the ecohut blog

I have just been reading a very balanced National Geographic Article about the Rainforests of Borneo which has made me realise two things; firstly that thanks to my ancestors I am a hypocrite and secondly that sometimes something which appears a good thing environmentally metamorphasises or grows like topsy and becomes a bad thing.
The NG journalist posed a question to the local official he was interviewing about how he felt about people lecturing him about good environmental practice who came from a country which had long ago cut down its ancient forests, destroyed its native wildlife and depleted all its mineral reserves? the response was very polite …. a lot politer that I would have been…..
It then turns out that the most serious threat to the remaining rainforest now is not just illegal logging but the monoculture palm oil plantations. Yes thats the same palm oil which is used to produce boidiesel that “ecofriendly” fuel of the future …. its also in food products, beauty products and numerous other items which form part of our weekly shop. Anouther journalist is quoted as saying Borneo has been shopped to death!
So think about these global issues - join an organisation such as the rainforest foundation or the world wildlife fund but act locally; buy uk made furniture from our own woodland (watch this space at the ecohut website) or uk cooking oils such as hill farm rapeseed oil which dont contain palm oil www.hillfarmoils.com.

National Geographic Article: “Borneos Moment of Truth” November 2008

At Cafe Dutch, The Dutch Nursery, Hatfield AL9 6ND

Bop the night  away to your favourite hits from this live tribute to Take That.  Doors open 7.00pm tickets £18 or £25 including 2 course meal.  Ring 01707 620061 to book tickets

We have now stayed at Trelowarren twice - I love it.  An ancient cornish estate has been given a new lease of life by the careful refurbishment of existing buildings and the construction of these highly energy efficient - well with exception of the halogen lights !-  new houses.  Cosy, comfortable and luxurious the houses are available either as holiday lets or as timeshares.    The resteraunt is superb, the estate dramatic and unspoilt and the location ideal for visiting the many lovely beaches in the area.  There is a huge commitment to supporting the local community - you can even order your food from the loal shop to be delivered to your cottage for when you arrive.  The biomass boiler which supplies the heat is now fed largely with estate timber and plans are now in progress for further self sufficiency with the reinstatement of the estate kitchen garden.

Trelowarren, Helston, Cornwall TR12 6AF  www.trelowarren.co.uk

This half term we headed up north to Augill Castle just  outside Brough in Cumbria.  A true labour of love this is a home which accepts guests rather than a hotel.  ”Stress free” is not usually a word associated with staying anywhere with three children but from the moment you curl up on the sofas with tea and scones to when you reluctantly wend your way home down the drive this is the only way to describe our experience.  Think country house elegance meets farmhouse cosiness and welcome.  Luxuriously comfortable beds, roll top bath and a serve yourself bar for the grown ups and a playroom, outside playarea and even pedal go carts for the kids.  We got there on a sunday and the kids all polished off their roast dinner early at six.  Grown ups eat round the same enormous table later while the children dress up as princesses or watch a dvd.  The food is delicious - the breakfast was the best I have ever had -made even better by the fact that that it doesnt start until 9.30am and then doesnt finish til the last guest has eaten.  The next day my children did a day at the Augill “Little Cooks” school - and learnt to cook vegetarian chilli and all the accompaniments and their favourite chocolate fudge  unluckily for them it was quite a hit with the grown ups too.  They had a fantastic time.  Eco considerations abound from the use of local food to the choice of locally made chemical free toiletries from “woadworks” in the bathrooms. 

Simon & Wendy Bennet, Augill Castle, Brough, Kirkby Stephen CA17 4DE  www.stayinacastle.com