Septic Field Plans

As the summer approaches I am happy to announce that I took the step of hiring someone to put in the septic field/tank. It is something I dragged my heels on as I really do believe that on an island that needs to conserve water that top of the line composting toilet systems would be a much more sane way to go.
I did a research project on composting toilet systems and there is much evidence that they are safe and a workable sanitation system. There is a community in New York State that has been using one for over ten years to protect their water shed. I will post more on this research later. But here is what a modern day composting toilet looks like. :-)

I fully intend to put in a two toilet composting toilet system from Sancor. These toilets use only 1/2 cup of water per flush. 

However, I realize that such changes if they ever occur to the bylaws will be slow in coming and that I will have to conform and put in my septic system in order to build this summer.

I am happy that Matt Taylor has agreed to put it in for me.  I have yet to meet him, but he and Andrew Money, the engineer, are in the process of designing the system and I hope to hear it is going in soon.

Huge Rocks are a Surprise Discovery as Work Continues

As my neighbour  Evan was moving the stumps down to the bottom of the lot he made an exciting discovery. There a lots of big rocks hiding in the earth and under the salal.  He carried a few up near where the house will be and I will get my wheelbarrow and move some of the smaller ones myself.
This is exciting as I was needing some stones for my foundation as parts of it will be above ground to prevent any splashback from the rain hitting the cob walls.  Aren't they magnificent?

This is where the house will sit. The smaller logs will be cut for firewood.

I discovered this little chap as I was disconnecting my extension cord from the electricity pole.

Before heading home on the ferry I went to the Spring Water Pub for dinner with Carol.  Sweet scented lilacs greeted me as I walked onto the patio. They filled the air. Childhood memories just poured in.

This is the sad part.

The really sad part about building a house on a fresh lot is that even when you are planning to build a natural home you have to cut down some trees.  This was so hard to do as I hate seeing big developers go into forested areas and cut everything down. There are still lots of trees left and we are going to be using the wood from the trees that had to come down to make counters, rafters and floors. My friend has a portable mill and is coming to mill the wood.
Even so this picture makes me think of a graveyard for trees. :-(


It is good to see the site taking shape though and I am in the planning stages for getting the septic field put in.  My neighbour has suggested I get an engineer to design it and then he can put it in for me. This is a great option and I am going to be making the call this week.

The surveyors came and did the corner posts at the front of the lot and are coming back on Monday to do the back posts.  It is good to get the survey done properly so we know we are far enough from the property line when we put the foundations in.
My apartment in Maple Ridge is up for sale and it is hoped that I sell it soon.  I plan on being on Mayne from July for the summer.  If all goes according to plan we will be putting the foundation in during July.

A Masonry Fireplace I Love

I really like this heater I discovered on facebook. It is from a great blog/website Firespeaking. Firespeaking is currently represented by Max Edleson and Eva Edleson.  They are "dedicated to combining the inspiration of beauty with the precision and engineering of function in order to create magic and a continual reminder of the sacredness of daily life in our homes and public spaces."  As stated on their website,  their "work can mostly be categorized as “architectural” with a strong emphasis on using natural building techniques and community involvement."  Please contact them if you are interested in hiring them.  They are most interested in projects in Oregon, Washington and California.

A Masonry Stove

Victoria BC couple build award winning cob house.

Great cob house in Victoria. Click here  to read all about it.

On a hilltop in Victoria, British Columbia, Ann and Gord Baird lived in a trailer with his two children for 20 months while they hand-built their dream home -- out of cob.

Beautiful Images of Cob Homes from Natural Homes

I hope you enjoy these beautiful images from the facebook page for Natural Homes. This is a great resource for anyone interested in natural building.

Great idea for a 'tree wall'

I love this idea for a wall in my cob house.