This has been a week full of blessings.
On Monday, the Forester turned up and we had a lovely chat about trees. We don’t talk about much else, a little on the state of the world (but usually as it related to trees) and maybe, because this is the countryside life, a little catch up on what people around here are up to (and this is exclusively related to trees!). We spoke a bit about Germany’s Tree of the Year for last year (Baum des Jahres) which was the Holly (Stechpalme / Ilex aquifolium), and he brought me a not inconsiderable quantity of wood. It fell over in the storms, right next to the barracks.
Year four at the barracks is about the community that should develop here. I’ve been giving it a lot of thought, so much that I almost got distracted from the fact that there is already a barracks community. All of you.
My post last week triggered an outpouring of support for what I am trying to do here. I do think that what I am doing is important. The style of my existence is supposed to be a reminder that we live on a fragile planet, and the skills we are going to need in the future are not the same as the skills we have now.
Thos who follow me on Instagram, who take the time to read my blog posts, or subscribe to this newsletter, you give me the support and encouragement that I need to keep going with this. Heaven knows, it’s not the pigs! I feel like I know some of you really well, and others hardly at all, but I value all of your support. Just opening this email helps.
Some people are in a situation where they want to and are able to support also in material ways. And they have all asked to remain anonymous! Three people this week have made significant financial contributions. It’s amazing and wonderful. Thank you all. With this, I am finally going to fix the roof and the water. Which is probably the most significant step forwards in building the in-person community. I totally understand that most people thing “running water” is more or less essential! I do!
One of these donors also asked for money to be put towards improving the orchard, and with much thanks, I will do that as well.
And, you have no doubt seen, one person sent me a Hecht 7100 cultivator / tiller.
It’s an absolute BEAST of a machine. It took me two days to assemble it, a good two hours to work out the best way to use it (turn everything up to 11 and let’s go choppy choppy seems to be the best), and then maybe another 2 or 4 hours (I lost track of time, I was having so much fun) to bring 200m2 of new ground into production.
This week, I’m not sure what the plans are. I’ve put my back out. It’s slowing me down a lot, but will be 100% in a couple of days. Believe me, I’ve done this before!
But, needs must:
Lots more choppy choppy with the Hecht
Edges on the potager
A roof for the toilet block
More seed sowing. I fancy doing all the gourds this week
And talking of “people I know, people I don’t know”. I think I know most people who subscribe to this newsletter, but if we don’t know each other in real or virtual, or haven’t spoken in a while, why not drop a cheery hi into the comments?
All the best, me hearties!
The Pirate Ben
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hi, are you familiar with Danh Vo's work? he is an american/ viatnamese artist who settled in Brandenburg, Güldenhof. wherever that is, maybe near you ? he is building an artist community and is very much into food...I do not know him personally, but what the NY times wrote March 14th, makes Brandenburg totally attractive.
hi, just ran through your hotel ideas, building a community, etc. have you ever checked
Res Artis – Worldwide Network of Arts Residencies
https://resartis.org
? i imagine a lot of artists would be interested in your ideas.
since i put Centre Pompadour up there (some 7 years ago) I have always had a full house during summer. all the feminist best, as always