Blog
Permaculture design creates systems that are closed loops or circular rather than linear. One feature of this approach is that it avoids inputs and outputs travelling long distances. Working with nature means finding ways to cycle nutrients in a...
10 years ago we started a new project. This sounds so simple to say, but that decision and the ability to actually start Carraig Dúlra, had taken a long time. Mike and I wanted to contribute locally to global issues while having a lifestyle for...
A couple of days ago, Phillip, who's been involved with Carraig Dulra since the beginning and who recently was the Solar Energy tutor at the...
Most recently the pump was working nonstop for about a month. This incarnation of the pump has the waste valve with parts salvaged from the original PVC pump and the check valve with an elastic as a substitue for a spring.
First, what...
I've not entered anything in my blog for months now, so a quick catchup:
Ram pump
The Ram pump has seen several more variations & bought parts. The latest incarnation is a hodge podge of some of those parts + a carbeurator...
The new ram pump had been working for 3 weeks. During this time we tried running the pump to a tank situated above the garden, so that we would be able to water the garden through a gravity-fed hose. The pump delivered the water fine, though...
It was a warm sunny day today, and while standing on the deck, one of our beautiful black bees landed on me. I was very pleased to see her, and immediately went up to check on the hives to see what kind of activity there was. I had been...
Patrick must have been smiling down on dulra today. the pump has decided to co-operate and is now running (or was when i left the farm this morning).
two things that helped were:
1. releasing the extra air i had added to the inner...
In trying to commission the new improved ram pump, I could not get the pump to cycle. After some discussion with Phillip (who has one himself), I opened up the pressure chamber and increased the inner tube pressure. To do this I had to shut off...
I have mixed feelings about this time of year. I love the crisp days and cosy fires, but shorter darkening days, colds and aches can bring me down at times. Since I have been growing more, and being more in touch with the natural seasons, I...
