In the past few weeks we have been working hard at our WWOOF location on Chiloé. Freddy has been harvesting giant garlic, Ajo Chilote. These are sold in individual cloves, so the major task now is peeling them. Closer to the house, I sowed new lettuce and chard. The work is almost hypnotic; with each …
Chile 16-17
Shaken up
It’s our first morning on Chiloé. We are halfway through our breakfast when my teaspoon suddenly starts dancing on its saucer. At the same time it seems like someone is at banging on the door. Surprised, we feel that the floor is shaking. It is only then that we realize the whole house is shaking. …
God’s love for animals
During the last few weeks, animals have been very much part of our social environment. In the kitchen, the dogs had the best places near the stove. It was always nice (and warm) to sit with them and scribble their ears. Meanwhile, attempts were made to get some discipline into the three kittens, who were …
Adventures in Patagonia
The moment I pull the brand new inca hat with pink accents over my ears, my holiday has started. We have taken a break from the work to explore a bit of Patagonia for a couple of days. In Coyhaique the rain is pouring down, but soon we are high and dry in a car …
Feet on the ground
One of the first things I did after arriving in this house was an exploration of the bookshelves. Outdoor life is very beautiful, but not complete without a book. To my satisfaction I found a decent collection of books in English. My favorite so far is The complete book of self-sufficiency by John Seymour. This …
Farm life
I am sitting at the kitchen table, sipping a cup of fresh mint tea. Through the window I see the clouds fly by; the wind is often very strong. I look out over the valley, with the city of Coyhaique down below. In the distance you can see the snowy mountains of Patagonia. On the …