Just a couple of nights ago my family spent the night in
a lovely cob cottage we found on Air BnB. I've been reading about cob houses for years, and I've helped make small things with cob, like walls and ovens, but I've never been able to sleep in a cob house. I'm glad I did - my whole family ended up enjoying it.
The thing about cob houses (as folks here know, but I'm copying my review here) is they require hundreds, probably thousands of hours of labor to build. They are wonderfully organic in shape, with lots of curves and little built ins. The location is so convenient to highway 5, I think anybody who can fit it into their trip should give it a try! So much nicer than a motel.
My girls (9 & 12) were suspicious of the plan, especially when I told them there wouldn't be a flush toilet, but the reality was much more comfortable than they were imagining. It's really a beautiful space, divided into multiple living areas by elevation and built in furniture versus walls and doors. I think this little house offers luxuriant living for one, cozy coexistence for two, but would maybe get a bit tight with 3 or 4 after a few days.
I just had to start a fire in the little handmade stove with a glass window (although once the fire was going I wished I had noticed the glass and scrubbed it a bit). I told myself it was a bit chilly in the cottage, and maybe it was, but boy it's easy to heat up the space! A three log fire was probably two logs too many - we ended up opening the top door, out to the deck, to lose some of the heat. The deck up behind the cottage is a wonderful place to stargaze. Everyone in my family is ready to return for another stay (at least for one night) and that's saying something.
I think this place would be great for a relaxing longer stay as well. The kitchenette looks minimal, but it really has everything you need and is well equipped. Oh, my 6'4" husband would like to point out that the building was quite obviously made by someone with less, um, altitude. He really had to watch his head. I'm 5'7" and my hair was brushing the ceiling in some locations. The main bed was fine for me, his feet sort of stuck out at the bottom (although I'd made the place so warm that was OK).
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