!! In the quiet hours of the bootcamp grind, I found myself: Esteban's Bootcamp Experience

B.E.L. Post # 33

Thursday 11/20

After the morning meeting I headed over to the shop and got a fire going in the rocket mass heater to warm things up. Once that was rolling, the crew and I made our usual trip to the Abbey to feed the cats and carry out a full perimeter check of the fence lines. Everything looked good and the cats were happy.

From there we continued on to the Sawmill site, where we spent time cutting paneling and making some additional fine-tuning adjustments to keep things moving forward.

Later in the afternoon, back at basecamp, John and I installed more tree cages before wrapping up the day working on the junk pole fencing for the paddock.

A solid, productive day all around!

B.E.L. Post # 34

Friday 11/21

After the morning meeting, John and I headed over to the Red Cabin to light up the rocket mass heater and get the space warming for the day. Once that was taken care of, the whole crew made our standard trip to the Abbey for the usual cat feeding and perimeter check—only this time we got a bit of a surprise.

Upon entering the Abbey grounds, we discovered a section of the junk pole fence had come down. That area was part of an earlier generation of the fencing design, so we rolled up our sleeves and rebuilt it. We alternated junk poles on either side and threaded one across the top horizontally, giving the entire repaired section a rather epic “Roman Legion defense wall” kind of look. Not only solid, but stylish.

After shoring that up, we cut down some young pines to restock our supply of junk poles before heading back to basecamp.

Back at home base, the afternoon was full and varied—mint processing, breaking down the old garden gate for woody fuel bits for the main house rocket mass heater, and then finishing the day reinforcing the automatic cat feeders so the little bandits stop busting into them like furry safecrackers.

A busy and satisfying Friday with plenty of good progress made.

Hi Esteban. Sorry I only discovered your thread here today, while you're already a 'boot' for a month.
I always love to follow the boots. Most of all I love to see photos and videos of what you are doing there.

From now on I'll do my best to read your posts. I like your story-telling style!

Inge Leonora-den Ouden wrote:Hi Esteban. Sorry I only discovered your thread here today, while you're already a 'boot' for a month.
I always love to follow the boots. Most of all I love to see photos and videos of what you are doing there.

From now on I'll do my best to read your posts. I like your story-telling style!

Hi there! No worries at all, I’m just glad you found the thread and are following along now. It’s been a busy first month, but an incredible one. I really appreciate you taking the time to read the posts—and thank you for the compliment on the storytelling, that means a lot.

I’ll definitely be sharing more photos, videos, and updates as I go. Happy to have you along for the journey! 🌿😊

B.E.L. Post # 35

Saturday 11/22

Today is normally my off day, but I still felt the itch to get a little work in. Started the morning by splitting up a pile of wood for kindling—nothing like the rhythm of the axe to wake you up.

After that, headed over to the Abbey to feed the cats and walk the perimeter as usual. Calm day over there, everyone accounted for and well fed.

Back at Base Camp, I scouted around and found a solid dead standing tree ready to come down. Will be dropping it soon ....

Even on a “day off,” it feels good to make progress. 🪵🌲🐾