The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Community => Introduce yourself => Topic started by: Mad Scientist on September 17, 2013, 10:10:01 pm

Title: Hello from the South Hams
Post by: Mad Scientist on September 17, 2013, 10:10:01 pm

Hi, I've become something of an accidental smallholder myself. My other half had a smallholding that she ran a stables from, but just before we met, she left over family problems. These have resolved now, and 6 months ago we retook control of a neglected 7.5 acres and 3 ponies. Now our daughter has just started school, the OH has time to get more than basic feed/muck out/exercise done, and I have been spending what spare time I have taming the overgrown hedges, and uncovering bits of rusty old machinery. I also work full time, so between ponies daughter and work there isnt much time spare, expecially with the nights drawing in.

We have made a massive difference so far though. the enormous mountain of muck that started halfway across the front yard and ended under years of grass growth some 50 metres back and 3 metres high is now forming the base of a devon bank along half of one side of the property, courtesy of a local digger owner/operator. the weeds that had been encroaching onto the sand school have been strimmed into submission, and the families old show cob has a new lease of life as he was on the verge of having to be shot for starvation when we went back.

There is still at least another 2 years work to be done before its all in the kind of shape it should be, and the ultimate plan is to put a small log cabin for me, the OH and our daughter to live in permanently, although short term we're hoping to bring her old showmans caravan back to a livable status.

Enough about the property, my name is Patrick, the OH is called Jay, and our daughter is Sophie. Jay also runs a small blog on facebook called 'https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Shetland-Diaries/187447964701069?hc_location=stream (https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Shetland-Diaries/187447964701069?hc_location=stream)'

Title: Re: Hello from the South Hams
Post by: Lesley Silvester on September 17, 2013, 10:45:27 pm

 :wave: and welcome from  :raining: Shropshire. sounds like you have a mammoth task on there. Good luck with it.

Title: Re: Hello from the South Hams
Post by: Mad Scientist on September 18, 2013, 10:08:15 pm

Thanks. Were getting there slowly. When we went back w :sunshine:e knew it would be a long job, getting a new toy soon which should help. A strimmer with brush cutter and chainsaw attachments. The string one we already had was good but not up to inch thick brambles. Will try to get some before/after photos up when i have some spare time.

Title: Re: Hello from the South Hams
Post by: mowhaugh on September 19, 2013, 07:40:22 am

Hello! Sounds like you are making great progress.

Title: Re: Hello from the South Hams
Post by: Mammyshaz on October 04, 2013, 06:27:12 am

 :wave: hello and welcome from Durham.