The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Community => Introduce yourself => Topic started by: Somewhere_by_the_river on December 15, 2013, 03:22:54 pm

Title: Greetings from south-west Wales
Post by: Somewhere_by_the_river on December 15, 2013, 03:22:54 pm
Hello All!  :excited:

We're Angela and Jon and we moved to Carmarthenshire in the summer. We live on a farm, though as yet we only have access to the garden (which is much larger than the word makes it sound) and two of the outbuildings. We currently have Sussex chickens (though we are two down - mink got them the weekend we moved... though we got the mink too...!  :D) and Pekin bantams, to which we have recently added a pair of Japanese green pheasants (in separate accommodation, I might add). We've been 'growing' chickens and fruit/veggies for years, but hope the move here will enable us to do more - we plan for bees next year to be followed by... watch this space!  ;)

We're both wildlife artists and believe in 'the good life'. We are very excited about our new home (which is beautiful, if currently cold!) and the possibilities it presents to expand our smallholding experience.

Angela x
Title: Re: Greetings from south-west Wales
Post by: Bionic on December 15, 2013, 03:58:52 pm
Hello and welcome to the forum from another one in Carmarthenshire. We have been here nearly 2 years and love it.
Title: Re: Greetings from south-west Wales
Post by: Somewhere_by_the_river on December 15, 2013, 04:05:16 pm
Thank you  :)

I'm not surprised you love it - we've visited Talley and think it's lovely. We're just waiting for the better weather (!!) to explore the woods behind the abbey.

A x
Title: Re: Greetings from south-west Wales
Post by: Backinwellies on December 15, 2013, 04:28:18 pm
Well next time you visit Talley  drop in to visit me ...... but maybe not today!  :raining:  :raining:  :raining: 
Title: Re: Greetings from south-west Wales
Post by: Lesley Silvester on December 15, 2013, 09:48:51 pm
 :wave: and welcome from Shropshire.
Title: Re: Greetings from south-west Wales
Post by: Bionic on December 16, 2013, 07:22:49 am
SBTR, Linda (Backinwellies) and I are about 10 mins apart so when the weather gets a bit better you can come and do a tour.
Title: Re: Greetings from south-west Wales
Post by: Somewhere_by_the_river on December 16, 2013, 09:21:31 am
Thank you All

Quote
when the weather gets a bit better you can come and do a tour
That would be lovely - it's always great to meet like-minded people, especially as we are relatively new to the area. As for the better weather... I guess this is payback for the good summer?! Still, that's what keeps Wales green and beautiful.

Angela x
Title: Re: Greetings from south-west Wales
Post by: mickgil on December 16, 2013, 08:01:24 pm
Hi guys welcome to the site
Title: Re: Greetings from south-west Wales
Post by: Somewhere_by_the_river on December 17, 2013, 09:09:54 am
Thanks Mickgil

We were talking just last night re next step here, so hopefully will be looking out for more livestock - including advice from here - in the not too dim and distant. All exciting stuff and so many friendly people. I forgot to mention that I've been used to dealing with rhinos, zebras, goats, llama during many years helping out at a zoological park near where I grew up - 'different', but not so different from what I hope to be doing next  ;D

Angela x
Title: Re: Greetings from south-west Wales
Post by: Bionic on December 17, 2013, 09:49:38 am
Hmmm, llamas and goats are a possibility but not sure the rhinos and zebras will like the Welsh weather  :roflanim:
Title: Re: Greetings from south-west Wales
Post by: Backinwellies on December 17, 2013, 09:52:23 am
Hippos may be quite happy!!
Title: Re: Greetings from south-west Wales
Post by: Somewhere_by_the_river on December 17, 2013, 01:08:21 pm
...Zebras are too smelly, if you ask me (especially Grevy's), but the rhinos are big softies and a personal favourite. Pygmy hippos would do a good job of muck spreading though (if you've seen them, you know what I mean) so that could be worth a thought for some, save on machinery/contractor costs...  ;)

A x
Title: Re: Greetings from south-west Wales
Post by: Hazel Hollow on December 20, 2013, 08:45:18 am
Hello from Hazel Hollow in Pembrokeshire, use to be a zoo keeper myself, many years ago.
Title: Re: Greetings from south-west Wales
Post by: Somewhere_by_the_river on December 20, 2013, 11:46:33 am
Hi Hazel Hollow

Good to hear from you. The zoo was more of a 'second home' than a job, I spent a lot of time there helping friends. The place has changed a lot now, so I've not been in a while. Funnily enough we have another friend who started off as a zoo keeper (though that's not how we met her) and is now a wildlife artist, like us, and I met my husband at the zoo. I've always found those who work with animals to be much more down to earth and friendly   :hug:

A x
Title: Re: Greetings from south-west Wales
Post by: rockstar on December 20, 2013, 08:15:25 pm
Hi and welcome to this great forum merry xmas from Julian Deb and Ryan from our 2 acre holding in Llyswen Powys. :wave:
Title: Re: Greetings from south-west Wales
Post by: Hazel Hollow on December 21, 2013, 03:43:56 pm
Use to look after the elephants, giraffes and rhinos at Bristol Zoo back in the 70s, a great time with great people.
Title: Re: Greetings from south-west Wales
Post by: Somewhere_by_the_river on January 07, 2014, 09:18:49 am
Hello All!

Well, it's not getting any less wet so we've not been able to get out and about much - not least as we've had water inside the house as well as out with a leak in the utility/entrance lobby roof and under the sink in the kitchen, all adding to the 'fun'! Still, it can't rain forever (can it?!) so we're looking forward to the new season and getting out, meeting people and doing things (though I'm starting to wonder if semi-aquatic mammals wouldn't be more at home).

A x
Title: Re: Greetings from south-west Wales
Post by: Bionic on January 07, 2014, 10:34:51 am
Still, it can't rain forever (can it?!) so we're looking forward to the new season and getting out, meeting people and doing things (though I'm starting to wonder if semi-aquatic mammals wouldn't be more at home).

A x
I think my sheep are begining to get webbed feet  :roflanim:
Title: Re: Greetings from south-west Wales
Post by: Tudful Tamworths on January 14, 2014, 12:14:36 am
Miserable everywhere at the moment, but don't let your enthusiasm get dampened. You're so lucky to have moved to Carmarthenshire. I love it there (I'm about an hour away, in Caerphilly).
Enjoy using the forum and let us know how you get on.


Liz
Title: Re: Greetings from south-west Wales
Post by: Somewhere_by_the_river on January 14, 2014, 09:24:23 am
Hi Liz

Still damp, but not dampened in spirit, despite January not being my favourite time of year  :D Personally I think we've moved to paradise (albeit the wet version of!) and can't wait to get cracking this spring. I missed my home grown last year what with the move, but have a blank canvas of a 'garden' (plenty of mud!) just crying out for a bit of love and attention. Already been checking out the advice on geese on the forum; great stuff, totally backed up what I'd thought already re breeds etc. so OH is on board  :excited:

A x
Title: Re: Greetings from south-west Wales
Post by: Bionic on January 14, 2014, 10:07:08 am
I'm sure you already know but the Ffairfach poultry market is a great place for geese/ducks/chickens. It's the last Sat of the month.
I need to get more chickens after the fox got mine but won't be around at the end of Jan. Will definitely be there at the Feb one though.
Title: Re: Greetings from south-west Wales
Post by: Backinwellies on January 14, 2014, 12:54:22 pm
I intend being there at end Jan ... so if you going to go let me know
Title: Re: Greetings from south-west Wales
Post by: Somewhere_by_the_river on January 14, 2014, 01:29:51 pm
We were there the first one after we moved in!!  ;D We could always meet in Llandeilo for a coffee if you like (that's this month and next - any excuse  ;)), which would be great, or we are pretty close if you don't mind the soggy, cold conditions here. The leak in the lobby/utility has a temporary fix (fortunately working, so we can dispense with the towels and buckets there at least), but the bucket under the kitchen sink is still in place... not that it's stopped me baking or loving the place...

Liz, I just realised - we have several of your books!! Inspirational good sense, love them.

A x
Title: Re: Greetings from south-west Wales
Post by: Backinwellies on January 14, 2014, 01:33:16 pm
Sounds good to me ... remind me I said that nearer the time!!!
Title: Re: Greetings from south-west Wales
Post by: Somewhere_by_the_river on January 14, 2014, 01:34:01 pm
... I'll hold you to that...  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Greetings from south-west Wales
Post by: Backinwellies on January 14, 2014, 01:35:34 pm
Now where is the thread on a Carmarthenshire meet up ... |I've lost it!
Title: Re: Greetings from south-west Wales
Post by: Somewhere_by_the_river on January 14, 2014, 01:38:16 pm
under the mebers only sub-board...  ;)
Title: Re: Greetings from south-west Wales
Post by: Tudful Tamworths on January 21, 2014, 07:30:34 pm


Liz, I just realised - we have several of your books!! Inspirational good sense, love them.
A x

Thank you, Angela! Drop me a review or two on Amazon when you get the chance! Message me if I can be of any help with anything :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Greetings from south-west Wales
Post by: Mammyshaz on January 22, 2014, 03:52:55 pm
 :wave: hello and welcome from Durham
Title: Re: Greetings from south-west Wales
Post by: Somewhere_by_the_river on February 04, 2014, 03:37:24 pm
Internet back up and running after a week without - what did we do before it?!

Great to meet Linda recently and really looking forward to the TAS West Wales meet-up soon - it's so important to know like-minded people and TAS is such a wonderful 'place'  :excited:

Thank you Mammyshaz - sorry for not responding before.
Quote
Thank you, Angela! Drop me a review or two on Amazon when you get the chance! Message me if I can be of any help with anything
Will do Liz, and thank you - we've decided to go for it this year, but recognising the difference between rhinos and sheep (very important point!!) I think we'll be heading for some tuition soon...!

A x