Early June

The willow is loving all the rain! This is Salix Alba, which came as part of the "basketry" collection, so we're hoping for great weaving opportunities. Freddy told me - quite spontaneously, having read up on willow sometime last year - that Salix Alba particularly likes the damp, so we're on to a good thing. This bed is sitting on a clay seam up by the top entrance to the meadow, so it should be happy. Since this photo, Nick's been slashing away around the edges of the bed (which is covered with wood chip from our own trees - it would be zero carbon footprint except for the petrol powered chainsaw) with a lethal hockey-stick type implement, sharpened on both sides. Jet the dog had to stay indoors.

Whilst the clay soil may be good for the willows, it's not quite so good for "grey water" drainage. We've been talking to a water consultant about the best way to manage showers; getting water to the showers, heating it, and then ensuring it can run happily away. As part of this process, Freddy and Kim had to dig 3 holes, 60cm deep, and 30cm by 30 cm wide. We then had to complete the "percolation test", filling them with water overnight, and once the water had drained, had to refill to three-quarters of the depth and then measure the rate of drop. I think our time of 7 hours means we need to find another place for the showers, where the clay is less dominant!

And finally, Nick is celebrating the near-completion of the yurt decking and base. All the planks on the decking are now fixed, the yurt base (made of marine ply and therefore fully weather resistant) is in place, and once we've joined and sealed the base and finished the skirting of the decking, we'll be done and ready for the yurt, if the sun decides to return.