow.

All the swales that JC and Denis dug last week around the new raised beds filled up nicely and so did a few places we weren't expecting, lol. You fix one place and then have to fix another - we like to call it the constructivism approach.
Anyway, it was a good time to get more planning done and rearrange the tool shed.

The guys have really done an excellent job with the shelves, all built out of the recycled wood from the old barn they demolished...hoping that these new carpentry skills will be put to use in the kitchen soon as the camping table isn't the sturdiest of worktops and I have no drawers! Come to think of it I don't have a real worktop either...maybe this isn't the kitchen, lol.

Keep the well wishes coming and donations too. They all get put to good use - one for motivation and the other for really necessary stuff.

http://www.gofundme.com/chezgratitude

Love & light
Louise (aka Mermie)

Project Gratitude - update 8#

4.11.14

Even when it's raining there's still lots to be done. Waiting for funds to come in this week so we can buy some wood treatment and paint...a few little creatures have nibbled the wooden beams in the main room over the years so we need to treat them and make them look pretty again.



The boys are bit tougher than me and are still persevering outside. Today they're extending the rain gutter from the back of the house to redirect the catchment close to the new pond area and away from the house walls and foundations.

My essentials - pen, paper and of course a mug of hot coffee!

I took time to start really designing the layout/plan today. First draft finished and ready to send off to my tutor to see how it looks permaculture principle wise.

The 'Plan' - oh wouldn't it be lovely!

Current area of concentration - it would be great if we could get an ariel view afterwards

  Now, even though I did the sketch, which did take quite a long time, I've still got some other element s to complete before I can submit my project. I've got the scribbles down for the zones and elements plans and lots of notes for the actual 'Project Plan' - what I need now is a little inspiration to get my bum firmly in the chair, a little difficult when it's sunny outside and there are lots of other things to do, like trying to raise some money through the fundraising or from pitching for work on Elance, not to mention the seed-saving, harvesting salad daily, baking gluten free daily on the stove-top (no oven), preparing dinner, general house work, laundry, decorating, planting and plant care (including daily chats!), daily replacement of the fat balls for the mirade of bluetits, robins and other lovely birds constantly in the garden, oh and making time to read either the Mother or Satprem daily, and some asanas. Hmmm...Not enough hours in the day, lol! I'm sooooo grateful!!!

Don't forget, you can really help by sharing and caring (aka DONATING :D)

http://www.gofundme.com/chezgratitude

Love & light
Louise (aka Mermie)

Project Gratitude - update 7#

2.11.14

Thankfully we've had a nice few days weather-wise, an unusual 21 degrees on the 1st November :) JC and Dennis have been digging...a lot!

This is just half of what it is now...the rainwater run-off, swale cum duck pond

It works! The rainwater harvesting system part I (it's been expanded since...watch this space)

The chicken coop is almost finished now and they've managed to incorporate a rather ingenious rainwater harvesting system which will not only provide a little pond, made out of an old kids sandbox, inside the coop for the chickens to drink and for ducks (if we get them) to have a little dip - but will also drain off into a bigger pond just on the other side of the fence. Hoping to create a nice little micro-climate there.

The pool inside the coop...nice and shallow and good for a drink!

The best bit of all this is that it's only taken the cost of a bag of cement as we had all the other materials in our recycled/reusable store.

Thanks for all the support ^^

...Actually, I added the last sentence with a little sarcasm as, apart from a family member and a few (actually 3!) encouraging comments the only other support we've had has been from the 2 strangers who made donations.

Hardly a share or a like on FB despite having over 150 friends, hardly a share but at least a few likes from posts on LinkedIn groups with a reach of thousands...to say that our enthusiasm took a hit would be a little of an understatement. Even sharing on EMF awareness group pages generated little or no response. However, saying that, none of the so called 'friends' have ever enquired about the nature of the disability we suffer...even family don't take an interest so...what to do, humans are like that.I'm resigned to the fact that most of all human relationships are superficial. Once you can accept that it makes life a lot easier. I'm so very grateful that JC arrived in my life and that we have the support of each other. Being EMF sensitive is a lonely business...nowadays where there are people there are waves, hence we spend as little time in places where there are people as possible.

We'll make it, of that I'm sure - even if it takes 10 or 20 years (Divine willing that we're around that long, lol).

So here it is 'The Link' - share, share, share and please DONATE! Consider 5 Euros as the price of the coffee you would most probably offer to buy us should we meet.

http://www.gofundme.com/chezgratitude

Love, light and hugs
Louise (aka Mermie)

Project Gratitude - update 6#

28.10.14

The broken part of the roof is finally covered, though we had to make do with the cheaper quality cover as the really good stuff is over 100 Euros. Hmm...12 Euros or 100 Euros let me think ^^ Anyway once the cover was on we had a storm and incredibly high winds so it was put to the test...it's still there so fingers crossed it'll last till next summer when hopefully we'll have raised enough to fix it. Plus the landing and stairs won't get all slippy and wet now either so we can use the first floor a bit more easily and safely.

The cover, which unfortunately already has a small hole in ir!

Not looking forward to deep winter though as the 'open part' is unfortunately above the passage to the bathroom! Eeks...HELP!

So, as I mentioned in a previous update of the updates, there's a hole already appeared at the top of the apex due to all the rubbing from the high winds which batter this side of the house (damn HAARP!). Plus we get a lot of clunking from the bricks holding down the corners. You'd think they'd be heavy enough not to move...but no! We did manage to secure one end using a couple of tyres, though they too tried to wave around, incredible strength nature has.

As always, here's the important link to share, if they can raise $70,000+ for the family of the pilots of the space flight that crashed (even though I'm sure they'll get well compensated by Richard Branson) and if a chap who lost his dog in the Lake District for 3 days can raise $50,000+ - surely we can get enough to cover our roof and plumb in the toilet and shower!!! HELP!!!

http://www.gofundme.com/chezgratitude

Always smiling and always grateful,
Love & light,
Louise (aka Mermie)

Project Gratitude - update 5#

27.10.14

When we first arrived at the house there was this lovely door from the kitchen through to the bathroom. Except...at the other side it was just a huge hole which had been knocked out of the foot wide stone walls, with no bracing, no support...just huge stones dangling in mid-air and a weightbearing beam on top supporting the attic floor!

The 'Hole' that folks had been passing through (over the water pipes - now defunct due to too many 'holes' lol) to get to the bathroom...

I mean...would you walk under this knowing it was holding up the floor above - and the roof!

Needless to say we decided it must be secured as top priority as we didn't want a brick falling on our heads when we went for a pee, so JC got to make his first 'wall'

Now you see him...

Now you don't :D

 Unfortunately, there was one thing we forgot to do (I use 'we' though I didn't really have my say in the matter, lol, if you know what I mean ;))...and that was to remove the door and frame. We can still do it, but it might be a bit more tricky now the wall's behind it. I may just make a feature out of it.

A lot more walls have materialised since 'The Hole' was filled. I think JC's found his new vocation; from 'IT professional' to "Bob the Builder'. Can he fix it? Yes he can! :D,

Don't forget to share, share, share...and DONATE! Would love to get the roof on soon.

http://www.gofundme.com/chezgratitude

Love & light,
Louise (aka Mermie)

Project Gratitude - update 4#

27.10.14

A few pics to show what we've already been doing in just the last 5 months.

The gable end...needs attaching to the roof now

Managed tomatoes, carrots, radish, salad, courgettes, potatoes...not bad for a small space

Here were salad, carrots, beetroot, basil, corriander, parsley, gherkins and now many, many cape gooseberries are getting ready to be harvested!

  
There's not a single day passes when we don't do something productive...It's starting to get cold now though and it would be great if we could raise enough funds to finish off the roof so it actually meets the new gable end...covered in a huge plastic sheet now, but with the high winds we seem to be having a lot of there have been a few sharp intakes of breath I can tell you, wondering if it's going to fly off.

In fact since I posted this update just 17 days ago a small hole has already appeared in the cover on the top corner...grrr.

It's not just the house and garden that gets a make-over either. When there's enough extra cash available I splurge on the odd tin of paint...

Sri Aurobindo, the Mother and Satprem's work all snuggly stored in a nice clean and light cubbyhole - even a small space for 'Mermie's' creations ;)

What looked at first sight llike it needed burning is now a core storage space in the kitchen that has no 'cupboards

 Lots more before and after pics to create, it's just balancing the time between needs and fancies.

Don't forget to share our journey and dream of creating an EMF Free Retreat (it's already EMF Free..just not much of a retreat unless you've got a tent or a caravan - in which case you could still contact us if you really need to get away from the waves and ground yourself...Ps. no alcohol allowed and we're vegetarian too, lol).

http://www.gofundme.com/chezgratitude

Love & light until the next update.
Louise (aka Mermie)

Project Gratitude - update 3#

Sometimes I just need to be creative, this was one of those days :D

26.10.14

A day indoors today for me...and a bit of creativity. I made the house sign out of a piece of old wood. Feeling very grateful!

Starting with the bare basics...old wood, paint, pencil, sandpaper and the design sketch

Starting to take shape...had fun with my fingers for the background colour

A new sign is born...taking front and centre stage are the latest pumpkins from the garden

 The 'hand-writing' of 'gratitude' was inspired by the handwriting of the Mother, mine's nowhere near that neat. Mental note to practice writing better, lol.

Until the next update don't forget to share and donate if you haven't already done so...just 1 Euro = 1 brick!

http://www.gofundme.com/chezgratitude

Love & light
Louise (aka Mermie)