On 2nd Jan, IF Optimist said: I would love to see a pic of the outfit you chose for your big night out. Any chance we can see a pic?
Well, none of the pics I took on NY Eve came out well, since ooops, forgot the flash. But here is a pic of the dress I wore:
Note: This is not me in above pic. I am definitely NOT this skinny. This dress is far more filled out when worn by yours truly. I always forget that when ordering from catalogues....
And these are the boots I wore with the red knitwear dress above.
It was great to wear this dress on a cold winter evening, I was very snug. But it was not so great on a hot dance floor later on. Dancing, central heating and knitwear don't mix well.... well, not without a lot of sweat anyway.
On 6 Jan, Kate asked: What exactly is rammed earth?
Rammed earth is exactly what it sounds like, with a bit more technical knowledge in the mix. It is the earth from the ground, that is compacted down under pressure and this is used to build the main structures of the house. It is really a fantastic material as it is thermally insulating, meaning it stays warm in the Winter and cool in the Summer. It also has a whole load of other beneficial factors. The builders will ensure the right quantities of earth, water, lime and whatever else needs to go in the mix, they do all sorts of analysis on the earth to check its content and suitability for building. It is very exciting to think that the earth on our land will one day form the walls of our home.
This is a great book for learning more about rammed earth building. Also if you google 'rammed earth' you will see some beautiful examples of rammed earth designs.
In Morocco, homes were traditionally made from the earth, but more and more people associate this with poverty and backwardness and opt for modern houses made from concrete. However concrete is just totally unsuitable for the environment here in Morocco. It heats up so fast in the Summer and loses heat rapidly in the Winter. Which means air-conditioners and central heating systems have to be on longer and work harder, which means higher utility bills, and more damage to the planet. The manufacture of cement also produces massive amounts of carbon dioxide and so concrete is one of the most polluting materials in the world. I hope one day the rammed earth method of building will become popular in Morocco again.
On 7 Jan, Missy wrote: I just saw a House Hunters in Morocco on HGTV and thought of your new house. I know you are building something new, but are you going to incorporate some of the old designs in it?
Absolutely. Moroccan inspired designs are some of the most beautiful in the world, in my opinion. From the geometic tiles, to the elaborately carved plaster and wood work, the bright colours, the handmade lamps, the Arabic arches.... aaah so much inspiration!
