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Author Topic: Hello from Orkney  (Read 9305 times)

Malc

  • Joined Oct 2007
    • The Edge of Nowhere
Hello from Orkney
« on: October 23, 2007, 10:21:09 am »
Hi everybody,

I'm Malcolm and I moved to the island of Westray in the Orkneys in July. We have eight acres, a barn, large shed, small stone shed, two byres and a very rundown cottage. I used to be a sports journalist - perfect preparation for a career on a croft!

We have two weaners and five hens so far. The pigs' mother was a Tamworth/Oxford Sandy and Black cross, the AI boar a Duroc. They are hungry boys and growing fast on a diet of pencils, tatties and barley in the large shed (they will get time outside once all the parts of the electric fence arrive (one of the joys of living on a small island).

The hens are resolutely refusing to lay at the moment. I suspect three may be past it and two not quite ready. They are on probation while I consult the recipe books.

I spend most of the time not having a clue what I'm doing, winging it on a very grand scale.

Thanks for starting the forum, hope it will be a valuable source of advice and comfort when things go wrong (as they do on a daily basis).


Dan

  • The Accidental Smallholder
  • Administrator
  • Joined Oct 2007
  • Carnoustie, Angus
    • The Accidental Smallholder
    • Facebook
Re: Hello from Orkney
« Reply #1 on: October 25, 2007, 11:29:30 am »
Hi Malc, you're very modest, we follow with interest your adventures at The Edge of Nowhere:D

Good to see you here, I'm sure you have a lot to offer!

natasha

  • Joined Dec 2007
  • whalsay,shetland isles
Re: Hello from Orkney
« Reply #2 on: January 03, 2008, 06:51:09 pm »
hello,i too had a rush to the head and moved all the way up to shetland from london!!We must be mad but so far so good.I've just read some of your blog which is great.I also am hoping to keep pigs,just waiting for my holding number to come!! ::)

natasha
natasha.

Hilarysmum

  • Joined Oct 2007
Re: Hello from Orkney
« Reply #3 on: January 05, 2008, 11:45:39 am »
Hi looking forward to hearing how things go.  Is it very cold there?

Pebbles

  • Joined Oct 2007
  • Central Scotland
    • Ardunan Farm
    • Facebook
Re: Hello from Orkney
« Reply #4 on: January 06, 2008, 04:39:34 pm »
Hi Malc

We love your site too - informative and funny  :D

Look forward to hearing all about your news - might need to pick your brains about Pigs and Chickens.

Hope the weather isn't being to harsh.

Pebbles

jan

  • Joined Oct 2007
Re: Hello from Orkney
« Reply #5 on: January 09, 2008, 08:20:27 pm »
Sorry this is late Malc, but better late than never, a warm welcome to the forum and hope you enjoy it as much as I do. Jan

Townie

  • Joined Oct 2007
  • Fife
    • http://www.townie.wordpress.com
Re: Hello from Orkney
« Reply #6 on: January 21, 2008, 11:02:42 pm »
Hi from me too  :)

Malc

  • Joined Oct 2007
    • The Edge of Nowhere
Re: Hello from Orkney
« Reply #7 on: February 12, 2008, 06:22:22 pm »
Blimey, hadn't checked this for. . . well, since I wrote it I suppose.

So apologies for not returning the greetings sooner - hello to you lot as well.

Everything is going pretty well. Pigs are getting bigger (two in-pig sows are on the way next month), hens are coming up with the eggs and Mrs Malc has a job (one of us had to).

Even in winter, Orkney is a fantastic place to live. Can't recommend it highly enough. We've even got a half-decent rugby club. I'm a happy boy.

If anyone wants to know anything from my very limited experience, feel free to mail - contact from the outside world is always welcome!


Rosalie

  • Joined Jan 2008
    • http://www.OurHelpYourSuccess..com/
Re: Hello from Orkney
« Reply #8 on: February 13, 2008, 09:22:06 pm »
Hi Malc I think you'll find that most of us started out on the same way, did you find a good recipe or are your hucks forgiven

Rosalie
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Francis Bacon

  • Joined Jan 2008
  • Belabre, France
Re: Hello from Orkney
« Reply #9 on: February 14, 2008, 08:18:52 am »
Hi Malc,

Welcome from me too  ;)

Donna
I Love mornings - I just wish they came later in the day!

Blinkers

  • Joined Jan 2008
  • Carmarthenshire
  • Carmarthenshire/Pembrokeshire border
    • Glyn Elwyn - Faithmead Herd
    • Facebook
Re: Hello from Orkney
« Reply #10 on: February 14, 2008, 11:20:15 am »
Wow and double Wow - what a stunning place.  :o Welcome and look forward to hearing more and more and more.
 :)
Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again !!
www.glynelwyn.co.uk

 

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