Off Grid-ish: Water Lines, Mountain Mist and an Emergency Beer Delivery

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Off Grid-ish: Water Lines, Mountain Mist and an Emergency Beer Delivery

This week at the Paluma Project was all about getting ready for the next stage of the build.

With the septic work coming up and the foundation poles not too far behind, Gav headed up the mountain with the truck and digger to trench in a temporary water line.

It is not the most glamorous part of the project, but it is one of those jobs that will make everything else easier.

Having water close to the building area means we will be able to mix concrete, wash down tools, clean up properly and get on with the next stages without constantly working around the lack of services.

It also means long, warm showers in the pod at the end of the day, which is possibly the most important project outcome of all.

We enjoy the off-grid idea, but we are still very attached to hot water.

A well-planned day, mostly

Gav took up the truck, the digger and everything he needed to get the trench underway. Everything except the beer.

Not exactly a disaster or is it.  There was a brief moment where Gav and a wrench disagreed over who was in charge.

The final score was:

Trench and wrench: 1
Gav’s eye: 0

Thankfully, Miranda was able to bring up emergency supplies, which meant the day could continue with the appropriate level of mountain project management.

No real dramas, no lasting damage and no interruption to the work. Just another small story to add to the growing list of things that seem to happen when you are building in the hills.

The kind of night we came here for

Once the work was done, Gav settled in for a quiet solo night at the pod.

The mist had rolled through the treetops, the fire was going and the whole place had that cool, peaceful feeling Paluma does so well. There was osso buco for dinner, football on, a cold beer for medicinal purposes and nowhere else he needed to be.

It is hard to explain just how special those moments feel. You spend the day digging trenches, moving equipment and working through the practical jobs, then the mountain seems to slow everything down.

The mist settles in. The fire crackles. The forest gets quiet. That is the dream behind this project.

It is not just about building accommodation. It is about creating a place where people can step away from the noise, breathe a little deeper and enjoy what is right in front of them. A warm meal. A fire. A quiet night. A view through the trees and hopefully a magical cassowary visit. 

A visit to Ivy Cottage

It was also lovely to see Ivy Cottage open again and plenty of day-trippers making their way up the mountain.

Paluma is such a beautiful part of the world, with a rich history and a character all of its own. It feels completely different from the coast below, even though it is only a short drive away.

Gav headed over to Ivy Cottage to grab a pie and a scone some homemade jams, preserves and salted caramel. A very successful smoko break.

It is always good to see people supporting local businesses and enjoying the village. Places like Paluma are made special by the people who keep them going, share their stories and welcome visitors in.

We hope that, in time, the Paluma Project will become another reason for people to stay a little longer and experience more of what the village and surrounding rainforest have to offer.

One trench closer

The water line is a relatively small job in the scale of the whole project, but it is another important step forward.

Soon we will be moving into the septic work, foundation poles and the next stage of turning this block into the retreat we have been imagining.

There is still plenty to do, but we are starting to see how the different pieces will come together.

During the week, we spend our time helping other people get their homes ready for sale, tackle repairs and maintenance, and work through the jobs that make a property feel cared for again.

On the weekends, we head up the mountain and do the same thing for ourselves.

We dig trenches, solve problems, cook over the fire and slowly bring an idea to life.

It is hard work, but it fills our cup.

And sometimes, all it takes is a misty night in the treetops, a warm meal and an emergency beer delivery to remind us why we started.

Not quite off grid. Definitely Off Grid-ish.