Iron hike

Just wanted to show you the state my local woods are in. Good for me, of course, but BAAAD, if you get my meaning, for the trees.

Every little patch of the trail is stuffed with iron, steel, junk and special waste.

... some of which is very good material, like that one below. Stamping leftover from tool manufacturing.

I got this chain link and the stamping leftover...

...crucible steel...

...mushrooms I left be. I don´t take any food from that part of the woods. There´s a good chance of it being highly polluted with heavy metals and poisons I can´t even pronounce.

This is the site of an old smithy or even ironforge. You can still see where the buildings were, and the dam of the hammer pond is next to intact, even if there are trees growing upon it. It is a strange and, to my eye, beautiful place.

The region bears the deep scars and signs of metalworking industries. While this industry plays an important role in the history of the Ruhr and Sauerland region, it has to be regarded as controversial. It has done much harm to the ecosystem and to the workers involved, to an extent that many metalworkers of that time had a life expectancy some 40 years lower than average. This is something that happened in the name of money. If you shorten the life-span of half of the population, (in an admittedly) somewhat biased calculation) by half, this is equal to murdering a quarter of the population for money. Murdering a quarter of the population for money (out of low motives) would be felony mayhem. Since this did not happen in a war, civil rights should be applied. That indicates that the people responsible for the "mass murder" in that time should have been executed (since Prussian or early German confederate laws should have been applied). Not realistic, of course, but a way of making a point. In the Third Reich, big-term corporations were the driving impetus on the mass-extinction of Jewish people. Even today, many heads of corporations utter antidemocratic and even illegal statements, from the regional top-player to top-notch banking corporations. To add to the account, the damage done to the ecosystem can only be called collateral.

So the question remains... what shall we do with anti-democratic, anti-natural forces in our time? You might get the impression that this is a biased evaluation;-), and you´d be right, and of course my arguments limp a bit, for I uttered them as a way of illustrating an extreme.

I just want to warn you: Heads of big corporation DO think anti-democratic. They have to, if they are to be successful. They have no scruples. They will kill for profit, if they can get away with it. The time of the metalworking industry´s heigh days fouled up the woods forever. There is a question remaining, what big term fracking corporations or corporations employing genetic manipulation could do to the habitat. I would not take mushrooms from those woods, either, so to say.

And do not get it wrong: They WILL NOT listen to any arguments. They will not heed to your political demonstrations. They would kill you, if they can get away with it, or make orders to get you killed as easily as sweeping a chalk board.

People should stop admiring them. They are no better than mass murderers. It is not that they even WANT to wreak havoc upon the world and foul things up, they are even lower than that in that they simply do not care. Any prostitute or window sweeper does a lot of much more for the world.

I went and collected the scrap steel of that time. I like its properties, and the trails are getting a tiny little lighter. I´ll make some tools from it. I am a bum. But what we bums do is doing far more damage to their world than might be obvious.

Thanks for listening to my rant;-). 

Into the dusk with the magic troll;-) -Lovely hike to the Marburgian Hinterland hills

Last weekend I was in desperate need of some flight reflex;-) and made for Marburg in a frenzy... we had a great time as usual, and on Monday we made for the hills to do some foraging. In an old quarry used for ages as a dumping ground I had already found a load of ancient wrought iron, and I wanted to have a look if there was anything left, so, in addition to our basic foraging tools, we packed a small gardening shovel (a very underestimated bushcraft tool in my opinion), and off we were into the radiant autumn light.

The missus taking photos... I don´t think much of taking photos all of the time, if you ask me...;-)

Some people even take photos of turds decorated with autumn leaves.;-)

We relished in the golden-green light that led us up the hill. The sun´s beams were sifting and shimmering through the rustling leaves gently moved by a gentle breeze, and it was warm.

In fact it was VERY warm, and the magic troll was constantly whining*ggg*.

We said goodbye to this tree, which will be felled soon. We will remember its rustling leaves and the golden light in its withered branches and hope its saplings have spread far and wide.

Towards the open meadows where happy horses prosper. It is all one meadow, and the steeds have it all for themselves... this is great to see. There are even apple trees growing in between, and the horses obviously enjoy it there.

Slowly we came to the hilltop, with the grumbling of the magic troll a consistent soundtrack in the background.*ggg*

Looking from the hilltop towards Marburg castle, a view we cherish every time we are getting there.

We then were greeted by this "little uncle";-) who was obviously NOT being curious, no, not at all...;-).

No... I am just here to eat some grass... by the way... what you up to?;-)

Apologies for the turmery....

...but that´s how it is... horses in the sunlight...

...being nice to each other...

No animals, less intelligent than the crown of creation. Not capable of building up social structures, you know. Man is far superior, of course. ;-)

Does not decrease my appetite for salami, by the way. X-D

Deeper into the woods we went along oft-trodden paths so diverse and always different...

The magic troll taking photos....

HA! I took this pic first!;-)

Then we encountered some ´shrooms for stew....

..and ventured into the thicket.

Gate of sunlight led us into the realm of the earth...

...where steel was waiting.

Then the sun went down.

And when the stars came out we returned from our happy bimble with a heart full of love and contention. It was like breathing through, and breathing deeply in. In a world far removed from the actual, where things still make sense.

New project - Saving the Ahlhauser Hammer ironforge

 Let me introduce you to Ahlhauser Hammer ironforge. The smithy, which was mentioned first in the Ironforge Journal Ennepetal in 1592, is situated in the lovely green valley of Ennepetal. The region, which was famed for its farming implements, scythes, machetes tools and small iron wares, swords, rapiers and knives from Saxon times on (Saxon rock anvils have been found in the vicinity), is still going strong. The ironforge, however, was severely damaged by snow load breakage in 2011. We have the permission to forge there as we please. The other side of the deal, which is self-explanatory, is that we do some cleaning up and securing work, and that we do. Every Friday we meet at 3 pm to 6 to move gravel and rubbish. Nick, Kathrin, Michael, Nele, Seppel and Jandark have already joined one or more times to help with the work.

 As you can see, there´s a lot of it. The roof went in, and we have to clean up until we can even start the conservation work. Our bush bum tribal knifemaking mentality or habit  of scrap metal scavenging does not help to speed up the progress, for there´s a lot of forging material that can be saved. For instance, there are loads of old files lying around, deeply rust-pitted. We just can´t find it in us to throw them away... bummer, if winter is coming and a lot of snow expected...;-).

 We hope to secure what is left of the roof before wintertime and to at least cover the machines to do the conservation work in spring.

 ...

This is one power hammer that is even running still... did I mention I love Beché power hammers? They are rugged as rebar!

 Chaos reigns still, and the task is huge. I have to be realistic about that. Even oiling the hand-tools and removing the rust will take a week!

 Oil forge oven that can´t be saved, but maybe we can use parts of it.

 I must admit that part of me loves the atmosphere of the "lost" place.... with trees growing out of the machines and mushrooms prospering on the work benches.

 This is part of the "intact" part of the buildings. This is a 300kg-anvil.

 From another post you already know Ernest, our senior blacksmith, our tutor and "boss".

 Ewald is the owner. He is one of the nicest persons I know, and, even better than that, is not shy of controversial discussions of somewhat less than agreeable topics. I value him a lot because we had our controversies and we were able to sensibly work it out together. He is the reason that even after my experiences with people I decided to give it my best again at this place. I do not know, how it will turn out, certainly there is no profit to be gained for me, not even enough to compensate for the expenses, but that´s not the point. I have the impression that our vision coincides in many points.

 And this is the culprit. If anyone shares the vision, or has a vision which would fit in the concept, he is welcome to contribute along her or  his own designs. We want to build a sustainability centre on site, with many colourful people. We want to restore the smithy...

 ..and keep the tradition alive. We want to build gardens with wild herbs and traditional and wild vegetables. We want to inform about local wildlife and wild plants and ecosystems, about the kybernetics of  man and nature. We want barefoot parcours and a bushcraft site, we want swordsmithing of the highest possible level, we want martial arts like Bujinkan, Aikido, Iaido, Kendo, MMA, Skóggángr;-) and Systema and others. We want sustainable and self-sufficient energy and eco alternatives of transport like electromobility, cycling (on and sensibly off-road) and horseback riding. We want storytelling, acting, making music, juggling, painting, drawing, and all arts imagineable. We want carpentry, textile crafts like spinning, weaving and tailoring, traditional farming and old apple breeds, we want druids and priests and craftsmen and modern kinds of sensible education. We want Christians, Pagans, Muslims, Buddhists, Taoists, Shintoists, Shamans and every human being that wants to talk it out on a friendly basis. We want to educate kids and adults, and learn from them.

We don´t want a modern mindset. We don´t want internet zombies, hipsters or veganists (while vegan and vegetarian concepts are welcome, hope my point is made).

We want warriors.

We want you.

If you want to contribute and can share the vision, please get in contact. Of course we need money, too, but if you are a carpenter, roof tiler or mason, machinist, electrician, energy provider, or locksmith or whatever, and if you are in the vicinity, join in. Build us walls, a roof, a shed. Give courses, tell stories, play the guitar at events, spin yarn or tale or both, show us how you naturally dye your garments, cook for events, hang around with us, swing a shovel, guide road or mountainbike rides or foraging hikes, or just talk about it.

Make it wild, make it free, make it uncivilized, make it viral-but make it work, and make it true!

If you want to contribute, or want to make a donation, please contact Ewald at kaetzler2250 (youknowwhattoinserthere) gmail.com. 

We currently prepare an own blog and a facebook account that will be available in two months time.

Oh: And save the date! On 21st of November the smithing fair at Ahlhauser Hammer will take place. You will find smithing demonstrations, traditional crafts, delicious traditional food with meat from the region, homemade cakes and wafers, good strong coffee and other beverages. meet with us, and spill out your ideas by the truckload... we can figure out how we can do it then!

End of an era - I quit my mountainbike club

This is somewhat of a very sad post. I have decided to end an era by quitting my mountainbike club. It´s a bit difficult to say I got mobbed out, because it is more complex than that. So I won´t rant on endlessly about it. I do not belong at all, and to that effect I decided to no longer belong, if you get my meaning. I founded the club together with JanDark and MountainMaik. I designed the logo (stone drunk on a handkerchief) together with Jan some 13 years ago and contributed a lot to the concept. I invented the name in the first in 1989.

We did this all in memory of a laid mutual friend of ours, Ollie, who died in an accident in China while doing an apprenticeship for Osram (nothing to do with the corporation, however, he died racing a scooter after having a beer too much and wearing no helmet). We founded the whole thing because it was one of his final wishes. It was a great thing, and after an initial period that required a lot of work (from which I never really recovered), the team took off. We shared a lot of great rides and BBQs and fun and races and stunt riding. We explored the woods and rode epics and short fun rides, and it was just as if we could change the world. We made grand designs to small detail to actually change the world... at least Jan and I did. And at first we managed quite well.

But the ratrace did not stop at the gates, so to say, and it entered the whole thing. I fought. But when I realized my efforts where ignored, I at first quit my position as second chairman, for I did not want to have any part in the turn the club took. I realized my visions (social work, working with difficult and "normal" kids alike to bring them together and create rookie riders, workshops and the like) could not be realized with the team, which was at that time run exclusively as a CC-team while stating otherwise by also addressing freeriders, downhillers and dirtjumpers and the would-be, newly arising enduro discipline of mountainbiking. I fought. I lost. Business as usual, and I did not give up, and slowly, but finally the club adapted to modernity and nowadays there even is an enduro squad actually doing some races. Of course this was not exclusively due to my efforts, Jan again had a big part in it, and all of the young guns that came by.

They gave me honours and credits for that, for they had the misconception I did this for my personal prestige, when all I wanted was to discuss my vision. I put a lot of energy into this club, and, fact is, I had a burn-out last year. I have worked on that, but the constant sabotage and plain ignorance by certain important members of the club did not help me having energy. Please do not get me wrong - I do not whine about this. It´s like it is.

And I am sad, that´s all. It was some 25 years of aspects of intense living that now come to an ugly end. Business as usual, that´s what it is. But I simply lack the energy. I feel too tired to try to fight on for a doubtful success. I am 42 years old and have not time nor mind nor patience for toodling around. Yeah, of course I have a midlife crisis, as everyone has, but I believe it serves the purpose of setting crooked things straight. It is a chance.

Zee Aylienz have cost me dearly, but I have learned a lot by it. Of course the whole deal rendered my motivation for mountainbike riding nearly zero. I fought against it, because I still believe in it being a good thing. And I hope I am ready for a fresh start, for myself and no one else. I have ordered a new frame and will get a new fork set up. To my own devices, and noone´s else.

And the energy I have will go into projects that deserve it. Zee Aylienz don´t anymore.

That´s not to say I wish them any ill, and I hope they put up to the challenges they are faced with. I can´t resist stating that I predicted their momentary "crisis" and was ignored, but I hate to be right, so I´d gladly learn they are capable of coping with it. I sincerely wish the club the very best.

I have learned by experience that I do not belong at all. I say the wrong words at the wrong time to be liked or even heard, I speak my word, whether anyone deems it appropriate or not. Not for me, that´s one thing I don´t get right still. But I have learned that what passion I have I shall keep to myself and my loved ones from now on, and for projects that want it.

To the folks from the club who read this: I wish you happy trails, I hope to meet you on the trail and I hope that we can simply laugh it off and do some shreddin´.  

"Tut Euch nicht weh..." (take care!)

Goodbye.