sailng the farm - seagypsy tribe of tomorrow!

Interested in self-sufficiency? Want to help build a community? Love the sea? Our collective, on an organic farm a few hours north of Oslo, is for anyone who wants to learn and work hard. We grow food, boats and ideas, so if you have a knowledge or interest in permaculture, farming, boat building, or sailing, come and help us create a home that is sustainable both on land AND out at sea!

We are building a sailboat (the first of many), with the hope that when she sets sail (hopefully spring 2012) we will visit other eco-villages around the world, collecting knowledge and travelling in the most eco-friendly way possible. Anyone who helps will have the chance to join our crew, a tribe of floating sea-gypsies! We also need help on the farm, as we build up the infrastructure to form a stable base for our community. This project is relatively new; we began in 2009 so there is still a lot to be done. We live with two dogs, the farm cat and some (very) free-range chickens. We keep bees and make jam; this year we harvested our first crop of potatoes and planted next seasons raspberries. Eventually we hope to grow all our food. We want to create a place that will flourish as our boats start sailing, a place where crops, thoughts, adventures, and of course boats, can grow!

Want more info?

Newsletter April 2012. .

Dear Sea Gypsies,

Still some time until we are ready to put the seeds into the soil. Its
more or less -5 degrees C during night last weeks but daytime is above
zero.

The days have been spent welding and welding and when we havent done
welding we have spent time troubleshoot welding machines. They have a
tendency to break down unfortunately. So we bought 2 more big
machines. We also got hold of another ton of lead. There seems to be
no end to how much lead we need for ballast.

Ahh yes. We got more chickens on the farm. one of our hens found out
we need some easter chickens this year and she missed by 2 days. Not
bad. The small one is a little shy so its hard to take a picture
without getting attacked by the angry mother.

Today it will be traditional easter-dinner here on the farm with
people from near and far. Wish you all fair winds and following seas
and hope you all have a peacful easter.

picture from last weeks.

a: our chickens are enjoying longer and warmer days.
b: two more welding machines arrived on the farm.. It seems we cant
get enough welding machines.
c: Our easter chicken arrived 2 days before easter.


http://weldingweb.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=135841&stc=1&d=1333813538
http://weldingweb.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=135851&stc=1&d=1333813545
http://weldingweb.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=135861&stc=1&d=1333813551

Newsletter May 2012.

Dear Sea gypsies

Spring has come to the farm! And then came summer, and then a few
blustery days of fall, and finally last Friday and Saturday it snowed
again. But that will be the last snow of the year, we hope - the mild
weather seems to have returned, the trees are leafing out, the
wildflowers are springing up around the river, the bees and the
neighbors have come out of hibernation (again), and we are hard at
work.

This week we mixed a few tons of lovely manure compost into the soil
of the north field, and planted eleven rows of potatoes - by hand -
which should give us about 300 kilos of potatoes in the fall to feed
hungry sea-gypsies all next winter. Next week we'll plant carrots and
onions, and move some tender warm-weather starts to our new greenhouse
- radishes, bok choi, spinach, parsley, beets, and sugar peas so tall,
they might start climbing us if we don't get them out of the kitchen
soon.

Work on the boat has really picked up recently. We've been distracted
with planting, and replumbing the bathroom, and building coldframes
and the new greenhouse - but now that the potatoes are in the ground
and the sea-gypsies are in the bath (phew), we are back in the
boatshed all the time. Our resident woodworker is about to start work
on a wooden dinghy from a traditional Norwegian design, just as soon
as he gets the greenhouse finished. And we cast two tons of lead
ballast, a very medieval process involving a wood-fired furnace in the
yard. The boat will eventually carry five tons, so there is more
casting to do as soon as the scrap yard has more lead for us.

Inside the boat we're sealing off the keel with aluminum plates - the
bow is nearly done, and then we can put in the last of the bow ribs.
In the stern, we're wrestling with engine placement - it needs to be
high enough to fit the cooling system and the primary diesel tank
underneath, but low enough that the propeller clears the stern.
Hmmmmm. Fortunately there's plenty to do while we're thinking about
it - like put on the deck! The boat will start looking dramatically
different very soon and we're all pretty excited.

As always, there's room for more in our big sea-gypsy tribe - so if
you like planting, weeding, shoveling, soldering, sawing, nailing,
welding, grinding, sewing, cooking, drilling, knitting, routering,
getting headbutted by chickens, watching 2-hour sunsets, measuring,
cutting, re-measuring, thinking, re-re-measuring, making bread,
reading sea books, eating waffles or knot-tying, drop us a line!


Picture from last weeks.

a: Sea gypsy girl making psykedelic chair-protection for the chairs.

b: Shaping wood with router

c: Potato-planting.

d: lead melting girl finished melting 2 tonns in one week.


http://weldingweb.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=161891&stc=1&d=1337015044
http://weldingweb.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=161901&stc=1&d=1337015051
http://weldingweb.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=161911&stc=1&d=1337015058
http://weldingweb.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=161921&stc=1&d=1337015064

Newsletter June 2012.



Dear Sea gypsies

We're back to a full farm - the current crew of sea-gypsies hail from
Norway, Germany (times two), Finland, France/Belgium, the UK and the
US - it makes for lively, er, discussions in the evenings while we're
watching Euro Cup matches.

It also makes for rapid progress - in the last few weeks we've picked
the entire farm clean of rocks, planted two fields in a mixture of
cover crops (including phacelia, whose blue flowers are a favorite bee
snack), built and painted a fence around the yard, re-plumbed the
basement, fixed our fleet of bicycles, put in almost a kilometer of
fence around the biggest field, dug up half the far field looking for
a pipe leak, refinished a beautiful old door... and then, in our spare
time, built a model for the boat's dinghy, biked all over the area,
hiked down the river, spent a weekend in Oslo, foraged local plants
for dinner, built a campfire spot overlooking the valley, installed a
swing under the barn ramp, given each other mohawks, and baked about
forty loaves of bread.

And we're going to be parents! Kind of! One of our chickens has very
motherly instincts, and she's been incubating thirteen eggs - some
hers, some laid by the rest of our flock. We're expecting chicks in a
week or so.

All the farming hasn't left us much time for boatbuilding, but we
still managed to make some progress this month: the keelbox has been
welded shut in bow and stern, the last ribs are being bent to shape
and welded in, and the calculations for the curve of the deck have
begun. This week we'll finish the ribs and begin the wood patterns
for the deck frames.

We've been eating like royalty - everybody has learned to bake, and
the spring plants are out in force, so we feast on nettles, milkweed,
chaga mushrooms, dandelions, wood sorrel, and our own bread. After a
long winter of turnips, potatoes and carrots, it's wonderful to have
the green leaves that come with warm days, and the new dishes that
come with new comrades.


So, enjoy summer folks, and if you want to join us, just send us an
email.

Pictures from last weeks.

a: Sea-gypsy girl busy planning the route with help of the world-map
in background.

b: Fence-banging guys!

c: The Fencing-crew on the way to the field.

d: Enjoy a short rest after hours of rockpicking in the field.

e: Welding up the keelbox inside the boat.


http://weldingweb.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=182061&stc=1&d=1339612761
http://weldingweb.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=182071&stc=1&d=1339612773
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http://weldingweb.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=182091&stc=1&d=1339612791
http://weldingweb.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=182101&stc=1&d=1339612800

WOW! I am so impressed! Do you guys mind adding a Russian to the mix? Norway sounds like normal climate, not this darn 100-degree and above heat of Dallas (where I am currently).

Und ich kann auch ein bisschen deutsch! Nur ein bisschen, es war eine lange Zeit...

hi dimitry
send me your email and ill send you more info

Hello this is very interesting! Could you please send me some information?
My email is Hannah.dewinter@yahoo.com

Hello! This project, and you guys in general are Awesome! I will be travelling around europe this summer, and would love to come help out! Have been through a PDC course and more, any info is appreciated! You have my full support... rubzeppelin@hotmail.com thanks!

Hi my name is Alexandra Budz,

I am a recent graduate of Saint Anselm College in Manchester, NH. I have always loved gardening , and my family tries to use organic produce, meats, etc. and I have become very interest, in doing more. I don't not really have a great deal of experience with permacullture farming, but have done a great deal of research and I would love to learn more.

If you have any opportunities please let me know,

Thank you in advance for your time

This looks amazingly extraordinary! What will you be up to this fall? My partner and I will be headed to France and then have a pretty open travel plan to go wherever we want to go (budget willing). Is it too cold up there in the fall to do much?

I just did a permaculture course in Haiti and have volunteered on a few farms but I definitely want to learn more. I'm also trying to collect stories and interviews for my blog (see my signature).

In any case, I really admire what you are doing. I love the whimsical and imaginative ventures people take in life!

-Monica

Wow, this is a concept I've recently entertained. My father lives on a sailboat off the Atlantic coast of the U.S. I would love to get more information!


shannonmariesylte@gmail.com

Really interested in your project! Mind contacting me with more info? Cheers.

Pratt.kyle.j@gmail.com

This is amazing. I'm going to be taking a year off school next year (2013-2014), trying to find work experiences on a permaculture-inspired farm. I love your vision, and I really, really want to spend time working with you. I am a permaculture enthusiast, I'm currently taking a PDC course, and I love sailing. I'm not a super experienced farmer, but I have spent time working in an orchard, in my garden, and on other small farms. I'm very able-bodied, and I'm enthusiastic about gaining experiences in permaculture and community building. Please contact me, either tpp28(at)cornell.edu, or through a PM

Hi,

I am a deaf half-Swedish American fiction and poetry writer with a 15-month-old boy, Ronan, and a husband, Rob. The husband and I are both sailors, mostly on multi-hulls, and used to live aboard a trimaran and sailed it from Block Island to Key West (USA). We are currently living in New Hampshire, the north east of America, but I'm dying to bring my family to other countries in communities such as yours (I used to live in Auroville, South India, an international ecovillage, and worked there helping stray dogs and have visited Plum Village in France and Sirius Community in Massachusetts).

We are also planning to sail around the world sometime within the next 5 or 10 years....would LOVE to consider visiting/living in your community or sailing with you or helping build the boat! My husband is pretty amazing at carpentry, electrical work, plumbing, etc and we've both worked on our own sailboats in the past. I have family in Sweden and Finland that I'm in contact with as well (Ive actually visited the ones in Stockholm). Also - we both cook and love to cook, especially my husband, so can help in that way, too. Please send us more info: krisnwillow@gmail.com

Thanks so much,
Kristen

Newsletter December 2012.

Dear All,

First of all, Mucho Gracias for all contribution this year - This
doesent goes just for those of you who have been flying, driving,
peddaling, walking and swimming up here to lend a hand on the farm and
the shipbuilding - but it goes also to you who have send support
mails, commented on forums, asked to help sponsoring the project and
mailed us. Without your support, we would never have come this far.

We are now going into the last year of building the Seagypsy Boat #1
and hopefully start sailing. Yes, i know some of you think she will
sail only backwards, or even upside down, but sail she will.. ..

Together we have come a long way taking into consideration that most
of volunteers coming up here have never done any metalwork or even
farmwork before, but they all share the same dream...

To sum up for 2012. We have used more than 2 metric tonns of aluminium
this year, welded hundreds and hundreds of meters of welding, consumed
a few hundred kg of Argon gas, melted 5 tonns lead. Not to mention
breathing way too much welding fumes and aluminium dust...

On the farm, we have had lots and lots of volunteers who has been in
charge of growing potatoes, sugar pees, carrots, berries and lots of
other stuff. They have got new friends and met old ones from prior
years.

They have shared and learned, maybe eating too much porridge and
waffles, laughed, cried, made love (tough I really worked hard here to
keep those sneaky wwoffers in separate girls/guys barracks!!) Some
have even taken step to marry! So in sum I think 2012 has been quite a
good year.

As we are nearing the end of this year (and not end of the world i
hope!) I wish you all a peaceful 2013 with much joy and happiness for
the coming year and we up on the farm really look forward to meet new
and old volunteers both here and out on the seven seas.

Fair winds and smooth sailing from

Sailing the farm - A Sea gypsy tribe of tomorrow.
Ze


picture: Boatshed in winter night.

http://weldingweb.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=289481&stc=1&d=1356891300

This is a beautiful combination of the most enjoyable things... I have a bit of experience in building and repair. Have done minimal gardening and am very interested in permaculture. I am trying to gain more knowledge on the fun and planning of self sustainable living and am working on home plans for a piece of land I have and would like to grow with years down the line. I will be back from traveling in April and looking for what is next in my life. Please send me information if you are still seeking a fellow gypsy!

magentacurran@me.com

Newsletter March 2013. .

Dear Sea Gypsies,

Spring is slowly coming our way, Its been maybe the coldest winter for
as long as people can remember up here. Minus -30 for weeks out and
weeks for january and february and even in march we have -20 degrees
for many days. But we dont complain (at least loudly!) the shed was
filled to the brink with firewood and during evening and weekends time
have been spent reading about small pacific islands where the sun
always shine... Guess where to boat is sailing!

Last two months have been spent doing foundry work (melting
aluminium). We are now making our own portholes and all small bits and
pieces out of the all the scrap alloy we have floating around. Next
would be to make a few dolphins for decoration

Anyway, enjoy the early spring folks! .. and if you want to join our
tribe please contact us!

Pictures.

a. making a sand-cast for a small porthole.
b. Out enjoy the skiing in cold winter weather.
c. a cake? Nope. Its called cores and used for foundry work! Its a
miks of sand and linseed oil. Taste awful, but works good.
d. welding small boxes and stuff together.
e. Porthole production.

http://weldingweb.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=348001&stc=1&d=1363531570
http://weldingweb.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=348011&stc=1&d=1363531577
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http://weldingweb.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=348031&stc=1&d=1363531588
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_y-Gh6_YI

I'm interested in what you are up to. I currently work for an organic fertilizer company and I was certified EMT before that. Please send me more info. kdonahue1220@gmail.com

Dear Sea Gypsies

Summer is here, its more or less rain every day but the wwofers order
sun in the weekends so weather is always nice when we go hiking during
weekends, (not sure who they order it from though)

We are now up to full speed on boat and the farm. Last week we
planted another field of rasperries, which will be give us lots and
lots of rasperries in 2 years time. Then another field with potatoes
and even more herbs of all different kind. Its getting interesting
when the weed is coming up. It will be plenty of weeding soon.

The bees are busy collecting honey, and flying all over. they seems
pretty happy now after a quite cold may.

The portholes are more or less finished - that was a long journey. Its
quite a few steps. The good thing: which casting and machining skills
there is limit to what we can make in alloy. Plenty of blocks for the
boat is already on the list..

We are in the stage of insulating all over inside. Then make ready for
the wood deck and railings. The wood deck is not just to make the boat
look like a boat, but avoid burned feet on hot alloy deck in the
tropics - besides since we are faking everything to look lke wood, so
why not a proper wood-deck.

Lots of sea gypsies are coming next months, both returning ones and
new ones, but we still have some space, so if you have any skills you
think could be useful - drop us a line!

Pictures:

a: sorting out weed in the rasperry field. Then we planted out some
hundreds sq-meter more.

b: metal girls at work moving heavy alloy-plates.

c: casting stuff for the boat. We use sand to mould them.

d: welding guy busy welding up ears on the portholes.

e: dumpsterdiving. one night catch from the bin at the foodstore. Now
we go every weekend to stack up on free fancy food.


a: http://weldingweb.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=402921&stc=1&d=1370093474
b: http://weldingweb.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=402931&stc=1&d=1370093482
c: http://weldingweb.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=402941&stc=1&d=1370093489
d: http://weldingweb.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=402951&stc=1&d=1370093497
e: http://weldingweb.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=402961&stc=1&d=1370093504

you're speaking my language.
this sounds like everything i'm looking for.
name's kali.
am super interested in what you're doing.
although weary of the name seagypsy. since gypsy is an ethnic slur?
my email is labrujitanegrita@gmail.com

Sorry I could not tell where you guys are located, but me and my girl friend are looking for volunteer ops. I'm an experience deck hand and have navigaiton skills (though not the best) through my time in the coast guard. I have a two yr welding degree and experance with mig, tig, and stick. I was working toward my ag ed degree through the univeristy of georgia but got tierd of petro chemicals being praised as the only way we can feed the world. I belive permiculture, small scale farming, and food sustainablity can save the world. Please send any extra information to vet_stingray@yahoo.com

September 2013

Dear Sea Gypsies

The autumn is here soon, but its been quite mild to be september
sofar. It feels more like august... But we are not to be fooled so
easily... Winter is coming soon enough so we work hard to finish up
all stuff before its getting too cold to work outside.

We are more or less finished on the deck. The hatch is in, the rail is
on (just need a little shaping) water intakes, and all bits and pieces
are there. It start to look like more like a war machine for
blood-thirsty vikings and not for a bunch of friendly sea gypsies.

The naked oats (or rather half naked oats) are harvested, potatoes are
still in the soil but will be harvested soon. Our sugar peas are dried
and harvested for the thursday peasoup and waffles, not exactly self
sufficient but we have at least for one thursday

Out of the 10 chickes we got, 1 was taken by a fox or something, 7 are
males (which in this case is lots of sound and and no use) and the 2
last one will give us eggs. So in sum quite a bit of work and hardly
more eggs than we have today But they are mighty fun to watch -
Chicken-TV is addictive.


Ok, thats all for this months from Sailing the Farm - a place where
crazy dreams come true. If you are interested in joining, just drop us
a line.

Love from Sailing the farm.
A sea gypsy tribe of tomorrow.

Pictures:

a: Boat seen from the bow.
b: Lots of head scratching to get all the pieces togehter.
c: Out swimming (yes, we are not always working)
d: The noahs ark chickens waiting for the boat to finish.
e: Dumpster dinner again.

a:http://weldingweb.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=493641&stc=1&d=1379162385
b:http://weldingweb.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=493651&stc=1&d=1379162393
c:http://weldingweb.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=493661&stc=1&d=1379162403
d:http://weldingweb.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=493671&stc=1&d=1379162411
e:http://weldingweb.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=493681&stc=1&d=1379162418

Are you looking for any help? Your place sounds absolutely amazing

November 2013

Dear Sea Gypsies

Whops. time is flying so fast and soon october was gone and no
newsletter sent out so here it comes a little late.

Still no snow up here, which is just incredible. Should have been half
a meter by now.. but the good thing is: it feels like mid-europe
climate so why migrate to Spain when Spain is coming to us!

Farming season is over, everything which was planted during summer is
in the basement. We got around 300 kg of potatoes which will keep us
going until spring. We have turned into professional dumpster-divers
and find way too much food - so we are getting a little picky - What
about raspberries from Brazil? Its hard to believe so much food who is
just wasted. Someone should do something... ahh. enough political
rambling..

Boatbuilding is going really good. She is happy as a fiddle. Latley
she got shiny bowrollers installed, (both forward and aft), tiller,
and soon to come: bowsprit! We just have to cut down the tree.
Everyday we see changes, and its a good sign... We are making the fat
lady ready for the 7 seas. She will be the strongest boat ever sailing
out there.


Thats all for this late october newsletter, If you are interested in
becoming a seay gypsy, just drop us a line.

Love from Sailing the farm.
A sea gypsy tribe of tomorrow.

Pictures:

a: A little crowded on deck. Even the anchors are soon installed.
b: Picnic and out looking for a bowsprit in the forest. (6 meter long)
c: Hardcore welders in action.
d: The sea-monster looking trough the porthole
e: Fancy dumpster lunch with sushi!


a: http://weldingweb.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=526681&stc=1&d=1383332827
b: http://weldingweb.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=526691&stc=1&d=1383332836
c: http://weldingweb.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=526701&stc=1&d=1383332847
d: http://weldingweb.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=526711&stc=1&d=1383332855
e: http://weldingweb.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=526721&stc=1&d=1383332862

Hi... I would be really interested to get involved... I've read a lot about building boats it's seems I'm a little late I've tried to attend schooling directly for building boats however in the balance of life that wasn't truly something I could afford... I love the Norwegians boat design and styling... I'm a seasoned traveler that had returned home to settle in but I can't seem to manage it and I didn't think I would take this route but when I read "SeaGypsy" the idea and excitement of it all over came me... Would love to find out more please advise

Cody West wrote:Hi... I would be really interested to get involved... I've read a lot about building boats it's seems I'm a little late I've tried to attend schooling directly for building boats however in the balance of life that wasn't truly something I could afford... I love the Norwegians boat design and styling... I'm a seasoned traveler that had returned home to settle in but I can't seem to manage it and I didn't think I would take this route but when I read "SeaGypsy" the idea and excitement of it all over came me... Would love to find out more please advise

hi
please send your email to zeyang(at)laowai.no for more info

December 2013

Dear Sea Gypsies

December again! This one has has been quite warm. (today is only -10C)
We still have frostbites from the one last year so we are happy as a
fiddle up here. Makes life and boatworking much easier.

Its been a really good year on sailing the farm with lots of stuff
accomplished and its still some more work weeks to go before we can
sum up 2013.

Deck fittings, deckhouse and most of the stuff up there is
finished. We are proud to say that everything is home-made. Not a
single thing is from the the boat-store.. Main reason for this is:
its hard to get stuff in alloy who looks like wood..

We have probably put another 2000-3000 hours into the boatproject this
summer (with the help of all of those nice and skillfull volunteers)
and still some 2000-3000 hours to go until we see her finshed.

This christmas will be a traditional one on the farm with St. Claus
(Julenisse in norwegian) coming down from the northpole with the
sledge, raindeers and ofcouse packets. I usually dont fancy soft
packets, but im in dire need for a new welding overall so if the
julenisse reads this...

ok. I know its a little early early, but we wish new and old friends
of sailing-the-farm a peaceful and quiet christmas and a prosperius
new year and hope to see you all up next year.

Love from Sailing the farm.
A sea gypsy tribe of tomorrow.

Pictures:

a: the boat start to look like a wooden boat now.
b: shaping up the bowsprit. 6 meter long
c: boat from stern. Sexy lines.
d: welding up the bunkbeds.

a: http://weldingweb.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=554741&stc=1&d=1386583072
b: http://weldingweb.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=554751&stc=1&d=1386583080
c: http://weldingweb.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=554761&stc=1&d=1386583088
d: http://weldingweb.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=554771&stc=1&d=1386583097

February 2014

Dear Sea Gypsies


The winter has been kind to us this year. During Christmas and New
year there was hardly any snow up here, which is kind of unusual at 60
degrees north. January has been mostly down to -10C which is really
good when we work outside. In January we got plenty of snow so skiing
is as close to perfect as it is possible to get and we have plenty of
those old and wooden army skiis around.(we use to call them
NATO-planks) For first termers its perfect skiis. Slow and heavy.

The Boat work is going pretty good . We are working on insulating
inside and we are more or less finished with the aft cabin (named
princess cabin), since its getting really nice and spacious.

We are soon ready to start insulate and plate the main cabin in the
boat. Its a little more tricky due to the galley (kitchen for those
landlubbers out there). and also the navigation station. Then its more
casting. Basically more cowl-vents to get more fresh air into the
boat..

We usually run with lower staff during winter but this year we will
scale up in February and aim for getting the boat ready for sea-trial
this year. It will be a busy summer.

So if you think you have some useful skills (welding, mechanics,
sewing, interior wood working) or are really good at cracking jokes
you are more than welcome to join us.

This is hopefully the last year of boat building (Ok, I know we have
said that before but...) so hurry up if you want to be part of the
fun. (Ok, I admit sailing is also fun) But it gives a good feeling
knowing that you have been part of building something moving around
our planet with zero pollution...


Love from Sailing the farm.
A sea gypsy tribe of tomorrow.

Pictures:

a: Plating and insulating inside the boat
b: one of the crew made an icebar! How cool is that!
c: the chicken-sisters is busy hatching golf-balls! Not the most
clever sisters.
d: Aft-deck with rudder, and boxes. With wooden deck this will look
like a wood boat.

a:http://weldingweb.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=615091&stc=1&d=1391961044
b:http://weldingweb.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=615101&stc=1&d=1391961045
c:http://weldingweb.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=615111&stc=1&d=1391961049
d:http://weldingweb.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=615121&stc=1&d=1391961052

Hi, I'm really interested in learning more and possibly joining your ranks as a sea-gypsy.

jake.register@yahoo.com

Hello, Fantastic Project!
I am a boat builder/ sailor
and new permaculture farmer.
You would like my last boat
130ft grand banks schooner.
I sold her and now homesteading in Northern Thailand. My place is far north away from the ocean. One day you will sail your lovely ship to thailand and you are welcome to fill her full of fresh veggies and meat or get your hands dirty again!
Ive done the same as you but ocean first and land later. You will see many fine examples of permaculture that has existed for 100s or 1000s of years in pacific islands or Asia. Fair winds and i hope your boat is finished soon. always takes twice
as long and more cash than you expect!
Best regards,
Jori

April 2014

Greetings to all sea gypsies, past present and future!

The springchickens and bees are active and so are we!

Anotherbusy month for boat building. The gang has been shaping,
painting and fitting the interior panels with plenty of insulation
underneath. The bunk cabins are shaped and even one of the volunteers
has tested one with an overnight sleep - very comfy! English Tony has
been busy designing the wiring and circuitry, and Frenchy has helped
determine the electrical needs and the outputs we can expect from the
solar panels and windmill. Will we be able to boil the kettle often
enough at sea?

Lorna, the English girl has been attacking with gusto and positive
energy the mold-making for the cowl vents, and hopes to start smelting
and pouring some aluminium this week. Frenchy has calculated and drawn
up the sail plan, and has made a 1/10 model to verify his design.

Sarah the token yank is spoiled in the warm indoors sewing up
custom-sized boat mattresses, cushions and curtains. Are Czech girls
sweet? When they've been covered in honey for 2 days like Micha they
are: 60 jars of lovely honey and we're happy to have some at every
meal! Jams as well, lingonberry, strawberry and plum, and some great
banana cakes from Lorna as well.

The weekend was warm spring weather and all volunteers descended upon
the spa and pool at the cloest town for an outing. Happy at work and
at rest. There is still plenty to do in the coming months - have you
the skills to help? Woodworking, electrial and engine skills, sewing
and more. We hope to hear from you!


Love from Sailing the farm.
A sea gypsy tribe of tomorrow.

Pictures:

1. American sewing-lady busy making stuff for the boat.
2. Happy Frenchman and his sails
3. Potato planting.
4. Inventive cat-litter dance. (basically crush catlitter bentonite
to cast the cowl vent) This will be the dance of the summer.

a: http://weldingweb.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=712511&stc=1&d=1399400767
b: http://weldingweb.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=712521&stc=1&d=1399400769
c: http://weldingweb.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=712531&stc=1&d=1399400772
d: http://weldingweb.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=712541&stc=1&d=1399400775

May 2014

Greetings to all sea gypsies, past present and future!

I hope you all had a beautiful May, with lots of sunshine and no
snow. Up on the farm, we are happy as fiddles. The weather is just
perfect. it was snowing a little in the beginning of May but then it
turned into summer and now we have those really nice warm days with
sun until midnight..

Farming News.

The farming is going good. we have started with queen breeding which
will give us a few more hives, then we have planted all kinds of
veggies in the garden and some in the small greenhouse. Now, there
will be lot of weeding until harvest time..

Boat-News:

We are working on blumbing and electricity inside the boat these days.
Next step is getting the engine in then the sails. We might have to
outsource the sailmaking due to lack of time. so if you know about
some good sail-loft we would love to hear about it.

BREAKING NEWS:

A little early but... we are really pushing hard to sail south this
year. hopefully around the same time those smart migrating birds are
flying south. (finger crossed) So if you want to join us as CREW please
contact us.

We will prioritize those of you who have been on the farm, but
everyone will get a chance to come sailing in the end No sail
experience required. We will teach you whatever skills you need. And
for those of you who have never been out on the seven seas.. Enclosed
is a picture of a pacific island waiting for you....

We still have space for one more more sea-gypsy up on the farm this
summer , so if you have skills you might think we need, dont hesitate
to contact us.

Love from Sailing the farm.
A sea gypsy tribe of tomorrow.

Pictures:

1. This small pacific is waiting for us all...
2. Sail plan. Anyone into sail-making or know about a good sail-loft?
3. Plating up the dog-house.
4. Small greenhouse ready for summer. This is for sugar-peas.
5. Happy welding lady fixing up some small stuff.

1. http://weldingweb.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=732971&stc=1&d=1401550758
2. http://weldingweb.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=732981&stc=1&d=1401550760
3. http://weldingweb.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=732991&stc=1&d=1401550763
4. http://weldingweb.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=733001&stc=1&d=1401550765
5. http://weldingweb.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=733011&stc=1&d=1401550767

June 2014

Greetings to all sea gypsies out there

Its been a busy month up at the farm. The potatoes are slowly coming
up. the bees are out flying and we even got ourselves some more queens
this year, but best of all, the weather has been really good. Days and
days of sun, which is more you can ask for so far north.

We are also working hard on the boat to finish up and go south this
year. The plating is finished, which was more or less a 2-3 months
work. Next one is installing all electric stuff and continue gettting
the engine in. Getting the rigging in also have high priority now.

As mentioned earlier our plan is to set sail for West Indies/Cuba at
the end of this year helping wwoofing/organic communities around the
world. So if you have skills in organic farming and love travel with
zero carbon footprint, please contact us.

We still have space up on the farm until the boat is finished so if
you have farming or boatbuilding skills you think might be useful
please contact us.

Love from
Sailing the Farm
A sea gypsy tribe of tomorrow.


Pics from last weeks of work.

Pictures:

a. Here is the sizes for the sails. If you have some spare sail laying
around we can modify to fit then we would love to hear from you.
b. Wall.. Sorry, bulkheads are coming up
c. Machining some drainage to the bathroom.
d. Crazy Aussie guy trying to get through the porthole.
e.. Painting up the forward storage area

a: http://weldingweb.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=748831&stc=1&d=1403381754
b: http://weldingweb.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=748841&stc=1&d=1403381765
c: http://weldingweb.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=748851&stc=1&d=1403381766
d: http://weldingweb.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=748861&stc=1&d=1403381767
e: http://weldingweb.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=748871&stc=1&d=1403381769

July 2014

Greetings to all our fans, helpers and sea gypsies out there.

July 2014 has been as busy as we expected. We have had people from all
over the world to come help us with running the boat project forward
and plant and weed on the fields to get us self-sufficient in
future. We are still some way to go but we are getting there.

On the boat side the biggest thing is that all the inner plating and
insulation are all finished up, the bathroom (wet-room) is plated and
all watertanks are welded into position. Next big thing is to get the
engine into the boat. We have to lift it up 3 meters and then 2 meters
sideways. Its a little messy but we are working on this right
now. Weight of the engine is around 500 kg so we need a hoist-system.

The volunteers took some days off to hitch-hike to the west coast, and
came happily back home with pictures of fiords, and camping outside in
the mountains close to the glaciers. The summer has been extremely
warm one so contrary to what i was thinking that they will almost
freeze to death they got back to the farm sun-burned with a happy
smile on their faces.

During next weeks we will be harvesting what we have been planting
this year and we will work on the engine and rigging, so if you have
any skills you might think be useful please feel free to contact us.

We also looking for crew for sailing across the atlantic, heading
towards Cuba when the boat is finished so if you find that fancy
please contact us.


Love from
Sailing the Farm
A sea gypsy tribe of tomorrow.

Pics from last weeks of work.

Pictures:

a. volunteers are hitch-hiking to the westcoast. hippie-factor running high maybe?
b. fixing up the aluminium canoe for weekend canoing in the lake.
c english lady working on the hatch and water tanks.
d. painting up the bulkheads. all in white.

a: http://weldingweb.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=801471&stc=1&d=1407650159
b: http://weldingweb.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=801481&stc=1&d=1407650162
c: http://weldingweb.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=801491&stc=1&d=1407650163
d: http://weldingweb.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=801501&stc=1&d=1407650165

August/September 2014

Greetings to all our fans, helpers and sea gypsies out there.


The autumn is here and with that comes harvest on sailing the farm. We
got lots of raspberries this year which is partly stored in the
freezer and partly as jam. Then some hundred jars of raspberry-honey
from the bees and in the end we harvested the potatoes, so in sum: Yes
we are partly selfsufficient, but it might be a little boring eating
baked potatoes with raspberries and honey every day during the winter.
But we are slowly getting there...

We are also getting closer with the boat project. All stuff made of
fabric is finished, electricity (both AC and DC) is installed. There
is still some more work to do on the engine before its ready to go
into the boat (basically split and rebuilt that iron beast)

Then there is some deck work left, and then the last step is tearing
down the temporary boatshed to get ship the boat down to the
sea. So still lots of work to do but its going forward.

We wish you all a happy autumn whereever you are.

Love from
Sailing the Farm
A sea gypsy tribe of tomorrow.

Pics from last weeks of work.

Pictures:

a. 2 volunteers hitchiking up north to look for trolls.
b: harvest honey from the bees.
c. grinder work in the galley
d mattress for the aft cabin
e. volunteers out testing the flimsy canoe.

http://weldingweb.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=852731&stc=1&d=1411500396
http://weldingweb.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=852721&stc=1&d=1411500394
http://weldingweb.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=852711&stc=1&d=1411500391
http://weldingweb.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=852691&stc=1&d=1411500389
http://weldingweb.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=852681&stc=1&d=1411500387

Newsletter March 2015. .

Dear Sea Gypsies,

First, apology for delayed newsletter. The winter has been a busy one
and it hasn't been that much time to keep up with the Newsletter, but
we must say we are superhappy to get so many postcards and hear from
all of you volunteers who have been here.....

To be Norway its been quite a mild winter, the good thing is that
heating has been running minside the boat whole winter so we have
hardly felt the cold outside - a good test to see if our heating
system inside the boat is ready to stand up for sailing in Antarctica.

The sun is starting to heat up the farm and us slowly, the last week
we really can feel the spring is coming. Our chicken is happy outside
during daytime and seems to enjoy the sun as much as we do.

Our metal working skills and diesel engine skills (mostly lack of) has
been put to a test. We are more or less been busy doing brainsurgery
on our 500 kg spare diesel engine to check how it looks inside and
learning how those are working. Those parts we think will stop working
will be brought onboard, (spare waterpumps, piston rings, gaskets etc)
It gives a good feeling to know how that machine is working and even
if we are a sailors, one day we will be happy to be pushed up the
Amazon river or other places with the help of that engine . The one
we will use seems to seems to be ok (we have been testing diesel
injectors, compressions etc on the farm) The good thing bringing such
test-equipment means we can help other volunteer-farms whith diesel
engine problems...

Rigging the boat is also on the list, since we make mostly everything
ourselves we will make our own woodblocks for the rig. Its a classical
gaff-rig with around 105 m2 sails which will be our main propulsion.
It will be quite interesting when we are doing the sea trail to see if
its well balanced.. hopefully our calculation is correct and it wont
sail upside down or backwards as someone is thinking....

If you want to join us sailing around the world or helping up on the
farm please dont hesitate to contact us. Here are some pictures from
last months pluss a nice ones from last summer/autumn which shows how
real Norway looks like. (that is the westcoast)

Lastly we wish you all a happy spring.

Love from sailing the farm
A seagypsy tribe of tomorrow.


Pictures.

a: The woofers hiking to troll-tunga summer 2014 (westcoast norway)
b: Our engine. (sabb 2j) There is a video of it running on youtube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2fXI1TQcsU
c: chickens on they way out to enjoy the spring sun.

And plenty more pictures for the last years can be found here.
https://instagram.com/sailingthefarm/

http://weldingweb.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=1032581&stc=1&d=1425815579
http://weldingweb.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=1032591&stc=1&d=1425815591
http://weldingweb.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=1032601&stc=1&d=1425815599

Very interested in what you have going on. Please email when it is convenient with more details and opportunities.

JJNoel12@hotmail.com

Thanks!

Jon

Dear old and new volunteers,

There are lots of very exciting things happening at Sailing the Farm right
now.

We are happy to report that after many long and character-building years of
boat-building, we're well on our way to sailing later this year.

Here's an overview of what's been happening up here lately:

- Our aluminum Colin Archer sailboat is taking shape. She is starting to
look like a boat, and a good looking boat at that. She is as yet unnamed
and suggestions that we call her The Unsinkable have fallen on deaf ears
(to the disappointment of our Irish volunteer). Any and all naming
suggestions welcome!

- We have begun to machine sheaves for the boat. Our red sails arrive soon
so it's all go, go, go in the workshop these days.

- The heads is progressing quickly and soon it will be possible to take a
shower on board. Our Belgian volunteer has fashioned fancy toothbrush
holders for all future sea gypsies.

- Last week we cut open a section of the boat shed so that we can move the
engine on board. This will be a huge milestone for the project.

- In April, we had our first official government visit. We are happy to
report that she passed with flying colours.

- Our volunteers have started watching movies on deck every Thursday night.
Their 'Movies on Board' programme is limited to sailing movies (of course).
They've watched '180 degrees south' and 'All is Lost' so far. Both come
stamped with The Sailing the Farm seal of approval. If you've any sailing
movie recommendations, please send them on to us!

- Some of our current volunteers/gluttons for punishment are training for
the Lillehammer half-marathon in June. At the moment they are getting up at
6:30 to run in the woods before tucking into a breakfast of hearty porridge
and a day of boat-building. Some even manage to fit in a spot of meditation
before breakfast.

- The snow has thawed and we have started to turn the potato field. Our
bathroom has been transformed into a temporary nursery while we wait to
start planting. Our very versatile bathroom is also home to seven chirpy
baby chickens!

Our long-serving captain's To-Do-List is diminishing every week, but
there's a lot of hard work still to do. We'd love to welcome more
volunteers (old and new) this summer. A can-do attitude and lots of
enthusiasm are the only skills we require (though more specific skills are
very welcome also). So if you are free and can commit to a month, please
get in contact with us ASAP so that we can book you in to help.

There will be a launch party in Oslo later on this year when she takes to
the water. Watch this space!

Love,
Sailing the Farm.

p.s. Now that we're almost there with this boat, we're starting to think
about the next stage of the project (we plan to find a farm base away from
the Polar winds – somewhere sunnier and closer to the sea where we can
build more boats). We are on the lookout for funding ideas and inspiration
so if you have any suggestions or experience in this area, please let us
know - no ideas too small or crazy (building a boat with volunteers is
crazy already!).

Pictures

a: English girl making blocks for the boat.
b: movie night on the boat
c: irish girl silicone up inside the boat.
d: scaffold building
e: early morning mediation (hong-kong girl)
f: first crew is already onboard.

http://weldingweb.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=1097761&stc=1&d=1430765691
http://weldingweb.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=1097771&stc=1&d=1430765697
http://weldingweb.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=1097781&stc=1&d=1430765704
http://weldingweb.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=1097791&stc=1&d=1430765711
http://weldingweb.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=1097801&stc=1&d=1430765719
http://weldingweb.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=1097811&stc=1&d=1430765777

Hello !!May name is Andrzej .Im 42 years old.Im very intresting yours project .Im living in Norway, Naerbo- Rogaland I was working for oil industry near Stavanger in Bryne . I have skills in welding( TIG MAG aluminium stainless steel ,titanium ), building , farming , care of animals -hors ,dogs I'm interesting meditation, yoga , contact improvisation ,traveling ecovillages, healthy live.I was in ecovillage in Romania last year .I like to be a volunteer on the farm in Norway with animals in 2015 minimum 1 month to improve my norwegian language. Now I'm free .My tel:96711855 mail : a222222333@gmail.com greetings Andrzej