What a week. Searing temperatures have made building a home in the space of a week difficult. The biggest pain has definitely been the topsoil of six inches: everything has had to be screwed to the pallet and sterling board I have as my flooring.
Getting my grubby little mitts on natural materials has been a piece of pee…other than running from a large bull, knackers swinging, unnerving erection and probably eager to smash me to bits or bugger me…wasn’t sure which, but the hazel for the frame and the hawthorn for the door handle came easy. The recycled materials have been a little harder.
Using my same cover story as I did when constructing the tree house so as to not give the game away on a local front: “I’m doing an art installation using recycled materials…’
So I turn up at one of my new neighbor, who is having some building work done, notice a few sculptures around the place and get approached by a bearded man in a hard hat. I assume he is one of the builders…rather than the guvnor…he was certainly dressed like a chippy.
I unloaded my weak banter upon him and he looked curious: ‘What’s the sculpture?’ Think on your feet Weston…
‘Well, I’m building a 10 foot tornado out of scrap wood to mimic the destruction it causes…you know, when a tornado goes on the rampage’. Yes good, well done!
More questions follow so I turn the questioning on to him, turns out he is a rather well-known sculptor called Hamish Black- responsible for the donut on Brighton beach…bugger. I did get a few bits, but felt so embarrassed and stupid for not telling the truth about my request for recycled materials, I left with my tail well and truly between my legs.
All in all, life has been quite pleasant, apart from crapping in hedges…something I should be able to rectify with the old tree house thunder box coming down shortly along with bertha. I picked up a 70m-power cable today so ‘lectricity’ is all set…a freecycle fridge is still to be found (If there is anyone in Sussex with a fridge/freezer they no longer have a use for- let me know!).
But rather than bore you with lines of prose on the ongoing house project- here some vids…still working on editing!
Interesting blog, this is getting bookmarked! ;-)
By the way, good luck! Looks like a bit of work you got there
Posted by: Amy | July 03, 2010 at 04:22 AM
Being buggered by a large balls swinging bull eh?? Hmm.. this new life of "living the bender dream" seems like it could be quite mind expanding (at least something will get expanded anyway!!)...
Sorry couldn't resist that!! ;-)
LOoking good man. Can't wait to see how it turns out. So how long will you live in it for? Semi-permanently...?
Posted by: Giles | July 04, 2010 at 07:36 AM
:( my internet is bad now and i can't view the vids. will come back tonight.
Posted by: Nursing apparel | July 09, 2010 at 09:03 PM
Hi Nick,I have just brought your book, very inspiring and am looking forward to trying out many of your ideas, you seem to be setting the trend and people are developing a higher conciousness. I think we are looking for other ways now not consumerism but the beauty that is around us and reward of hunter/gatherer. I hope to get the the cob nuts this year off the tree before the squirels do !!!
Posted by: Hester | July 24, 2010 at 07:32 PM