I've found the variety here very encouraging and so many positive solutions to the 'where' 'how' and 'why' questions! Without a proper job for three years but still owning my house gives me the opportunity to move anywhere. I was always at the bottom of the food chain in any case, so good riddance to rats and racing. I fear my teenage children will never be able to make the journeys to the back of beyond to visit Dad again, so that is a difficult step to take. I have lots of experience in growing up with farms, city farms, compromised ideals and living frugally and uncomfortably, but imaginatively. There is so much more info seemingly available on the www;but there is still the 'local' knowledge needed to find a house with some land. I was socially virtuous renting once, but finding out you can do your own thing in your own house with garden has many compensations to ease the guilty conscience. I'm thinking of taking a donkey and cart around France to find out what's available beyond those web Estate agents listings

- then Ireland too?!