Selfsufficientish.com

No idea where to put this... so I have ended up here.

Two years ago we decided to extend the house... and then we did this and that, and decided to look for this and that, and checked out this price of this and that... and well, not much happened.

I began collecting info on mudbricks when I was about 16, and slowly over many years have accumalated a heap of info, which all generally says the same thing and like many things attempts to turn a simple job into an elite one.

We have hummed and haa-ed about building this and that, and in the back of my mind remained the idea that one day, I would build a mud brick house down the hill.

Last week, I noticed I can no longer step over my kids. Actually the younger one told me she is now taller than me, but I just shook my head and practiced a bit of denial. Besides, the house really needs extending. So, back I went to costing this and that, and generally wondering how on earth I could afford to extend both the back and the front of the house.

Then I suddenly realised that I didn't have to wait and build a mudbrick house at all. I could simply put on a mudbrick extension!

And so it has begun. The pit went in yesterday and 4 trial bricks were formed. Luckily, my crappy soil is absolutely perfect for mudbricks, being high in clay and rocks. Upon eager inspection this morning - 3 were given the nod, and the other returned to the pit, to form part of todays activity.

Am so sore. Tis hard yakka. But oddly relaxing, as it doesn't require huge amounts of brain straining. It was a simple job I could just enjoy, and plod along with. I really did enjoy it.

Have given myself a simple daily quota. 2 bricks a day minimum, and we will be moving forward. Made about 15 today, so it is slow going, but heck - I wasted two years pricing stuff, so am sure it won't take that long.

Am just heaps chuffed... It is a wonderful feeling creating in the earth. I took some photos, and will post progress for those interested.

Yes please to the photos! Great project though I'm wondering how many bricks you'll need!

I would LOVE to see photos... sounds like a fab idea but doubt it would work for us in wetter climates lol.... mud bath extension would be more like it.... could sale tickets for mud wrestling though eh

Perhaps you should organise an SSISH meet - you put us up if we make x number of mud bricks

wow, sounds very interesting.
So how do you avoid having your house melt around you?
(:imagining the chocolate castle from the new Charlie and the Chocolate Factory movie:)

I was recently learning about cob building
http://amandakovattana.blogspot.com/200 ... unrty.html
but your mud bricks sounds different.

Would love to see the photos also it would make a fantastic article for the main site. Just a suggestion

Definitely want to see the photos. How about doing a webpage about it?

But Boots, 2 bricks a day; don't be in such a hurry. Take your time, and before you know it, the kids will have left home, and you won't need the extension afterall.

Actually, I imagine that most kids in the UK would be utterly appalled that dad was building an extension out of mud. They'd not only leave home in disdain, they'd disown you completely.

Yes Stew... Day ones enthusiasm went nowhere on the kids. "Come" I said, "Turn the telly off and come help me start the mud pit!"
*Big Grin like you do when you tell them there's only one day till Santa comes*
Both girls gave me the look. Second born rolls her eyes like she is the most disadvantaged kid on earth, being born with a Mum like me. Older one considered her lovely long fingernails. Neither moved.

And so it began, a solitary task. Me and the mud pit. Three blocks formed and out comes Madame Fingernails. She is actually quite good at manual arts and is whooping the boys at school in Design and Technology. She watches for a while.

Looks me up and down. I am grubby and sweaty, but basic hand tools have saved me from any major mud bath. She sees the three bricks (more like blocks actually) and offers to have a go. This is a kid who just loves competition, so I just let her fiddle. She makes a block. Pulls the mould off and it flops. Bugger. Looks at me and I see the light fire up in her eyes.

Show me how, she says. We start talking about mud. Too wet = Floppy Sloppy brick. Too dry = crumbly biscuit brick. A stiff mix is the trick. She tries again. It's a crumbly biscuit. Eyes dance and she looks at my bricks with contempt. Now this kid is ready to build a city. Right - let's get this sorted.

She reveals a perfect brick. Much better than mine and she is triumphant. Kid number 1 is now on the team.

Kid number 2 couldn't give two hoots about competition. She likes peace. After dinner, I say "Can I show you something?" She rolls her eyes, so I wait for an ad on the telly. Then I pull out an old book, written in 1970 with the simple style of the flower power tribe. Black and white pics.
"Look here" I say. Point out all sorts of funky mud brick homes, even furniture that still to this day looks pretty cool. She takes the book and goes back to the telly. Next ad she's into it.

"A bed in the roof!" she says grinning. "Yep, not much you can't do with mud" I tell her.

Day two and I'm heading back out there. Within seconds they are there. Kid number one is pointing out her brick. We roll it over to let it air and it holds just fine. She runs back in to get the camera. Kid number two grabs a shovel. And so it began...

... 2 bricks a day ensure constancy. 2 bricks a day means the project continues daily and its ok to stop after two, if you have other things on, because you have done your bit. Rome after all, wasn't built in a day - and Rome, I must point out dear Muddy, was built from mud!

Oh, and yes Andy - no worries about the article. Happy to help.

A masterful job of psychology and motivation, Boots!

Well done!

Nev

6 years at uni and about $20,000 later...thank the high heavens I am finally getting a return on my money...

Well done! I may need to borrow you for my daughter & son-in-law!

Nev

Excellent post, Boots,I wish you continued success!

Love the post. A great activity to share with your daughters now that they're onboard.

HOw wonderful! Yup, we want to hear all about how you fire these bricks (or whatever) and see the piccies. Post! Post!

Sorry for delay, have had a heap of things on and have just been popping in for some light refreshment during coffee breaks and brain freezes.

Bricks are progressing... I think the count is now only about 25 and am a bit frustrated as I got lobbed with a Youth Awards night on Friday that has robbed me and the girls of our weekend, but hey - it will be fun when it happens, and the girls are pretty high vibe about it. Would have liked to have had a big day on the bricks today though...

There is no fireing... the bricks are formed in a mould and air dried. Once the wall is constructed it is rendered and I have not yet decided what I will render with. Will keep you posted on that. Will probably just go natural, as I love the look of natural walls.

Will post a pic of the first day and try and remember to take one tomorrow of the now dry stack. Will include an apology ahead of time, in case it blows out too big... am sorry but just don't have time to fiddle with it, so just going for the easiest upload.

The flat bricks are freshly formed. The mould is yet to be removed from one on the left... They stand overnight as is, then are stood on their sides to assist the drying process for a day (see right_, and then stacked the following day. It takes about a week for them to completely dry.

um...er... was just going to remove and replace with a link... but where is the edit button?