Such a three-sided courtyard has it all
What happened so far
The journey is the destination
In the summer of 2019, the decision was made to get down to business Finally in earnest, to turn my back on Berlin after 52 years. After a 10-day backpacking hiking trip on one of the Canary Islands in May 2019, I stayed in Berlin only for 4 days and then back on the road again. Zu laut, zu eng, zu schmutzig, zu anonym, zu voll, zu überlaufen – waren die Wahrnehmungen und Eindrücke. And that felt – “only” in Berlin Spandau – a suburb. Berlin is no longer Berlin. At least for me – as a born Berliner. Ich kann es nicht mehr gut nehmen. Long time.
Basically on the search – in particular in the time window 2010 to 2019 – I researched a lot in myself and elsewhere, in the most varied of ways and with the most varied of methods. Considered various new and different forms of life. What made this search the most – I always got involved – took my time and tried to penetrate things deeply and seriously. And I primarily followed my curiosity, especially areas or topics that I was not yet familiar with and in which I had no experience. Along the way, it became quite clear to me what I really needed was to have a holistic look at my life. That means physically, mentally and spiritually. Well, as some might think; it was not a walk in the park. Because many experiences are also not necessarily good and since life is not only spiritual, but also requires repeated actions and interacting and forming communities with other people who are involved in some process, it has been quite a journey thus far.
Indulging in equestrian sports for 30 years, I have always needed and lived in the arms of nature and with animals. In 2007, I said my goodbye to active sports. In order to be able to experience a deeper connection with the universe, with me, nature, animals, it took courage for me to say goodbye to many things in my life including sports activities. To find something new. Experience more meaning in my existence. I also had to work through many undesirable aspects of myself, my fears and doubts and other challenges I needed to overcome. I needed to overcome. Not knowing where the journey was to go, I had no idea for a long time, no plan. At first, however, it meant letting go of a lot. That was also painful and I was not always met with understanding by those in my environment. As such that was the case until the end of my journey and still is a focus and key topic in life for me today. Let go – and let go of what I don’t like. People, circumstances, own behaviors, ways of thinking, beliefs and more. For this – to live strong and increasingly attached to my true values, to materialize them and also to express my ethical attitude in different forms.
At the time, I didn’t tell anyone about the decision to buy this farm. Only in the last phase, when the decision was made and it concretely was to be implemented, did I initiate discussion of the purchase of the farm with a few people who were close to me. That ended up being a good thing.
I am almost at the point where I can fulfill my wishes and materialize longings for a successful outcome in many of my endeavors and in everyday simple and enjoyable tasks. Eeach day there is something new to learn The key challenge first is to recognize the real problem, to bring it out, to accept them. I have experienced true healing at this junction in my life, learning to deal with all challenges, the inner and outer ones. In the end, more and more uncompromising, determined, consistent. In the end, more and more uncompromising, determined, consistent. AND – with so many moments of happiness and bliss. Of course I have experienced a lot in the interim.
On December 1, 2019, I moved into this farm in the district of Rambow, the municipality of Plattenburg. Bei der Suche nach einem Hof, begegnete ich im Sommer 2019, im Süden von Berlin zum ersten Mal in meinem Leben den Alpakas. I immediately fell in love with them and my “business model” and the plans for such a large farm came together. All of a sudden everything made sense. In January 2021, finally everything came together. The first three stallions were able to move in.
A lot has happened since December 1st, 2019. In March 2020, just four months later, the corona virus hit the world and brought some things to a standstill. I was very grateful for the fact that at this point in time I was able to live in a small village and I didn’t really feel the quarantine situation as such. If I were still in Berlin, I would have certainly become depressed in my apartment. Here I could go to the garden, roam with the dog through the field and forest. Since I was in poor health, during this pandemic situation nothing better could have happened to me than finding myself in this farm. At this time. After an operation in July 2021, I was able to start the first renovation work in the house in August. In the spring of 2021, new plantings in the garden followed, further construction phases over the summer months in the courtyard, at the pond and then again continued with putting pathways in the garden. I think a good foundation has now been laid during this time. Some of this time frame, is documented in the following chapters with photos and texts. Everything else that I feel is worth it to be considered, I will share on these pages. Feel welcomed and invited to follow on, from the launch of this page, then via the blog section. From the launch of this page, then via the blog section.
May the contents of these pages give you pleasure, inspire you and encourage you to achieve your dreams.
Schirin Schahbaz, November 2021
The alpacas are moving in (January 2021)
Long seen – and finally it became a reality! The first three alpacas came to the farm. Searched and found in Thuringia in August 2020, their breeders brought.
Searched and found in Thuringia in August 2020, their breeders brought The first few days, quiet grumbling noises accompanied their existence here on the farm. Very quickly they settled in and gradually conquered everything. They are very curious and seem to notice every change. For example, if there is a chair that was not present. And probably much, much more …
A center for the courtyard (April 2021)
It’s my birthday in mid-April and this year I decided to give myself a bigger gift. Me and the courtyard. A big tree. It became a red-blooming chestnut that had been raised and cared for in the tree nursery for 32 years.
Again and again I stand in front of and with her, or sit on the tree bench and get very humbled. What people make or can do “possible” – in the truest sense of the word, moving trees. And how these trees usually “go along with it”!
I hope she can grow very, very old with us. May she stay healthy. It offers the birds seating and viewing places, it gives us humans shade and delights us with its splendour and beauty, especially in the flowering period. She has given the farm a centre where you can settle down.
What a gift!
A well must be built (April/May 2021)
The animals need water, the pasture needs water, the garden and more. As such, well construction work began in May. Pipes are laid in the courtyard, so that we now have five standpipes available there. Five more, find their place at central points on the pasture. In the future, in dry times over them, trees and grasses can be supplied with water.
To all standpipes, power lines are laid in parallel, so that sockets are also sufficiently available on the entire property. We are also well equipped for events of various kinds. We are now also well equipped for events of various kinds.
Well construction – a science in itself!
Complete renovation of the holiday apartment (since May 2021)
The future holiday apartment will be completely renovated this year. The process began with the introduction of a chemical layer into the lower areas of the masonry. This prevents a possible rise of moisture from the deeper layers and thus the possible entry of these into the living rooms themselves.
In further steps, the existing soil was torn out to a depth of 30 centimeters. A former small cellar, which did not turn out to be dry, was filled up and closed. It was located under the newly built bath. The entire reconstruction of the floor in all rooms, as well as in the newly created hallway, now contains various layers. Under concrete, insulation panels, films as an additional moisture barrier, another insulation layer and underfloor heating.
The electrical system was also renewed, various light switches and cables were pulled.
The entire ground floor is now tiled and then the painting work is due. Finally, the apartment will receive a wood stove and furnished with cozy furniture.
So in 2022 it will be possible to go on holiday at the alpaca farm. We will report onabout it in the blog.
A miraculous transformation - the hairdresser comes to visit (June 2021)
Long awaited – because the high temperatures, even on some days make our three alpacas difficult – now comes Uli Baum, the alpaca hairdresser. Uli originally comes from the animal care sector and has been keeping alpacas for many years. In the period from Easter to mid-July, he moves across the country. Shearing alpacas! Shearing alpacas!
It was exciting, especially for Pablo, Hannibal and Albert. When they faced each other again shortly after the shearing, they no longer recognized each other. From a safe distance, they eyed each other for a period of time. Then they slowly approached each other and sniffed each other extensively. And they realized, everything is fine….
Alpacas make you happy - happy visitors (summer 2021)
We already have had some visitors who were mainly interested in meeting alpacas live. So there were joyful encounters – for the alpacas in the form of feeding frenzy their concentrated feed – outside the row and for the people it is a great moments.
Alpacas are not cuddly toys and do not really want to be petted and cuddled (at least not until now). They usually avoid trying to be touched with a jump to the side. However, if you stop quietly and practice patience, then they come up to you, sniff youus and sometimes touch your join nose with their to noses.
They spit on each other, for example, when it comes to clarifying the order at the feed trough, or even the ranking. By the way, they can’t really bite. In the upper jaw they have no teeth. Instead, there is a so-called chewing palette palelate. In the upper jaw they have no teeth. Instead, there is a so-called chewing palette palelate. Therefore, you can feed them relatively safely, from or with the palm of the flat hand. That means – preferably consciously!
The courtyard in a new guise - a tropical paradise (June - August 2021)
The work in the yard, especially the creation of the paths, is the largest outdoor project this year. As colorful as life itself, as colorful should be the stones and paths on which it is necessary to walk in the future. Depending on the sunlight and humidity, they show a changed play of colors. Thus, the path leads from the entrance to the chestnut and takes branches, which run to the fire corner, to the pond outside and to the left of the stable building. The paths are provided with lamps and illuminate the courtyard wonderfully. Seen from a bird’s eye view, the network of paths depicts a tree!
Seen from a bird’s eye view, the network of paths depicts a tree! Towards the pond side, the stake fence is provided with reed green paint, in the fire corner with strawberry and the feathered cattle receives a protected area in front of one half of the gerancing building. The tenants’ garden also receives a new fence.
The stable doors are painted, the electrical cables in the stable building on the right are re-laid and modernized. And there is a lot of planting. Meanwhile, different grasses adorn the lawns. A palm tree was planted. A magnolia, many rose bushes and climbing roses. Planted on the rose arch and trellis. Tw Two small ponds, home to pond plants and frogs.
Another piece of oasis is created (September 2021)
The large pond invites you to linger as I take over the yard. Fish, water lilies and various aquatic plants can be found in it. However, the ground around it is very natural and so this area is quickly chosen as a local recreation area. Especially in the future also for (holiday) guests.
The weeping willow planted in May has grown very well and has driven mightily. The red maple, as well. The entire area is surrounded by a 45-meter-long stake fence, which was primarily yellow, with creatively designed posts in yellow, blue and green colors.
From the pond region, you can let your gaze wander into the distance or look at the curious alpacas on the meadow up close. On deck chairs, hammock or hammock chair, you can also let your soul dangle. A parasol, including table and chairs, can also be used.
The pictures speak for themselves.
