January Joy, 2010

The winter storms knocked down an old Maple tree along Maple Valley Rd. There were less trees blown down this winter but we will use this beautiful wood in an upcoming project.

Darci and Keith take a breather between moving sections of the blown down maple tree off the road.

Scott and Bryan enjoying the day.

Tessa and Keith stripping the bark off the newly placed posts to protect them from wood eating bugs.

Tessa demonstrating how to use an electric sander!

The post looks fantastic after being sanded and sealed against the rain.

The post is carefully kept off the ground by a cement block to eliminate wood rot and then cemented into place so the block can not move.

The construction team carefully put cross bracing into place to increase the structural integrity of Hawk House.

Lynn preparing new garden beds in the cool of January. Readying it for the abundance to come.

A lone kale plant flourishes amongst the winter rye cover crop.

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2009: A Year in Review

2009 was a rich year for the Lightwork Ecovillage.  Many projects took a great leap forward.  We secured year round vehicle access with a solid road from the water front right to the cabin. We had an excavator create a swimming pond and prepare the land for the next phase of building projects.  The garden was fenced, the earth enrichened, and the produce delicious!  The summer meditation retreat ran smoothly.  Work parties had more participants than ever before.  Our knowledge of the land and her inhabitants deepened.  But most of all healing happened for everyone involved.  We are deeply appreciative of the land and support of so many people.

We hope you enjoy a few choice photos taken throughout 2009.

Julia T demonstrated her love for the Ecovillage when it was blanketed in January snow.

In February hard core construction happened to put in a road near the Fircom dock. It was amazing to see the landscape transform so quickly. Before the blasting there was a hill where the excavator now sits.

We were ecstatic when the culvert and road to cross the stream on our access road was completed!

The Annual Easter Egg hunt at the ecovillage was gleeful! (and yummy)

Our garden took a leap forward this year and produced abundant fresh greens for many months.

We spent a few weekends in June liberating an assortment of building materials from some Camp Fircom buildings that were due for demolition.

The walls of the Sanctuary took a great leap forward as Krista dedicated a large part of the summer to cobbing.

Scott led the Cob house roof project to it's successful completion in August. It has proven to keep the rain out even in a torrential downpour!

The Lightwork Summer Mediation Retreat was held at the Ecovillage. It felt great to hold the retreat on our own land again.

There was an amazing summer storm that lit up the sky with dramatic effect. The deck of Hawk House turned out to be an ideal viewing gallery.

In late August we had an excavator come in and put in a swimming pond, clear building sites, and make a pond. The land was transformed over 2 days!

In late September we bought straw bales from a farm in the Fraser Valley and took them over in a water taxi for use in the straw bale wall.

November's project was putting in additional supportive posts under Hawk House. This will help keep'er steady in those winter winds!

Rich winter rye imbues the garden beds with nutrients. And is beautiful too!

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November at the Ecovillage, 2009

Salad greens grow well in the cooler fall weather. A delicious addition to our lunch!

Up close and personal with luscious rye!

Rye cover crop

The eco crew harvest a log for use in supporting the Hawk House.

Keith and the crew strip the new Hawk House foundation post. It will stand on a footing and sealed with oil to prevent rot and pests.

Measure twice, cut once!

The construction workers making sure the cement footing is well situated.

The aforementioned cement footing.

Our chef for the day - Mz Darci!

A grinning Julia W

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Fall at the Ecovillage, 2009

Time for a straw bale run to the Ecovillage. This straw will be the North wall of the cob building.

38 bales of straw delivered right to the Horseshoe Bay Government dock.

Maple leaves in the sacred swimming pond.

When the sacred swimming pond was designed the Ecovillagers included an overflow ditch. Now, during the November rains, the pools are completely full and the overflow system is working well. Note the grass is growing well on the lounging areas around the sacred pools.

Fall colours at the Ecovillage.

The seasonal stream flowing beside Maple Valley Road has filled up the new pond! The Ecovillagers are doing research on this pond, it could have many uses. The ultimate sand trap (sand is used for cob building, not that common on the land) perhaps another usage could be a small winter micro-hydro power system and if the pond is lined it could be used for summer irrigation. We will see which of these systems is most beneficial.

The awesome road to the Ecovillage that is draining so well through the fall rains.

The middle path, follow it to the Ecovillage!

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