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TGoG 116 – What’s Working What’s Not

July 2, 2015 @ 21:47 By Gavin Webber 3 Comments

Listen to the Episode Below (00:40:15)
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Kim joins me on the show this week and during this episode we delve into what is working in our sustainable lifestyle and what is not.

We cover such topics as non laying chickens and short showers on a cold morning, to going on holidays using Google Maps, loving homebrew beer, homemade cheese, and real food.

As always, we have a great time on the show and hope you will join us for a few laughs at the lighter side of sustainable living!

Amy Webber

Loving homebrew beer!

 


Don’t forget that our many patron support the show financially with their pledges via Patreon.  This not only keeps the show advertisement free, but keeps us on the air each week.

If you would like to support the show and pledge as little as US$1 to keep us up and running, please pop over to www.patreon.com/greeningofgavin and pledge away!

Also if you like the show, use the iTunes button and leave a rating and a review.  We love to hear what our listeners think about our show.

Until next episode, keep it green!

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Filed Under: eggs, fruit, Happiness, Podcast, shower head, Sustainable Living, swimming pool, TGOG Podcast, vegetables

Outdoor Solar Shower

May 11, 2014 @ 16:58 By Gavin Webber 14 Comments

Something I like to do after a swim is have a nice warm shower. Now wouldn’t it be even nicer if that shower was outside, and the water was heated by the sun? An Outdoor Solar Shower maybe?

Well look no further, my green friends.  That is exactly what we have done, with a little bit of upcycling on the side.

It all started when at the start of October last year, Kim requested a place to wash her hair after swimming.  She had been using the hose up until then, and continued to do so throughout the summer, mainly because I couldn’t find a permanent and somewhat greenish solution.

Initially, I made her a shower deck for materials that I had lying around.  This was back in January.  All I had to buy was the decking screws, as I had all the other gear.

Teddy certainly liked it, and we put it in place before landscaping the pool area with stone.

So with the shower base in place, we had to find a solar shower.  I did look at some designs on the net, but I couldn’t really find anything that would suit the area.

Solar Shower

Solar Shower

Kim was the one who found it, but initially I balked at the price.  However, once I did the maths, it worked out cheaper than if I sourced all of the materials myself.  So we purchased the unit from this online store, for A$119.

Also as chance would have it, a couple of days before we installed the shower, we had a delivery of flat pack furniture.  The wardrobe components were loaded on a hardwood pallet, that was too good to burn.  So we decided that with a coat of natural oil, it would make a mighty fine privacy screen and soap holder.

Upcycled hardwood pallet

Upcycled hardwood pallet

We bolted it to the wall and one of the arbour support posts.

The shower itself was very easy to construct.  Nothing to describe really, just screw the top pipe into the bottom pipe and screw on the shower head.  A little bit of plumbers tape to make sure everything is water-tight and it is done.

Flickmater tap on solar shower

The flick mixer works well.  Turned to the left you get piping hot water, in the middle; lukewarm and to the right cold from the tap.

The bottom pipe must be bolted into concrete or a solid structure.  In this case, bolted it to the small deck that I made, with some reinforcing behind it so if someone leaned on the shower, it would not fall over or come loose.

Solar shower plumbing 2

I got a plumber to connect it permanently, with proper fittings, because the alternative as suggested by the instructions that came with the shower was to connect the hose with a normal clip on fitting.  I wanted it to be a fixture and not have to wind the hose up every time we used it.

It has a tap on the wall on the other side of the gate as you enter the pool area.

Tap for solar shower

Easy to flick on as you proceed into the shower.  I figure that during the summer the water was about 50°C, and in winter it is about 20°C.  Not a lot of sunlight shines on the shower unit in the winters, which is okay because we don’t have a heated pool.  As the angle of the sun gets higher as the seasons march towards summer, the entire black pipe is heated for most of the day.  Because hot water rises, most of the top pipe near the shower head is very warm, and you have to temper the water with the flick mixer.

As the cold water floods in from the mains it slowly replaces the hot water, beginning the process anew.

Demonstrating the solar shower

Demonstrating the solar shower

The runoff water runs under the gate into the garden area, so there was no need to add in a drain.

So for about $200 including the plumbing, I would say that it was a fairly cheap job for this sort of set up.  I know where I will be showering in the summer.  In my very own outdoor solar shower.

It is a good backup for our indoor showers should the solar and gas heating fail, and I can run it from my rainwater tanks and small pump if necessary.

I am very pleased with it, and even I like it even better that there are no heating costs!  Free hot water for the whole family.

 

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Filed Under: shower head, solar hot water, Sustainable Living

Sustainable House Tour for Eastern Suburbs Permaculture Group

May 8, 2014 @ 21:18 By Gavin Webber 31 Comments

We love a good group visit to our home, and I delight in showing others how easy it is to do some of the things that we do to live a more sustainable lifestyle.

Sunday was no exception.  Earlier in the year, we received an email from Milica, one of the Eastern Suburbs Permaculture Group members, who had attended one of our mozzarella cheese making courses.  She asked if we allowed home visits, to which we said yes.  Roll on the sustainable house tour once again.

Kim and I drafted up a list of tour options with costs, and sent it through to her.  They chose option 1 which was as follows; A presentation by Gav, a tour of the outdoor sustainable retrofit and food gardens, and a mozzarella demonstration and tasting afterwards.  The cost was $20 per person, which included tea/coffee and biscuits upon arrival.

So without describing the entire event, which I must say went for over four hours and running overtime because I talked way too long, I will post photographs taken by Paul and Milica who kindly allowed me use them here.

I have added in a bit of a running commentary where the pictures need additional explanation.

Our plastic bottle windmill

Our plastic bottle windmill

This upcycled windmill is attached to our berry trellis as you first walk in the gate.  Pam bought this for Ben when he was a baby.

Meyer Lemon Tree

Meyer Lemon Tree

Our lovely Meyer lemon that has lots of fruit and an abundance of new flowers.  We always get a good crop from this lemon tree.

Homemade upcycled climbing trellis

Homemade upcycled climbing trellis

Here is some homemade trellis I constructed out of an old frame for a portable gazebo.  Just added some mesh and chicken wire and bingo, boingo, two snowpea trellis.

Two clay ducks

Two clay ducks

These two cheeky ducks live near the greenhouse.  I never looked at the ornaments like this before.

My favourite budda

My favourite buddha

I give this little guys belly a rub most times that I walk past him.  Just for luck.

Ornamental zebra

Ornamental zebra

Dad, Mum, and bubs zebra keeping the grass down for me.  Note the nasturtiums and parsley that is sprouting up everywhere.

Gavin Webber talking about worm farms

Gavin Webber talking about worm farms

Here I am explaining the ins and out of worm farming to the group.

Upcycled towel rail now used as herb drying rack

Upcycled towel rail now used as herb drying rack

When we had Ben’s room remodelled, I saved the towel rail and use it in the car port as a place to hang bunches of garlic and herbs for drying.

Demonstrating the solar shower

Demonstrating the solar shower

Here I am demonstrating our newly installed solar shower.  More in a separate post soon about how we installed this shower and upcycled the screen.

Over looking the pool

Over looking the pool

This is a picture from the back fence looking north.  All the lighting in this area is solar.  It looks a bit like Melbourne airport runway at night.

2300 Litre Slimline Rainwater tank

2300 Litre Slimline Rainwater tank

This tank, which is in the pool area, collects water from half of the house roof.  It is plumbed into the irrigation system, and provides water for the swimming pool.

Chooks having a mothers meeting

Chooks having a mothers meeting under the mulberry tree

My feathered girls were the star attractions.  They came to check everyone out.  It was noted that they continuously stared at me during the my explanation of the recycled chook-house.  To them, I am man with seed, which is how they probably recognise and identify with me.

Cluckingham Palace sign

Cluckingham Palace sign

I love this beautiful sign painted by Kim.  My varnish job with marine estapol worked well, and it has hardly weathered.

Backyard Clay Oven

Backyard Clay Oven

Our backyard clay oven is next to Cluckingham palace.  I gave the soot on the front a good scrub before they arrived.  I can see the arch bricks again!

Soap demo

Soap demo

A cheesy grin while talking about the basics of soap making and what ingredients are involved.

Cracking open a bean pod

Cracking open a bean pod

Here I am cracking open a scarlet runner bean pod. Exciting stuff.

Scarlet runner beans

Scarlet runner beans

The pod contained the beans which before they dry are a lovely purple with almost a pink mottling.

I gave away heaps of these seeds as I always have too many anyway.

Pumpkin storage rack

Pumpkin storage rack

I finally found a use for this old pot rack.  It is under the house eaves, so it keeps dry.  Perfect for storing pumpkins as there is a good air flow so they don’t rot.

Front yard veggie patch

Front yard veggie patch

A selection of kale and some feral potatoes that I missed from the summer crop.  Garlic at the back of the shot.

Sustainable house tour - Front yard veggie patch

Front yard veggie patch

The front yard looks so big!  Mind you, when I look at it, it is nearly as big as the back yard.  Lots of room for veggies and fruit trees.

Barnea olives

Barnea olives

One of my olive trees have produced its first crop.  There are enough to fit into a baby food jar.  Next year will be a much bigger crop as the tree grows taller.

Small wicking bed

Small wicking bed

The salad greens in the wicking bed are growing well.  They have nearly doubled in size since I planted them.  Nearly time to pick the first leaves.

Home made cheese

Homemade cheese

Just a few wheels of cheese that I have lying around the back of the cheese fridge.  Now that the weather is much cooler, and the garden is under control, time to start making lots of cheese again.

Making Mozzarella

Making Mozzarella

Dare I say; a cheesy grin 😉

Cheese making demonstration

Cheese making demonstration

The final part of the tour was the mozzarella demonstration.

Draining mozzarella in cheese cloth

Draining mozzarella in cheese cloth

Here I am talking and draining at the same time.  Usually I can on do one thing at a time!

Serving Mozzarella

Serving Mozzarella

Once the demo was complete, Kim took the cheese off my hands and sliced it, topped it with heirloom cherry tomatoes and basil fresh from the garden, on some baguette.  It was delicious if I do say so myself.  I did under-salt the cheese but a quick grind of sea salt on top of each serve fixed that problem.

Well that was about it.  We all talked about all things sustainable for about another 20 minutes, then they departed in dribs and drabs.

It was great fun putting on this tour.  It was also a good incentive to tidy up the place a bit more and make it presentable for further tours in the future.

Besides that, we really enjoyed talking to like-minded people.  I think they all really enjoyed the presentation, tour, and mozzarella demo as much as Kim and I enjoyed preparing and presenting.

If anyone is interested in a group sustainable house tour (minimum of 10), just drop us a line via the contact page, and we will see what we can organise.

Hope you enjoyed all the wonderful photos.  They were great weren’t they?  A Big thanks goes out to Paul and Milica for letting me use them.

If there are any Pinterest fans out there, and any photos take your fancy, then pin away!  They are there for the sharing.

 

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Filed Under: Cheese, Chickens, Gardening, Permaculture, reuse, shower head, Soap Making, Suburbs, Sustainable Living, vegetables, worms

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About Gavin Webber

About Gavin Webber

An Ordinary Australian Man Who Has A Green Epiphany Whilst Watching A Documentary, Gets a Hybrid Car, Plants A Large Organic Vegetable Garden, Goes Totally Solar, Lowers Consumption, Feeds Composts Bins and Worms, Harvests Rainwater, Raises Chickens, Makes Cheese and Soap, and Eats Locally. All In The Effort To Reduce Our Family's Carbon Footprint So We Can Start Making A Difference For Our Children & Future Generations To Come.

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    I've crowed about Gavin's podcast before but I just have to recommend it once again - I love that he shares his learning as well as his successes - it helps the rest of us try try try again! Thanks Gavin!

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    I really enjoy listening to Gavin, he has a kind lovely voice. He covers some great relevant topics for the everyday greenie. With lots of tips or how to or what not to do. Thanks Gavin, love it!!

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    I can highly recommend Gavin’s podcast ! I have followed Gavin’s blog since the very beginning and have loved to see his journey unfold. Gavin has a lovely speaking voice so this podcast is always very easy to listen to. Gavin has a very authentic approach to his green living lifestyle. He shares the ups and downs but always provides motivation and practical steps that we can all implement.

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    Another brilliant podcast from Gavin Webber encouraging us, and showing us how, to cut down on food miles, growing our own food, and cutting down on food waste. Gavin is a really interesting speaker, showing us how to eat better, growing our own food and how to live more sustainably.

  • Honestly australian
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    Fantastic podcast, with a wide variety of well thought and researched topics. Gavin is a honest, forthright pod aster with a genuine interest in helping others get green. Like a day alongside is a day wasted, so too is a week without listening to Gavin. Highly recommended for people starting out, or those in the midst of their new lifestyle. Keep it up Gavin, wish there were more great reviews! Kimberley

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    Gavin has a great passion for living this greener lifestyle that motivates others to do the same. The podcasts are always interesting and informative. :)

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    Gavin's podcasts are required listening for anyone planning to live a more sustainable life. He doesn't preach, but tells you his story from the heart. You'll laugh, smile, share in his concerns and along the way you'll pick up some great tips on living a simple life.

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    This is a wonderful podcast. Not only does Gavin talk knowledgeably on a range of sustainability topics from gardening tips all the way to the issues facing humanity as a whole, but he does so in such a wonderful voice, it's like listening to my Dad, love it!!

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    Gav knows how to share his journey to a more sustainable life in a manner that shows just how easy it really is. Not to mention healthier, economically beneficial and generally rewarding. The podcasts are an easy way to absorb Gav's great lifestyle. I recommend to anyone.

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    Great practical advice for a greener lifestyle. This podcast is for anybody interested in growing their own food in suburbia, saving electricity, brewing beer, making cheese, all that wonderful business and most of all, saving money! Thanks Gavin, love the podcast mate!

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    Like you we are having winter here in Chile—brrr! Every bit we can save on heating we will.

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    Excellent podcasts, which are full of information to help get started on a sustainable lifestyle.

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    I highly recommend Gavin's podcast and blog. Down to earth, entertaining and inspirational. Thank you.

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    Gavin & his guests make this green journey lots of fun.

  • Great green listen
    April 18, 2014 by Obscurenickname from Australia

    Gavin is a great down to earth, tell it like it is aussie with a passion for sustainability and growing food and making cheese

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