The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Community => Introduce yourself => Topic started by: Sharondp on June 28, 2009, 08:30:25 pm

Title: Keen but currently without land!
Post by: Sharondp on June 28, 2009, 08:30:25 pm
Hello!
Introducing myself - I'm Sharon - married with 2 children (boys 5 & almost 3).
Avidly searching for a house with some land in Gloucestershire at the moment - currently living in hospital staff family accomodation and craving a garden at the very least!
Planning on buying somewhere with a couple of acres to grow veggies, keep chickens, maybe a couple of goats - depends on the space.
As soon as we have found the perfect place, I'll let you know, and will be joining in with the rest of you!
Have been reading through some of the forums and can't wait to get started!!
Sharon
Title: Re: Keen but currently without land!
Post by: Rosemary on June 28, 2009, 08:32:10 pm
Hi Sharon and welcome to the TAS forums - keep us posted of developments and we'll offer all assistance short of actual help! ;D
Title: Re: Keen but currently without land!
Post by: doganjo on June 28, 2009, 10:56:51 pm
Welcome, Sharon - you never know there may be other TAS members in Gloucestershire who can help you.  With two little lads you'll need it.
Title: Re: Keen but currently without land!
Post by: Hilarysmum on June 29, 2009, 07:02:45 am
Hi and welcome, hope you get your land soon.
Title: Re: Keen but currently without land!
Post by: sandy on June 30, 2009, 10:58:48 am
Morning, nice to have plans to look forward to, you'll find somewhere soon. ;)
Title: Re: Keen but currently without land!
Post by: northfifeduckling on July 01, 2009, 11:06:41 pm
Welcome! Maybe you could go on an allotment waiting list or try the landshare sites? :&>
Title: Re: Keen but currently without land!
Post by: lara on July 05, 2009, 04:33:15 pm
DONT GIVE UP YOUR DREAM SHARON, I  WAS DOWNHEARTED THINKING THAT WE COULD EVER AFFORD TO BUY A PLACE WITH LAND BUT SUDDENLY FATE SEAMED TO PLAY ITS HAND AND EVERYTHING JUST FELL INTO PLACE , WE ARE SOON MOVING INTO A NEW HOME WHERE WE WILL HAVE A 2 AND 1/2 ACRE FIELD - BLISS
Title: Re: Keen but currently without land!
Post by: Sharondp on July 11, 2009, 06:08:55 pm
Thanks all - we think we have found somewhere in the beautiful forest of dean and will be making an offer soon! However 2 acres (out of 3) of the land has quite a slope. There are currently sheep grazing on it (neighbouring farmer who pays by way of lamb joints!). Any other suggestions?
I currently work on a mental health unit and we have a large allotment, complete with chickens :chook: - that's just about keeping me going!!
Title: Re: Keen but currently without land!
Post by: Tullywood Farm on July 12, 2009, 01:12:50 am
Hello

Welcome to the forum, the Forest of Dean sounds lovely, but make sure that there are no tenancy agreements on the land that you have to adhere to in the future.

We live on a mountain so all our land is on a slope - it depends what you wish to do with it, if you are not sure - do not buy the place - the right one will come along for you.

best wishes
Julie and Joe
Title: Re: Keen but currently without land!
Post by: carole on July 15, 2009, 09:45:20 pm
Hi Sharon

I now live in Brittany France but from Bristol before.........not far from you

Welcome

Carole x
Title: Re: Keen but currently without land!
Post by: Farmer on July 17, 2009, 06:27:45 pm
Hi Sharon...welcome to TAS...I'm sure you will find a place, just keep the dream in mind.

Best of luck
Farmer
 :farmer:
Title: Re: Keen but currently without land!
Post by: Sharondp on August 18, 2009, 09:16:49 pm
I'm back with an update!

We've just had an offer accepted on a lovely property in the Forest of Dean. It has approx 4 acres - the main paddock being approx 2 acres, an acre of orchard (bees?) and the rest being gardens. It comes complete with a chicken house for 100  :chook:'s!

We hope to move late September - not sure when we'd get around to installing livestock - as a newbie I'd welcome advice as to whether there is a prefered time of year to do this!

All excited now!
Title: Re: Keen but currently without land!
Post by: sandy on August 18, 2009, 09:27:57 pm
Great news, you will have many sleepless excited nights planning what goes where! Is there much to do on the house? Keep us posted and have a good move, Sept is just around the courner...we always move in September!!!
Title: Re: Keen but currently without land!
Post by: Sharondp on August 18, 2009, 09:54:47 pm
Thanks Sandy - absolutely nothing to do to the house - it was renovated & extended only 5 years ago so we can spend all our time & energy (& money!) on the outside! The house has even got a jacuzzi - perfect after a day's digging the veggie patch!

The outside is pretty OK too actually. We're planning on relocating the hen house to a more accessible area - it's currently in the paddock in a spot which would be perfect for pigs!
We want to keep some of the garden as a play area for the boys but will let some of it go to a duck pond and our 'pet' chickens.

Had salad for dinner tonight - can't wait until it's all 'home grown'!!  ;D
Title: Re: Keen but currently without land!
Post by: sandy on August 18, 2009, 09:59:59 pm
When you move in you will have to post some pics!!!
Title: Re: Keen but currently without land!
Post by: Sharondp on August 18, 2009, 10:04:22 pm
Will do!
Land before no animals and pre-pond - then when they arrive!
Title: Re: Keen but currently without land!
Post by: Farmer on August 18, 2009, 10:15:52 pm
Great news...I told you to keep the dream alive and its worked...have fun

Farmer  ;D
 :farmer:
Title: Re: Keen but currently without land!
Post by: Sharondp on August 18, 2009, 10:30:38 pm
Cheers Farmer  :)
Title: Re: Keen but currently without land!
Post by: doganjo on August 18, 2009, 10:42:34 pm
Thanks Sandy - absolutely nothing to do to the house - it was renovated & extended only 5 years ago so we can spend all our time & energy (& money!) on the outside! The house has even got a jacuzzi - perfect after a day's digging the veggie patch!

The outside is pretty OK too actually. We're planning on relocating the hen house to a more accessible area - it's currently in the paddock in a spot which would be perfect for pigs!
We want to keep some of the garden as a play area for the boys but will let some of it go to a duck pond and our 'pet' chickens.

Had salad for dinner tonight - can't wait until it's all 'home grown'!!  ;D
You didn't tell us you were millionaires ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D  Hope the move goes well!  Sounds idyllic!
Title: Re: Keen but currently without land!
Post by: Hilarysmum on August 19, 2009, 07:53:23 am
Congratulations, looking forward to hearing more about your move. ;D
Title: Re: Keen but currently without land!
Post by: Troubled Waters on August 20, 2009, 08:35:52 am
Hi Sharon, sounds ideal.  Do keep us posted. Its so exciting!  :pig: :chook: :&>
Title: Re: Keen but currently without land!
Post by: Sharondp on August 20, 2009, 05:25:12 pm
Thanks Sandy - absolutely nothing to do to the house - it was renovated & extended only 5 years ago so we can spend all our time & energy (& money!) on the outside! The house has even got a jacuzzi - perfect after a day's digging the veggie patch!

The outside is pretty OK too actually. We're planning on relocating the hen house to a more accessible area - it's currently in the paddock in a spot which would be perfect for pigs!
We want to keep some of the garden as a play area for the boys but will let some of it go to a duck pond and our 'pet' chickens.

Had salad for dinner tonight - can't wait until it's all 'home grown'!!  ;D
You didn't tell us you were millionaires ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D  Hope the move goes well!  Sounds idyllic!



Unfortunately not miilionaires but hoping to save some money on groceries!!

Got the 'OK to work part-time from September today so things looking good!!
Title: Re: Keen but currently without land!
Post by: Tullywood Farm on August 21, 2009, 10:47:23 am
Good Luck with the move ;D

Julie
Title: Re: Keen but currently without land!
Post by: Sharondp on September 05, 2009, 08:13:55 am
Well it looks as though things are moving and we might be in our new house/lifestyle in October  ;D.

Can't wait! Off to Moreton-in-Marsh Show tomorrow for inspiration!!  :farmer:
Title: Re: Keen but currently without land!
Post by: Hilarysmum on September 05, 2009, 03:46:15 pm
And you will need to save some time to keep us very updated and photos as well please.
Title: Re: Keen but currently without land!
Post by: Sharondp on September 05, 2009, 07:42:34 pm
Definitely!
Title: Re: Keen but currently without land!
Post by: Sharondp on September 26, 2009, 04:19:57 am
Hello all

It's 4am and I can't sleep so I thought I'd come and update you all. Unfortunately we are no longer buying the house in the Forest of Dean as the vendors have pulled out >:(

HOWEVER......we have had an offer accepted on a house literally just across the border into Herefordshire  ;D.

This property has just under 3 acres, most of which is a sloping paddock, but it can accomodate all or needs / desires!

Nothing needs doing to the house so we can spend all our time (and money) outside digging veggie plots and building animal housing!

We should be moving in a couple of weeks, so I'll post photos then.

Walked around the boundary with the current owner yesterday - the views from the top of the paddock are outstanding! Lots of wildlife about, including a very friendly robin who followed us around the 'veggie patch to be' :)

Paddock will be great for sheep and goats and there's an ideal spot for pigs on the flatter land too. Chickens will be in the garden, still leaving plenty of room for the kids to run riot!

Hopefully the dream is now definitely within reach!
Title: Re: Keen but currently without land!
Post by: digit on September 26, 2009, 09:03:38 am
Sorry to hear the first property fell through,hope every thing goes smoothly with your new property
Title: Re: Keen but currently without land!
Post by: JD on September 26, 2009, 09:43:58 am
Am a great believer in fate and this new place sounds wonderful. Fingers crossed for you Sharon good luck.
JD