We are nearly at the top of the second cob wall on the eastern side, and have decided to embed some bottles in the wall in true traditional earth building style. The bottles will allow more morning light to shine in. We firstly joined two bottles together with clear all weather duct tape.
Then we added a layer of foil, and Wwoofers Jenn (US) and Doreen (Germany) helped finish the process by covering the whole bottle with more duct tape. This then acts like a solar tube, reflecting light from outside to the inside of the house.
Suzie and Wwoofer Meagan (who is on her second tour of duty at Earthstead) then took some time to level the bottles in the wall under the watchful eye of Doreen.
Jenn packs mud around the bottles from the outside.
We are very happy with the finished product, and hope we have been able to seal the bottles well enough to keep condensation out of them. Time will tell. This photo doesn't do justice to the amount of light shining through the bottles. I will try to get some better photo's in the next post.
By 10.30am we are all ready for morning tea, and today it is hot chocolate topped with whipped cream. yummmmm.
The cob shelves are nearly completed and look stunning thanks to Jenn, Doreen, and our trusty engineer, Ali.
Wwoofer G from Thailand is working steadily on the southern cob wall, where progress and drying are slowest.
We've also been working on the gardens. Here Doreen and G plant a native grass under the cabbage trees in the centre of the roundabout.
Woofer Matt from the UK is working with Ali on a flyer to promote our homestay. We are very happy with how it is looking, and in the next post I hope to show you just what they have come up with.
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