Ahoy Ye Land Lovers

Hi everyone,

I figured I should drop some meaningless drivel on you (don't worry, it's easy to wipe off)

I'm new here on permies.com.

I live in Sydney, Australia, where I was born, brought up and have lived the majority of my 26 years. I found Paul's podcast when searching for permaculture podcasts on my phone about a month and a half ago. I'm very grateful for all the invaluable information I'm soaking up from them.

I've been interested in permaculture for a while now. I'm living in a rented townhouse at the moment and have limited space to garden but am attempting to slowly implement permaculture principles into a gardening practice (and elsewhere - but even more slowly) nonetheless.

I'd like to eventually get a 10 or more acre property in central to northern New South Wales or southern Queensland (higher than the floodplains people seem to keep rebuilding in - weirdos ), build an Earthship (or similar) and set up some permaculture zoning. I'd like to do this about 40min-1.25hrs from a large town or city.

Ideally I'd like to get something closer to 100 acres or more with some wilderness and a natural amphitheater too. I'd like to hold ecologically friendly festivals and rent out one or two Earthships (or similar housing) but at this stage it seems to be outside my budget (I'm not Mitt Romney) and I haven't got a very large network of similar minded folk who would be interested in joining me in my endeavours.

At this stage though I'm saving for a trip over to the USA this June with a friend and after that plan on saving around 50k AUD for a deposit on some land.

Oh yeah, I started a blog not that long ago that you might like to check out. If you do, let me know what you think and if you have any advice or comments please comment or contact me! The URL is http://sufficientsimon.blogspot.com.au/

That's enough meaningless drivel.

...for now.

Peace.

PS. And if you like this kind of thing check out sufficientsimon.blogspot.com.au where I talk about meaningless drivel, my gardening, and other things aaaaall the time.

Hi Welcome
so the very fast intro left me wondering what the heck is earth-ship like?

Hi Ernie,

Thanks for the welcome

From what I've seen on youtube and heard on Paul's podcast, you and Erica are doing some amazing work. Awesome stuff. I really like the idea of those rocket mass heaters and possible derivatives like ovens. I want to build a rocket mass heater! ...And probably will eventually.

I guess a terraformed mars-ship could be earth-ship like but seriously, that's a good question and I should elaborate.

When I mention Earthships I am referring to the passive, "off the grid" buildings that Michael Reynolds and co.* have - and continue to - build in Taos, New Mexico and around the world.

Earth-ship like, for me, off the top of my head, means a house that has built in, mostly automated systems to help provide for the needs of it's inhabitants in a way that interfaces with and benefits the natural environment around it in a mutually beneficial symbiotic relationship. These systems could (and likely would in my case) include water processing, passive heating, passive cooling and electrical systems (solar, wind, water, heat, pressurised air, combustión or other) that minimise and and eradicate (where possible) destructive materials and practices in their creation and perpetuation.

I wrote, "eradicate (where possible) " because I REALLY DON'T KNOW how and if electrical systems (even off grid ones) can be completely ecologically sustainable with current day knowledge and technology or at all. I use them every day and rely on them for the majority of my communication. I'm not very knowledgeable about this subject.

* http://www.earthship.com is the website of Earthship Biotecture (which is Michael Reynolds and co. 's business) and it contains much more information on Earthships.

have you looked at Econests? http://www.econesthomes.com/ This might be the kinda thing you want. with a few modified things. I dont know AU very well but i o understand that you have several climates to choose from.
What is the climate you are planning to buy property in?

Those Econests look beautiful and are definitely something I'll have to look more into and give more thought to. Thanks for sharing.

Temporate to sub-tropical, probably more temporate, is the climate I'm looking to live in. There will be some stinking hot and humid 40 degree Celcius days during the height of summer no doubt as there are where I am at the moment, although this summer's been a bit weird with all the rain we've had. I can't really say much more than that at this stage regarding climate as I'm not sure exactly where I will be purchasing land.

I notice you're in Oregon. I'm likely visiting a friend in Portland for a day when I visit your country later this year. Do you have or know of a homestead or something where visitors are welcome in the Portland area? I'd like to maybe spend the day there with my friend.

oh there are several the closest in is Tryon life farms. I am sure if your friend gave them a call you could get something arranged. We are no longer in portland; We have moved up to north central washington. It's a bit colder up here and far less distracting. however portland has many many things to see if you are into permiculture so be sure to dedicate a good amount of wandering around time.

Thanks a bunch, Ernie! I'll look into it.