Spring has sprung

Hey everyone, spring has definitely sprung! Stuff is popping up everywhere – it’s pretty neat!

Our chickens finally got their act together, and we’re scoring four fresh eggs a day – breakfast is sorted! The raised beds are getting packed with goodies – chillies, tomatoes, rocket… yum! We even popped some pumpkin seedlings in there. And just for fun, we’ve got basil, parsley, asparagus, and lettuce seeds chilling in the soil. Should be a tasty summer!

We’re trying a little experiment with some old sprouted potatoes – stuck ’em in a bed made out of tyres. Fingers crossed for a decent harvest!

The rain the other week was a lifesaver. Flowers everywhere, and those bees are going nuts! We also planted four of our date palms (you know, the ones we grew from seed!) in the ground. Left four more in pots to see who does better.

Plus, the bar kitchen’s getting an upgrade – new shelves and everything! We’re getting super close to opening up for a few hours each day… I’ll keep you posted!

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From Firewood to Flowers

Our garden is thriving! We built our first raised bed, ready to plant precious seedlings once the weather warms.  Fragrant honeysuckles climb the back fence, and we added orange and cherry trees for bright flavour. Lavender, calendula, and nasturtiums add splashes of colour while protecting the garden.

This little caravan garden feels special, especially with the eye-catching bird of paradise. We finally tamed that firewood pile!  We still get dramatic winds, but a good rain would be welcome.

The whole place looks refreshed – our Spanish tiles on the gate add a  Mediterranean touch, and new signs look crisp. But the best addition?  The doorstep bakery!  The smell of fresh bread from that delivery van is a delightful daily treat.

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Growth and Innovations

We’ve kickstarted our indoor garden by planting a variety of seeds in pots. They’ll stay cozy indoors until they’re strong enough to be transferred to our raised beds later this month.

Improvements to the chicken coop are underway, aimed at enhancing long-term comfort for our feathered friends. This includes the installation of a solar-powered door, ensuring automated opening and closing at dawn and dusk for their convenience.

As winter fades, we’re gearing up for warmer days by making necessary adjustments to our new pool. Our goal? To have it ready for use as soon as the weather permits.

Our talented volunteer has been hard at work creating Reels – short videos that we’ll use to showcase our project on social media. From enticing potential volunteers and guests to engaging with the local community, these videos are a valuable addition to our outreach efforts.

In our commitment to sustainability, we’ve placed painted signs in our recycling area. These signs clarify which containers are designated for specific materials, making recycling a breeze for everyone involved.

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News from Our Thriving Oasis

Our driveway has undergone a significant transformation. All the stones have been carefully raked, creating a solid, attractive surface that ensures greater stability for vehicles.

We’re always seeking ways to enhance our relaxation areas. Recently, we added two more pallet beds, each designed for double mattresses. This means more space to kick back and unwind during those warm summer days.

Our friend and her children dropped by recently, and it was an opportunity to extend our feathered family. Each child selected and named a chicken after themself – Kai and Faith. These charming additions have smoothly settled in, and it’s heartwarming to see all four of them getting along famously.

To give our chickens a chance to fertilise different parts of our land without munching on our beloved plants, we constructed a chicken tractor. We even took the time to paint their names on it for a personal touch.

One of our garden surprises this season was a luffa sponge, which we’ve carefully dried and will use for washing up. Inside, it was filled with seeds, so we’re looking forward to potentially growing more next year.

We’ve introduced painted wooden signs on a pole, effectively creating a signpost that leads everyone around our site. No more lost wanderers!

Over the past three months, we’ve been delighted to host a steady stream of guests. It seems that the word about our tranquil oasis is spreading, and it’s heartwarming to welcome back returning visitors who appreciate the progress we’ve made.

Stay tuned for more updates

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Feathers and Lights

We are abuzz with activity! First off, we’ve fortified the chicken coop with an outer metal fence, ensuring our feathered friends stay safe and sound. We’ve welcomed our very first pair of chickens, Margo and Jerry, named after the beloved ’70s TV series, “The Good Life.” These young gals are settling in nicely, though we’ll have to be patient for around 20 days before they start laying eggs. If all goes well, we might just expand our feathered family.

Speaking of visibility, we’ve outlined the letters on our fence with lights, making them shine bright at night. After a few experiments with different lights, we’re crossing our fingers that these ones will do the trick.

In our bar, we’ve added more lampshades for a cozy decorative touch. With the nights growing colder, we’ve also moved the plants away from the burner as we’ll be using it in the evenings.

Our grand swale project is complete, and it’s slowly being filled with stones from our land. The mound alongside it is now home to donated yucca cuttings and smaller potted trees, adding a touch of green to the landscape.

And last but not least, we’ve had another truckload of stones delivered for the driveway. The goal? To get it sorted before the heavy rain hits.

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Blooms and Growth

Acting on a suggestion from our local Thai restaurant, we’ve added two papaya trees to our mix. Apparently, getting green papayas around here is a bit of a challenge, so we decided to take matters into our own hands.

We’re planning to splash more colour around with winter pansies – they were a steal, and they seem to be loving their new home, so more are on the way.

In the herb spiral, we’ve introduced purple kale, adding both aesthetic appeal and a tasty twist to our garden. Plus, we’re gearing up for spring by constructing and prepping several raised beds for some serious food planting.

Our swale project is in full swing, with the first section neatly filled with stones from our land. It’s not just about functionality; it’s about creating a landscape that works with nature.

To make navigating our space easier, we’re in the process of painting information and location signs. You’ll soon find them attached to the signpost or walls.

And guess what? Our place has been buzzing! This month has seen a constant stream of vehicles and guests every night, making it our busiest month yet. It seems like the word is spreading about our little haven.

Adding to the community vibe, we’ve been hosting weekly film nights in our bar. And to make Sunday mornings even better, we now get fresh bread and pastries delivered – the perfect way to start the day. Join us as we continue to grow and bloom in Andalucia!

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Exciting Developments at our Andalucian Haven

Recently, we’ve been working on a small swale at the base of a ridge, using the excavated earth to create a lush mound for planting. The swale, filled with stones from our own land, will be a vital rainwater collector, providing hydration for the mound while also mitigating surface water during storms.

In a surprising turn of events, we discovered that our slice of Andalucia is featured in the ‘Wild Guide to Andalucia.’ It was a moment of pride for us when some guests brought this book to our attention.

Our herb spiral/snail had become a bit of a weed haven, but it’s now cleared and ready for planting. Additionally, we’ve set up a raised bed for growing food, expanding our commitment to sustainability.

Amid all these projects, we’ve also been diligently weeding and adding a few more plants to our ever-evolving landscape. Stay tuned for more updates on our exciting journey in Andalucia! 🌱🌧🌞

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All set for some exciting performances!

We’re thrilled to announce that we’ve completed the installation of the last few recycled tyres in our performance area, and they’re now filled with earth. All that’s left is to add the final layer to make it level, and we’re all set for some exciting performances!

After a recent visit to the garden centre, we’ve begun filling our new planters, which are conveniently hooked up to our irrigation system. We’ve also taken care to conceal all the visible pipes under a layer of earth, giving our garden a polished look.

Our rockery has undergone a rejuvenation process. It’s been meticulously rebuilt and filled with nutrient-rich earth. We’ve chosen a variety of succulents to bring life and color to this area, creating a visually appealing landscape.

In our commitment to sustainability, we’ve introduced spider plants into our new soak away. These plants not only enhance the aesthetics but also contribute to the ecological balance of our garden.

On the perimeter of our food-growing area, we’ve recently completed painting the newest section of the fence. This not only adds a fresh look but also ensures the security of our thriving crops.

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Young Hands, Big Impact: German Teenagers’ Contribution to Our Spanish Project

We recently hosted a group of 15 German teenagers and two of their teachers. Unfortunately, their arrival was greeted by rain, but we decided to make the most of the situation by working on various projects involving damp earth.

During their stay, we managed to accomplish quite a bit. We covered the new irrigation pipes with mounds, leveled the area outside the kitchen, and made significant progress on the tyre stage. Additionally, the group constructed a cob pizza oven. Meanwhile, we made good use of the earth pile, reducing its size and carefully removing any stones, which were then placed on the driveway. Sustainability is a priority for us, and we aim  to reuse materials wherever possible.

In terms of landscaping, we made alterations to the rockery, utilizing larger stones to reconstruct sections of the ridge that had been eroded by heavy rainfall. We’re in the process of compacting more earth into both the ridge and rockery, which will be adorned with plants in due course. To manage rainfall effectively, we’ve also implemented a new soakaway system beneath our drinking water taps.

On top of all this, we’ve introduced a pedal-powered washing machine, which is now available for visitors to use. Just 10 minutes of pedaling, and your laundry is clean and ready!

We’ve also engaged with our local Thai restaurant, which opened earlier this year. They’ve provided us with lemongrass stalls and chili pepper seeds to grow for them. If successful, this arrangement will be mutually beneficial.

To enhance the ambiance of our location, we’ve adorned all our arches with fairy lights, combined with solar lights, creating a beautiful and enchanting atmosphere during the night.

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Rebuilding and Growing: Our Oasis Story

In recent weeks, our sanctuary has transformed from flood recovery to new beginnings. We’re excited to share our progress and upcoming projects.

Despite the flood challenges, we’ve taken a creative approach. Our irrigation system has expanded, and colorful wooden planters now line the area. These not only look great but also protect important pipes.

Good news: we’ve finished a wooden fence around our food-growing zone. This fence shows our commitment to fresh, local produce and blends with nature.

Our chickens will soon have a safe outdoor space, thanks to a metal fence around their coop. Get ready for clucking companions!

For cozy evenings, we’ve added fairy lights around the pool. They create a magical glow, making nights special.

Nature keeps its rhythm: grapes are growing on our vines. We can’t wait to taste our harvest.

In conclusion, our oasis is coming back strong. With innovation and care, we’re creating a resilient and harmonious space. Join us on this journey!

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