THE GREEN CATHEDRAL
It is early in the morning; an orchestra of birds fills the valley with 1000 melodies. The woodpecker drums on a hollow tree; in the distance, I hear the waterfall.
I find myself in the 'Green Cathedral', the new home of the music boxes and myself, and it is high time I shared this new adventure with you!
In October 2025, I put my last belongings in storage after attempts to find a nice new place in time had failed. Now I am glad about it, because otherwise I wouldn't be where I am now... I never expected to end up abroad! I am in the French Vosges at Gaia Collective Ecolonie.
KAIROS
My first meeting with the people from Ecolonie was during the Kairos Symposium in the Netherlands, where they presented their plans for the establishment of an international inspiration and knowledge center for new Gaia Collectives in the European countryside.
Kairos means 'the right time' in Greek. This was the moment for me to go.
A few days later, I left for France to investigate whether this would be a place for me to settle down. Ecolonie is beautifully situated in the Lower Vosges, surrounded by vast forests, countless rivers and streams, rock formations, and the ever-present sound of water and birds.
MICROSCOPE
The unique signature of Ecolonie is its enormous versatility; there is a great deal of activity here! It is more than just a beloved holiday resort; it is a micro-society where people can practice collaboration and craftsmanship in all its forms.
I stayed there the whole winter, helping out in the gardens, the kitchen, on the farm, and in the studio.
In the evenings, I delved into the underlying vision of this unique community, which has existed for over 36 years and whose three pillars are: Mysticism, Art, and Ecology.
A SYMPHONY
In the vision I read that "they have many demands, and have, as it were, the task of composing a symphony in which the source (the Spiritual Being) resonates recognizably as the fundamental tone and blends with the sounds of creative concrete deeds (the Creation)"
That sounded like music to my ears!! And it reminded me of the text in my Utrecht shop window: "Life is a Song & Love is the Music." The song (the creation) is carried by love (the source).
Map of Ecolonie main site
THE ADVENTURE
As it grew colder and colder outside in the winter, and the landscape of water sounds in the valley fell silent and transformed into a frozen world with icicles meters long hanging from the rocks, it became increasingly clear to me that I and the music boxes would feel completely at home here in such a dynamic community embedded in nature with so many trees and water.
At the same time, I also realized that it is an adventure, the outcome of which I cannot foresee in advance. I also increasingly discovered that living and working with others in a community sometimes brings major challenges!
The lake at Forge Neuve in the morning
January 2026
LIKE-MINDED PEOPLE
Just as musicians in an orchestra must constantly tune their instruments to one another to achieve a harmonious performance of a symphony, the same applies between people in a group. Only when that tuning is achieved does a group of "like-minded" individuals emerge.
Ecolonie is the ideal place for this!! Not heaven on earth, but a place with great promise. The richness and beauty of the Symphony being performed far surpasses the difficulties that sometimes accompany it and occasionally make you exclaim in despair, 'What have we gotten ourselves into!?' Tuning is crucial then, and makes falseness disappear!
VERSATILITY
The versatility of Ecolonie inspires, reflects, and challenges my own versatility; that is why I will not only be making music boxes here, but am already cooking in the kitchen, baking bread in the bakery, sowing, planting, hoeing, and harvesting in the garden, doing carpentry jobs on the goat farm, and so on…
At the Ecolonie goat farm
Rob in the bakery
Forge Neuve from space
THE NEW PLACE
And so, we have now truly started a major renovation!! After exploring every possible option last winter, one building turned out to be the most suitable!
It is located at Forge Neuve, Ecolonie's third site, 2,5 km downstream from the main site, in the valley with the two lakes and the tea house. It is also known as 'the Green Cathedral'. Not only because the cathedral builders sourced their oak from these regions, but also because the place has something sacred about it, in terms of location and energy.
OIKOS
This region was once bustling and prosperous, with countless blacksmiths, glassblowers, weavers, and woodworking workshops. I now live at Forge Neuve myself, in the same house where 'Oikos' is located. Under this name, Ecolonie has been producing bath and skin oils, shower creams, tea blends, and herbal tinctures since 1999, mostly from their own garden. Oikos means 'Home' in Greek.
With Robin Wood, the woodworking craft is now also returning to Forge Neuve.
APOLLO
I recently visited Greece unexpectedly because the documentary about Robin Wood 'The Gold of the Sun' screened at a film festival (and won an award) near Delphi, where the now-roofless Temple of Apollo stands, known for the Oracle. Apollo, the Greek God of the sun, music, and medicine.
On the day I returned to Ecolonie, there was a large bus parked in front of the future workshop/shop with 'Apollo service' written on it! Apollo and Hidde from Belgium came to put a new roof on my future studio & shop. What an honor and wonderful synchronicity.
The Temple of Apollo in Delphi
Apollo at Forge Neuve
CITY WOOD
You are probably wondering if I will continue working with urban wood from the Netherlands? Absolutely! Because I still visit the Netherlands regularly, and I can combine this perfectly with bringing wood back. Furthermore, I will naturally be working a lot with local wood; there is plenty of wood from our own land, and beautiful oak and beech are already drying!
SHIPPING & STORE VISIT
Of course, you are very welcome to visit the new physical store and the webshop soon. The shipping costs from France to the Netherlands will be the same as a domestic PostNL shipment (approximately €6,50), so you will not notice any difference; at most, it will take 1 or 2 days longer. There are also favorable rates for Belgium and other countries.
MUSIC BOX SALE
I can't wait to start making again! Hopefully, this can already start at another location on the site while the renovation is not yet completed. When this will be is completely uncertain. I will announce this via the website and newsletter.
Old roof is coming off
Apollo and Hidde are laying a new roof
The river Ourche flows between
the building and through the wood storage.
FINALLY, A CALL
To speed up the renovation, you can also come and help me!
Are you handy and would you enjoy helping me with the renovation? You are very welcome. You can stay here as a volunteer in a room or tent. You can work full-time or part-time. Accommodation and all meals are free of charge for full-time work (part-time for a small additional fee).
During the summer months, I will insulate and panel the ceiling with wood; subsequently, the floor and walls will be insulated and covered. In the autumn, I will install a green roof, fit windows and doors, and during the winter months, I will complete the interior finishing and furnishing. Feel free to send me an email if you have any questions about this. Please also mention your skills and experience.
Thank you for your support and for reading, and I hope to welcome you here one day as a collaborator or visitor to my wonderful shop in an equally wonderful place!
Cheerful greetings! Rob(in Wood!)
