Hello.good evening and welcome!

[hedgewizard]

Ged, have you considered keeping a blog? That way you can write and edit your work in there, copy it to here, and have a permanent record of your progress.

Glad to hear there are some working permies out there! It seems that "permaculture" as a label contains elements that many of us ss-ers do anyway - to read some of the books you'd think that no-dig and deep-mulch were unique to permaculture. The only thing that really sets permaculture apart (imho) is its emphasis on looking at systems holistically and in the long term. Sometimes this is highly effective, and sometimes less so... which is why I'm so keen to hear from you people. Please post about specific things you've done!

[Millymollymandy]

I'm too confused by all this new language. Like eco-warriors. It is all rather reminiscent of American office speak, which I don't understand one bit and irritates the sh*t out of me!

All I know is that I do lots of that stuff anyway, but it doesn't need a silly label.

[Boots]

Yes HW - the techniques, particularly no-dig were taken all around the world by Bill Mollison, to help build sustainable communities. Today they are very common terms...

MMM, Bill is an Australian. Not a bloody yank. Our language derives from yours, no wonder you can't understand it!

Here's his bio... and a brief on Permaculture.
http://www.rightlivelihood.org/recip/mollison.htm

Was just attempting to answer the questions, as I thought folks seemed interested. If not, no biggie.

[albert onglebod]

hello Ged , erm you aren't any relation to The Wizard of Earthsea are you
I seem to remember he was into self sufficiency in the last book we read in that series.

[ged.medland]

Hi Albert,
an interesting question!There is a massive gap in family history on my Mother's side,my Grandpa was an orphan,so who knows?LOLGlad to see I am in well read company!
atb
ged

[ged.medland]

Hi Boots!
Couldnt have put it better meself!
atb

[ged.medland]

Hi HW and All,
There is now a buzz of activity regarding my initial hello post,this is good,for it stimulates conversation and intergration for the good of all who are interested.SPECIFIC things I have done since 2003 are as follows:Use of containers and raised bed planting,growing crops in diffused light,ie under a greenhouse frame covered by a blue tarp.Reduced my levels of fossil fuel dependency by installing low energy bulbs throughout the house.Installed a wood burner,this is a 4.5 kw and will provide warmth downstairs by using scrap wood and anything else that will burn.I now keep chooks(5)ducks(2) and am hoping to raise my own meat with rabbit this year.I am costing the install of a wind turbine to genny own electricity.I try to re-use anything rather than dispose of it,If I cant use it I try to find someone who can!I am considered the community'eccentric' by my neighbours,but they stop me in the street to tell me where wood is to be picked up!I am interested in keeping a hive of bees.I am looking at water harvesting,partly because this will reduce my domestic use(I am already on a meter)and partly because I believe this is the next massive price hike in waiting.I try to keep an open mind about everything,I do 'cherry pick'applications that I think will add to my
homestead.I am an avid reader of anything,off the web or anywhere that is self sufficiency based.Thanks for reading all the above!
atb

[hedgewizard]

A good start! I'm doing all that except for the wind turbine, although we're on a 100% green energy tariff (a sop to my conscience) and have upgraded all our insulation. Don't really think of myself as a permaculturist though... I'm much too haphazard!

[Wombat]

G'Day Ged!

Good luck with the rabbits - we have enough trouble doing away with chooks! Anything cute and furry (if edible) would be well and truly safe here!

Nev

[Millymollymandy]

MMM, Bill is an Australian. Not a bloody yank. Our language derives from yours, no wonder you can't understand it!

Sorry Boots, I don't understand what you mean. I wasn't referring to anyone as a Yank, rather that this lingo you are all talking is reminiscent of the new lingo that keeps creeping into our language, such as American office speak. It is all completely over the top of my head and you might as well be conversing in Chinese!!

I live in the sticks of France and my language doesn't really evolve because I don't live in an English speaking environment. So I am so confused by these words like eco warrior (environmental activists I'd call them) or permaculture (being green I'd call it). My moan is WHY do people have to keep changing the names of things.

Maybe it is just to confuse poor old me! I like to live a simple life.

[ged.medland]

HI MMM,
all any of us are doing is trying to live a simple life!Language stays the same,only the format changes.thanks for your contributions!
atb

[hedgewizard]

Roffles, Mand am teh noobest!