Working Bee

by | Feb 7, 2015 | Our home building journey

Euphoric and tired I was after our five day working bee. Our dear friends from Riverton, SA came, and friends from Warnanbool, Ballarat and Melbourne drifted in over the five days to lend a hand. Building light earth walls is easy, messy and tiring, but easy. So anyone can jump in and help. The children entertained themselves with straw bale building and built a fortress castle to play in. The working bee combined with a tour of Jonai Farm and Captain’s Creek, created for me the perfect atmosphere and has catalised an eagerness to move to Eganstown much earlier.

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Straw, water and clay are mixed in this long pipe.

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The mix is collected in wheelbarrows and walked to the form work of the house.

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Then pushed in and lightly compressed. You want to keep air pockets in the mix to maximise its insulation value.

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Straw bale fortress.

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It’s impossible to stay clean.

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Vasko our builder and designer.

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While the adults build and cook the daily meals Ahlia and Artemisia indulge in mango delight.

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Our friend Damien arrives on his bike. During his travels he has come across a Blue-winged Parrot, with a damaged wing. We all get to enjoy the parrot for a day before Damien takes the bird to a nearby sanctuary.

Blue-winged Parrot detail.

Blue-winged Parrot detail.

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With the lower walls done the working bees beging stuffing the top walls.

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Lunch break.

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Dear Tim Tutt.

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Straw bale chase.

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Ahlia and light earth detail.

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