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

- Harvest and followup on the kitchen cupboards -- Kombuiskaste vervolg en ons oes -

In the first picture you see our harvest of organically indoor grown vegetables in our grey water planter. There are tomatoes, tomatoes, tomatoes, green peppers, red peppers, broccoli and carrots.

In die eerste prentjie is ons oes van organies binnenshuise gegroei groente in ons gryswater plantebak. Daar is tamaties, tamaties, tamaties, soetrissie, rissie, brokolie en wortels.

The second picture depicts Trevor and the rest of the beautiful kitchen cupboards made from recycled wood.

Regards

Op die tweede foto sien julle Trevor en die res van die pragtige kombuiskaste gemaak van herwinde hout.

Vriendelike groete

Ludwig en Retha

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

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

Reënval en tenks watervlak - aardskip.com - rainfall and tanks water level.

In die grafiek sien u ons watervlak in ons 30kl tenks. 'n Vlak van 2000mm is 100% vol.

Die volgende punte kan van die grafiek afgelei word:

1.   U sal merk dat in 2013 het ons die tenks 3 keer met rivierwater aangevul, geen reënval maar tog word die tenks voller.

2.  In 2014 en 2015 was dit nie nodig nie.

3.  U sal sien dat die tenks drie keer in 2014 en eenkeer in 2015 oorgeloop het.

4.  Laastens van die grafiek kan ons ook aflei dat dit waarskynlik binne kort gaan begin reën.  

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

In the chart you will see our water level in our 30kl tanks. A level of 2000mm 100% full.

The following points can be derived from the chart:

1.   You will note that in 2013 we filled the tanks three times with river water, not rainfall but the tanks were fuller.

2.   In 2014 and 2015 it was not necessary.

3.   You will see the tanks were three times in 2014 and once overfull in 2015.

4.   Finally, from the chart we can conclude that it probably will rain soon.

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: https://www.facebook.com/aardskip 

 &  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

Aardskip in die nag - aardskip-com - in the night.

Hier sien julle 'n foto van die Sonksip in die nag, my ma het vir my 'n paar son-tuinlampies gekoop, wat ons soos lanterns geplaas het op elke pilaar. 

Here you see a picture of the Sonksip at night, my mother had bought me a couple of solar garden lamps, which we placed like lanterns on each pillar.


English follows


Om die een of ander rede kry ek dit nie meer reg om elke week inligting op die weblog te plaas nie.

In elke geval wat het gebeur sedert die vorige plasing?
1. Ons het die linkerkant van die voorste dak aan die agterste dak gekoppel met 'n geut. Nou kan ons 'n bietjie meer reën opvang.
2. Gewerk in die binne tuin en redelike hoeveelheid groente geoes.
3. Pleister werk herstel. ('n Plank het van die steier afgeval en die pleister beskadig.)
4. Ons duur Snappy induksie plaat het ingekonk en toe sommer ook die nog duurder omsetter (wisselrigter). Nogal groot skade, ongeveer so R3000,00. Ons leen tans 'n omsetter van Julius Jansen van Vuuren. Baie dank aan Julius.



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

For some reason I do not manage to post weekly anymore.

Well what happened since the last post?
1. We connected the left side of the front roof to the rear roof with a gutter. Now we can catch a little more rain.
2. Worked in the inside planter. We harvest a fair amount of vegetables.
3. Plaster Restoration. (A beam from the scaffold fell and damaged the plaster.)
4. Our expensive Snappy induction plate gave in and soon after that the even more expensive converter. Quite an expensive damage, about R3000,00. We currently lend a converter from Julius Jansen van Vuuren. Many thanks to Julius.


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
GPS: -29.8168,24.4115

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

Rain rain rain caused rivers 85 mm in less than 24hours - www.aardskip.com - Reën, reën en nogmals reën veroorsaak rivier.

Vandag was dit nag. Na 'n 53mm reën, wat in die nag geval het, het ek 'n bietjie grond verskuiwings gedoen.

Die septiese tenk se mangat loop heellaas vol reënwater (agv. syferwater), wat dan mettertyd in die tenk opeindig. Enige raad?

Ek pomp dit leeg maar die water syfer maar net weer in.

Om alles te kroon kom daar 'n tweede storm met hael en wind en een van my tydelik dakplate (slegs vas gehou met 'n paar klippe en buitebande) op die buitekamer vlieg af. Verder is ons buite plant byna verwoes. Agter en regs om die aardskip het die water gestroom asof dit 'n rivier was, byna knieë
diep op plekke, sien foto.

Met ons gaan dit goed, maar ons bure se dak is afgeruk en op gerol soos 'n mens 'n sardienblikke oop maak. Arme mense se meubels is sopnat en afgeskryf en is dakloos.

-o0o-----------------------------
Today was terrible. After 53 mm rain fell during the night, we had to a little bit of landscaping, to help the water flow.

The septic tank manhole runs full of rain water (seepage), which then eventually end up in the tank, any advice?

I pump it empty but it seeps in again.

To top it all there was a second storm today with hail, 30mm rain and wind. One of my temporary roof sheet (only held with a few stones and tires) of the outside room flew off. Our outside plants are almost destroyed. Behind the earthship and on the eastern side, the water flowed as if it was a
river, in places almost knee deep, see photo.

With us it went very well, however our neighbour's roof was ripped off and rolled up like you will open a sardine can. The poor people's furniture is wet and damaged and they are homelessness.

vriendelike groete
Ludwig en Retha Everson

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

Kyk na ons plante, wortel deursnee 8cm - www.aardskip.com - What do you think our stalk with 88 tamatoes.

This month is one of the hottest Septembers ever and this is a definite sign of climate change.

In Durban the previous record temperature was 34 degrees C, if the forecasts are correct it will reach a new record of 35 degrees. The other cities in South Africa also have extreme temperatures for September.

Thus far this month we measured maximum of 37 outside and at the same time the inside room temperature was only 25. Today again we measured 34 outside and a mere 24 inside. The lowest that we measured outside was a cold 4 degrees C outside and at the same time the inside was a comfortable 17 degrees C. Do you also want an earthship?

At the moment I am busy installing the second bedroom's windows and door, once this is done I'll finish off the ceiling. Then we will start tackling the kitchen ceiling.

In the meantime the indoor's garden is doing well. My one tomato stalk, that is now going for its second year, has currently 88 tomatoes, see photo. On the other side of the garden is my carrots and one carrot has a diameter of 8cm, see other photo.

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

Hierdie maand is een van die warmste Septembers ooit en dit is 'n definitiewe teken van klimaatsverandering.

Bv. in Durban was die vorige rekord temperatuur 34 grade C, indien die voorspellings korrek is, sal dit 'n nuwe rekord tempratuur van 35 grade bereik. Die ander stede in Suid-Afrika het ook 'uiterste temperature vir September.

Tot dusver hierdie maand het ons 'n maksimum van 37 buite gemeet en op dieselfde tyd was die kamertemperatuur net 25. Vandag het ons 34 buite gemeet en binne was dit slegs 24. Die laagste wat ons buite gemeet het, was 'n koue 4 grade C buite en op dieselfde tyd was die binnekant is 'n
gemaklike 17 grade C. Wil u ook 'n aardskip hê?

Op die oomblik is ek besig om die tweede slaapkamer se vensters en deure te installeer, sodra dit gedoen is sal ek die plafon klaar maak. Dan sal ons die kombuis plafon aanpak.

In die tussentyd doen ons binnenshuistuin goed. My een tomatoe rank, wat nou gaan vir sy tweede jaar, het tans 88 tamaties, sien foto. Aan die ander kant van die tuin is my wortels en een wortel het 'n deursnee van 8 cm, sien ander foto.

vriendelike groete
Ludwig en Retha Everson

Foto van ons UV filter & lees wat ons besoekers sê - Read the visitors entries Jan & Feb 2014

Visitors book

Jan 2014


03/01/2014
* Trix & Louis du Toit - Middelburg - Sterkte & baie geluk met hierdie projek. Ons gaan kyk wat ons kan doen. / Good luck & congratulations on this project. We will see what we can do.
* Elsabe, Anneke, Anali Boshoff - Stellenbosch - Baie interessant, ons sal graag kom help! / Very interesting, we would like to help!
* Rossouw Minnaar - Pretoria
* JF Boshoff - Randfontein - Mooi / Beautiful
* CF Boshoff - Randfontein - Mooi / Beautiful
* Lombaard A - Pretoria - Baie innoverend / Very innovative


05/01/2014
* P de Beer - Pretoria - Goed gedaan / Well done
* H van Rooyen - Pretoria - Welgedaan / Well done
* M Fouche - Tzaneen - Inspirerend /Inspirational
* P & A & M de Beer - Pretoria - Knap gedaan! 'n Prestasie om op trots te wees!! / Well done! Something to be proud of!!


07/01/2014
* Van Zyl & Philip Naude, Martha de Villiers - Worcester - Baie interessant, dankie! / Very interesting, thank you!

08/01/2014
* Sonja Schwirzer - Nelspruit - Baie interessant huis, julle is 'n voorbeeld vir almal. Sterke met als in 2014. / Very interesting house, you are an example to us all. Success for 2014.
* Robert & Magda Brand - Jan Kempdorp - Ons was verstom. Dit wil gedoen wees! / We were stunned. Well done!

09/01/2014
* Morrie, Este, Amanda, Trevor Willemse - Port Elizabeth - Interessant en baie innoverend. Baie interessant. / Interesting and very innovative. Very interesting.
* Hannes & Janie Bester - Roodepoort - Indrukwekkend. Dankie vir die leersame toer deur die huis :-) / Impressive. Thanks for the informative tour of the house :-)

13/01/2014
* Paul & Jacoba du Plessis - Kimberley - Baie leersaam. Baie dankie. / Very informative. Thank you.

15/01/2014
* Felix - Erlangen, Duitsland - interessant! / interesting!
* Anton & Susan Beaurain - Groblersdal - Baie oulik / Very cute

19/01/2014
* Surina Esterhuyse - Bloemfontein - Baie goed! Het dit baie geniet om dit te sien! / Very good! Enjoyed it very much to see it!

24/01/2014
* Muller & Hoffman - Bloemfontein - Kreatief, interessant, skeppend. / Creative, interesting, creative.

27/01/2014
* Gerhard Myburg - Perth Australia - Lyk baie goed. Baie sterkte met die projek. / Looks very good. Good luck with the project.

29/01/2014
* Francois & Yufu Jacobs - Toronto, Canada - Baie goed en insiggewend. / Very good and informative.

31/01/2014
* Rentia Bartlett - Pretoria - Sterkte met die aardskip, ons hoop julle woon, leef, werk hier gelukkig en in weelde. / Good luck with the earthship, we hope you live, live, work and happy here in luxury.
* Stefan Mohl - Pretoria


Feb 2014

04/02/2014
* Charles & Retha Schoeman - - Baie interessant / Very interesting

08/02/2014
* R Riche - Volksrust - Cool

10/02/2014
* JT Keynders - Fochville - Baie kreatief en besonders / Very creative and special

11/02/2014
* DJ Steffens - Sunrise on sea Eastern Cape - Baie geleer & self ondervind / Learned & experienced a lot
* Danie Venter - Coligny - Vat jou tyd, dit sal werk. / Take your time, it will work.


17/02/2014
* Johan Visser - Gariepdam - Uitstekend goeie boumetode / Excellent good building method

20/02/2014
* Anushka Life - Melkbosstrand - Julle is geniaal!! 'n Ware voorbeeld. :-) / You are a genius !! A true example. :-)
* Pierre Ackermann - Phalaborwa - Fantasties

24/02/2014
* Johan & Amanda Strauss - Boksburg - Baie beïndruk met die huis. Sal weer kom as julle klaar is!! / Very impressed with the house. Will come again when you are finished !!
* Terrance & Debbie Cout - Warner Beach - Moerse impressive!! / Very impressive!!

25/02/2014
* Brain Rademeter - Prins Albert - Inspirerend! / Inspirational!

26/02/2014
* Nic & T Olivier - Tosea - Iets nuut vir my! Goed! - Something new to me! Good!
* Gerhard Richter - Thabazimbie - Interessant.

27/02/2014
* Frits Piso - Nieuwegein, Nederland - Amazing!

Nota: 

Foto is ­van die ultra violet filter om die drinkwater te steriliseer. So ons besoekers kry 'n heerlike glas suiwer reënwater.


Photo is the UV filter underneath the zink for the drinking water. All our  visitors can get a glass of ice cold pure rain water.





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
GPS: -29.8168,24.4115

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

3rd bedroom corridor window and door done - www.aardskip.com - 3e kamer se gangvensters en deur voltooi

Die derde kamer is nou afrond en ek en Retha slaap nou in die kamer. Dit is die eerste slaapkamer met 'n deur, vensters en plafon. Die plafon maak die kamer se temperatuur baie meer gerieflik as die ander vertrekke in die aardskip. Bo op die plafon het ons ook tweedehandse polistireen geplaas vir
ekstra isolasie.

Die foto wys die derde slaapkamer se deur en venster van die gang se kant. Kyk hoe groot is die piesangboom.

Die week het ons begin met die plafon van die tweede slaapkamer.

Ander interessantheidjie is dat die gryswater was nie die week genoeg vir die spoel van die toilet nie. Gelukkig is daar 'n eenrigting klep wat ons kan oop draai om die toilet te spoel met drinkwater (soos in ander huise). Die tekort aan spoel water was waarskynlik omdat daar 'n verstopping was en
van die water weg gevloei het na die septiesetenk. Daar is 'n klep wat die gryswaterpyp verbind aan die swartwaterpyp om oorvloei te voorkom. Hopelik het ons het die verstopping skoon gekry. Dit vetfilter het nogal heelwat vet in gehad, wat waarskynlik in die gryswater pyp vasgesit het.

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

The third room is finished and Retha and myself moved to this room so that we can start with the second room. This is the first bedroom with a door, windows and a ceiling. The ceiling makes the room much more comfortable than the other rooms in the earthship. Above the ceiling, we also placed second-hand polystyrene for extra insulation.

The photo shows the door and window of the third bedroom from the corridor's side. See how big the banana tree.

This week we start with the ceiling of the second bedroom.

Other interesting point is that grey water was not enough to flush the toilet. Fortunately, there is a valve which can be opened to flush the toilet with drinking water (like in other modern homes). The shortage of flush water was probably because there was a blockage in the grey water pipe, and the waters flowed to the septic tank. There is a valve that connects to the grey water pipe with the black water pipe to prevent overflow inside the house. Hopefully we've got the blockage cleared. We
cleaned the grease filter which had quite a lot of fat, which was probably stuck in the grey water pipe.

vriendelike groete
Ludwig en Retha Everson

Blomkool - www-aardskip-com - cauliflower

Ons is klaar met die installering van die deur en die glas van die derde slaapkamer. Drie verskillende diktes glas (3-6mm) is gebruik, afhangende van die grootte en die doel van die ruite. Volgende week sal ons met die derde kamer afrond en dan sal ons oor trek na die derde kamer en begin werk aan die tweede kamer se plafon en glas/venster muur.

Hier is die foto van ons groot blomkool met 'n deursnee van meer as 30 cm. Die wit bak in die agtergrond is 'n standaard grote roomysbak. Tussen hakkies die plantjie was geplant in Mei 2013, maar het eers 'n paar maande gelede begin blom.

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

We finished installing the door and the glass of the third bedroom. Three different thicknesses of glass (3-6mm) was used, depending on the size and purpose of the glass panes. Next week we will be finished with the third room and then we will move in to the room and start with the second room's ceiling and glass/window wall.

Here is the photo of our huge cauliflower with diameter of more than 30cm. The seeds of the cauliflower was planted May 2013, but it only started to from a flower a couple of moths ago.

vriendelike groete
Ludwig en Retha Everson

Backup gas geyser installed - aardskip - rugsteun gasgeiser geïnstalleer

Last week I've designed a solar system for the Groot Geluk neighbourhood next to Orania. This phase of the project will have a 24kW peak power and 100kWh units per day capability. The system will have in the order of 92 PV panels and give power to 20 households.

In the photo you see the portable gas geyser that I bought at Kragdag. Currently it is installed so that it can be used with the simple turn of a valve. However it can very easily be move to where it is most needed.

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

Verlede week het ek 'n sonkragstelsel vir die Groot Geluk buurt langs Orania ontwerp. Hierdie fase van die projek sal 'n piek krag van 24kW en 100kWh eenhede per dag lewer. Die stelsel sal in die orde van 92 panele elektriese krag hê en gee krag aan 20 huishoudings.

In die foto sien julle die draagbare gasgeiser wat ek by Kragdag gekoop het. Tans is dit so geïnstalleer sodat dit gebruik kan word met die eenvoudige draai van 'n klep. Terselfde tyd kan dit baie maklik geneem word na die plek waar dit die nodigste is.

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

Read the visitors entries Desember 2013 - www . aardskip . com - Lees wat ons besoekers sê - Goto the weblog for more info.

Guestbook entries - Gasteboek inskrywing (03 - 16 December 2013)
----------------------------------------------------------------

03/12/2013
* Jaco Pieterse (Hartbeesfontein) - Baie interessant. Hou van die water sisteem. / Very interesting. Like the water system.

06/12/2013
* Michea & Denise Moys
* Gerrie Stammis - Wonderful - an inspiration! / Wonderlik - 'n inspirasie.

07/12/2013
* Karl Kemp (Stellenbosch) - ONGELOOFLIK! / Amazing!
* Jaco du Plessis (Stellenbosch) - 'n Voorbeeld vir die toekoms. / An example for the future.

08/12/2013
* Andre Dannhouser (Orania) - Besonder kreatief en interessant! / Very creative and interesting !

09/12/2013
* Jannie van Eden (Groblersdal) - BAANBREKERS WERK. INNOVEREND. / Groundbreaking. Innovative.
* Antonette Viljoen (Johannesburg) - Besonderse huis!! / Exceptional home!
* Bill Ely (George) - Ongelooflik. / Unbelievable.

10/12/2013
* Elmien le Grange (Pretoria) - My mond "hang" oop!! / Wow, I am extremely surprised!

11/12/2013
* Mnr & Mev Pistorius (Durban) - Ongelooflik interessant. / Incredibly interesting.

12/12/2013
* Mnr & Mev June Maree (Bloem) - Ongelooflik! / Unbelievable!
* Victor Maree (Randburg) - Baie mooi! / Very nice!
* Johan & Leoni de Klerk & kinders (Orania) - Baie interessant! / Very interesting!
* Johannes Malherbe - Dankie, sal graag voortbou hierop. / Thanks, would like to build on this.
* Lianke & Deon Stans - Baie interessant. Baie mooi. / Very interesting.
Very nice.
* Chris & Sussan Schumyn - Absoluut asemrowend wat bereik kan word met bietjie grysstof. / Absolutely stunning what can be achieved with little gray matter.
* Lynette & Daniel Mulder $ Oswald - BAIE GELUK & VOORSPOED MET DIE PROJEK.
/ CONGRATULATIONS & GOOD LUCK WITH THE PROJECT.
* Rosheen Joubert (Ladysmith) - Baie besonders! Goeie voorbeeld wat die res van ons moet volg. Voel baie meer 'groen' na die besoek :-) / Great! Good example what the rest of should do. Feel much more 'green'  after my visit
:-)
* Amika Fouché (Pothefstroom)

13/12/2013
* Tom Zandberg (Albertinia) - BESONDERS. / UNIQUE.
* Gerie Myburg (Pretoria) - Baie besonders. / Very special.
* Adriaan & Hedriette Swanepoel (Benoni) - Sjoe, jul is baie oorspronklik en kreatief. Ons kan eintlik almal by jul leer! / Wow, your are very original and creative. We can actually all learn from you!
* Werner & Suzette Erenst (Secunda) - So interessant! Sterkte met die voltooiing van jul projek! / So interesting! Good luck with the completion of your project!

16/12/2013
* Benjamin Fourie (Bethulie) - Met die hoop op lewende kunsliedere! / With the hope of living art songs!


Vrywaring: Vertaling bygestaan deur Google. (http://translate.google.com/#en/af/)
Disclaimer: Google assited translations.(http://translate.google.com/#af/en/)

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We will add more entries to the blog in due course.

Sal binne kort nog inskrywings plaas.

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Groete/Greeting
Ludwig & Retha Everson

Reënval en watertenkvlakke - www.aardskip.com - Tank levels and rainfall.

In the graph you see in green the water level in the tanks. 2000 mm is the equivalent of 30 kiloliters, thus each 1 mm equals 15 litres.

Further more you can see we had to add river water in August, September and October due to an extreme drought South-Africa had. The worst since 1936.

In October it started to rain again, see blue line in the graph, and the tanks gradually filled. The tanks is currently below the 3/4 mark, 20 kilolitres.

We captured almost 26 kilolitres of rain water thus far.

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In die grafiek sien u in groen die watervlak in die tenks. 2000 mm is die ekwivalent van 30 kiloliter, dus elke 1 mm gelyk aan 15 liter.

Verder kan u sien ons het rivier water toegevoeg in Augustus, September en Oktober te danke aan 'n uiterste droogte wat Suid-Afrika gehad het. Die ergste sedert 1936.

In Oktober het dit weer begin reën, sien blou lyn in die grafiek, en die tenks het geleidelik gevul met reënwater. Die tenks is tans onder die 3/4 merk, 20 kiloliters.

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vriendelike groete
Ludwig en Retha Everson

Pos: Posbus 186, Orania 8752, Suid Afrika
Tel: +27 73 134 9671
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

Uitsig oor buite tuin en kersboom - www.aardskip.com - Room with a view.

Here you can see our outside view. The plants you see, among other things, make use of the water from the septic tank. The bed is above the French drain and the tree roots will eventualy get to the water? In the bed are two Pecan Trees, 12 pumpkins, tomato (already carring), sunflowers and maize.

In the background you can see the 3-meter-high Christmas tree.

In the foreground you see our stained glass window that is intended for the east main-door. What do you see in the stained glass?

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Hier sien u hoe lyk dit as ons na buite kyk. Die plante wat u sien maak o.a. gebruik van die water van die septiese-tenk. Die bedding is bo op die syfer-drein en bome se wortels sal mettertyd by die water kom? In die bedding is twee pekanbome, opskiet pampoene (met reeds 12 pampoene), opskiet tamaties (dra ook reeds), geplante sonneblomme en mielies.

In die agtergrond sien u die 3 meter hoë kersboom.

In die voorgrond sien u ons rookglas venster wat bestem is vir die ooste-deur. Wat sien u in die rookglas?

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Groete/Greeting
Ludwig, Retha & Arno Everson

Lekker eet in die - www.Aardskip.com - produce delicious food.

In the photo you see the delicious food we eat from our own indoors planter. he plants are grown on the grey water from the Aardskip's bathroom and kitchen.

This week Retha and Arno took all the furniture from our store room and place it in our lounge. So we now have a lounge.

For the rest we worked on the bathroom, we placed final two wall panels, installed the shower head and a light above the bathroom mirror.

Check this link out as well:
http://wordfromthesavanna.com/2013/11/07/earthships-turning-environmental-co
nsciousness-and-sustainability-into-a-home-part-1/

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In die foto sien u die heerlike kos wat ons uit ons eie binnenshuis planter eet. Die plante word gekweek met die gryswater van die bad- en skottelgoedwater.

Hierdie week het Retha en Arno al die meubels van ons stoorkamer getrek na ons sitkamer. So het ons nou 'n sitkamer.

Vir die res het ons gewerk aan die badkamer, ons het die laaste twee muur panele, die stortkop in die bad en 'n lig bo die badkamerspieëlkas geïnstalleer.

Hier is nog 'n artikel oor die aardskip:
http://wordfromthesavanna.com/2013/11/07/earthships-turning-environmental-co
nsciousness-and-sustainability-into-a-home-part-1/

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vriendelike groete
Ludwig, Retha en Arno Everson

Herwinnig in die - www.Aardskip.com - use pipes and bottels to create doorhandles and glass bricks.

Bou: Die week het ons gewerk aan die badkamer. In die foto sien u die bottel muur se buitekant wat gekalkpleisterlaag is. Verder sien julle hoe ons, ons eie moderne deurhandvatsels maak maak met herwonne materiaal.

Plante: Baie dankie aan tannie Magda Opperman vir die koejawelboom, die boom het onmiddellik uitgeloop. Verder doen ons tamaties baie goed en die eerste tamatie is ryp, volledig organies. Die piesangboom doen nie goed nie, die stegie was seker verkeerd afgesny. Kan iemand vir ons 'n nuwe piesangbome
skenk? Die avokadoboom loop ook baie mooi uit. Verder is tweede oes slaaiblare is ook al eetbaar. Ons eerste blomkool het ook begin blom.

Water: Die gryswater wat gebruik word vir die spoel van die toilet is nou stabiel en skuim nie meer uit die bak uit nie. Reën is nog baie skaars en ons moes 'n paar keer 'n paar liter rivierwater toe gevoeg in ons tenks.

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Building: This week we have been working on the bathroom. In the picture you see the outside of the bottle wall. We plastered the lime layer and you see how we make our own modern door handles with recycled material.

Planter: Thanks to Aunt Magda Opperman for guava tree, the tree already sprouted. The tomatoes are doing very well and the first tomato is ripe, fully organic. The banana tree does not do well, maybe the cutting was the wrong size. Can someone please donate the earthship another banana trees? The avocado tree
is doing fine. Our second harvest salad leaves are already edible.

Water: The grey water used for flushing the toilet is stable and does not foam out of the bowl, anymore.Rain is still very scarce and we had to add a few litters of river water in our tanks.

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vriendelike groete
Ludwig, Retha en Arno Everson

Pos: Posbus 186, Orania 8752, Suid Afrika
Tel: +27 73 134 9671
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

Ons tamaties groei goed. - www.Aardskip.com - Would you like a tomato?

In die foto sien u ons tamaties. Die plant is al redelik hoog so 1500 mm hoog.

Verder het ons die week verder gewerk aan die badkamer. Die badkamerdeur is ook nou geplaas.

Ludwig het ook die week begin om 'n nuwe vetvanger te installeer in die gryswater stelsel. Hoop dit sal ons gryswater makliker laat deur loop.

Arno het al heelwat van ons herwinde palette se pote afgehaal. Die palette gaan ons gebruik vir kaste en die plafon in die gang.

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The photo pitch our tomatoes. One of the plants is already 1500 mm high.

In addition we continued to the bathroom and the bathroom door is now placed.

Ludwig also this week started to install a new grease trap in the grey water system.

Arno has removed many feet of our recycled pallets. We are going to use the pallets for cabinets and the ceiling in the hallway.

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vriendelike groete
Ludwig, Retha en Arno Everson

Hoeveel soorte plante het ons in ons binnenshuise-plantebak? - aardskip.com - How many different plants do you see in our planter?

Can you number the variety of plants that we have in our planter, see photo?

This week worked again on the bottle wall of the bathroom. The wall is now the full height and need to be plastered.

The lounge floor is almost done and next week we will start moving some furniture back in to the lounge.

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Kan u tel hoeveel verskillende soort plante ons in ons planter het, sien foto?

Hierdie week het ons weer gewerk aan die bottelmuur van die badkamer. Die muur is nou die volle hoogte en gaan nou gepleister, eers met Cob en dan met kalk.

Die sitkamer vloer is amper klaar, dit is geolie en gepolitoer en volgende week begin sommige meubels te plaas in die sitkamer.

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vriendelike groete
Ludwig en Retha Everson

Rainwater Harvesting, Use and Re-Use Examples from South Africa and Guatemala by FD Fourie & A Venter featuring www.aardskip.com

Die foto wys waar Francios Fourie sy toespraak hou oor die gebruik van hemelwater en die hergebruik daarvan.

Kliek hier om die volledige presentasie te sien.


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The photo shows Francois Fourie giving a talk on Rainwater Harvesting. One of his cases was the earthship in Orania.

Click here to download the presentation. Copyright UFS.

Extract out of the presentation:
Rainwater management
. Bloemfontein has a surface area of approximately 120 km2 and an average annual rainfall of approximately 550 mm.
. Total rainfall per annum: 66 million m3.
. This volume exceeds the current municipal water demand, even after accounting for evaporation losses and groundwater recharge.
. Most of this water is lost through the storm water drains, eventually ending up in the Modder River.



Groete/Greeting
Ludwig, Retha & Arno Everson