Editorial

If you thought the last editorial was a long time coming, well this is even longer. I read it attentively and realized it was based during the time of the Covid lockdown. The song it illustrated was written before 2020 and the book also. The bike ride to Poland also is out of date and I have since made four others. There has been a huge amount going on. But, not so much what has been occurring in London but rather my need to spend most of the year in Spain. Without further ado then I should provide the appropriate links to the documented lifestyle that so enriches my life by which I cannot feel other than blessed.

Lockdown kind of cemented my relationship with Catalonia as my ageing parents increasingly required my presence. I was now spending up to 8 months per year in Spain and returning to London only to earn money and run a few events. The SLP newsletter has indefinitely ceased, as is the journal. I am more interested in writing books. However, the sad news is the death of my mother in late 2023 that inspired the final book, The Last Death. It is a celebration of literature as much as it is an autobiography. The themes are consistent with my previous books only this time I reference some of my previous publications as I intertwine a tale of broken personalities, politics, journeys, ambitions, achievements and death into a psychological framework peppered with history, religion, science, Medieval influences, and spirituality. It really is a rollercoaster ride of a book for everyone, totalling nearly 400 pages and in the process of being published online.

There has also been a lot of construction; I seemed to be speeding up the developments on the farm. Maybe I had an anticipation of my mother's impending death, more so of my stepfather who continues to defy the odds, and that I needed to establish myself here to be able to lead an individual sustainable life. Whilst I have sort the perfect partner it does not worry me that I may end up a monk, expecting the kindly visitis of like-minded individuals who want to learn permaculture and experience the transcession of life. So in the last 3 years I have had to deal with solicitors and land inheritance; a bitter pill to say the least as my siblings dispute my claims to my mother's will. I take my love from nature; the environment always seems to provide for my needs.

Developments then include the outdoor kitchen which lends to a water tower and short roof to house the solar panel and electrics. In fact I seem to prefer 12v systems and I have a battery set at the food tunnel also which charges with an Airmax wind turbine, a superb investment in windy Catalonia. I have also installed a small solar panel on the volunteer's caravan on top of the skylight for a simple illumination system and phonecharger. In this sense I have really come on whilst the 24v system at the house has been constantly beset with problems. I tend to avoid those issues as paying a proper engineer is the prerogative of my stepfather; I really don't have time for other people's self-inflicted problems. Meanwhile I have installed better water-retention facilities and fencing around the house compound in order to protect and access better the chicken and duck pen, whilst trying to ensure that time and effort is also going into new plantings and food sources for both us and the animals. See this video for the latest tour of the land. The big issue in the future wil be whether my change of nationality to Spanish will allow me to earn an income here in order to pay for animal expenses. In this respect I may have to slimline the whole project, or get a partner. or just plain remain as anarchist with good intentions.

The temple complex has also received a staircase but I have sidelined the project whilst I emphasize priorities. These include managing my bee populations at the other plot which requires constant clearing as most of it has gone wild. My ambitions include bringing over Africans to develop this site and live there for 6 months at a time. Further around the grounds I have done immense work on the drystone walls and reclaiming previously-overgrown trees. Check out these photos.

TEMPLE STEPS FRONT AND TOP VIEWS

For a link to my long-distance bike rides (the latest being from Crete through to Italy and Tunis and then back to Catalonia, see the following pages:
El Camino de Santiago through Portugal
Cycling in honour of my mother's death
Visiting 4 great ancient Roman cities
The future looks bright as well as foreboding. I have to plan for the eventual death of my stepfather and realize that without a partner or a volunteer base I will not be able to return to the UK, or even do any more annual bike rides. It doesn't bother me as I have a superb sense of adaptability and always feel in the providence of God. You don't have to be of any relgious persuasion to want to stay with me. Like Gandhi says, one's house should be open to all winds of faith. Meanwhile, I enjoy my client's company and recently did an apple-juicing session with their kids. See this video. for a quick example of how you can hire me. Whilst they all buy my olive oil, and 2025 was a great year, everyone is too busy bringing up kids and managing their own affairs to want to visit me. See this weblink Molí d'Oli Tradicional for more in-depth historical information and the location where we press for our oil. Oil and honey are natural anti-bacterials so that keeping them on the shelves a bit longer does little harm to the product.

There is a lot more I can say here but my website is hopelessly out of date, and I need to move on. Remember, get your advanced orders of olive oil in, prices have gone up with the current predicament of shortages in the world and the need for me to reside longer on the farm. Go to the my shops to purchase my fine product, or better to meet me next time I am in London for a cheaper price. Only Extra Virgin is available. To end then, on my News page there is a description of my new book, as well as others, entitled 'The Last Death - The Making of a Saint. Like I say, it is a celebration of literature including Dante's The Divine Comedy, and includes many references to influenctial figures of the past.

Of a note, it took two and a half years to produce. In the meantime I penned some extra music and lyrics that my journeys always inspire, and so I leave you with these Spanish words the music of which can be found here performed in The Theatre (outdoor kitchen) on the farm in Catalonia.

Pedaleo Pedaleo
Pedaleo, pedaleo con el aire graciado
Llevando las alas de la paloma
No necesito volar tan alto
Por los rios que me dirigen a mi destino

Pedaleo, pedaleo soy el propheta del camino
Los peatones me vean como águila
Suspiro por sus cuerpos sufridos
Un golpe del espiritu santo

Ni montana ni los aguas me hagan lento
El viento me enseñan el campo sagrado
Quien parase la voz del hijo primogenito
Quemando y derrarmarse de corazon a corazon

Se reune a la communidad transeunte
Un movimiento de ojos bajos antes del Señor de angels
Se piensan y rezar con mente intencional
Una nube para consolar sus ardientes cariños

Keep looking at this space for news about current affairs within SLP, and especially how it concerns other groups, in particular our suporters.