Hi All
Micko's wife here. Got into "trouble" (he's such a well mannered lad!) from him for joining in discussions without formally introducing myself so here goes:
I'm currently working in the data analysis/ business performance world. Yes, I know, terrible isn't it! Needless to say, a few years ago and I knew I needed to do something else. By chance (or was it something deeper?) I bought John Seymours self sufficiency book. Micko thought I was mad when I brought the book home, but within a few weeks it was his favourite bedtime reading! The seed was not only planted but beginning to grow. After much thought, we both came to the conclusion that we wanted to become Smallholders.
Smallholding is not big in Tyneside so there are not many opportunities to buy a suitable property with land. So we started to search for the "right" piece of land. Eventually we found a lovely spot, just right for us and with no clawback! It was being offered through auction - a really stressful experience but such a buzz. Someone behind us spent MANY hundreds of thousands on various parcels of land and there were we, with every penny we could muster and not able to afford anything our rich neighbour had bid for, hoping to get our dream piece of land. Needless to say, we didn't feel particularly confident. Our lot came up towards the end of the auction. We (I!) decided Micko would do the bidding and just as well. He was so nervous right up until our lot came up and I was completely cool. Then bidding started on "our" lot and what a change - he was so calm while my heart started racing and I went a rather fetching shade of purple! Unbelievably we got it, and within our budget.
The land was rented out until the end of last year. So on New Years Day there we were, standing in the middle of our 16 acres, freezing cold and up to our knees in snow and feeling FANTASTIC! We toasted our land with some mulled wine and our two rescue dogs raced around their big "garden" having a whale of a time (little do they know that will probably be the last time they'll be allowed to do that!).
So, here we are, "Starting Up". We have little experience to draw on but a huge amount of will and determination to make this work. Most importantly, we BOTH want this so much and are willing to put 100% into making it succeed - we're under no illusions that our journey will be easy! For a start, the snow has put the first bit of construction work we had planned (to prepare the track and polytunnel area) on hold - it was due to start this week!
We also love this forum, a mix between great advice from people who have already travelled the road we're starting on and lighthearted banter (and we reckon we're going to need a good sense of humour to cope with the trials and tribulations we'll face). We'd love to share our journey and experiences with you all - both newbies like us and those of you who have the experience we lack. And any advice will be VERY welcome!
Cheers - Dee