The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Community => Introduce yourself => Topic started by: sunnyjohn on July 03, 2008, 10:24:45 pm
-
Hi everyone. I'm John, living in Milton Keynes, and find myself very accidentally heading into the smallholding arena. I've been "aware" of the subject for years, and passionate about recycling, self-sufficiency and organic growing for as long as I can remember (and at my age [58] that's a long time, & still thankfully not afflicted by dementia). Oh... what was I saying...? Oh, yes.... I've been growing fruit and veg since childhood in Hampshire, though most adult years I've not had the circumstances to indulge, except by helping others with their own versions of 'The Good Life'.
However, circumstances have a habit of changing. And a relationship change, bout of depression, and recent redundancy have conspired to make me do what I should have done years ago... listen to my heart.
So my (new) Fiancee, Linda, and I have acquired 5 allotments, five cats :cat: :cat: :cat: :cat: :cat:, (together with her 5 grandchildren! ::) :o :D ;D :-*), and in 5 weeks I have no job, a scarily modest early pension, and lots more time to grow wholesome food and maybe try to rent some land for a smallholding. I'm a vegetarian, so the livestock side of things will come later, if at all, but Linda has a yearning that way, so we're not saying a definite 'no' to animals. And I have kept bees for over 25 years :bee:, if that counts. Milton Keynes (known locally as 'MK' >:() is famous for countless roundabouts and grid roads, and concrete cows :cow:! Apparently, they are easy to care for, but the milk and meat are disappointing....
Besides usual vegetable crops, we have a few dozen grape vines and a mini-plot (about 20 sq m) of oats! We're off to 'Woodbridge Mills" in Suffolk this weekend (www.woodbridge-mills.co.uk) to learn more about processing the oats, and acquire a table-top mill. I'll let you know how it goes.
I'm also struggling with a venerable Howard 'Gem' Rotavator that's all there but won't run (the magneto's kaput ???), so any tips on that would be appreciated.
Having read many of the 'new member' posts, and a smattering of the others, I'm delighted to 'meet' you all, and look forward to being able, one day, to contribute, as well as to learn; there's so much to learn! Thanks for being there!
(Sunny) John & Linda
-
Hi, John
Welcome to the TAS forums!
My in-laws are John and Linda too.
Look forward to hearing more from you.
-
Welcome you sound as if you are already on the road to self sufficiency. Looking forward to hearing more, especially about the bees. HM
-
Hello and welcome from a wet and windy Brittany, saves doing pig wallows again today though!!!!!
Carole
-
hey welcome to the forums ;D
-
Hi and welcome :)