'Authenticity comes from a single faithfulness: that to the ambiguity of experience. Its energy is to be found in how one event leads to another. Its mystery is not in the words but on the page'

John Berger

Thoreau's Talbot has been planned from its inception as an Experiential Learning Centre, a retreat where people can learn from each other. We invite our guests, through discussion and contemplation, (frequently over a good hearty meal and some red wine), to investigate the many Environmental challenges that lie ahead, and to find creative and practical solutions to them.

We provide high quality overnight or longer stay accommodation, but our rates have been kept deliberately low because we encourage our guests to get involved, learning by putting the solutions that they and we come up with, into practice whilst they are here. We benefit because we get a helping hand around the property and in the workshop, and our guests benefit in many other ways.

Life must always be about choice however, so we place no obligation on our guests to do this.

If you do choose to join us in the practical, then, as many of our guests have told us, we believe that you'll benefit greatly from these experiences, in the following ways:

Pumpkin, Watermelon, Rockmelon, Potatoes, Chilli, Capsicum, Tomatoes, Eggplant, Nasturtium, Corn and Beans.
(photo taken on the 31/12/09)
Zucchini, Cucumber, Beans, Pumpkin and Chilli with 80 Comfrey plants in the herb boarder.
(photo taken on the 31/12/09)
Currently Harvesting;

Zucchini
Potatoes
Tomatoes
Pumpkins
Onions
Nasturtium

Currently Growing;

Beans
Eggplant
Chilli
Capsicum
Corn
Watermelon
Rockmelon
Beetroot

Planting Soon;

Parsnip
Turnip
Silverbeet
Giant Red Mustard
Tuscan Black Kale
More Beans
Peas
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Brussels

In The Veggie Patch :

What's to be experienced? : Harvesting, watering, mulching, occasional weeding, pruning (tomatoes to increase yield), seed collecting, bed digging, seed and seedling planting.

What can you learn? : What to plant and when, how to prepare beds, organic fertilization, how much watering is enough, organic pest control, what companion planting is and how it works, the importance of soil acidity and alkalinity, soil types, insect identification, season to season problems, bird control / encouragement, garden implement use and care, how to set up a gravity feed watering system, fencing your patch: rabbit and kangaroo proofing and much more!

The old 'cooking circle', a few years back, solar cooker in foreground. A new undercover area is being built at present (Jan 2010)
In The 'Cooking Circle' :

What's to be Experienced? : By far the most important will be the taste! But also, from garden bed to table : harvesting the veggies, collecting the eggs, preparing the food for Solar Oven or Gas cooking (ie peeling, chopping, washing veggies, kneading bread dough, hand making the pasta etc), helping to cook the meal (gas only), using and rotating the solar cooker, washing / cleaning up, relaxing with a red* wine and a sated stomach.

What can you learn? : The secrets of incredibly tasty vegetarian cooking, (if you BYO meat you can cook that too), usings herbs and spices, how to easily and quickly make your own bread and pasta dough, what to cook when the pantry seems bare, how to use a pressure cooker, how to use a solar cooker, the key to food buying in bulk, food processing in a Fowlers Vacola or pressure cooker, the list could go on!

* Alcohol is permitted at Thoreau's Talbot, please make sure you purchase it prior to arrival as we do not serve or sell it.

Special Note : Thoreau's Talbot is not a restaurant. During your stay with us and as part of your experience, you are most welcome to join us in the 'Cooking Circle' at meal times, helping to prepare, cook (and of course the best part), eat the food that we grow and / or buy. We ask our guests who join us in this experience, to make a voluntary financial contribution, based on what they think their food experience was worth or what they believe they can comfortably afford. This contribution goes into the growing of more veggies and the purchase of other food ingredients so that the comradery of the 'Cooking Circle' can continue to be enjoyed by many others in the years to come.

For guests who prefer to purchase and cook their own food, you are most welcome to do so. Because our guests are usually travelling by bike, they often bring their own Trangia style camping stoves and do not need to use our gas cooking facilities. For travellers who do need to use the gas cooker, we respectfully request a voluntary financial contribution to cover our costs.

Contributions are received with thanks and can be made in the box fixed to the wall at the accommodation entrance.

Chocolate, Raisin, sultana and cinnamon bread, cooked in the solar cooker, served hot, the chocolate melts in your mouth!
Hearty, hot Golden brown solar cooked vegetarian lasagne
Chocolate chip cookies made crunchy gloden brown by the Sun!
In The Workshop :

What's to be Experienced? : Restoration of old donated bikes for our 'Community Bike Program' and building bicycle trailers out of re-cycled materials. Depending on your length of stay and level of interest, the making of Solar Cookers, Wall Furnaces, Solar Hot Water Heaters and Small Scale Photovoltaic Systems can also be a part of your Thoreau's Talbot experience.

What can you learn? :

For Bike Restoration - How to restore and service a bike. This includes the complete dismantling of the bike, restoration of old parts, cleaning, degreasing, re-greasing and re-assembly, the fitting of new parts, adjustment of gears, brakes, seat and handlebars, repairing punctures and changing tyres.

For bicycle trailers - What's critical in bicycle trailer design, bicycle trailer Law, how to spot what junk you can use to build one based on what you'll need, how to creatively make or fabricate the parts you need, how to fully assemble the trailer and finish with spray painting and test riding.

The 'Watt-Bot' Solar Charged Electric Assist Bicycle Trailer built at Thoreau's Talbot, by Mechanarchy.
Mechanarchy at Thoreau's Talbot also restores vintage bikes that are purchased second-hand, for Re-sale. Here's a recently completed example.
During your stay, you may want to take the opportunity to get your bike fully serviced by Mechanarchy. The value of a full service is AUS$50.00 (excluding parts). If your bike needs a new part, we'll do our best to find a good quality second-hand one from our stockpile or, if your staying long enough, get one in from our parts supplier.

Your Full Service Includes : Cleaning and re-lubricating of Chain, front and rear Derailleur, Rear Sprocket / s and front Crank. Checking Chain for wear. Adjustment of Gears and Brakes, lubrication of Brake Cables, Levers and Gear Cables and checking of wear levels of Brake Pads. Checking of Wheel Bearings, front and back, for play, noise or incorrect adjustment. Re-adjust as necessary. Checking of Front Crank and Pedal Bearings for play and or noise and visually check Front Crank for true running. Checking of tyres for cracks, nicks, cuts and wear, correct pressure and Tyre rotation. Check of Headset for correct alignment and bearings for noise, dryness or incorrect adjustment, align and adjust as necessary. Checking of frame for cracks, dents or bends and wheels for true running / Spokes for correct tension and or damage. Check for fitment and operation of required safety items, front and rear reflectors and warning bell. Any Grease, Oil or Cleaning Agents are also included in your full service fee.

The Workshop is always kept spotless and tidy for ease of work & safety

After Dark and Lazy Days?

It's not all work and no play here at 'Thoreau's-Talbot'! To find out what happens after dark and on those lazy hot summer days click here.

More Experiences Coming Soon!