Red sun afternoon. What's new so far this year?..... La shack out on my 1/2 is finished to 'lock up'. 5m x 4m with 2 doors and 5 windows. Apart from some new timbers everything has either been donated, scrounged, repurposed and re-used. I'm proud about that and sincerely thank everyone who has been a part of this journey with me. From the ute owners who have carried things out for me that were too big (for the Mouse House van I live in) to the children who willingly mixed soil or planted a tree with me and my dear friends who occasionally drove me out to water the little trees. It has rained a couple of times and the tank is 2/3 full which means there is enough ash tasting water to water the trees. At the moment it is very hot out there when there is no breeze and the little trees need tender care until they get established. I love being out on the block and am always thankful that I have such a lovely van to live in while I am there. The shack itself needs insulation and lining before I (or a special visitor) could sleep in it. There is only sisalation at the moment and it's rather like being in a space ship. There are gaps to fill and the floor to paint. A couple of the windows need the glass re-puttying and outside sun shields of some kind - especially the western window. Eventually there will be some kind of shower screen in front of the tank which might help keep some sun out from that western window but as yet I can't see how to do that. I do wish at times I had the strength and endurance I had when I was 30. 64 is not the new 30...no matter what anyone says 😢 The night skies are huge and with no light pollution it's a great thing to be out at 2am to take photos. These photos (click to enlarge) were taken with 'light painting' on the shack on a moonless night. The shack itself seems very big at 20 sq m after living in the van at under 8 sq m for so long. Room to dance 🤓 I enjoyed being in there recently making new leather strops for my carving knives, looking out at the huge view. I can understand why vandwellers like to have a little somewhere to park and a shack for storage or, like me, room to create. I will say though that it can be all consuming, both of time and money. Even being mostly re-cycled I still have labour costs to pay. If you are young and there are two of you I expect it can be done very cheaply so 'go for it'. Make yourself a nice place without a mortgage. That's a great aim. Travel, have great experiences and then come back to your own little place to rest up and save again for the next adventure.
last pic is a small child's whistle - minus head - quite possibly 1930 Germany. The things you find ! Wishing you well and safe travels on your adventures. Hope to see some of you soon. Until next time, Clare
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