Identification of Trees in my homeland

When hanging out with Jesus the carpenter (see my last blog entry, before you think I'm having evangelical hallucinations). I come to know how little I know about trees.

I desire:
The ability to identify the common trees in my surroundings
At each stage of development. Seed, sapling, young, mature and when processed.
In each season. So when in full foliage in summer to naked in winter.
To know which uses each identified species has. E. G. Great for furniture, or fixing nitrogen etc
How best to propagate, manage and locate each specific species of tree.

Proposed solution:
I have purchased a colour picture laden tree identification book.
I shall now slowly add to my knowledge by first identifying a one tree I walk past regularly
I shall then research and answer the questions I have mentioned above.

Jesus and his Wood House

This weekend I travelled to the south west of England. Here I slept in a tent and assisted my friend Jesus the carpenter build his 7 sided round timber frame home.

The rafters and post are of Larch and most of my time was spent using an axe or draw knife removing the bark and sedum (sp) of the posts and rafter. Along with assisting with the securing of the almost upright 7 posts. He has decided that vertical is so last year and all post lean outwards.

After this we secured the wall plates. The next stage would be to place the 7 rafters attop and there we shall have the bare bones of a reciprocal roof.

Lessons learned:
Beeswax boots well before any such adventure.

DON'T be a hero and cycle from the station to the venue with a huge backpack. Take a cab

Remember to take Jesus some Frankincense as a house warming gift when I next visit.

Hungarian Rye Grass winter green manure

Shaks wanted to go hardcore on the weekend. So no cardboard, old fashioned turning the soil over. Topped off with generous sprinkling of Hungarian Rye Grass seed.

After two beds worth of digging. Shaks is in agreement. We'll go back to the card board method. Much less energy expended 

Cardboarding allotment plot - part 3

The building crafts college in Stratford dispose of wood shavings. So when possible I take a bag from the trash and put it in my brothers car boot and leave it in my front garden. Come allotment day it gets brought along and used on the plot.

The saw dust and wood shavings mix is really for the paths which will be formed once the raised beds are in place.

I'll then lay cardboard in the paths and cover with as much saw dust as possible.

The empty beds will then get a turn over. Maybe double dug. And Hungarian Rye Grass seed planed to act as a winter green manure.

Card boarding the plot part2

Back on the allotment plot today. But first we drove to Redbridge and collect a car load of cardboard from a furniture store.

The cardboard was used to cover the over growth in the plot boundary bed which runs along the fence my plot neighbours have kindly put up.

We then covered the cardboard with wood shavings to weigh down the cardboard. A few hand fulls of winter beans were raked into the mix. Longshot, but I had a tin full of them and if they grow then they'll provide a great nitrogen fixing cover crop.

Wall to wall carpeting for the Allotment plot

I've been a bad boy, I have neglected my allotment for some time. I will not bore you with my excuses.

As a result I have lost half my plot. Which is fair. And have about a month to get my remaining half of the plot in shape.

Nothing like a fixed deadline to get me focused.

So I enlisted some help. Shaks will work for me in exchange for me working for him. I. E. For every hour he helps me. I owe him an hour of help.

Now Shaks didn't want this arrangement, but I insisted.

The plan is simple. Take as much cardboard down, then cover the ground, then place a raised bed I've already knocked up. And fill with plug plants I've started at home.

I'll cover the finer points in another post. For now here is a before and after photo of 4 hours graft.

Bangla Pumpkin

Bangla pumpkin planted on top on my babies placenta. In the mother in laws garden. 

Started too late for this season, but here's hoping for a prolonged summer.

Purchased the sapling from a newspaper kiosk outside Shadwell train station (Tower Hamlets) for £5

If possible I'll save some seed.

Arthur, I have no frame built. Let's see how I get on.

Fatherhood and the myriad of decision

How does an urbanite transport their very young off spring about town? A gift from my sister of a ergo carrier will help with traversing London buses and the tube. But I'd love some peddle power also.

Here is a great little blog/ article on the subject from Copenhagenize.com

How awesome would it be to drop of Jr to Nursery School via peddle power.

Do you use peddle power to transport little people? If so please leave links in the comments below on the you chosen chariot.

New beekeeping course at Hackney City Farm starting 6th March 2013

> Introduction to Beekeeping 2013
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> Hackney City Farm
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> Wednesdays 7pm
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> Starting 6th March to 24th April
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> £110 per person, concessions available for residents of Hackney on benefits / full time study
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> Session 1.          The Honey Bee
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>                    
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> Session 2           The Hive
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>                           
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> Session 3           The Bee session
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>  
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> Session 4           Bee Health
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>  
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> Session 5           Reproduction
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>  
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> Session 6           The Harvest
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> ·    
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> Session 7           Inspection of the hive
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>  
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> Session 8           Inspection of the hive
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> Please book or circulate to your friends!
>
>
> Alessia
>
>

Cloth nappies fo'real

When some folks at work discovered I am to become a father. They asked me what I would do about nappies.

'cloth nappies of course'

They all laugh. But one lovely lady told me she'll supply me with the lot, including a bucket and specific detergent. Turns out her daughter intended to go this route but then, well didn't.

She even blessed us with an awesome Moses basket.

Thank you Suraya from clan Badshah.

I shall remember you every time I change or wash these.

Garbage Warrior and Earthships

During the cold holiday period I watched a number of documentaries  One of which is about the struggles Mike Reynolds overcame to bring Earthships to the world, titled Garbage Warrior

Earthships are homes which enable a family to live comfortably off grid. No need to buy electricity, heating or water. Along with processing sewage onsite and producing food. With building materials using waste products such as used tires as the main building blocks.

For me the battles Mike fought gave me insight on how the red tape is truly getting in the way of positive change for sustainable living. The documentary shows part of this mans journey in which he is striving to become part of a holistic solution to many of our worlds problems.

Mike Reynolds you are an inspiration to me and I salute you.

Links

• Documentary: Garbage Warrior (90 min)
• Part 1 of Earthship Seminar 2009 (150 min)
• Part 2 of Earthship Seminar 2009 (150 min)

Rocket Stoves and Cob

On my PDC (Permaculture Design Course) we made our own rocket stove and I fell in love with this simple and effective bit of technology.

Cob in the Community are running a Cob and Rocket Stove Course and I just booked me a place.

Date: Sat 3 Nov 2012

Location: Canal-side Woodland, Old Oak Common, Acton, London, W3
Nearest Tube/Overground: Willesden Junction, North Acton

Cost: £80

Course info click here

The Man Who Planted Trees

I've heard about this book for ages now, then I hear about the animation. Finally I sat down and watched this.

AWESOME STUFF



The Man Who Planted Trees from MrGreatShortFilms on Vimeo.

Honey, a sweet gift

A friend who kicks my ass regularly on the mat at my Brazilian JuJitsu classes blessed me with an amazing gift. A whole jar of mountain honey from Albania.

While the taste is slightly bitter it has a depth and amazing burnt toffee flavour to it. I could just eat the lot in one sitting, but I'll resist.

Time for another spoon full I think.

Coffee on the bus and Walking barefoot to work

Having spent two months in India (more about that in another post) I missed the odd cup of coffee I have. So after breakfast I made me a very big cup, into a thermos, and enjoyed it on the bus. I do enjoy travelling on the bus after the rush hour has passed. On the upper deck in the back. Gaze wondering across the urban landscape and in this case sipping on some coffee. It's the closest thing to being chauffeur driven. The drivers these days do suddenly break hard, which hampers an almost luxurious journey in my opinion. Also travelling at peak is also a chore. Not due to seat availability, or having to seat next another person. But more so due to noise pollution from phone conversations, people talking/ shouting or some adolescent blaring some muzik

Part of my route to work has me walk through a pathway, free of cars and motor bikes etc. I cycle through this bit on most days and always enjoy this section of the journey as both sides of the path have trees and under growth.

Today I walked and enjoyed this short respite from the hustle and bustle of East London traffic. Today the weather was just what I enjoy. Not cold, but having a light jacket on felt comfortable. I had sandals on due to a cut on my heal and my feet weren't cold.

When I came to the grass area I decided to take my slippers off and walk the 100 metres or so barefoot.

I've never done this before, but the grass was dry and I just felt the need to have some contact with the earth.

Now I won't bang on about all the physical benefits of walking barefoot, maybe another time. For now I'll simply say it felt right. I'm glad I did this before I started my work day as once I got into the office it was non stop hustle and bustle till I clocked out, offered my Asr salaat (prayer) and had a cup of tea with Steve.

Enjoying Meals and Social Networking

Me and Mrs Bad were invited to my friends home in South London. To enjoy some authentic Morrocon cuisine. Same firend who I had a goals articulation meeting with back in Nov 2011

We arrived early at Stratford and decided to have a coffee in Westfield. I then decided to defect from the plan and dragged Mrs Bad into the Lebonese cafe on the lowest floor of Westfield shopping centre.

I ordered a mixed platter and some mint tea.
- The customer service was close to abusive
- They didn't have half the things I asked for
- They served the food on a paper plate
- This unforgettable experience cost close to £20

In contrast when we arrived at my friends home.
- we we greeted with warmth and felt welcome.
- we talked and laughed
- got to learn more about each others families
- had the most amazing beef, apricot and prune tagine. Sprinkled with roasted flakes of almonds.
- along with a lovely gorgeous chicken and olive tagine.

After which we drank tea and coffee and I needed a nap.
I wish I'd taken a picture of the amazing food.
I guess this is the difference of experience we can have in relation to food. I know which one I'll be aspiring too.

If we invite other families to dine with our family every so often. They will also invite us to do the same. We then don't need to go through an abusive experience when it comes to dining out.

One part of the goals articulation for zone 0 (home) me and mrs Bad had was 'a place where we enjoy our meals'

As for my 'Increasing productivity' project. Pleasant experiences like the meal I had with K.Z's family are inspiring, heart warming and a form of social networking far greater then Facebook.

Decluttering of zone 0 (home) - books

As part of my Diploma Project for zone 0 (My home) I'll be removing the clutter that's accumulated. My preferred choice is to give as gifts the items I've decided to part with.

I had not completed any fiction book in my life untill my early twenties. The first being Magician by Raymond E Feist. After which I devoured everything he had written. Every one a used pre loved copy purchased on ebay or at an independent store. My younger brother then went through them all.

Now I hoped to re read them all at some point. But decided I'd share his works of fantasy by gifting them all to a work of college who also is a fan of the genre. This act would be covered on the permaculture ethic of fair shares. Also described as returning surplus to people or the earth.

When I decide to reread any of the books. I'll just borrow them from the library.

Money as Debt

While at the guild hookup at the weekend we watched 'Money as Debt'. Some serious viewing for anyone who wants to know how the money system works.

Eco / sustainable alternatives for cotton buds and shower puffs

I need help finding sustainable alternatives to my two favourite hygiene items.

1) the cotton bud. There must be a non plastic version out there.

2) the shower puff, great for making the soap lather up. But again made of plastic. Are natural sponges a possible alternative. Are habitats destroyed in obtaining them, I have no idea.

You Help, and any links to sites which would have alternatives to the above will be very much appreciated.

Diploma Guild Hookup in Bristol

Just on the train back from Bristol (Sunday 8th July 2012) . Been at Adam and April's place in Bristol since Friday night. Joining me was Mrs Bad, who isn't a fan of staying in a tent. Was also with me. Ben and Sarah came down from Colchester.

All 6 of us enjoyed simple organic meals. The non stop rain was very frustrating at this time of year. But as Richard states 'global weirding' is upon us.

For me the purpose of meeting up and paying a ridiculous amount for train fair (£70 return per person) was to decide if I would be dropping out of the assisted diploma route.

Ben woukd have none of it. He sat me down we noted out an action plan on what exactly I needed to do to get on track. Along with the format of project 5 (zone 1: shoe box garden)



What went well:
Seeing how simple Adam and April are living made me put things into perspective.
Ben talking me through a decision making process of my options

What didn't go so well:
Non stop rain, didn't allow us to enjoy the abundance of nature and trees surrounding Adam & April's home.
Lack of a laptop, power source and internet connection limited the type of work we could do.

Lessons learned & action points.
Pack hot water bottle and thermos regardless of weather.
Contact Jesus and ask if he still wants to sell his mobile home.
Request Apple samples from Ben's orchard
Book visit to Ben's in Colchester. Can now identify elder, Hazel, Tried Bulgar Wheat, will add to rotation