Setting up an off grid block and permaculture garden in West Beach, Western Australia

Details

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  Description

  Just over a year ago I moved to a coastal scrub covered block in Esperance, Western Australia. Esperance has the most beautiful white beaches with aqua blue water and is a high tourist and traveller destination but lacks accommodation in most of the year, especially summer and Autumn.
  The weather changes quickly from calm and warm to windy and cloudy, sometimes some rain especially in winter. In summer the wind is often onshore and strong. Coming off the ocean the wind cools whereas when it is more from the north it can be quite hot. Its most beautiful at the beach early in the morning.
  My work on the property is flexible based on the weather. I work by the solar clock, not tick- tock. Tasks seem to be never ending as I continue to observe nature in response to my actions. (Wind burn on fruit trees, sand blowing off future house pad etc).
  My large shed has been finished and is my temporary home as well as the Tiny Home on Wheels (THOW) where my mother lives.
  
  Guest accommodation
  That now leaves the old Albion Viking bus home available for guests. It has a cubicle for a shower but the water is not connected inside. There is a hot water shower outside in a converted IBC (thank you Sam).
  There is a Joolca compost toilet in an IBC cubicle or it can go in the bus.
  Water - underground bore water (same water that supplies the town and is good quality),
  - rain water to drink (limited until the next decent rain)
  Meals - flexible meal sharing eg make your own breakfast and lunch from food I can provide and share in cooking main meals if desired.
  Engel fridge for keeping fruit and drinks etc cool for easy access (so you don’t need to access THOW fridge).
  Cooking - camp cooking using gas (no open fires allowed during Spring/summer/ Autumn ). Please advise if you are not familiar with non auto start gas cooking (using matches).
  Main meals - camp gas inside THOW and electric appliances in shed
  Power- rechargeable lights, plus reading lamp if required (uses more power).
  Solar power station and solar panels power THOW (fridge, lights and limited air conditioning) plus for guests recharging batteries, Engel fridge etc. Plus a full off grid setup in the shed.
  At this stage air conditioning is not connected inside the bus.
  I have internet access (Starlink) but coverage is limited to near the shed reaching to outside the bus but is unreliable in the bus.
  
  History and where to
  The setting has been basic but development over the year is obvious. I purchased an 8 metre Tiny Home on Wheels, mainly for my mother, and had my old bus/ home as above transported from SA, bought a couple of sea containers and I have a small caravan that needs major repair. Lots of delays and difficulties getting trades people but finally the shed was was built.
  I have Council approval to build the air crete dome home and I plan to start making aircrete bricks in Autumn 2026.
  
  Tasks and things I would like help with
  
  The help I need will change over time but the theme of alternative living - building with alternative products, off grid for power and water, permaculture garden etc will continue.
  
  -Creating and maintaining syntropic and permaculture gardens including ponds
  -Landscaping and stabilising earth work exposed land (reducing wind damage)
  -Reticulation (currently hand watering )
  Respite-companion for my mother whilst I leave the property for a couple of hours.
  -Building air Crete brick home. Starting with building formwork to make the bricks, then refining the creation of the bricks and building a prototype before the major build.
  
  Elderly Companion needs
  My mother was a healthy 94 year old with memory loss but after turning 95 and suffering a cold she became much more frail. Previously Pamela liked to sit and watch the birds that visit our garden, the goldfish swimming in the pond, go out for coffee and whatever adventures I could provide and depending on the day read, colour in and help with the washing up. I have been living with her for over 8 years (the first year my father was also alive) and I have been grateful that she could take care of her own hygiene needs. This changed, but her abilities are varied day to day. Unfortunately she is very modest and unlikely to accept help with her hygiene needs from anyone but me. Help may be needed providing meals for her and being a companion. She is often sleeping most of the time now, but is alert when doing something, like a drive to the beach. She enjoys sitting on the deck in the sun and I’m sure is still able to play scrabble when energised.
  
  Hours will be flexible, largely based on the weather, which is variable and may include overcast and windy conditions, rain or clear skies and hot to very hot days.
  
  If this excites you please send me a message.
  
  Thank you

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Art Projects

  Help with Eco Projects

  Elderly Companionship

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  Permaculture - Join me as I experiment with all things Permaculture in an off grid environment.
  
  Aircrete Dome house building
  
  Surf culture - I surf on a stand up paddle and love the beach.

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  Help

  Any or all of the list will be required over a few months.
  
  August to November
  Major tasks
  Fire safety readiness-slashing , water tanks with pumps
  Improve solar power, rain water, waste water etc
  January to April
  Reducing harsh weather effects
  -Mulching and improving soil
  - watering, reticulation
  -Wind diversion/protection
  - creating micro climates
  - building
  
  Ongoing
  Garden - permaculture principles preferred but not essential.
  Food forest -syntropic practices.
  Aquaponics and ponds for micro climates
  Creating compost piles, raising seedlings, weeding, nurturing plants, watering plants, feeding chooks, cleaning chook pen - manure to compost heap, worm farm, rubbish maintenance. Garden art.

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  Languages spoken

  English: Fluent

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  Accommodation

  The bus has a double bed, sitting area, desk, cubicle for compost toilet and kitchen area has a hand pump for washing hands.

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  What else ...

  It is walking distance to the beach but the cliffs are high and access point is a narrow path. Official access points to most beaches on the west side include stairs.
  There is no public transport except in the main part of town but taxis and a uber like service is available. Nearby scooters can be hired to get from point to point on their range.
  There are many tours available but your own transport will be a bonus if you wish to explore the National Parks etc.
  I find enough variety in the beaches within 10 kms amply sufficient for surfing, swimming, walking and meditation.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Space for parking camper vans

  If you have your own van there is plenty of space on a flat limestone 'carpark' area where the other vans and my old bus will be.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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  My animals / pets

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