Party time and friendships

Party time. Roasted pig ready to be prepared for eating. It has lived on the land with it's siblings and at some moment in time it's life is taken. It has been fed natural foods and that one notices. It is flavored with herbs from the countryside and simply is irresistible. Next to that the pigs fat is used in many preparations. Also delicious sausages are made as well as bound smoked meat. Along with good company, a glass of good wine and a salad that is why we came to Croatia. They still know self sustainable living. In times that food prices are soaring something that needs to be cherished. As an original city dweller we are not yet so far we can prepare our own pigs yet. We learn step by step. And for sure from our neighbors who are becoming good and trusted friends. A pretty intense way of life actually. In the city I experienced relations with many as fun and entertaining. Here it is more basic. We live with a kilometer of forest separating us. We see each other a couple of times per week. Much more intensive that in the city. There it is minutes or seconds of quality time. Here it is sometimes hours. It feels closer to me.

Water mills in Rastoke

Rastoke, a little village near ours. This village is constructed around water. It has various nice restaurants and various watermills. Many are used to make flour. The watermills are completely of wooden construction. The sound of water is continuous in that village. The water flows on to our summer swimming place downstream.

Life in the kitchen

Sometimes we indulge in something really delicious. A small raw tuna in this case. We buy at the local farmers market. Fish comes fresh from the Adriatic. Other goods come from around Karlovac. We use examples from the whole world if they appeal to us. Volunteers from all directions also are inspiring in that sense. They bring all their special recipes. Some are delicious. We love being in the kitchen. It adds to our idea of the good life.

Results after cleaning front terrain

House in frontview. Still a lot to be cleaned. Building material cluttering the front yard has influence how we experience our house. As a place to live it is not yet quieting. Removing the material to a much more convenient storage place is the solution to that. Also covering the materials against the elements is a must. Old oak parts rot away in no time.

F

House without scaffolding

Scaffolding gone. At last we can see what the house looks like after all these months of work. You can see we are prepared for the winter. The pile of wood to the left also blocks the wind from the north. The turquoise car is our faithful workhorse. With it we transport wood out of the forest, building materials and what else. We are looking forward to the next winter.

Solar dryer nearly finished

Here is the dryer Barbara has long waited for. It is really simple. Everything is simple. But all things together is a lot. And becomes a 'lot to do'. The dryer works because behind the glass is a blackened surface. Sun hits it and an airflow starts. In the top are drawers with fine mesh. On those one can put mushrooms, tomatoes, apples etc. Everything you want to keep through the winter and be able to use off season.

Clearing ground quickly

Clearing terrain can be sometimes easier when you put in a mechanical monster. What would have taken us weeks, took this steel creation a half hour. It caused a dust storm at the time. Pieces of wood shot out of the back over a hundred meters. Like arrows. This is in preparation of parking and entrance to the camping to be. When terrain is being cleared, space appears. Shrubbery can be blinding. And again, sometimes a mechanical tool can clear away things that you imagine are going to take for ever doing. And yet, also that can be a fantasy. How to do it simply. With the natural means. Is still a challenge.