Well the title says it all!!!
After declaring that we would never go back to pure self sufficency ... we have.
So clearly I have decided to once and for all to give up on the notion of ever going on holiday. As all our family live every but where we live, and I do not believe on relying on friends to look after the livestock that you have made a committment to, I can kiss hot sun and sea goodbye!
Do we have regrets, well not my husband, he works in the travel industry. My son no as he loves being outside and playing with the animals and working the soil, so that leaves me. Well in some respects yes, it is nice to have a break, but I can get that by travelling down the M5, M1 and M25 to visit sister and husband relatives, or going straight down M5 to visit my folks. Although I would have to take our son on my own as husband needs to be at home to look after animals. But to be honest when you have a small holding, every day is in some respects a holiday, it is never boring that is for sure. I am a full time mum so am at home all the time, our son is home educated so every day is a learning experience.
Overall. Having a small holding is a lifestyle choice, it takes hard work, dedication, but so does anything in life that you want to succeed. The hours are long (but I do not have to commute). The rewards are worth, and the view from my office window is not to be sniffed at. So thumbs up, and roll on a few weeks when our 3 British Lop Ear Pigs arrive. After them its the Dexter cattle but thats for next year ;D
Good luck, I'd love to do it but the family wouldn't be prepared to give up the luxuries :'(
Quote from: Merry Tiller on June 17, 2005, 22:41:52
Good luck, I'd love to do it but the family wouldn't be prepared to give up the luxuries :'(
Can't say I blame 'em ;)
Believe me we are fortunate enough to be able to afford to do it. The farm does not pay the mortgage or any bills. (Thats the role of my husband's job). So it is n some ways possible to have my cake and eat it. Holidays are the only sacrifice and lets face it as sacrifices go its not much.
It is a cheat o say that we are going to be totally self sufficent, we have made a compromise - one that we can live with and feel happy with ethically. All veg, fruit, drinks (including milk) and meat will be produced by us, swapping or letting the locals donate what they feel right for any surplus. We are looking at having a bore hole drilled and at a wind turbine. For now we are swapping to a green energy company any tea and coffee will be via a fair trade company, chocolate from Green and blacks. We already boycott all multi national conglomerates and companys that test on animals. Unfortunately my husband needs to go to work full time to allow me to ironically live this lifestyle, could not afford a farm and land 6 miles from Brum city centre otherwise.
Some can say we are cheating others could say hobby farming. Me I am happy to say that we live in our own little bubble not adding to the chaos that is out there. I know I am fortunate and lucky and I do not take this lifestyle choice for granted. And lets face it even the big farmers I know are not truelly self sufficent - they rely on gov hand outs and subsidies!!!!!!
As the father of an environmentalist, I say bully for you!!
Maybe you've read one of these?? I would love to know the date of the Charles Boff one.
ooh - jealous.
I would love to be able to do that, but we couldn't afford the mortgage on just Mr Aqui's salary (living in Greater London can't help that one!) Neither of us are particularly career-oriented.
And I'd love to boycott multinationals, but then we'd starve. I buy all fruit and veg from a local farm shop, but it's impossible to buy other food and household products from small, local companies in our area. I am forced to shop at sainsburys because there aren't any other local food shops.
It might help if we had a car and could travel further afield, but I refuse to get one due to the environmental damage they cause.
But I do get recycled/biodegradeable where possible. Nothing animal tested. Organic/fair trade where possible. But it is hard, especially on a budget.
Good luck with it - we too would love to take the plunge and go for it but like Aqui its not financially possible. Maybe one day... think of us in our boring jobs while you're looking after those piggies :)
Good luck aqui, I really hope
it works out for you, I have ben married twentyone years and we have always planned to go selfsufficient, but so hard to take the plunge now. when your'e young and penniless it seems easier to take that step (nothing to lose I suppose,) but once you have jobs, kids in schools ect
it gets scarrier to do. I hope we finally take up the challenge before
we are too old!
Katy
I prefer DIVINE choccie to Green & Blacks. Unfortunately, centre for alternative technology had sold out of the milk choccie Divine and I had to have G & B.