Since our earthship was burnt down on 25th March, we have all been recovering from the shock and having discussions and thoughts about the future of our earthship project. So many people have invested time, energy and muscle power in building the earthship so far, it would be crazy to let the arsonists win and walk away from it.
On  the other hand, it's still going to be a vulnerable site.
In the midst of all these mixed feelings, a representative from Timber Components, one of our glazing contractors, came along with some great samples of glazing units that will 'bounce' a brick off the glass. Another sample was a mesh covered double glazing unit. He had sourced these for our consideration before the fire and was keen to show us.
Thanks Tom, you cheered us all up that day!
Any actual decision on the future of the earthship will be up to the Community Trust and made after engineering, insurance, security and other financial aspects are completed.

The ability to juggle tasks, labour, contractors and materials orders is a skill every earthship builder should cultivate within themselves. As we start to involve contractors, it is a challenge to co-ordinate volunteer input on the site in order to get the site ready and to the right spec for the arrival of the contractors, materials or machinery. A lack of building skills has come to the fore a few times - but I've learnt a lot as a result. Every week that passes just now shows great progress on site. The berm is now closer to its final shape, the front timbers are on and the roof arrives next week. We've also got plastic sheeting in where the glass should be which is giving us some thermal mass activity inside the building. It's really looking like an earthship now!

Phase 3 of our build - the fitting of systems such as renewables, sewage and glazing will start in earnest on site after the snow melts. Our structure has weathered tohe weight of the snow very well although things are all a bit wet and slippery on site. Most of the next phase will happen very quickly and we'll see a lot of progress and activity on site. We're currently sending out tender documents for roofing, glazing, joinery and making those fiddly little vents for the top of the roof. Positive thinking and positive action on site for 2010!

We have just received the good news that the Lottery have OK'd the release of our People's Millions grant.
Hundreds of local people phoned into a lottery competition to enable us to win this crucial £50,000 for the earthship build. This was in 2006 and the Lottery, quite rightly, were concerned about our lack of progress on site. This was due to a gap in staffing, many delays in getting the structure ready for building warrant approval and the need for further toilets on site. 
But now it's done and we can get on with the next phase.
Thanks to everyone who have supported us through this tense time!
It'll all be worth it in the end!

Another two weeks of hard work and energy from the Earthbuilds Euro Crew and we have a roof on our earthship. The last day was very busy, frantic and buzzing with course participants, local volunteers and the crew working hard to get the waterproof membrane on the roof before they finished for this session.
And then the sun came out and we could feel the warmth inside the buidling.
A fine end to the fortnight - thanks to everyone who pitched in no matter what the weather or their muscular aches!