The covid drama was heating up last autumn and there was talk of mandatory vaccinations and a long cold winter. I felt uneasy knowing that we lived next to our village mayor and would likely be the first people to get a knock on the door if such a thing were to happen. I was conscious too that in the event of a prolonged power outage I would not be able to keep my family warm in our electrically heated home so I asked the Universe what to do and the answer was provided almost immediately but what it represented was so much more than just a house in the woods. It was the birth of a powerful new feeling and the reminder of something forgotten.
I am a builder!
This is the story of how I remembered what I am here to do. Perhaps we are all builders? Do you know of any children who don't love Lego? It seems to me that growing up, the majority of us forget our instinctive desire to put one block on top of another and build something which wasn't there before. So I am here to remind you of what you once understood, while also pointing out there is no better time in human history to be acquiring outdoor skills such as these!
Living Houses
I remember marvelling in Thailand at the intentional transience of their bamboo structures which by their very nature are destined ultimately to be eaten away by bugs and fall down to continue their cycle back into the earth. There was no attachment to the idea of permanence and as a consequence, house building was for everyone, even the poor. But these houses, rather than being 'complete' as we like them to be in the West, they were living and breathing like a member of the family with regular action required to keep them in good shape.
It was for this reason I felt confident using mud as my mortar, stones as my bricks and trees as my roof! But the most important thing I learned here is that living houses are not so much built with knowledge or tools but with a vibration, and if one is asking, the Universe will interact and provide all that is required to get the job done in style.
On a more physical level I learned that houses can be built exclusively from natural & recycled materials and no experience or money is required. So this really is for everyone!
I had always imagined that doing something like this would be super complicated and I am wondering now if perhaps this is what we have been conditioned to believe, through education & television programming? Well, I am here to tell you that it isn't complicated at all and the experience of building your own house in your own way is principally an intuitive one which has the capacity to change your perception of who you really are and what you are here to do.
How did the Universe answer my call for help?
The road to this stone house began with my desire to train our cat to walk with me to and from our allotment. On one occasion she jumped over the canal and ran off into a wooded area of the mountain, forcing me to follow. She didn't yet know her way home so I really didn't have a choice! Such is the way with the Universe.
So, my little cat led me up the side of a mountain, refusing to stop until she came to this.
I was stunned because despite walking in the forest many times I had never before noticed it.
A tin of tuna at the bottom of the rubble told me the house had been functional twenty years ago and I wondered what kind of person would have lived here? And why did they design the main wall in this strange way with the darker stones in the middle? Was it some kind of furnace? I didn't know the answers but I felt a sudden and intense drive to re-build this pile of rubbish into something meaningful. I felt like a child again, free to dream with no grown-ups there to break my flow.
Whatever you can do, or dream you can—begin it
The land wasn't mine of course but the location was concealed enough that I could potentially get away with it. The large quantity of rubbish all over the forest (much of which was very useful to me) indicated the owners didn't love their land and they didn't visit regularly. So I just went with the flow.
It took a few days to reveal what I was working with and separate that which was usable from that which was not.
And just a few days more to figure out where I would put four windows and a door.
I believe the house had just two windows in its original form.
During the entire 80 days of construction I was completely driven by an intense energy I have never felt before. It woke me long before sunrise every morning and permitted me to work through the day until sunset without any need for rest. I didn't want to go home for meals so I ate mostly oats, raisins, sugar, fruit, nuts & seeds.
At the weekends my children would join me and I really felt the importance of them experiencing this with me.
Despite it being a construction site (where children are not normally permitted) there were actually a bunch of games which were perfect for them. The kind of games which appeal to children of all nationalities, because they speak to the builder in all of us:
- Jenga skills were important when identifying the loose stones which needed to be removed from the existing structure.
- Tetris skills were important to figure out which way round each stone fitted into the next.
- Lego skills were important for areas like the windows & doorway.
That's right, it's all just kids games in an adult world!
Another job they enjoyed was cutting the roots out of the walls. Such is the way when half the house is underground.
If you had asked me to pick up that headstone for the doorway prior to this project I probably would have told you it was too heavy. Yet somehow, due to that enhanced energy I mentioned, I was able to put it in place without any assistance.
Esteban decided we needed some secret hiding places. And I agreed!
So we built a solid wooden floor at the entrance...
And under this I dug a hole, which was mostly through rock. Not easy without powertools, but possible!
I wondered also if we could waterproof this hole with a plastic sheet to create a place to clean dishes, clothes or even people. Certainly little people anyway ;)
Notice the cat chilling there. Her reward for finding this place was three months playing in a forest with me every day.
Universal Assistance
The more it took shape the more the energy flowed and the more the forest provided all I needed, exactly when I needed it. At times it was uncanny. All I had to do was place my attention on what I wanted and it would literally just appear.
Like this door & frame which someone dumped at the side of the road, just when I was thinking about it.
Sometimes, if I didn't know the answer to a problem, the Universe would show me in the form of a physical item, usually found within the forest on a route to and from my home. A route which I would adjust slightly each day to assist the manifestation process and stop tracks from forming. There were mushroom pickers at this time of year and I preferred to give myself the best possible chance of remaining undiscovered.
I noticed too that problems were often solved in the moment I went for a pee! My mind would relax with my bladder and I would instantly re-connect with that Universal Encyclopedia and in a flash I would know what to do. It felt highly significant because in the end, no plans were required, except for a few drawings.
The first one I did the day after discovering the ruin.
The second when I realised the stove needed to be more functional.
The Stove
I was particularly excited to build the centrepiece to this little house, which I wanted to be of a sufficient size that we could easily use it for cooking.
With adjustable levels of course.
Here is the structure before I covered everything in mud.
I left these holes in the side intending to add a copper pipe water heating system in the future. With this we would have been able to produce enough hot water for a shower or bath system.
Once the stove was done I could start work on the floor...
Ash Cement & Living Walls
Every afternoon I collected the ash from the fire which kept me warm in the morning and mixed it with water to create a kind of cement. Once dry it has a lovely natural grey colour and is smooth to the touch. Quick side-note here, this kind of cement will require re-working over time if the area is underfoot, but we're talking about ash & water here, so who cares right?
I also used the ash cement on the walls around the adult sized bed, building in the candle holders and little shelves as part of the structure.
The other wall I wanted ash free, just mud & creativity.
The solar powered torch was essential in the darkness of the mornings.
And very helpful putting a spotlight on our living walls.
It was quite liberating being able to look at these walls as a canvas.
For the children's bed I attached a hinged front to this bench.
Once open it was big enough for the two of them.
The bottle windows I had been wanting to make ever since I discovered Earthships a few years ago. They are subtle from the outside.
Beautiful from the inside.
The one glass window was intentionally positioned on the south facing side and did a great job at illuminating the room.
I created a drainage system leading rainwater away from the entrance.
This helped avoid a swimming pool at the doorstep during heavy rainfall which just happened to arrive the day after I finished the job.
And what an enjoyable feeling it was to be warm & dry in my little home while the wind and the rain howled outside. The stove was ridiculously effective and there is no question that it was warmer in here than in our electrically heated home.
The roof was a mish-mash of things from the forest but did what any respectable roof is supposed to do. It kept me dry and was strong enough to hold snow. And the chimney hole was waterproof & windproof!
There are so many things I could tell you about this experience.Truly it was sublime.
In the winter it snowed as expected and we enjoyed visiting each day to make hot drinks with melted snow.
In the spring my sense of urgency dissipated, the allotment became more interesting and we stopped visiting the stone house so regularly.
Easy come, easy go
I am writing this post now because the need for secrecy is over. Yes, the owner did finally show up (two weeks ago) and apparently he was pretty angry about it because he smashed the glass window and messed the place up pretty good before dumping all the rubbish he could find in his forest in front of the door so that no one could get in. It felt quite aggressive and was a bit sad to see so I didn't show the children or take any photographs but I was grateful at least that he didn't decide to pull the place down and perhaps intends to use it in the future. He would be mad not to!
In the end there were no power cuts or mandatory vaccinations but do I regret building it? Of course I don't. This was was a dream come true for both me and my children and it was the appetiser before the main course which is coming soon to a mountain in the French Pyrenees when I build my first Earthship!
Anyone who wants to join us on our mission to continue living freely in these mountains (no matter what is happening in the world), please send me an email here: [email protected]
At this stage I am looking for partners who are interested in community building and able to invest in land with me, upon which we will build our future. But even if you don't have money, don't let that be the reason for not contacting me if you desire this kind of life. Skills & character are more valuable in many ways.
Love & Light everyone 🌱
A great post.
In Germany it is not allowed to do this.
Enjoy the freedom.
!BEER and Reblog.
Maybe you need to start doing stuff without worrying about whether it is "allowed."
In Germany you can´t do this. This country is lost and will be destroyed by socialist and green party.
It is even not allowed to camp in a forrest in Germany beyond camping sites.
You have to pay high penalties if they detect you.
The goverment and the parties are illegal from my point of view.
Best wishes from Europe.
At some point, one must embrace the potential of being branded an outlaw in order to feel freedom.
👍👍👍 I feel freedom without being an outlaw. Laws are made of bandits. They only want to get your Life Power.
If you feel love to the things you so then you are free.
Well put brother and many thanks for the beer!
Well, building anything on land that you don't own, I'm sure that's not allowed in France either (or anywhere else I know). Still, you CAN do it. I've also done lots of wild camping in Germany, and many other places. Always fun, never got caught.
Greetings from Mexico!
!BEER
View or trade
BEER.Hey @jacobtothe, here is a little bit of
BEERfrom @indextrader24 for you. Enjoy it!Learn how to earn FREE BEER each day by staking your
BEER.Wow Sam - just saw this. How gorgeous. And pooey to the owner for being such a spoilsport. I would have shaken your hand.
People around here are so full of fear. I guess he was scared a bunch of hippies were going to take over his forest ;)
But the experience of it all remains no matter what and for that I am most grateful. Because soon I will find more places to build!
Sending hugs over to you x
Wow, this is so amazing on so many levels: The reasons you set out to manifest it, the way your cat led to it, how you turned an ugly abandoned pile of trash into a cozy little hut, the way you let your inner child connect the pieces together with your own kids, the various little techniques you used, and the final end result... I am just floored!
As for the owner, I can see how he might not have liked it, as people have lost their properties that way (which again goes back to their own lack of love for the place). But ultimately, the way you wrote your story, the joke is totally on him. I can relate to your own attitude of letting it go, focusing instead on appreciating the nine months you had with the place, and seeing it as the appetizer for the main course. Talking about which, I would be super excited to lend you a hand... 😁
When you reach out to me in this way it fills my heart up with such warmth and gratitude. And this really helps the manifestation process! Thank you brother 🙏🏻 Your experience will be invaluable to us and your company a breath of fresh air. We will of course look after all your food & shelter needs. Aiming to get @eco-alex over here too when the time is right.
Yes, I have a very strong feeling something amazing is coming together. I've been wanting to visit those guys in Portugal too, and get involved with their projects. But it seems the longer it takes, the more other things spring up, and soon there will be tons of such projects all over the place. Which means even more reasons for me to get over there. (Plus, it's getting high time I see Europe again!)
I love how what is happening in the world does not block in any way your intention to travel. Indeed I have noticed how the majority of people don't seem comfortable to attempt travelling now, even when their local restrictions are temporarily lifted. While others like @amico.sports just rocked up at my doorstep from Italy a month ago, on his way to Spain, with not a care in the world about supposed restrictions ;)
Europe is waiting for you eagerly brother!
Last year in May, when my French friends flew home from Mexico, they had no idea if there was going to be any transport to their home town. They live close to Bordeaux, but flew into Paris, of course. They didn't know if there were any inland flights, or trains, or buses, but they were determined to walk across France if necessary. And as for borders, sure some of them may be "closed", but I highly doubt they will bring back the barbed wire fence (... for now at least). So yeah, I'm not worried much myself about travel restrictions.
Great find and creation. Just a pity you couldn't have kept it. They're trying so hard to force vaccines on people here. Soon we wont be allowed to buy groceries.
In france the unvaccinated can't go to shopping centres now. Food shops will be next.
You know what to do brother. Get those seeds in the ground and make contact with local producers.
Personally I am ready to build a whole village of stone houses hidden in the mountains if I need to ;)
That is one heck of a restoration and/or improvement. I'm sure if discovered by the landowner, they would be quite happy to know of this, but I guess that all depends on their personality. It took you a long time to get this complete, but I can see the joy of the journey and the pride in the end product. I'm gonna burn 100 LOTUS to promote this awesome post.
@NaturalMedicine supports wellness of body, mind, soul and earth on HIVE.
Come say hi via Lotus Chat or drop by our Hive Community - we'd love to have you!
Much gratitude brother. It was most certainly a joyful journey, made all the more joyful by being able to share it here.
Now that people have seen how easy it is, perhaps there will be a few more secret houses popping up around the world this year ;)
Greetings from Bulgaria and congrats on your initiative. It is a great story to spread around...
I am inspired since years for natural habitat and common land community like this.I first learned about Earthships and then about different techniques.
It is also very enlightening to see your kids (and cat) accompanying you trough the process of creation. I believe we need a forest/ natural school for all children in a community of Earth appreciators. In this way we'll have all the teachers with different talents care about each other's kids. There are also many people living like this already.
Although I do not have money to buy land, I would like to participate when we meet with other fellow souls.
The place you found is beautiful all the way and the construction ~ amazing! ;)
My thoughts exactly. Here in France Macron was talking last year about banning homeschooling altogether but there has been a big pushback and some adjustments to the ban (which comes into place in Sept) have been made. Now we can homeschool but we must be able to justify to the state a good reason for this. Not too sure what they will think about my reasons. Compulsory masks from age 6 would be one!
More and more I feel as if parents will seek what you are talking about and I certainly intend to provide this in our community. Children are of course the future and the way in which they are "educated" is crucial. That is why the state is always keen to do the job for us.
I'm also in Bulgaria. Just posted today about a little cabin i'm building on my land: https://ecency.com/hive-129017/@atma.love/roof-construction-on-new-chicken
Namaste
Здрасти! радвам се, че се срещаме ;)
бих дошъл да ти помагам, ако имаш нужда...
надявам се, че всичко е наред!
успех и късмет! ;)
Здравейте, със сигурност се нуждая от помощ понякога. Предлагам доста често обмен на работа. Между другото още не говоря български (само няколко думи). Използване на google translate.
Wow, this is amazing, I'm seriously in awe for the amazing masterpiece you've created there. I truly love it!
How sad to read that the owner showed up, while it was clearly not used to live for a long time. Did you just take out all your stuff and never went back after that happened? Or do you intend going there after all? How can a person break the windows when clearly this house is built with so much love and effort, he could have chosen to leave a note instead asking you to contact him..
Don't let it discourage you (I read you are positive so that's great) as this was indeed just the appetizer. Your children are so lucky to be able to experience this and learn so many skills from their father. I enjoy reading it!
Am feeling quite overwhelmed by the response this post has had! Very grateful too. I was just following an instinctive flow with a clear intention at the outset. The unexpected lessons which came as a consequence have been the real treat and it is my pleasure to share them with others.
Am not at all discouraged by the owner doing what he did. A bit shocked at first perhaps. But now that I know how easy this is, the world is truly my oyster ;)
This was such a great story. The more I read about these "earth ships" the more interested I'm becoming. I keep coming across this stuff too. It must be for a reason. Sorry the owner didn't like what you were doing. It must have been a real surprise when he found it though. I would have hung out and seen who showed up. As long as the people that built it were respecting my land, I don't think I'd care.
Earthships are so clearly the way forward for humanity. You may perhaps enjoy this article I wrote about them.
Interesting you keep coming across this kind of stuff. I see it too even here in a sleepy little village in the Pyrenees. More people than ever have started growing food, even though there are no food shortages... yet. People are just feeling it. All over the world. Like a sense that we should be preparing in some way.
I don't blame the landowner at all. Most of the people around here are pretty backward and like I said, am just grateful he didn't pull it down in a fit of rage.
Really loved your whole story. I have been amazed seeing the transformation from a rubbish place to paradise. Great job!
Maybe I will come someday to the surroundings and share a cup of tea with you next to the warm stove.
It would be an honour to serve you a cup of tea old friend and our doors will always be open. I feel like we would have a lot of things to talk about.
Sure thing. Meantime, have a !BEER
That is an amazing accomplishment, Sam!
Thanks! The weirdest part of all is that I wouldn't have discovered this about myself if it wasn't for vaccines ;)
Always a joy to see your comments here.
Sending love 🌱
What an amazing story Sam. I can relate so well as I have always enjoyed building and creating when I have some free time. How sad that the owner didn't appreciate what you had done.
Hey Michelle! Yes, I think the instinctive desire to build is not at all exclusive to men. Thank you for confirming this for me :) x
I'm sure you know it - but her name is Eden - so many people make the mistake of calling her Michelle. She doesn't really mind though - guess she's used to it. 😀
Being able to be a child again (in the way you have here) is a sign of deep maturity in my opinion.
Thanks for documenting and sharing this adventure!
Not sure if you read my letter reply to you the other day? :)
I saw your letter when I came back online to post this. And I will need to give it some time to digest but I am loving where you are coming from brother. Thank you 🙏🏻
Understood! I should have known, having noticed you were less active recently, that you would get to it when you had a chance. Thanks again for this cool post, and have a great week/end :)
Wow, this is freaking epic man! Great job! I may end up doing something like that one day, but the nomadic life and my van have me at the moment! Beautiful work. The kids look crazy happy!
Van life sounds good too! We intend to buy a mobile home of sorts with which we will drive around these mountains and find the perfect land for our future.
Yes, the kids really were happy there and it feels good knowing I was able to show them this. Something tells me once we have our own land, little houses like this will start popping up everywhere. We don't even need a permit to build them if we can write them off as being for agricultural purposes. Looking forward to that very much!
If were of a different gender, and not butt ugly - I'd marry ya! lol
Excellent job, matey !
haha! I won't tell Sabrina you said that. The French are feisty ;)
Sending hugs old friend!
I just don't get people. You did such beautiful work, why ruin it? It's so sad....
In the end I'm just grateful I was able to use his land for nine months.
I think he was scared more than anything. Scared and confused. And he will probably regret smashing the window at a future date!
Having a backup plan is good. Maybe having it better hidden could be the next version. Your cat seems like a smart one. Take him scouting again.
The next time I do this it will be on my own land. I just haven't figured out quite where that land is yet, but you can be sure I will be taking the cat!
Wow! This is so wonderful!! You built your own little house!!
Not sure when a house becomes a cabin? But yes! I built something we could live in short term :)
Epic would be an understatement for the resulting abode.
Appreciated. It was more fun than anything else.
That's really cool, well made!
Thanks buddy. It was a ton of fun.
So cool. You're such a high initiative and creative individual.
Appreciated. Just going with the flow.
Absolutly amazing place @samstonehill ! Excellent teamwork to build a house and look how well conditioned it looks.
all my respect and support for you in this post and may god bless the children.
Blessing's
Thank you brother. All the best to you!
Really very well done! This is a little childhood dream of mine a secret house in the forest! I'm really very excited what you have built there! Wow
I would imagine that most little boys have this dream. Such a natural thing to do, when one has the time & space for it.
This is freaking amazing to see. And I love that place. I don't have kids to make happy that way, but I know for more than 100% that my dogs would be really happy too if they could live in such an environment in a free way where they could accompany their bosses all day long. That sounds like the most happy dogs-life. Be with the bosses all day long and 'play' together.
Humans & animals are not all that different. We all just want to play all day with the souls we care about.
Thanks for dropping by!
looks like straight from the past. Amazing and I guess a good learning expirience
Beyond good it was spectacular as a learning experience.
Oh! How I envy you))) This is the most wonderful house in the world!
No need for envy. Just get out there and build your own! The Universe will guide you if are asking in the right way.
I am most grateful for your comment 🙏🏻
I've always loved building and survival video games more than shooting ones and this is amazing! It looks great! I hope the landowners never find it!
Unfortunately they found it two weeks ago. Which is partly why i permitted myself to make this post. The need for secrecy is over.
Ah bummer. What happens now? Can you still use it or will they tear it down or block it off?
Blocked off. Further access difficult. But not impossible ;)
That's a shame. I'm sorry to hear that.
It doesn't matter. Now I look at all forests as potential homes!
@tipu curate 💚
Upvoted 👌 (Mana: 29/39) Liquid rewards.
Thanks for the curation ;)
View or trade
BEER.Hey @samstonehill, here is a little bit of
BEERfrom @indextrader24 for you. Enjoy it!Learn how to earn FREE BEER each day by staking your
BEER.You've received a HIVE upvote & Lotus tokens from the team at @naturalmedicine! We encourage and reward content about health & wellness - body, mind, soul and earth. Come join us in in our new LOTUS CHAT - anyone can join, even without a HIVE account! Get one with our free referral and start earning HIVE and LOTUS! Follow @naturalmedicine, @lotusshares, and @uplotus for challenges, newsletters, curations compilations, editorials, and more!
NaturalMedicine.io II Delegate II Community II Discord II Curation Trail II LotusChat
Bless up, @justinparke 💚
Amazing work!
Sorry I saw this too late to upvote it but I've upvoted some other posts and comments instead.
The owner was a total idiot. You had added value to his land. He should have thanked you.
Hey there! Appreciate the comment and votes, no matter when ;)
Though it may take me some time to notice you apparently!
Yes, the owner was clearly an idiot, but it matters not. The house is still there, ready for when I need it.
Amazing work and post Sam. Thanks for sharing, i enjoyed reading it.
I've shared your post with a friend, a French woman (not yet on Hive but i think i persuaded her to join). She may well be interested in you earth-ship in the Pyrenees venture. Let's see!
Peace be with you brother
Hello there brother! Sorry for my slow response to this. I do sometimes miss these later comments but am pleased to have spotted you now! And I wonder if that lady you mentioned is still thinking about a new life in the Pyrenees?
The first people to join us arrived this week and our doors are still open to more...
All the best!
I will re-mind her.
@samstonehill, she is now asking for your direct contact (she's not on Hive). you can send to me on Bee Chat or whatever its called if you like https://peakd.com/chat
Wow Sam this is stunning, you done such an amazing job, I was wondering what it was that was keeping you busy all that time, have been waiting for you to reveal it and then I missed it, but I see it now. Such an amazing achievement and a wonderful testament to how creative we really are. So inspiring xxxx
Hey Aishlinn!
Apparently I am not very good at catching the comments which arrive later but am happy to have found this eventually.
Yes, this is what I was what I was being all secretive about! Not sure why I kept it a secret really. Perhaps just to see if I could ;)
Can't tell you how much fun it was and I seriously can't wait to get my hands on more stones!
I suppose this could be something worth factoring in to your land search. If it has large stones or even a mountain from which stones can be created, a person like me could have a lot of fun creating useful structures for everyone in a very short space of time.
Oh and while I am thinking about it, I received a lovely message from @dmwh in which he gave me his top four lessons learned while working on his land in Mexico with very similar goals to our own. I will include it for you here as I feel like we are all a team now and should be actively sharing our knowledge and experience:
Sending hugs & thank you for the tip x
Amazing work Sam! You really aced it here!!
Hey cuddlekitten. Sending hugz