The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Community => Introduce yourself => Topic started by: threefrenchhens on June 29, 2009, 05:45:34 pm

Title: Hi and hello from sunny Brittany
Post by: threefrenchhens on June 29, 2009, 05:45:34 pm
Hi all,

We live in the middle of sunny Brittany deep in the peaceful countryside with just over half an acre of land.   Our garden has many trees lots of which need thinnning (oh for a chainsaw!).  We have growing here: walnuts, hazelnuts, figs, peaches, cherries, pears, apples, blackcurrants, raspberries, blackberries, but only limited veg so far (artichokes and asparagus).

We have just acquired 3 chickens: 2 Black Rocks and 1 Light Sussex.   The Black Rocks are 'chatty' and friendly and lay an egg a day, the Light Sussex a little panicky and dramatic rushing from one end of the run to the other, and has yet to lay an egg!   I have high hopes though..... 

Our new rescue flat coated Retriever probably isn't helping egg production with the Light Sussex - she looks wary if not terrified when she sees the dog, whereas the two Black Rocks rush over to the wire to look at her....

As soon as funds allow we intend to plant a small orchard, and build some raised beds for major veg production, and generally launch ourselves headlong into becoming as productive as possible.

Hello to one and all and I am excited at the prospect of sharing and learning on the forum.
 



Title: Re: Hi and hello from sunny Brittany
Post by: jameslindsay on June 29, 2009, 05:49:12 pm
Hello and welcome, your desciption sounds very nice. Keep focused and you will realise all your ambitions I'm sure. :)
Title: Re: Hi and hello from sunny Brittany
Post by: Hilarysmum on June 29, 2009, 06:10:05 pm
Hi sounds wonderful, which part of Brittany are you in?
Title: Re: Hi and hello from sunny Brittany
Post by: Rosemary on June 29, 2009, 07:30:09 pm
Hi and welcome - sounds like a good plan.
Title: Re: Hi and hello from sunny Brittany
Post by: threefrenchhens on June 29, 2009, 10:21:50 pm
Hi again,

We are in 22, Cotes D'Armor - not far from Merdrignac.

Are you from round these parts then Hilarysmum?


Title: Re: Hi and hello from sunny Brittany
Post by: Hilarysmum on June 30, 2009, 06:47:37 am
Hi yes, just down the road in 56. 
Title: Re: Hi and hello from sunny Brittany
Post by: threefrenchhens on June 30, 2009, 06:55:13 am
fantastic!

Well I'm pretty sure I will be coming up with all sorts of daft questions shortly.....  apologies in advance......

Title: Re: Hi and hello from sunny Brittany
Post by: sandy on June 30, 2009, 10:57:02 am
Morning!!! after reading all those fruit and nuts I am off for some muslie :D
Title: Re: Hi and hello from sunny Brittany
Post by: Hilbillie on July 03, 2009, 12:45:27 pm
Hi threefrenchhens, we are not far from you, along the N164 near Mur de Bretagne.  Have you been to any of the Mene Smallholder meetings held in Plemet?
Title: Re: Hi and hello from sunny Brittany
Post by: threefrenchhens on July 04, 2009, 07:45:59 pm
hi,     No sounds interesting - we are only a short distance from Plemet - and you in fact...... so have you any more information at all?   We are only small and only really just getting going, but all information helps!   
Title: Re: Hi and hello from sunny Brittany
Post by: Hilbillie on July 05, 2009, 09:18:34 am
Hi, if you check out the pigsinfrance.com website there is a whole section for the Mene Smallholders Association which meets once a month in the Bar Tabac in Plemet.  You dont have to be a smallholder to go, there are people who just grow veggies.  They arrange outings, we went to a local goat farm and I think they are arranging a beekeeping trip soon.  Nice group of people.  ;D
Title: Re: Hi and hello from sunny Brittany
Post by: carole on July 15, 2009, 09:47:02 pm
Hi

Welcome from another in dept 56 near Gourin

Be welcome to visit if you are near me anytime

Carole x
Title: Re: Hi and hello from sunny Brittany
Post by: Farmer on July 17, 2009, 06:23:47 pm
Hi Threefrenchhens...welcome to the forum...it seems you have a lot of neighbours...I hale from Stafford in the UK, but would like to move to France when we finally retire (again)...so if you lot could leave lust a few acres for us we would be very grateful...Ta!  ;D

Best of luck, Farmer
 :farmer:
Title: Re: Hi and hello from sunny Brittany
Post by: Hilarysmum on July 18, 2009, 08:31:33 am
Farmer, am reserving a few hectares right next door for when you retire !!!
Title: Re: Hi and hello from sunny Brittany
Post by: Farmer on July 18, 2009, 11:42:35 am
Thanks HM, I'm sure we would get along a treat...and just think of the b-b-q's we could enjoy!!

Farmer
 :farmer:
Title: Re: Hi and hello from sunny Brittany
Post by: Hilarysmum on July 18, 2009, 06:20:15 pm
Now theres a thought, mmmmmmmmmmm

(as long as you dont mind a very large pig joining in)
Title: Re: Hi and hello from sunny Brittany
Post by: Hilarysmum on July 18, 2009, 06:20:34 pm
That is as a guest not as the main course
Title: Re: Hi and hello from sunny Brittany
Post by: Farmer on July 19, 2009, 01:18:58 am
No problem there HM...we are often joined by our two pet goats, Jake & Kenco and when he was younger our pet ram, Laurence, used to live in the house with our dogs and sleep in a dog basket at my feet whilst I worked at the computer...he was only moved to the paddock because he kept moving the table when we sat down to eat...our animals are part of the family, why wouldn't they share a meal? Makes sense to me!

From time to time we have nursed sick piglets in the old Dairy room attached to the house and as they have recovered they would often come into the lower hallway and even into the garden room; we were chatting with a visiting Trading Standards inspector over coffee in there one time when two little piglets came dashing in and ran straight through into the garden...we didn't bat an eye...but he just burst out laughing and went out after them and made a fuss of them. Needless to say we had no problems passing the welfare check and he even brought his family along to see our piglets and other animals.

We don't make a habit of keeping farm animals in the house, but when their small and need some TLC we give them all the love we can...having a pig as a party guest gets my vote every time HM.


Farmer
 :farmer:
Title: Re: Hi and hello from sunny Brittany
Post by: Hilarysmum on July 19, 2009, 08:04:32 am
Sounds like we would make great neighbours for each other.!!!