Flores Permaculture

Chris and Bronwyn did a fantastic job turning our steep mountainside into a functional and safe pathway using Eukyliptus logs and iron stakes. First they removed the top layers of soil from the mountain to find the clay layer that would support the new pathway. Then they used the branches from a tree on our land to make the steps. Odin and Mitra tested the steps out and give them their full approval.

We had to expand our drainage system to accommodate the heavy winter rainfall.  This resulted in quite a large gully in the middle of the primary pathway to our house. We used saplings and off-cuts of lumber to build a simple, yet strong bridge that spans the spillway comfortably . The new bridge makes it much easier to carry the 50kg sacks of cement that we need to continue building inside our house, as well as groceries.  

I planted some pineapples years ago and they finally made fruit this year.  Sadly, they were planted in a windy spot and the fruit stalk buckled and the fruit fell before it was fully ripe. The fruit sprouted many new heads and the mother plant had many suckers, all of which were ready for transplanting. I located a perfect location for them in a tropical micro-climate zone of my farm, but first we harvested the purple sweet potatoes that had been growing in the garden throughout the summer. Next we planted the new pineapple heads in raised beds.  Hopefully this warm and wind protected location will allow the plants to thrive and produce many tasty fruits for the future.

 I have been working steadily to build my two boys, Odin and Mitra, a bedroom all of their own. Their bedroom is the same beroom that I stayed in when I visited my father in this house 30 years ago !   As I was an only child, a single bed was sufficient for my father to build.  However, with two growing  boys on my hands, I needed to build bunkbeds to maximize the space and get them their own comfortable place within our family home.   I chose to use the locally grown and milled wood from our island. The Japanese Cedar is a very solid  material  and does well with the high humidity. And I personally think it’s very beautiful.  I installed safety lights above their bunks, so they will be able read in bed.  I also installed safety electric sockets, so they will be able to charge their phones in the future. I purchased plastic bins for them with lids, to keep their clothing dry and moth free.  Th...

I have finished installing the windows and shutters on the boys new bedroom.  Not an easy task, as the wall is not straight in any direction.  But after cutting out some concrete and the use of silicone sealant, the job is functional and attractive. Odin tests out his new shutters below. After the rain and wind were excluded from the room, the wooden floor got installed using Japanese Cedar wood. Odin and Mitra are so excited to finally have their own space that they insisted on sleeping downstairs in their new bedroom this last week at my house.   They brought all their favorite books from my upstairs bedroom, so I can read to them before bedtime. Next, I managed to get their bedroom door installed, it too is made of Japanese Cedar. Odin is seen leaving his bedroom and entering into the Family Room. Mitra loves having his privacy now, with only his brother to share the space with.  Next week, I hope to finish the ceiling...