Email from Richard Jones:
Hi Lloyd hope all is well and tiny homes is shaping up.
Thought you might enjoy this article in the Observer newspaper at the weekend.
I had never heard of this legendary bus trip. The magic bus going overland to India was the only legend to reach my consciousness.
https://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2011/aug/06/lsd-ken-kesey-pranksters-film
My reality changes this summer. I was supposed to be taking a group of delinquent kids for a canoe expedition in Sweden. But it all fell through a few days before. So we did the annual pilgrimage to Avebury – Stone Henge’s older sister (less police, a pub in the middle and an old drove track to camp in) We do this pilgrimage by bicycle as its far easier to dodge the police road blocks and get around the vast site.
Every year more and more…camping areas get shut down. My faith was restored when we headed up to the Sanctuary – the end of the Ridgeway – the oldest road in Europe. There was the remains of the convoy – the free radicals. the horsedrawn, bus and van dwellers – Hooray they still existed! My heart was warmed there was still life on the roads. still hope and freedom.
Anyway -and this is where the story really starts We headed off for the Gower – planning to stay out on Worms head and get cut off by the tide. But it was blowing a hooley and far to bleak.So searched for a park up, some wild camping, but this is surferville South Wales so to no avail. So a night in a campsite by the beach with never ending hot showers.
Anyway next stop was a lost valley further up the coast. Somewhere I have been wanting to visit for years. – Brithdir Mawr. A community lost in woods, discovered a few years ago when the glint of a solar panel was spotted from a passing aircraft. The community was discovered, and planning battle began. Now years later planning permission has been granted. 10 Roundhouses in woods. Low impact development. Biodegradable, sustainable housing.
Emma is an inspiration. Her roundhouse cost £600 to build. She has lived there for 10 years. Built simply from strawbales and poles and clay from the surrounding woodland. Emma has renounced money. She says She clung on to her last fiver for about 18 months, just in case, before taking the plunge. Money will come when its needed She says. She keeps goats, a garden and a couple of horses. I asked if She farmed with the Horses. Apparently not. This would encourage farming to large an area. Growing more food than was needed. Just greedy.
Emma lives with no electricity or running water. Simple deliberate living. An open fire on the floor to cook on.
She truly was an inspiration. Renouncing all the complication of modern life. Searching for deeper meaning. exploring the cosmos through meditation, guided by the angels of Cairn Inglis – The mountain of the Angels that looks down on the valley.
Well – I know your a busy man so I’ll let you get on.
Greetings and salutations from Hardwick, Mapledurham’s organic next door neighbour on the Thames in England.
Thanks
Rich
