Hey Paul, Robyn, Tessa, Carissa and Dante It´s great to hear that you´ve had a good trip. I haven´t read enough about it yet. But I´m looking forward to watch and read..! I hope that you´re all happy...! It´s about a year since I visited you at the ecovillage, time is going so fast, I just can´t believe it! If I get the opportunity to visit you again, I´ll do it! Thats for sure! If you need something in (from) Denmark, or a place to stay ;-)... just contact me.. Please give Leif a Hello from me, I hope he and his familly is well! Hans H
no wonder you fell off your perch when you got back looks like you injested a herd of elephants. amasing photos. love Italy it has a certain something the others don't. those dings sure have gooood taste.Dont know why but the Eden project stirred my heart. Life will never be the same thankyou for your dedication.
Hi! There's so much great info here - a great resource, thank you. It's also wonderful to have the opportunity to do some vicarious Eco-Village visiting! Having lived at Crystal Waters for 2 years now (renting) - I think that a focus on low income housing within a community is really important (that is, both opportunities for low cost rental and ownership - for e.g. a co-housing sub-development within the community) - especially as the years go by and your community is such a success that there are so many people wanting to come and stay for short to longer periods of time to get a feel of what community living is about! CW has a real shortage of well-built rental or affordable housing to buy. And having a group of "renters" within the community who perhaps aren't as engaged with the community processes and culture can pose challenges - especially when there develops a perceived and perhaps real difference in economic-social status between owners and renters. This is a difficult subject, I know, and I mean no disrespect to anyone living on Crystal Waters in raising it - I have felt amazingly privleged to have the opportunity to live and heal here. I do think, however, that it is important to talk about and important to consider in terms of your vision for Somerville. I think the CSA model in terms of the community being as self-sufficient as possible in terms of food is really the way to go. Whether it is privately owned or is a co-operative venture. With oil prices going the way they are, we really need to consider in Australian rural Eco-Villages how we can reduce our reliance on cars by reducing the need to travel outside of the community for our basic needs. Affordable housing links in with this too, of course, because if people end up with large or even modest mortages to buy into communities, they often have to work outside the community to pay them. There is a cost in this both in terms the petrol of all the individual worker's cars, the lack of energy to then put into the community activities because of having to travel and work outside as well as manage individual lots, all adding up to a potential negative effect on community cohesiveness. I have also lived in an urban intentional (one roof) community, Seli-Hoo, (in Adelaide) and that experience has shown me the necessity for people to learn community skills - in communication, organization, interpersonal, conflict resolution, working/doing stuff together and, most importantly, celebration of the community. I also believe that being able to learn these skills relies on the individual being at peace with themselves to a certain extent. To me, some form of meditation/centering/spirtual practice is really helpful at an individual level so that you can them come to the community level with a peaceful, loving, clear and wise mind. Then everything is possible! Phew, that was a bit of a long rave. I hope I get to visit one day and meet some more of the Somervillians! All the best, Cas Smit
Great stuff! Enjoy your white Christmas. Love Max
MERRY XMAS FROM THE BIG BROTHER AND EMMA
an amazing journey, an amazing amount of info. Im looking forward to hearing a seminar so that I can really take in all this wonderful information on your return.
Brilliant! And thank you for all the great work - gonna make my workload so much easier - cos am co-ordinating the new LIBKIDz project - to build the frst 100 Eco-Farm Villages in Uganda to house orphans , over next 5 years , as model for whole of Africa. There are millions of these orphans so the need is urgent - yet we want to build quality eco-villages - so your research is of great blessing to us. We are about to plan our own reesearch tour of eco-villages and go for a grant for this - any chance you could send us the full costings of your research . We wpould be delighted with any involvement with you. Please feel free to make suggestions. Am in Uganda from tomorrow to late Jan on first Researearch and Feasibilty study - esp. to check out three parcels of land donated to date, and local resources ( lots of clay) and expertise and needs (eg re-forestation) . Anyone want to come out to Uganda to practise designing and building an eco-village? A team from you would be great . And sooner the better. If you think you might have what it takes already, to put one eco-village into place, then just come up with the general plan and costings (must be voluntary) and I'll get cracking on raising the funds. Think I'm mad? I already know you guys. And I have already in the past visited a number of eco-villages . This is not a suggestion I would make to anyone else. Will pop our first newsletter in the post (web up next year) . Hope to hear from you. Have a great Xmas. Stevie Braun. Ps I was brought up in Parkerville, and I really do miss home . If it wern't for Libkidz then i would soon be back with you instead of in darkest London, now that my son Shaanie's medical treatment is almost at an end (This is what has kept us away - and I would have thought that nothing else could - until LIBKIDz came along. My Ugandan colleagues fear Shaanie and I will fall so much in love with Uganda - the pearl of Africa - that we won't want to come back to London! I reckon if I can sacrifice Oz, then I can sacrifice anywhere, for these kids. Say hello to Tessa from Shaanie. He is missing Oz too. Our contact detaisl here; LIBKIDz , 8 Ellery Street London SE153RL, UK tel;0207 358 9267 email'sb@scientist.com
Thank you Paul for you generosity in sharing your experiences and in your easy open communication. I was really interested to hear about the concept of $400 + 15 hrs of work per year for food and have been pondering the economic/work challenge too.
Great Website.. very informative. You are obviously finding time to update it as well as your other activities. I am sure that with this tool it will alomost be like we are there with you all.. Happy Travelling
Hi you guys - hope you're having a wonderful time - we miss you! ps I think I may be related to Ben Dover on my mother's side....
Looks like you're having a wonderful time, am jealous ! The village looks romantic but I like ours to be modern. The amphitheatre need not be enclosed ? to allow easy access from all direction and view points from all direction, I think.
Glad you are safe.220 Lemons- Yep. I liked hearing about the governance issue. at seven Lindens ie aiming for consensus but providing breathingspace for chewing the cud if consensus is not reached. I like how veto means discussion too.
Great to hear news of Paul and the A Team on the European tour of ecovillages. Very interested in the high usage of bicycles. Cycling is featured in the Transport Chapter of our coming book "You Enjoy a Share (of the earth's resources)". The book will be out in a few weeks' time. Ciao.
Hi. Great to hear how it's all going. And I'm so impressed with how organised this site is - talk about roving with style! Really interesting to hear about the decision-making processes. Look forward to hearing more ... Have a fanstastic time!
Hi A team! Love your reports and photos. What an experience! And for Somerville it just means many more ideas coming at the right time. Drive safely, looking forward to see you back in Somerville!
Hi Guys, Has Cyclone Antonelli started to cut its trail of devastation across Europe only to gather strength before it unleashes its full fury on North America? Hope that you're all having fun and learning a lot. It's an exceptional opportunity for everyone to see how other people organise their lives, and to get a taste of the "culture" of other regions of the world. Dave Moore (aka Mighty Moore the Magnificent) - Farnborough, Hampshire, UK
Hello Antonelli family. You are all very nice. I did meet you in Swanholm. Thank you for sharing your iberhausen with me. Very nice people.
Hi Paul, Robyn, Tessa, Carissa and Dante, I hope the weather is OK for you in the UK. I know what the North Sea can be like - I worked there for 2 years! Your trip sounds hectic. I hope you are managing to fit in the odd day when you don't have to do anything and can take a break. Thanks for sharing the updates with us so we can keep up - it is all very interesting. The willow tree basins sound like a great way to contain the waste. From the permaculture course I attended, I know David Holmgren is a big fan of willow trees too. All the best, Neil.
Dear A Team, thankyou so much for sharing your wonderful travels with us, its just really great! Particularly I loved some of the beautiful buildings at Friland,especially the chair , and the TV involvement too, wow!
Hey guys, super webiste. im doing energy studies and sustainable development at murdoch uni in wa, and this sustainable housing initiative is right up my alley. I will definately be checking for every update. Fint jobbe mine venner. ryan
I love the way that you guys are making an adventure of your life together, and offering it to others in a greater community. Thanks for being so inspirational in what you do!
Hi Antonelli family, It is so good to see all the places you are visiting. and I know that the journey will benefit all of us that had to stay at home. It makes me want to jump on a plane. I'm reading the GEN book on Ecovillage Living at the moment and it's nearly as inspiring as you ! Thanks. P.S. We bought a house in Chidlow, will be moving up mid November. Excited about being closer to our chosen community. Tread gently. Sarah.
Lookin good guys! More pics of the fam needed!!!!! Will have Mum round to look soon.
Your reports are very interesting! However, the number of residents that you give are not very precise: Springhill has only 79 residents (not 100; see "Eurotopia") and Christiania has a population of 930 (not 1,000). Neither Findhorn nor Christiania are ecovillages, because neither community has as their main focus 'ecology' (Findhorn: spiritual growth; Christiania: urban reform). It's nice that you have visited Sieben Linden, but there are larger and faster growing projects in Germany: EDEN Obstbau-Siedlung in Oranienburg (founded in 1893; 1,000 residents), Ökologische Siedlung Geroldsäcker, Karlsruhe (founded in 1993; 135 residents), Dorf in der Stadt, Heidenheim (founded in 2004 (as of first residents); planned for 200 people), residents), Allmende Wulfsdorf near Hamburg (founded in 2004 (as of first residents), planned for 200-300 people). I doubt that Sieben Linden will ever reach the anticipated size. They grow by 7.5-8.0 people per year, which means that the village will be completed not before 2033. Because of natural aging (children getting older and moving away, leaving their parents behind), however, Sieben Linden will probably be stagnating (and even have a decreasing membership) in 15 years or so.
Hi Paul, Robyn & Family, Hope all continues to go well, and more importantly, that you're all getting great value from it. It will be one of few such trips in a lifetime! (for the average Joe/Joanna at least). Have noticed that the weekly update intervals have gone from 9 days to 21 days to 32 days and waiting. Maybe you need a break to catch your breaths? Looking forward to seeing what present(s) each of you has bought me. Regards, Dave (tongue-in-cheek) Moore
Hi Paul and Family, Wouldn't it be good if you could get frequent driver points? I admire you and your fam. to undertake this adventure, at the same time I am looking forward to having you here again. Reg. homesickness, can I bring you some Australian sunshine? I will be over there in a couple of weeks. Have a great time!
Dear Paul, Robin, Tessa, Carissa and Dante, good to hear that you are well and enjoying yourselfes. We miss you and all your smiling faces and everyone from the mountains wish you well and safe travelling. We are glad you enjoyed Italy and your relatives. We have had our first snow and it is just magic to see the bright white light. We are sure you would love it. Take good care and happy travelling. Love, light and happiness from the two "Mountain Goats"
Paul and the intrepid gang - enjoyed the updates - i suppose it will be death by powerpoint images when you get back. had fun last weekend playing again with the wood stove and being with 20 plus Sommervilians!!! Think i'll checkout the chidlow show this weekend. and 20/21 november going down to Williams for Straw bale workshop. happy travels Robert
Dear Tessa and Carissa and Dante, We love you and I hope you will come back soon and I will draw you a little picture. We love your photos and thank you for showing us all your photos. My favourite one was the one of Robyn and Carissa and Tessa standing in front of the window with the drawings on it.
if terese and jacqui are still travelling with you we want to send them our love and let them know we are thinking of them. clare and jeremy are having a fabulous time in canada and usa so you may have to go there next!!! hope you continue to have a wonderful time love from val and garry murdoch shepparton victoria
Hi Paul, I thought your comment about Findhorn being automobile centered was off base. I lived in the Park for 6 months in 2002/03. Used bike/feet for everything, even going to Findhorn village, as do most people that live there. If I needed to go to the market in Forres I took the bus. The roads in Findhorn are used primarily by automobiles for maintenance and emergency vehicles, or the bus to Cluny. Most residents use them for bike or walking paths 12 months a year ( I was there during the winter). Best regards, Russ Purvis
Hi Russ
Thanks for your comments. Have made a change to my comment in the update for Findhorn. Appreciate your input.
Regards
Paul
Hi,Guys. Loks like you are having a great time.Boy I wish we were there with you. Be warned coming home after this trip will be very hard.I am still finding it hard to settle. Life won't be the same so make the most of it while you are there. I sure wish we were still away. Any dates for coming home yet.
Hi guys... we miss you! Arrived safe and sound at our Basel Bubble. Robin dont stress about catching the plane, Tessa stop pulling faces at your sister, Karissa stop pulling faces at your brother, Dante keep walking and talking and Paul, keep up the wine tasting where ever you may go. Enjoy your US leg of the trip. Thinking of you always.
Hi every one of the Antonelli clan -- as I've zoomed in on all your photos, it's obvious you're having an awesome world tour. I can't help thinking that we have better examples right here in Perth of some of the things you've seen (eg Perth City Farm, Waldorf School at Bibra Lake, Parkerville & Quarry Amphitheatres, Camelot open air theatre & bar, Houghton Winery gardens in Swan Valley, sitting areas in gardens of Curtin University, WWOOF host Jo Derbyshire's home and native garden near Wanneroo). But I agree that you have to travel elsewhere to discover these facts, as well as of course many many new ideas. Just a thought for if you're going to Washington DC -- there's the best children's playground I've ever seen, huge, very interesting, and all made of dressed timber. It's in Fairfax County of Northern Virginia, about 15 kms from the Washington CBD (phone Fairfax County local government for address). Hugs from Robin PS I'm having troubles again with ecocom mailbox (didn't get any emails for a month till now) -- have told Neil
It has been great to get comments and feedback as we have been moving around. I apologise for not replying to the entries, but can you can rest assured we look forward to seeing what new comments and ideas have been added when ever we get on line. Thanks again.