Finished at last

Today after work time Rajan, Mani, a volunteer and myself went to finish the Transition school garden.  This involved finishing off the drip irrigation and planting the seedlings that we took there over a week ago.

We have been waiting some time for the fence and gate to be finished and we heard yesterday that it was.  I’m so relieved we have finished the irrigation system and the planting as I don’t think those seedlings would have lasted much longer.

Unfortunately it has all cost more than the money that was allocated.  So first job of the New Year will be to find some more money for it.

Interesting times

It was Farm Tour day today and I had two interesting conversations.  One was with a group of Japanese who have their own farming/community project in Japan.  The other was with an American who wanted to talk about the possibility of bringing a group of school students to Buddha Garden next June.

I find that much less stressful now (in fact I feel like the volunteer in the picture!) I don’t have to expend a lot of energy taking them around and talking about Buddha Garden.  They get the basic stuff from the audio guide so ask more interesting questions.

Good conversations

We had an extra session today which had a wonderful effect on the place.  Its amazing what can get done when you have a group of people focused on a particular job – in this case clearing up two orchards.

Had two really good conversations, one with someone who has a farm in the Orkneys and was in Buddha Garden about three years ago.  Suddenly I have a lot of different places to visit if I want to.

VIP visitation

Had a surprise visit from the Secretary of the Auroville Foundation today.  At times like these I always miss Vivek who knows the right things to say to such people.  He seemed quite interested and to enjoy his visit.

The picture is of some new beds that we made in the cashew area.  They are what we call ‘temporary beds’ that we use in the cool season when there are a lot of people and we can manage them.  Other times of the year we plant them either with a green manure or something like pumpkins that don’t need a lot of looking after.

Little helper

Magzhiran helping with maize seeds.  He’s starting to grow up very quickly.

Traffic jam

I took this picture at the Visitors Centre car park at lunch time. The traffic wasn’t moving!

Horrible.

A trip to the city

Rajan and I went to Pondy today to get various things needed in Buddha Garden.  Mattresses, bedding and buckets being just three of the things we got.

There was time for me to go to Casablanca to get a new pair of sandals.  Just as well as I fear my present ones are going to fall apart soon.

New shoes for the new year.