Sourcing the Straw

Trying to support local businesses our first source of bales did not come through. A little bit of rain and not $$ offered for 300 bales seemed not enough incentive to cut and bale the straw. A couple of months went by during this process Mr I want to build a Straw Bale House is not that committed to hassle and the farmer decided to turn the straw back into the paddock. Early April 2012, Mr I want to build a Straw Bale House responded to an ad in the local paper. 2 trips on a Saturday with Claire (16 year old daughter of Mr I want to build a Straw Bale House) with a tandem trailer and the ute around 80 bales each trip. Claire was the stacker while Mr I want to build a Straw Bale House threw the bales 6 or 7 high. This was a 2 ½ hour round trip.

The following weekend Mr I want to build a Straw Bale House and I went to pick up another load. I threw the bales down off the stack, the helpful man who we purchased the bales from, threw the up the Mr I want to build a Straw Bale House who stacked them. The journey was with the threat of rain and after losing a bale or two and stopping to re-tie twice, we decided that to un load on the highway and repack was too much – how could I throw a bale 6 high no way. Un-hooking the trailer for Mr I want to build a Straw Bale House to take the ute load home and return left me at the side of the road – major highway to push bales off the top of the trailer. Attempting to protect the bales from the rain no easy feat. Mr I want to build a Straw Bale House said that Claire stacked them better than he. Not helpful at that point. Mr I want to build a Straw Bale House returned and ute loaded, trailer hitched again and making a 6 hour round trip. – imagine not happy at this point and we still had to unload and stack them in the house. One more load the following weekend – it had rained all week and the house site was muddy and 220 bales were already in easiest access to the house. The ute got bogged. However it was a only a 2 hour round trip including unloaded. .

Mud Bricks for the Making

After the slab was poured (2011), Mr I want to build a Straw Bale House, was pretty proud of the action so far. Me on the other hand thought it would never happen. Friends were invited for the long weekend in March 2012 to make some mud bricks which was planned for an internal wall. At this stage there were no walls, roof or any sign of anything else. The mud brick making weekend arrived and yes over 130 mud bricks were made. Some of our wonderful helpful friends ensured the pile of dirt, that was excavated for the house site, was dwindled down and a pile of bricks was created as the consequence.

The Saturday was the woman's day. 6 of us making bricks having a guess at the recipe and consistency that may produce a workable brick. Of course there was consultation and discussion especially in regards to the mixture. In addition there were lots of accolades and totally a great job. Mr I want to build a Straw Bale House had done some washing and hung out our smalls and other clothing just metres away from the mud making area (I don’t think anyone noticed). I was worried about our clothes being on display net alone the slab was prepared for being polished. This entails the top layer of the concrete slab being shaved off. Concrete dust in the air and piles of concrete lime to use in the mixture was left. The 1st cut exposing the marbles, smashed beer and wine bottles and the opals that Mr I want to build a Straw Bale House had scattered during the pouring of the slab. Very pleased.

The 2nd day the woman who had made bricks the previous day were designated the experts. Until - da da da da!!!! after making a few bricks and some lively competition / perfection we had at least 10 experts. Got love that. The brick making continued. Using people’s expertise and availability there were a number of jobs being

undertaken. Mud brick making of course, sanding and stripping of paint from 2nd hand windows and major repairs to some windows that we purchased that were quite rotten. On the Monday more of the same and the frame started to go up.

I thought it was great for our guests to see progress on the house as they made bricks and assisted with the erection of the frame. 130 bricks and only about 250 to go.