[devonlady]

I spend most of my day on my own apart from the animals and was thinking today what a solitary life some of us would lead if it were not for TAS.

[kelly58]

I wouldnt say my life is solitary, but l know that if l were to loose my OH , l would find this forum invaluable.
I look forward to the daily input   

[claire]

yes its good being able to come on the forum,

[Shropshirelass]

I agree my life isn't solitary, however it can be difficult to find time to socialise & see people when you are working all of the time, so the forums offer a nice chance to chat with like minded people x.

[honeyend]

I am a member of  three forums all animal based, and the wealth of information and support is invaluable.
Subjects covered apart from animal health are depression, baby blues, death of a close family member, abusive partners, and they all great support and really useful advice. A lot of male farmers have very isolated lives, sat in a cab for hours and thefarmingforum gives them space to blow off and get practical advice, and its nice to know that people with more acres and animals than me have problems.

[sabrina]

I can go for weeks and only see my husband. I find it quite hard to go out once I have seen to the animals and household chores. All I want to do is put my feet up for a couple of hours. its not much fun going for a coffee by yourself.

[SallyintNorth]

I might never go out if it weren't for spinning!  BH loves shopping (and I hate it) so he does a most-days little shop, which is his relaxation and off-farm time, so I have no other incentive to go off-farm really.

Spinning has been a godsend in many ways, but the social side is what keeps me sane and outward-facing, I think.  I can spin and/or knit in compamy somewhere within 40 miles (50 miles once a month ) 4 or 5 times most weeks - I don't go out this much, of course, but I do get out 2 or 3 times a month most months (except lambing) and more some months.

When I'm staying in, I do like the interaction through the three main forums I use, being TAS, Ravelry and (although I hate the software I like the interaction with friends) Faceache.

My New Year's resolution this year is to go out spinning & knitting more and sit at the computer less - and so far, I am doing reasonably well.  It'll slip back over lambing - TAS really is a lifeline then, both in terms of advice and moral support, and the human interaction.

[Shropshirelass]

Sometimes especially in the winter it's hard to get out for a lot of farmers & smallholders, what with floods & snow ect & the increased work loads. Which is where I find these forums & the internet so valuable, I'm fortunate that where we live we're in the middle of a village which is nice, so you often see people x

[debbigord]

I love this forum. Although we both work the things that interest me - are my pigs pregnant, when to put up fencing, is my sheep about to lamb etc ....you can't talk about with most of the people I know....and I love that on here lots of people are thinking about these things....I learn so much, thank you all xx

[MarthaR]

I started my smallholding adventure just under two years ago. It's a solo venture for me and one I truly love. I do have another 'normal' job, but I spend much of my time on my own or with the animals/in the veg patch. I check in here every day. It started with me wanting to learn, but now it's more than that - it's finding people here who, as previous posters have said, are thinking about the same things you are. And can offer comfort or advice when I or other people need it. And as I have learned little bits of things, I can help pass those on too which I find gratifying. 

[Victorian Farmer]

on my own or with the animals/in the veg patch love this [/size]I spend most of my day on my own apart from the animals and was thinking today what a solitary life some of us would lead. thats great to me its all about helping each other .THE WINTER MONTHS IS HARD IN THE HIGHLANDS JUST HAD 2 WEEKS OF SNOW naw the calinder has changed and day light is getting longer spring is round the corner spring equionox and a new moon .so lets look forward to great things chicks lambs easter all good things .[/color]

[shadygrovefarm]

My daughter joked with me a couple of weeks ago that I never, ever have to leave the farm thanks to the internet, I even buy my dog food on line, phone through animal feed orders to be delivered and thank God for tesco direct!

As others have said, it's hard to get out in winter once all outside jobs are done I'm pretty much done and still have a business to run, which surprise is all on line!
I booked tickets to the smallholders conference last week but due to my house trying to burn its self down a few days before we couldn't attend, typical!! 

Hopefully we'll make it to the poultry sale at Carlisle at the weekend, that'll be the first time I've left the place for about 2 weeks!  But I love it & really wouldn't have it any other way.

Summer is much different & we get out a lot so I can't complain really 

[Penninehillbilly]

I love being on my own, just animals, sound of distant sheep or maybe lorry struggling up the hill past the lane end, as long as OH comes home at nights I'm happy, sometimes he works away so I don't see anyone, it feels like he's intruding when he gets back!. He's on the road all day so he does the shopping,
I go to a garden club once a month in winter and even that is an effort to go out, a few meetings in the local village is about my limit, but like others, I find this site is invaluable, but spend far to much time looking for information or items for sale for OH. I think you have to be happy with your own company to survive this life, it would drive so many others crazy.

[Bramblecot]

I get accused of being a hermit - but it sounds like I'm not the only who enjoys a bit of solitude (apart from the animals)

[Carolswoolies]

I love the peace too.
There is always more than enough to do so never bored.
As others have mentioned once you have everything done 'going out' is not high on the list!
Good to hear that more feel the same.