The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Community => Coffee Lounge => Topic started by: john and helen on March 05, 2014, 06:43:21 pm
-
A property has come to my attention… ;D that sounds posh ;D
anyway.. i mean land… its quite steep, but would still give me 5-6 acres of flattish land . which is facing south westwards ..so to speak…. it has good access and not that far from a main road … 1/4 mile
but it does have about 10-11 acres of steepish … land..i would have said made for sheep … and i guess the odd goat don't mind it steep….. a quad or tractor would go up it easily
any of you have steep slopes… any advice ?
-
we have a really steep hill on one side and it is ace for sledging! its also very good for getting your legs fit, ha
we have had most types of livestock and whilst no-one is fenced onto the steep slope, they happily use it, both for grazing and shelter. ponies will make big skid marks though when its wet.
sheep do like to run up the hill rather than down when herding them up, so that would be worth considering when making/locating a pen (unless you have a dog)
also worth considering is what the drainage is like at the bottom. we had a lady living at the bottom of our hill and she kicked up hell for years until we put in drains at the bottom to stop her garden flooding. flaming pest she was.
-
:thumbsup: been thinking about the drainage… i may pop down tomorrow to have a look…with the amount of rain we have had over the last 4 months..should give me a good indication
-
our last place was at the top of a hill so it sloped down quite steeply in all directions. To be honest it got on my nerves quite quickly, slippy down hills in winter and always feeling like you are walking uphill in a wind or when you're carrying something heavy.
If you have some flat land there though that's good. Maybe grow a vineyard? Or terrace some of it if its not too big a project.
-
the project wouldn't be to big ..i like that idea of a vineyard… :thumbsup:
-
The majority of my land is on a slope and a couple of acres are really steep, we have found this bit to be ideal for a few Shetland sheep. The benefit of being on a hill is that it may get muddy in places but it doesn't flood!
-
I will book a viewing in the morning …..
-
Good luck.
-
the project wouldn't be to big ..i like that idea of a vineyard… :thumbsup:
Check the rules for them they might have changed in your favour since I looked into things in 1996 .
If turns out to be a real good prospect run the vines north to south where possible so the rows get even sunlight on each side to ripen the grapes .
Look for someone to process them for you initially as that is the cheapest option when you start up .
Mr& Mrs HMCR will also be very interested in your venture.
My pal Paul demanded we plant his east to west despite me advising him otherwise when we helped him plant 4,000 vines .. at his second harvest time he couldn't understand why the grapes on the north side were almost non existent .
Paul contacted a French vineyard after making on line enquiries about red & white grafted cuttings 7 drove to the vineyard to collect them as this was the quickest surest method of delivery . I heeled the cuttings into damp sharp sand as soon as they arrived at the small holding as him and his lass were totally knackered after the round trip drive.
It took three days to plant all the vines and a darn sight longer to erect the suport posts and straining wires.
He should have set the posts and wires long before he got the grafts and have used a two man power auger to make the holes for the posts as each post was dug in by hand .
Whilst he'd taken the turf off the rows he failed to rotovate them so each cutting had to be dug in 11 inches deep by hand the hard way .
-
It looks as if it can be done with a lot of determination http://www.google.com/imgres?start=144&sa=X&hl=en&biw=990&bih=573&tbm=isch&tbnid=0-py7jGlWc7IbM%3A&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcolinmunro.photoshelter.com%2Fimage%2FI0000hMmNr1PSpeY&docid=G9sLjxe-K4YtbM&imgurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn.c.photoshelter.com%2Fimg-get2%2FI0000hMmNr1PSpeY%2Ffit%253D1000x750%2FMBI001180-3872px.jpg&w=1000&h=669&ei=sxIYU7-tIMe4hAfCjoHoAg&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=2015&page=14&ndsp=11&ved=0CJ8BEK0DMDM4ZA (http://www.google.com/imgres?start=144&sa=X&hl=en&biw=990&bih=573&tbm=isch&tbnid=0-py7jGlWc7IbM%3A&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcolinmunro.photoshelter.com%2Fimage%2FI0000hMmNr1PSpeY&docid=G9sLjxe-K4YtbM&imgurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn.c.photoshelter.com%2Fimg-get2%2FI0000hMmNr1PSpeY%2Ffit%253D1000x750%2FMBI001180-3872px.jpg&w=1000&h=669&ei=sxIYU7-tIMe4hAfCjoHoAg&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=2015&page=14&ndsp=11&ved=0CJ8BEK0DMDM4ZA)
-
:roflanim: i think that puts things into perspective renee :roflanim:
Thanks for the tips dave :thumbsup: did some interesting reading last night on vineyards… looks like there are a few down here in devon and cornwall
-
If you do decide on sheep probably worth setting up a pen in a dry spot and feed them cake there occasionally - it'll make loading them much easier. All of our land slopes to some degree, and has a stream running along the lower part, which is a free source of water for livestock. Sheep thrive on it and you have to remember that every time you walk uphill you'll walk downhill for the same length. Makes for very strong calf muscles after a few years.
-
any of you have steep slopes… any advice ?
Don't take a heavy landrover down to the bottom of the slope after three months of solid rain. It turns out it's very hard to get it back up again.
Please don't ask me how I know this :innocent: .
-
Sounds perfect timing - if you don't have drainage problems there now you never will! And I agree on ideal landscape for sheep and native ponies, but work out where to feed, load, handle and have them hanging about for shelter, and how you'll get to that in the dark/worst weather etc when one is in need of immediate attention, or when the one spot you can't see from a vantage that shows you every other square inch, is the one place your blasted stock prefer to stand and you just HAVE to go and reassure yourself they're there and upright..
I used to rent hill fields for preference for my highlands, first at Bridge of Earn, then by Auchtermuchty and they're ideal for the stock aswell as personal fitness training :) Just check the state of the fencing and take that into account when you offer, as hill fencing is more expensive to replace for obvious reasons ;)
I'm always on the lookout for a decent hill field even now, can't beat them. I've got gently sloping pasture with a neighbours house at the bottom that nearly got flooded when the field above mine overflowed from a natural dip - and I had to fork out for the JCB but they're still looking out their kitchen at mud and muck and dirty ponies and I'm sure they don't like it as much as the grass and pretty ponies they had in summer for a view..
-
One thing I would add is that if you are looking for a new place, a water source is invaluable - even if it's just a small burn, you can dig out an area to let it flow in and out and if you secure it you could have wildfowl and fresh drinking water for livestock.
We have a river and a mill pond which is a loop off the river so flows through and stays fresh and we keep geese and loads of ducks, it feeds the ponies and the sheep and goats. I wouldn't move anywhere now where there wasn't a nearby water source.
-
yes !!!! most of the properties i have found , do have a stream either to the side or bottom… plus !!! many have electric running over them… or very close by...
-
Off to look at one today… i have asked all the basic questions like…is this one actually for sale….is it part of a lot..
;D ;D
-
Good luck today! You both deserve to find somewhere good after your recent disappointments.
-
certainly was sloping :roflanim: but !!!!! there where some flattish spots that ,with a machine could be made flatter..great land for sheep… great sun trap….. lovely locals…many had a chat and where friendly…
i will need to work out a costing on what i want to do… and see if the sums work out for an offer on Monday…thats if Helen likes it…she had to work today ;D so it was just me , the dog and the camera…
i didn't go right to the top, even though the dog was on a lead, there where many lambs around ,so i didn't want to scare them …..
i loved the place..loads of work to do…but !!!! thats all part of it
(http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee62/johningham/DSCF0587_zps8ee14028.jpg) (http://s228.photobucket.com/user/johningham/media/DSCF0587_zps8ee14028.jpg.html)
-
is that a ghost of a sheep in the photo?? :roflanim:
I personally love the look of hills and would rather that than somewhere completely flat,
that field looks really beautiful :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
what are your plans for it? sheep?
-
I really like those little Balwens… i want to do rare breeds, so maybe a small flock of balwens, a few pigs, geese, ducks chooks and a couple of goats, i think H would like a llama ;D
I want a traditional orchard, and maybe a small vineyard
i was thinking 12 acres for the sheep, 1 acre for the orchard 2 acres for the pigs and veg patch 2 acres for the vineyard and the rest would be for everything else … the place is 20 acres
-
It does look very nice. I have a slope like that which gets 3 months of sunlight in the summer. I love it and am dreaming of making a terrace system on part of it for vegetables. In the old days it was potato land as it was frost free earlier than the valley.
-
try and track the sun so you know where you dark spots are.
-
we are on the same track renee :thumbsup:
good point SG…
i couldn't get over how friendly the locals where…. going to take H down on monday…she loves the pics i took
one thing that really blew me away today was how Kai, my little working cocker was…he has never been near a horse..and he just sat there..really well behaved :thumbsup:
-
Sounds really positive, John. :thumbsup: What about a house?
-
the house will come in time (hopefully) …one step at a time… static will do whilst i build the agri building… :innocent:
i have looked and looked into planning regs and gov regs….there is a way if you do it legally…it will take lots of hard work…..but i have a plan...
-
That slope looks really gentle compared to what I imagined (and have used most). It's positively arable grade as far as I can see, I'd grab it with both hands if I were you!
5 years business on there and a decent curve on your books by the end of it, you should get planning no bother, even if limited to agricultural occupancy, and it looks perfect for all kinds of growing, pure luxury for sheep, you could run broken mouthed old ewes on that and keep them in good fettle let alone younger breeding stock :)
Best of luck for Monday.
-
the 2nd field is steeper ;D
(http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee62/johningham/DSCF0570_zpsec51efa6.jpg) (http://s228.photobucket.com/user/johningham/media/DSCF0570_zpsec51efa6.jpg.html)
-
that's how steep one of our fields is in one section. very good for the legs, and excellent for sledging. our gas and water pipe also came the a slope like that so I can imagine what the workmen said when they were puttingit in...lol
-
Don't know how old you are John and Helen but if it's going to take 3-5 years to get it the way you want it you might have to take that into consideration on the old leggies perhaps.
-
It looks great.
-
Don't know how old you are John and Helen but if it's going to take 3-5 years to get it the way you want it you might have to take that into consideration on the old leggies perhaps.
I am 52, and helen is 47 … i did think about that… so a quad bike is a must ;D helen can do all the hard walking ;D
its easy to walk up the hills when you zig zag … just follow the animal tracks :thumbsup:
-
10 acres with this bargain.
http://www.needaproperty.com/property/for-sale/Holyhead-LL654LW/5-Bedroom-Detached-house-3739167?utm_source: (http://www.needaproperty.com/property/for-sale/Holyhead-LL654LW/5-Bedroom-Detached-house-3739167?utm_source:)
-
Wow, Tiz. I love that.
-
that is nice, …..
-
Well going for a 2nd viewing today, helen hasn't seen it yet… was hoping to go yesterday, but after a very dodgy Indian meal on sunday… :innocent: lets say it was safer to stay at home ;D
-
You wouldn't have called those slopes in Carmarthenshire .... just the norm.
Personally I wouldn't even try what you are planning at our age (we are similar to you)........... I wanted to small hold not wait 2 years to build a dwelling then find I wasn't really fit enough to enjoy the livestock stuff ................ Had first lambs yester day :excited: :excited:
-
You are only as old as you feel ;D I walked around the place with ease today ;D and thats why they invented the quad bike …. ;D
we can start smallholding right away…. if we get this one :fc: i will keep a video update…. as long as i can get 4 hours a day to sleep … :roflanim:
the 1st thing will be to get on a coarse (Sheep) i want my little balwens…. it will be perfect for them
we are going to have a vineyard…just waiting for the soil test to see what grape will be good ….
as for the house…static..as long as i can sleep wash and eat… thats all that matters , helen is of the same mind…
the real great thing for us is…what ever we make of the place..it will be our mark , ;D it will be what we want...
-
like it! Hills? - those aren't hills - just gentle curves. ;)
I'd certainly recommend a quad - I'm looking for one myself in fact - though I've managed 200yds of stock fence in the past few days by wheelbarrowing the supplies ~500yds across the fields (so much easier without the mud).
I've lived in a 30yr old static for the past 2 yrs - am waiting 'til I'm earning reliably before stating on the planning - may start this spring if I'm feeling optimistic ::) .
If I can do this anyone can.
marcus
-
way to go marcus :thumbsup: :fc: with the planning
-
just to let you know both, that there is a place called Cairn O' Mohr in Perthshire where they make their own wine from the fruit farms around perthshire. Some of their wines were really good and they now supply to Asda and the like and they have small visitor's type place you can go and taste test, you should google them, might give you some inspiration!
All the best, hic ;)
-
That was worth a google :thumbsup:
-
Offers gone in…the seller has said he will think about it over the weekend…I said no problem , as i have another to look at ….. its a sensible offer, so lets hope he don,t ponder to long…. ;D
-
:fc: :fc: :fc:
-
Cheers renee :thumbsup:
what about this for fate…..as you know, a vineyard has been mentioned , so we have been looking into this…
anyway..a soil test is being done to see which grape would do well (if we get the place) test is free …
only turns out, a friend of mine has just started a business, taking people to local vineyards …… on like a tasting trip….. we are about to have a good talk ;D
-
:fc: :fc:
good luck
-
Hope your offer is accepted.
-
I'll be visiting for the taste test on your first bottle john and helen :tired:
-
no problems with that Goosepimple…. bring a tent :roflanim:
-
Are you thinking of moving onto the land without PP? Round here it would take ..ooh at least a day before enforcement were round!
-
No Katie, living on the land without planning would be silly
lots and lots of research has opened up options i never knew existed ,
-
did they accept your offer? :excited:
-
will hear tomorrow or tueday SG :fc: if its meant to be..it will ;D
-
Don't bite all your nails. :excited:
-
;D if its meant to be…. if not!!! well ! on to the next one…. but i do hope this is the one… it offers a challenge ,
-
Is your good news on the other thread a hint that you've been accepted?
-
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D yes
-
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
-
Great news, I hoped that was it. Now, the fun begins.
Deep field envy here so I'll be waiting for the photos and updates :)
-
its a little steep in places :roflanim: but it has area's that are flattish …
so the sheep will be fine, as will the goats, hopefully, when the tests are done, we will also have a vineyard ;D
-
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: Yaaaaay :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
-
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: