Thursday, September 2, 2010
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Earthwise Valley Hot Tub
The Earthwise Valley hot tub ... by Jenn
After a day on the sea, we of course needed to unwind. what better way to relax than a soak in a fire fueled hot tub??? Jon and bexie built this firepit-water tank-hot tub combo at their house and it works beautifully!!! just build yourself a good roaring fire, fill the tank with water and an hour later release the hot water into the tub! viola! it was the perfect night for a soak; not too cold air with a bright moon and complete silence in the world.
READ MORE
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Winter in Tuateawa
Winter in Tuateawa ... by Bexie
This winter has been a mix of wind and rain, lovely sunny days and cold, clear nights. While we tuck in early to warm up by the fireplace (it's dark by 6pm), we still have accomplished quite a bit with the help of some awesome volunteers: Cat, Mel, Dave, Nico and Jenn... Right now, as the rain pours down outside, I'd love to recap just some of the activities that have been keeping us busy... READ MORE
This winter has been a mix of wind and rain, lovely sunny days and cold, clear nights. While we tuck in early to warm up by the fireplace (it's dark by 6pm), we still have accomplished quite a bit with the help of some awesome volunteers: Cat, Mel, Dave, Nico and Jenn... Right now, as the rain pours down outside, I'd love to recap just some of the activities that have been keeping us busy... READ MORE
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Seaweed!
Seaweed Story by Bexie
We're harvesting weed up here in the Coromandel. Seaweed, that is.. The oncoming winter weather has brought us storms.. specifically, Easterlies, which are delivering all kinds of nutritious seaweed to our beach. Trailer loads, in fact. We've spent many hours collecting the stuff in various conditions. Some mornings we drive to a nearby sandy beach, and then we cruise down the beach... READ MORE
We're harvesting weed up here in the Coromandel. Seaweed, that is.. The oncoming winter weather has brought us storms.. specifically, Easterlies, which are delivering all kinds of nutritious seaweed to our beach. Trailer loads, in fact. We've spent many hours collecting the stuff in various conditions. Some mornings we drive to a nearby sandy beach, and then we cruise down the beach... READ MORE
Monday, May 3, 2010
Pigs do Fly!
a story about NZ kereru by Nico at the Earthwise Valley house.
It's a wood pigeon. He was hanging out in a cabbage tree in our front yard. I walked within 8 meters/ 25 feet of him and took a picture of him; he looked at me. I walked within 5 meters/ 15 feet of him; he ate a few more berries. I walked right up under the cabbage tree; he turned his rear end toward me. I extended my hand and ... READ MORE
It's a wood pigeon. He was hanging out in a cabbage tree in our front yard. I walked within 8 meters/ 25 feet of him and took a picture of him; he looked at me. I walked within 5 meters/ 15 feet of him; he ate a few more berries. I walked right up under the cabbage tree; he turned his rear end toward me. I extended my hand and ... READ MORE
Labels:
biology,
birds,
earthwise valley,
ecology,
kereru,
new zealand,
planting conservation
Friday, April 30, 2010
Let's talk about flax
Nico tells us about planting flax in Earthwise Valley.
Let's talk about flax. This summer, we harvested and transplanted approximately 600 flax plants into earthwise valley where we work. What is flax, and why do we spend so much time working with it? ... READ MORE
Let's talk about flax. This summer, we harvested and transplanted approximately 600 flax plants into earthwise valley where we work. What is flax, and why do we spend so much time working with it? ... READ MORE
Labels:
harakeke,
new zealand,
planting conservation,
trees,
volunteer
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Building an Earth Oven at earthwise Valley
Building an Earth Oven at earthwise Valley ... by Bexie
I'm comfortable tackling a new project in the kitchen, or throwing chemicals at some paper in the darkroom, or deciphering a new knitting pattern.. but building is not my strong suit, if only for lack of experience. Building with anything... wood, bricks, metal.. I haven't been there and don't often go there. But, as I'm most comfortable in the kitchen, I was put in charge of building our earth oven.... READ MORE
I'm comfortable tackling a new project in the kitchen, or throwing chemicals at some paper in the darkroom, or deciphering a new knitting pattern.. but building is not my strong suit, if only for lack of experience. Building with anything... wood, bricks, metal.. I haven't been there and don't often go there. But, as I'm most comfortable in the kitchen, I was put in charge of building our earth oven.... READ MORE
Labels:
earth oven,
earthwise valley,
sustainable living,
tuateawa
Friday, April 2, 2010
Tongariro - Volcano Epic!
A perspective on our recent Epic trip by Nico.
Summit day. We got up relatively late, packed our day packs, and set out. Ngauruhoe is basically a huge pile of large rocks, small rocks, gravel, pebbles, and dust. The beginning part of the climb was pretty enjoyable... READ MORE
Summit day. We got up relatively late, packed our day packs, and set out. Ngauruhoe is basically a huge pile of large rocks, small rocks, gravel, pebbles, and dust. The beginning part of the climb was pretty enjoyable... READ MORE
Labels:
adventures,
earthwise,
hiking,
national park,
new zealand,
tongariro,
volcano
Friday, March 26, 2010
Our Composting Toilet ~ has Worms!
About our new Composting Toilet by Nomad Dave
Another major project we've been working on recently, with the brains of it coming from Nico and I, is a composting toilet for the earthwise valley house. I have so far really enjoyed working on it, and there are only a couple more things to until it is totally complete... READ MORE ON DAVE'S BLOG
Another major project we've been working on recently, with the brains of it coming from Nico and I, is a composting toilet for the earthwise valley house. I have so far really enjoyed working on it, and there are only a couple more things to until it is totally complete... READ MORE ON DAVE'S BLOG
Labels:
composting toilet,
earthwise valley,
volunteer,
worm bath,
worms
Saturday, March 20, 2010
The Creation of a Spa Bath
Story by Nomad Dave
A lot of energy has been spent making a spa bath here at Earthwise Valley which works in a totally unique way that I thought I'd like to highlight here.
First thing, we need a big ol' bath tub to have our spa bath in. We chose a spot right by the gazeebo that is near my tent, and started digging a hole. Next was to make a frame to hold the tub and also create a deck around it ... READ MORE
A lot of energy has been spent making a spa bath here at Earthwise Valley which works in a totally unique way that I thought I'd like to highlight here.
First thing, we need a big ol' bath tub to have our spa bath in. We chose a spot right by the gazeebo that is near my tent, and started digging a hole. Next was to make a frame to hold the tub and also create a deck around it ... READ MORE
Labels:
building,
diy,
homemade,
new zealand,
spa bath,
sustainable living,
volunteers
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Chicks & Stingrays & Volunteer house...
A story by Bexie
After Christmas and New Years, the house in Tuateawa turned on its hard hat to set up for volunteers. We set up beds, varnished floors, moved furniture, and put in a huge effort to make the place as cozy as possible for a large group. I filled the freezer with pre-cooked foods: banana bread, plum sorbet, pizza dough, orange squash hummus, and countless loaves of wholegrain bread from the breadmaker. I filled jars with beans and spices, and labeled EVERYTHING from cupboards to rooms to toilets ("If it's yellow, leave it mellow. If it's brown, flush it down!" We are conservationists here!) READ MORE
After Christmas and New Years, the house in Tuateawa turned on its hard hat to set up for volunteers. We set up beds, varnished floors, moved furniture, and put in a huge effort to make the place as cozy as possible for a large group. I filled the freezer with pre-cooked foods: banana bread, plum sorbet, pizza dough, orange squash hummus, and countless loaves of wholegrain bread from the breadmaker. I filled jars with beans and spices, and labeled EVERYTHING from cupboards to rooms to toilets ("If it's yellow, leave it mellow. If it's brown, flush it down!" We are conservationists here!) READ MORE
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