Spring is in the air and Journalists - Dakar - Joernaliste en Lente

Kameraman, Aurelie Fontaine en Sebastiaan Biehl
Die jaar soos in ander jare kom daar gewoonlik 'n paar joernaliste ons besoek. Die keer was dit twee Franse joernaliste van Dakar in Senegal.

Wat julle ook hier kan sien is ons pragtige lente blomme en ons nuwe buite gordyne/blindings.

Aardskip groete

Cameraman, Aurelie Fontaine and Sebastiaan Biehl

The year as in other years, a few journalists usually visit us. This time it was two French journalists from Dakar in Senegal.

What you can see here are our beautiful spring flowers and our new outside-curtains / blinds.

Regards

Ludwig en Retha Everson
Pos: Posbus 186, Orania 8752, Suid Afrika
Sel: +27 53 207 0029
Tel: +27 73 134 9671

Web: http://www.aardskip.com
Bakkies: http://www.facebook.com/groups/aardskip
http://www.facebook.com/aardskip
GPS: -29.8168,24.4115

Aardskip donations / skenkings
Bank: ABSA
Swift code: ABSAZAJJ
Branch: 632005
Account name: LRHV Everson
Account nr: 9272495193
Reference: Aardskip

Carport plastering - Afdak se pleister - Aug 2018

Ons is nog steeds besig met die afdak. Hier is Rikus besig om die binnekant te pleister.

Aardskip groete

We are still busy with the carport. Here, Rikus is plastering the inside.

Regards

Ludwig en Retha Everson

Gang plaveisel en oes - Indoor pavement and harvest - Aug 2018

Hier sien julle die gang gemaak van skalie-klip in plaas van leiklip. Omdat skalieklip nie so verhard is as leiklip nie verbrokkel dit as dit in aanraking kom met water. Om die rede het ons elke klip eers vernis voor ons dit geplaas het. Die gang lyk soos 'n tuinpaadjie en komplimenteer die plantebak baie.

Julle kan sien dat ons weer baie spinasie en tamaties oes die jaar. Van een tamatie plant het ons al sestig tamaties geoes en die einde is nog nie insig. Ook het ons 'n bietjie sukses gehad met soetrissie, brokolie en botterskorsies.

Aardskip groete

Here you see the indoor passage of shale-stone instead of slate. Because shale is not as hardened as slate it break when it comes into contact with water. For that reason, we first varnish each stone before we used it. The corridor looks like a garden path and complements the planter.

You can see that we have a lot of spinach and tomatoes harvest this year. From one tomato plant we have already harvested sixty tomatoes and the end is not yet insightful. We also had some success with sweet pepper, broccoli and butternuts.

Regards

Ludwig en Retha Everson

Afdak - Feb 2018 Carport - Feb 2018

In Februarie het ons iemand gekry wat ons afdak verder kon bou. Hy het die staal konstruksiegemaak en die dak en geute opgesit.

In February we found someone who could complete our carport. He made the steel construction and the roof and gutters.

Regards

Ludwig en Retha Everson

Web: http://www.aardskip.com
Bakkies: http://www.facebook.com/groups/aardskip
http://www.facebook.com/aardskip
GPS: -29.8168,24.4115

Manie Jackson

Vlnr. Angel, Manie, Ludwig en Retha

Ek en Manie Jackson het ‘n Twitter misverstand gehad. Toe kom maak hy ‘n draai by die Aardskip om te verduidelik dat hy hou van Orania.

Manie: “Baie lekkerder as Twitter. Insiggewend!”

On photo from left to right Angel, Manie, Ludwig en Retha

Manie Jackson and I had a Twitter misunderstanding. Then he came to the Aardskip to explain that he really likes Orania.

Manie: "Much better than Twitter. Insightful!"

Regards

Ludwig en Retha Everson
Pos: Posbus 186, Orania 8752, Suid Afrika
Sel: +27 53 207 0029
Tel: +27 73 134 9671

Web: http://www.aardskip.com
Bakkies: http://www.facebook.com/groups/aardskip
http://www.facebook.com/aardskip
GPS: -29.8168,24.4115

Binnetuin Inside Garden

Hier is een van ons tamatie plante wat vir ons heerlike tamaties gee. Tans is die plant byna op sy einde, maar daar hange meer as 20 tamaties aan die plant.

Vriendelik groete

Here is one of our tomato plants that gives us very tasty tomatoes. Currently the plant is almost at the end of its life, but still have more than 20 tomatoes to harvest

Ludwig en Retha Everson

Web: http://www.aardskip.com
Bakkies: http://www.facebook.com/groups/aardskip
http://www.facebook.com/aardskip
GPS: -29.8168,24.4115

Herwinning Recycling

Ons bly maar besig met herwinning en hier is ‘n lampskerm wat ons gemaak het van herwinde koeldrank bottels.

Aardskip groete

We keep on recycling and here is a lampshade we made of recycled soft drinks bottles.

Regards

Ludwig en Retha Everson
Pos: Posbus 186, Orania 8752, Suid Afrika
Sel: +27 53 207 0029
Tel: +27 73 134 9671

Web: http://www.aardskip.com
Bakkies: http://www.facebook.com/groups/aardskip
http://www.facebook.com/aardskip
GPS: -29.8168,24.4115

OutbuildingsBuitegeboue

Die jaar het ons begin om die motorhuis afdak aan te pak. Ongelukkig het ons teen spoed gehad met ons eerste kontrakteur. Die tweede kontrakteur Rico het tot dakhoogte gekom. Ongelukkig het hy van sy werkers verloor en staan die projek stil.

In die fotos sien julle Rico en Eben.

Aardskip groete

During this year we started the garage. Unfortunately, we had some trouble with our first contractor. The second contractor Rico manage to build to roof height. Unfortunately, he lost one of his workers and had toe stop.


Here you can see a picture that Rico building himself. In the second photo you see Eben and Rico.

Regards

Ludwig en Retha Everson
Pos: Posbus 186, Orania 8752, Suid Afrika
Sel: +27 53 207 0029
Tel: +27 73 134 9671

Web: http://www.aardskip.com
Bakkies: http://www.facebook.com/groups/aardskip
http://www.facebook.com/aardskip
GPS: -29.8168,24.4115

Aardskip donations / skenkings
Bank: ABSA
Swift code: ABSAZAJJ
Branch: 632005
Account name: LRHV Everson
Account nr: 9272495193
Reference: Aardskip

Nederlandse kameraspan by die aardskipAgain we were honered by a Dutch filmcrew.

Reën in Orania:
Reën meetings sedert 1 Jullie 2013 tot 28 Feb 2017

2013 - 119mm 6 maande
2014 - 413mm  12 maande
2015 – 218mm 12 maande
2016 - 229mm 12 maande
2017 - 268mm in slegs 2 maande, dus het daar nou al meer reen geval in twee maande as in die vorige twee jare in twaalf maande.

Die maksimum in een maand was 197mm hierdie Feb 2017. Vorige maksimum was in November 2014, 153mm.

Langste totale droogte Jun en Jul 2014 geen reën. Minste reën in vier maande was 2016 Aug tot 2016 Nov, slegs 6.5mm

Nederlandse kameraspan:
Nog 'n kameraspan het kom uitvind waarom het ons die Aardskip in Orania kom bou en nie elders in ZA nie. Sien foto van links na regs.




Jeroen van den Berg - kameraman, Paul Broers - klankman, Rik van der Westelaken - aanbieder, Twan van der Nieuwenhuijzen - hoofredakteur, Retha, Ludwig en Ester Oostveen – joernalis.

Rik is ‘n bekende Nederlander, TV aanbieder en het in 2015 die baie populere TV program “Wie is de Mol” gewen.

vriendelike groete

Rain in Orania:
Rain measurements since 1 Your 2013 to 28 Feb 2017

2013 - 119mm 6 months
2014 - 413mm 12 months
2015 - 218mm 12 months
2016 - 229mm 12 months
2017 - 268mm in just two months, so this year it rained  in two months more than in the previous two years in twelve months.

The maximum in a month was 197mm this Feb 2017. Previous maximum in November 2014 153mm.

Longest total drought was Jun and Jul 2014 when did not rain at all. Least rain in four months was 2016 Aug 2016 to Nov, when it rain only 6.5mm

Dutch camera crew:
Yet another camera crew came to find out why we build the Earthship in Orania and not elsewhere in ZA. See photo, from left to right.




Jeroen van den Berg - cameraman, Paul Brothers - sound engineer, Rik van der Westelaken - presenter, Twan van der Nieuwenhuijzen - chief editor, Retha, Ludwig en Esther Oostveen - journalist

Rik is a well-known Dutch TV presenter and won the the very popular TV program "Who is the Mole" in 2015.

Regards

Ludwig en Retha Everson
Pos: Posbus 186, Orania 8752, Suid Afrika
Sel: +27 53 207 0029
Tel: +27 73 134 9671

Web: http://www.aardskip.com
Bakkies: http://www.facebook.com/groups/aardskip
http://www.facebook.com/aardskip
GPS: -29.8168,24.4115

Aardskip donations / skenkings
Bank: ABSA
Swift code: ABSAZAJJ
Branch: 632005
Account name: LRHV Everson
Account nr: 9272495193
Reference: Aardskip

Afriforum het kom inloerAfriforum came to visit

Currently the work at the earthship are standing still seeing that Trevor got another woodwork job. We are looking for a contractor that can help us to finish the outside building.

In the photo you see some folks from Afriforum that came to visit.

Regards

Tans staan ons werk by die aardskip stil aangesien Trevor 'n ander houtwerk werk gekry het. Ons is nou op soek na 'n kontrakteur wat ons kan help om die buitegebou te voltooi.

In die foto sien jy Nantes Kelder en sy span (Minette, Bea, William, Salet, Eduan en Nates) van Afriforum wat kom in loer het.

vriendelike groete

Ludwig en Retha Everson
Pos: Posbus 186, Orania 8752, Suid Afrika
Sel: +27 53 207 0029
Tel: +27 73 134 9671

Web: http://www.aardskip.com
Bakkies: http://www.facebook.com/groups/aardskip http://www.facebook.com/aardskip
GPS: -29.8168,24.4115

Aardskip donations / skenkings
Bank: ABSA
Swift code: ABSAZAJJ
Branch: 632005
Account name: LRHV Everson
Account nr: 9272495193
Reference: Aardskip

GPS: -29.8168,24.4115

Prieel en nuwe vetfilter Pergola and new grease filter

Our grey water did not ran out as fast as it should have. So we decided to add an additional grease filter and under ground basin between the two planters. In other words the grey water from kitchen, laundry and bathroom have a much shorter rout to take. We will monitor the situation to see what is the effect on the water to the first planter. See first photo.

Ons gryswater het nie so vinnig as wat dit behoort uit te geloop het nie. Dus het ons besluit om 'n bykomende vetfilter en ondergrondse kom te plaas tussen die twee plantebakke. Met ander woorde die gryswater uit die kombuis, waskamer en badkamer het nou 'n baie korter roete te neem. Ons sal die situasie monitor om te sien wat is die effek op die water na die eerste plantebak. Sien eerste foto.

In the second photo you might notice that we added a pergola over our planter for our grapes and other creepers like butternuts. This means we can make beter use of our vertical space.

Greetings

In die tweede foto kan jy sien dat ons 'n prieel bygevoeg bo ons plantebakke vir ons druiwe en ander rankplante soos botterskorsies. Dit beteken dat ons beter gebruik van ons vertikale ruimte te maak.

vriendelik groete

Ludwig en Retha Everson
GPS: -29.8168,24.4115

Open-plan kitchen, inside of laundry room and pantry Oopplankombuis, binnekant van waskamer en spens

In the picture you can see how our open-plan kitchen and dining room looks like now. Trevor has worked very hard to get the cupboards so beautiful.

In die foto sien julle hoe ons oopplan kombuis en eetkamer lyk. Trevor het baie hard gewerk om die kombuiskaste so pragtig te kry.

Furthermore you see the laundry room with built-in linen cupboard. The refrigerator is also in the laundry room, because it is cooler than the rest of the kitchen.

Verder sien julle die waskamer met ingeboude linnekas. In die waskamer is ook die yskas omdat dit koeler is as die res van die kombuis.

In the last picture you can see the pantry. Just below the worktop made from recycled kitchen tops, there is a chest with four drawers, not visible. Just visible is the broom closet.

Just a reminder all the cupboards are made of recycled wood.

Lastly, it is incredibly dry in Orania and we will probably have to add 3kl to our tanks.

In die laaste foto sien julle die spens. Net onder die werksblad wat gemaak is van herwinde kombuisblaaie is daar 'n nog 'n laaikas met vier laaie, buite sig. Ook buite sig is die besem kas.

Net weer 'n herinnering al die kaste is gemaak met herwinde hout.

Laastens dit is ontsettend droog in Orania en waarskynlik sal ons 3kl water moet toevoeg tot ons watertenks.

vriendelike groete
Ludwig & en Retha Everson
Web: http://www.aardskip.com
Bakkies: http://www.facebook.com/groups/aardskip
http://www.facebook.com/aardskip
GPS: -29.8168,24.4115

Aardskip donations / skenkings
Bank: ABSA
Swift code: ABSAZAJJ
Branch: 632005
Account name: LRHV Everson
Account nr: 9272495193
Reference: Aardskip

- Kombuiskaste -- Kitchen cupboards -

In the picture you see the hard work of Trevor. This is beautiful kitchen cupboards made from recycled wood. It is definitely not the easiest job to use secondhand wood. To have cupboards from real wood is a plus point, no make believe plastic wood.

Cradle to cradle (recycling) our answer to many environmental problems.

Regards

Op die foto sien julle die harde werk van Trevor. Dit is 'n pragtige kombuiskaste gemaak van herwinde hout. Dit is beslis nie die maklikste taak om tweedehandse hout te gebruik nie. Om kaste van egte hout te hê is beslis 'n pluspunt, geen kamstige plastiek hout.

Wiegie tot wiegie (herwinning) is ons antwoord op baie omgewingsprobleme.

Vriendelike groete

Ludwig & Retha Everson

http://www.aardskip.com
http://www.facebook.com/groups/aardskip
http://www.facebook.com/aardskip
GPS: -29.8168,24.4115

Aardskip donations / skenkings
Bank: ABSA
Swift code: ABSAZAJJ
Branch: 632005
Account name: LRHV Everson
Account nr: 9272495193
Reference: Aardskip

Windpomp - Windmill

Ons vorder vorder fluks in die kombuis. Hier sien julle die eerste aanbouing in die kombuis. Van die gang se kant is dit slegs ‘n skerm/muur en mooi plek om die windpomp op te hang. Nog ‘n kunswerk in die aardskip. Die kunswerk van my suster, Katrienka, is haar geskenk aan Retha

vriendelike groete
Ludwig en Retha Everson
Pos: Posbus 186, Orania 8752, Suid Afrika
Sel: +27 53 207 0029
Tel: +27 73 134 9671

----

Our progress is coming on nicely in the kitchen. Here you see the first extension in the kitchen. From the hallway side have only a screen / wall and nice place to hang the windmill. Another artwork in the earthship. This artwork of my sister, Katrienka, is her gift to Retha.

regards
Ludwig and Retha Everson
Box: PO Box 186, Orania 8752, South Africa
Cel: +27 53 207 0029
Tel: +27 73 134 9671

Plafon en pleisterPlaster and ceiling.

Trevor

Morné 

In die fotos sien julle Morné en Trevor se hande werk.

Trevor het die sitkamer se plafon ingesit en Morné het die pleister werk gedoen.

As julle mooi kyk sal julle ‘n rekenaar skerm sien wat as ‘n waarheidsvenster dien. In die venster is nog die enigste plek waar strooibaal te sien is in die aardskip.

Vriendelike groete
Ludwig en Retha Everson

In the pictures you see Morné and Trevor's handy work.

Trevor placed the ceiling in the living room and Morné did the plastering.

If you look carefully you will see a computer screen that serves as a truth window. The window is the only place where straw bales can still be seen in the earthship. In the window you will see straw, earthbag, cob and lime plaster.

Regards
Ludwig and Retha Everson

The wonder of solar power / Die mag van sonkrag. - aardskip. com

Hier kan julle die wonder sien van sonkrag. Wie sê ‘n aardskip moet te kortskiet?
1. Mikrogolf/konveksieoond. 2kW
2. Twee plaat stoof. 2kW
3. Ketel (net uit die foto) 2kW
4. Skottelgoedmasjien AAA (0.7 kWh tot 1,5kWh per was) – Nuut.
5. Dubbelbalie Wasmasjien (om die draai)
6. A+ Yskas (0.8 kWh per dag)
7. Dan is daar nog ‘n broodmasjien, diep-olie braaier, mengers en kerwers.

In die voorgrond sien julle ons nuwe twee gasplaat eiland as rugsteun op bewolkte dae. Die kas is gemaak met herwinde hout, deur Trevor.

vriendelike groete
Ludwig en Retha Everson
Pos: Posbus 186, Orania 8752, Suid Afrika
Sel: +27 53 207 0029
Tel: +27 73 134 9671

Here you can see the wonders of solar energy. Who says an earthship should be backward?

1. Microwave / convection oven. 2kW
2. Two glassplate stove. 2kW
3. Kettle (just out of the picture) 2kW
4. Dishwashingmachine AAA (0.7 kWh to 1,5kWh per wash) - New.
5. Twintub washing machine (around the corner)
6. A+ Refrigerator (0.8 kWh per day)
7. There is also a bread machine, deep oil braaier, mixers and shreders.

In the foreground you can see our new two gas plate island, as backup when it is cloudy. The cabinet is made of recycled wood, by Trevor.

regards
Ludwig and Retha Everson
Box: PO Box 186, Orania 8752, South Africa
Cel: +27 53 207 0029
Tel: +27 73 134 9671

Gang plafon vordering / Corridor ceiling - aardskip.com

The ceiling in the corridor is done except for the start and end. We leave it open to finish off the plastering. We used quite heavy recycled wooden panels. It was incredibly hard work, 34 panels had to be hoisted with ropes.

Greetings

Die plafon in die gang is gedoen, behalwe vir die begin en einde. Ons laat dit oop om die afronding te kan doen. Ons het redelike  swaar herwinde hout panele gebruik. Dit was ongelooflike harde werk, 34 panele moes opgehys word met toue.

vriendelike groete

Ludwig  en Retha Everson
Pos: Posbus 186, Orania 8752, Suid Afrika
Sel: +27 53 207 0029
Tel: +27 73 134 9671
Web: http://www.aardskip.com
Bakkies: http://www.facebook.com/groups/aardskip
& http://www.facebook.com/aardskip
GPS: -29.8168,24.4115

Amerikaanse diplomaat van Nigerië - aardskip.com - USA Diplomate from Nigeria.

It seems that Orania and the Aardskip help each other to become more and more famous. We had a USA visitor, stationed as the Nigerian Ambassador. See photo of Edwards Waters and his family.

On the drought question of the previous blog. Our water tanks are currently completely full and we seem to be back to the normal rain cycle. If anybody can donate the Aardskip a 5kl water tank it will be highly appreciated, because last night we had 18mm of rain and we could not capture it.

Greetings

Dit blyk dat Orania en die Aardskip mekaar help om meer en meer bekend te word. Ons het 'n besoeker uit Nigerië ontvang, 'n VSA diplomaat in Nigerië. Sien foto van Edwards Waters en sy gesin.

Wat betref die droogte vraag van vorige keer. Ons watertenks is tans heeltemal vol en ons blyk terug te wees op ons normale reën siklus. As iemand vir die Aardskip 'n 5kl watertenk kan skenk sal dit hoog op prys gestel word, want gisteraand het ons 18mm reën gekry wat ons nie kon opvang nie.

vriendelike groete

Ludwig  en Retha Everson
Pos: Posbus 186, Orania 8752, Suid Afrika
Sel: +27 53 207 0029
Tel: +27 73 134 9671
Web: http://www.aardskip.com
Bakkies: http://www.facebook.com/groups/aardskip
& http://www.facebook.com/aardskip
GPS: -29.8168,24.4115

Droogte gebreek of nie - aardskip.com - Drought, yes or no?

We had all hopes that 2016 will not be a drought stricken year. Unfortunately February does not give us any good indications. We had thus far only 3.4mm rain, where as in previous years it rained just about every week and up to 45mm in the month.

Furthermore it is extremely hot, we keep on hitting the 40 degree Celcius mark. The earthship can compensate about 12 degrees. This makes the rooms bearable, however the living area is to open get all the advantage. We will start to implement more climate control measures in the future.

The other interesting aspect is that the sun is now starting to move into the earthship, so it is time to saw some seeds. We can not wait to have some veggies in the house again. See the line on the windowsill in the photo.

Ons het gehoop dat 2016 nie 'n droogtegeteisterde jaar sal wees. Ongelukkig voorspel Februarie niks goed nie. Ons het tot dusver slegs 3.4mm reën gekry, waar dit die vorige jare omtrent elke week gereën het, en tot en met 45mm vir die maand.

Verder is dit baie warm en Orania raak die 40 graad Celsius merk gereeld, onder ‘n koelte boom. Gelukkig kompenseer die aardskip die temperatuur met ongeveer 12 grade. Die kamers is draaglik, egter is die leefarea te oop om die hele voordeel te kry. Ons sal begin om meer klimaat beheermaatreëls in die toekoms te implementeer.

Die ander interessante aspek is dat die son nou begin om in die aardskip in te skyn, so dit is tyd om 'n paar sade te saai. Ons kan nie wag om weer groente in die huis te hê nie. Sien streep wat die son maak op die vensterbank foto.

vriendelike groete
Ludwig  en Retha Everson
Pos: Posbus 186, Orania 8752, Suid Afrika
Sel: +27 53 207 0029
Tel: +27 73 134 9671
Web: http://www.aardskip.com
Bakkies:
http://www.facebook.com/groups/aardskip
http://www.facebook.com/aardskip
GPS: -29.8168,24.4115

Voorspoedig outargiese jaar - aardskip . com - Prosperous off-grid year - Goto the weblog for more info.

Laas jaar het ontsettend droog en warm geëindig, maar gelukkig het ons nou al redelik reën ontvang. Hier is die reënval so ver gemeet by aardskip, dit word om 6:00 elke ogend gemeet:
12 Jan - 16,0mm
14 Jan - 2,2mm
17 Jan - 2,0mm
19 Jan - 0,8mm
20 Jan 12,5mm
22 Jan – 0,8mm

Die watertenks is so 65% vol. Dit gee ons ongeveer 20kl water wat ons so 4 maande moet hou.

Hier is twee fotos van interessante vrugte wat ons in die toekoms kan verwag. Die eerste foto is van ons pekanneut boom buite wat ons swartwater gebruik. Die ander foto is een van ons druiweranke binne in die huis wat ons grys water gebruik.

-o0o---------------------

Last year ended extremely dry and hot, but fortunately we already received a reasonable amount of rain. Here are the rainfall so far measured at the earthship, it is measured every moring at six o'clock:
12 Jan - 16,0 mm
14 Jan - 2,2mm
17 Jan - 2,0mm
19 Jan - 0,8mm
20 Jan 12,5mm
22 Jan – 0,8mm

The tanks are about 65% full. This gives us more or less 20 kl of water and should last as about four months.

Here are two pictures of interesting fruit we can expect in the future. The first photo is of our pecan tree outside using our black water. The other picture is one of our inside grape vine which uses our gray water.



Pekanneut boom buite wat swartwater gebruik.
Pecan tree outside using our black water.




Druiweranke binne in die huis wat grys water gebruik.
Inside grape vine which uses gray water.

vriendelike groete
Ludwig en Retha Everson
Web: http://www.aardskip.com
Bakkies: http://www.facebook.com/groups/aardskip
GPS: -29.8168,24.4115

Aardskip donations / skenkings
Bank: ABSA
Swift code: ABSAZAJJ
Branch: 632005
Account name: LRHV Everson
Account nr: 9272495193
Reference: Aardskip