February 2018 — Worldwide Workawayers, Tetrahedron Frame, and more!

We’ve been so fortunate to have so many helping hands (both workawayers and friends) around the site over the last month or so. Although we had another cold spell during which a couple of the volunteers cut their rustic stay short, there has still been an average of 6 volunteers working on various projects at Cara Creek Eco Lodge. It’s been wonderful meeting Workaway volunteers from all over the world🌍🌎🌏. 

Johannes drove from Austria, and brought his life long experience of growing up on a farm in the Austrian Alps. He was comfortable and happy to use a chainsaw, and made strides in clearing some of the last standing patches of mimosa trees. With our new wood chipper we’re able to chip the mimosa trees that are too small for firewood as ground cover to help keep down the invasive species while also rotting down to make the soil more fertile.

Johannes clearing Mimosa

Firewood ready to be driven down to the bottom

our wood chipper

In addition to wood chipping, all of the volunteers have worked on the hot lime repointing of Ruin #2 at some point or another. It looks fabulous and is complete now so they’ve already moved on to repointing of Ruin #1! And if you remember the Eucalyptus beams that Atlântico Jardins took down, here they are below being prepared and installed into Ruin #2 by Rory, Gary and Jon.

Jose took a liking and skill to the repointing. Rory showed him once, and then Jose took ownership of it, and was able to lead other volunteers in both the repointing as well as the mixing of 3 parts sand; 1 part lime plus river water to an ideal consistency. He's also studying a Master's in Groundwater and Global Change and did some research for us on the ground water in our area. We really appreciated that!

During the first week that Johann was with us, he showed an interest and skill in carpentry as he helped Rory with the Tetrahedron frame (more on the later😉)… Johann then independently designed and worked on some home improvements around the site. He built a new kitchen table with storage, a shelving unit for the kitchen, and a table for the washing up area in which the recycled sink fits perfectly! Rouven, our volunteer who has been cooking and baking fresh bread every couple of days, helped revamp our kitchen as well. We really appreciate each and every one of them!

And now, the Tetrahedron!… 

A few months ago, Rory and I were inspired by certain shapes and patterns that recur in nature which were highlighted in a documentary we watched. It got us thinking of an idea to use some of these shapes and patterns in the design and building of Cara Creek Eco Lodge. One of the shapes that recur in nature is a Tetrahedron — 4 equal triangular sides. Rory spent some time designing the structure, as well as a planning the steps to build it. **link here with more photos of google sketch up design if interested**

Once he had the plans ready he measured and cut all the wooden parts of the frame, and assembled the base of it first. We chose a perfect spot for the frame. It has a beautiful view of the river which was tidied besides one stubborn stump which after a failed attempt of removing it, will now be a feature of the surrounding garden instead. Then before bringing it to the selected spot to assemble the frame we used borax to treat the wood — protecting it from bugs and fungi. It’s a natural element which repels things that could cause the wood to rot.

With the help of many we brought over all of the parts of the frame, and lastly, every person that was on site that day helped to erect the Tetrahedron frame. It looks amazing from all perspectives on the site! There’s a bit more work to it before we’re ready for the canvas cover and star-gazing roof, but it’s going to be a fabulous “glamping” accommodation for our future guests!

In addition to all of the excitement and progress on the site, both Gary and I have improved our Portuguese a good bit thanks to an intensive 3 week course at the University of Coimbra. I’m understanding a lot more, and getting more confident speaking it as well. In addition to the English speaking (foreigners) yoga lessons that I teach, I’m fortunate to have a group of Portuguese women who come to my once weekly yoga class in the community. There I teach as well as I can in Portuguese and they’re so patient with me as I learn the language and am able to say more and more. 

Gary and I around campus

As Spring approaches I’m looking forward to holding yoga at Cara Creek for both our Workaway volunteers and the public. The nights are still quite cold but one of the afternoons the weather was even warm enough to take a cold plunge in the Rio Mondego!

I’m in Boston for an extended layover to catch up with family and friends before I go to Ecuador to be a part of the medical volunteer team of Global Smile Foundation. Here’s the link with more information about the Foundation and trip, as well as an opportunity to donate towards the cause. I appreciate your generosity, and am so grateful to those who have already donated! Thank you:)

Although I’ll miss the happenings at Cara Creek Eco Lodge, Rory will keep me posted as things continue to move along. Even though it’s hard to leave, sometimes being away helps to gain some perspective, and allows for ideas for the project to develop into new and/or even improved ones.

Follow us here on Instagram and Facebook for more frequent photos and updates of the progress. 

Also if you or anyone you know is interested in a work exchange we are accepting volunteers to come help build and learn about the natural building / permaculture friendly techniques we’re using. Your own tent like the one below to sleep to the sounds of the river at night:)... Here’s the link to our Workaway host page for some more information and of course any one is welcome to contact us for more details and questions.

TETRAHERDRON: more photos of design and building of it