Marie Hazledine-Barber

BE  STRONG

Purveyors of fine oddities live on after the New Zealand Christchurch 22nd February Earthquake.

407 Selwyn Street Addington Christchurch the old Church Hall comes alive with an eclectic array

of rescued grandmas’ materials, “antique” cloth, cushions lovingly recovered, hand stitched restoration by Caren Butler.

Not Forgotten

Creative ideas person and associate Brigid Ryan continues on with eighteen years of knowledge under the belt , despite the devastating earthquakes, rescuing oddities to the interesting exercise of sourcing old wooden beer crates ( boxes) for the use of the local parish priest to pack Christmas goodies in as a gift to members of the parish community.

Stencilled on the side using black paint a touch of artistic flair Caren Butler added Latin quotes, for example Memorabilia : Latin : meaning ” Things to be remembered ” Matters deserving record.

Veritas vincit : Latin : meaning “Truth conquers”

Recovery by restoration.

Lighting up the gloom of the building is a magnificence display of restored/rescued antique chandeliers, by Era Antiques owned by Julian Hobday . Chandeliers of all shape and sizes suspended from the ceiling, as one walks around gazing upwards: it is a study of a glistening cave of crystals, casting light and a rainbow of colour that lifts the spirit.

An eclectic partnership reflecting the hard work, dedication, against all odds soaring above the destructive rubble,dust, liquid faction of the Christchurch City 22nd February 2011 earthquake.

A Stich in time ... Caren Butler

Light reflection

Leaving the City Behind

In the NZ Bush

Leaving the city behind to indulge in off grid living in the dense New Zealand bush presents new challenges.  www.offgridecostay.com

“Going with the Flow” article, in the magazine New Zealand Lifestyle Block the February 20011 issue, describes the building process of the off grid eco stay, challenges and establishment of the small lodge running entirely off grid.

You become part of the environment, the environment is not part of you,one soon becomes acutely aware  of weather, for example when the sun is out, rainfall and being in harmony with the land.

Living alongside other residents of the bush, hares, quails,native birds whose raucous singing, a cacophony of song, dominates the early morning silence.

Honey bees, butterflies, a living poetic existence overlooking the Koromiko Valley in the Marlborough Sounds.

The living in the ‘gone bush life-style’ challenges for example in the culinary part of life is learning to cook using a 1 kw hot plate on top of the wood burning fire-place. Going back to basics and producing fine fare of healthy food. Additionally for convienence using the gas hob.

Using an axe to split the pine wood to fit in the fire-box. Gathering pine cones being escorted through the bush by NZ bird the  fan tail. The fan tail not shy, flits from branch to branch catching any insects disturbed by human foraging. The fan tail constantly chattering: one never feels alone.

NZ Fan Tail

The biggest challenge in a well run off grid lodge is what is for dinner? Maybe some wild goat, or wild pig that roam the land, self farming and self  sustaining,very healthy live style for animals.

Wild quail or rabbit, accompanied with home grown greens and herbs.

A demonstration of the food bowl from mother nature, freely given mixed with  an offerring of warmth/cooking abilty from the sustainable pine trees or gorse, plus fresh unpolluted air, bathed in sunshine.

As winter approaches the rolling early morning fog settles over the valley and the lodge sits high above  the view is like looking out onto a white sea.

No city lights at night: the nights a velvet soft black, clear nights the worlds ceiling above is a packed studded array of heavenly bodies the twinkling stars.

Off grid-gone bush- no city lights , cappuccino cafe with interested bumble bees. Simple living with a first class attitude, provided by renewable, sustainable resources, a perfect  balance in harmony with mother earth.

Sustainable living, sustainable design, architecture,agriculture, technological development the answer lies in the land and what ‘Mother Nature’ freely offers.

Harnessing the elements of the land, sun, wind, water, a constant source, only changing with the seasons, adaptation for sustainable living takes the will and a real desire to achieve.

Drop of Water in the Ocean

New Zealand is quipped ‘ a drop of water in the ocean’  ( Land of the Long White Cloud) Aotearoa  the Maori name, rich in offerings of all the elements for sustainable living.

In the hills of Koromiko South Island: with sweeping views of stunning landscape basking in the sun undisturbed by the urban beat, nestles a cabin operating by a solar system backed up with hydro, an enclosed fireplace not only for warmth or cooking ( although LPG gas hob is also installed) that wonderful winter stew,but a back up for hot water heating if required. Internal, external  walls encapsulated with New Zealand wool is a natural cosy answer for insulation.

Ample water supply from a stream falling through the hills pure and clean. Stored in a 2000 litre tank,  filtered to the house,  nicknamed the best drink “Adams Ale” found anywhere in the world.

A Biolytix System which is manufactured in Australia that would handle both sewage and grey water with ease and had a very low power consumption due to the method of processing the waste – Worms!  Eco friendly at its’ best.

Ease of living with constant water, a solar/hydro supply of power source, satellite for internet, as the urban beat thumps or is disconnected by power cuts, earthquakes, floods an unfortunate risk in any country.

For example of Christchurch earthquake. Recovery for the city reliant on non sustainable methods creating angst, technical problems leaving many citizens in disarray for basic living, cooking, grey water matter, laundry and many other factors that are  taken for granted in a modern city.

http://offgridecostay.com/  A project worthy of capture and extended development. Either for living or education.

Last load keep the home fires burning