July 2008 This has been an exceptionally busy month, with the need to complete everything in time for the course, which starts on the 30th. The base plate is now in place; we've skinned and sharpened 400 acacia sticks; Radko, our neighbour, has built the window and door boxes and Cassie has restored old windows so we can recycle them. We've bought all the food for the course and re-arranged our summer kitchen so that we can eat out there. This has included installing a fly screen and various other amenities including a hot water boiler. Perhaps most importantly of all, the first 100 bales have arrived!