Video compilation of Summer Volunteering in Earthwise Valley 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.
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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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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