The revenge of the stripey socks - a DFW adventure

Pippilongstocking

honeybear wrote: »

Fay, it's beautiful :A

I'm so pleased lots of nice things are happening for you

I did crack open a new pair of stripeys today - but we will need to eat our way through the freezers etc so hopefully that will keep costs down - major money rationing here :eek:

:Dthe power of the stripes

KC good idea re amazon - I've a billion books (slight exaggeration) I've never even opened........:o

lucielle

That seems ok but you could barter for it. If you aren't going to keep nags there will be less mess and the field will be more useable. Actually if you were nearer I would be racing you for that house.

If you keep sheep what are you going to do with them? We raised 17 pet lambs one year, sold some and ate the rest.
L

gallygirl

fayjmck wrote: »

Just talked to landlord here who's told me to just move when suits, don't worry about anything and he's phoning tomorrow to say I'm a nice person

:eek: do they know about the stripes though :eek:

Glad it's all working out :T

Pippilongstocking

GG - You'll laugh but I did change my hat before I went (stripey) for one of my brothers plain black ones

And DS and I tried to look - um - normal...............:)

L yup the plan was to see about sheep or someat to raise and sell on later - and keep some for eating

I did fancy a cow (probably too big?) or some pigs (too messy?) but not seen it in daylight yet - the pics were taken whilst stalking from a distance - its got a private track so couldn't exactly drive down and nosey

Will do that soon though I'd like a wee play at a small holding because I'd love to have one - but I know OH isnt keen = although he's said why not try it at this house whilst renting and see about it after if that's what I want we can maybe look at buying in 4-5 years on the mainland

ETA I am now lookign at getting more chickens but won't get any til after I have the lease in my sticky paw!

If you were nearer that would be nice -

Karmacat

Surely you've got to raise a lot of animals before it becomes economically worthwhile to pay out £25 a week just for the land? OTOH, I know *nothing* about meat prices. Or raising food animals. Oops.

lucielle

Also have to factor in butchering costs unless you DIY. Is this the place where you would put the poly tunnel? Pigs are great, however the one my friend got used to stalk her chickens and scoff them! Yo would need electric fencing for them as well. A cow would need a shed for the winter, you'd be looking at approx 6 months of daily mucking out and a few months when she's 'dry' due to calving.

What about goats? Their milk is especially good for people with excema. You would still need to be able to put them inside as they have no oil in their coats to protect them from the rain. Easier to manhandle as well. Just my initial thoughts and hope it helps.
l

EssexHebridean

:j:T:j Wahoo to getting the house Fay!! :j:T:j

Is it possible to defer the decision on the field and stable until you get your money situation a bit more sorted? The idea of keeping animals is great, but there are a lot of costs involved before you see any return - feed, vets, butchery/slaughter etc, plus the issue of who is going to look after them when you're away for any reason, getting someone to feed a few hens and shut them in for the night is one thing, when there's proper livestock to look after it may prove tougher to find people who feel they can accept the level of responsibility? As you say, it's another £100 per month - which is of course another £1200 per year which could come off the debts?

Sorry to be chucking a wet blanket over it

The house does look amazing - I bet the heating doesn't work out as much as you're worried it will either, the current people probably have it a lot hotter than you would. Fingers crossed to them leaving their expensive stuff behind them - if they don't, well, you've not lost anything have you!

Pips_Mum

Yay! I am sooooo happy you got the new house

I am looking at house rentals at the moment, a new hair brained scheme of mine no need to worry! :rotfl::rotfl:

Pippilongstocking

Hey chaps

Yeah I'm not taking any sort of outdoor space until we're totally living there - I've no idea what other outside space there is yet
Goats are a good idea - thanks L

But you're all right - someone to look after things like chickens is one thing...........but good that we've all our MSE heads on re the cost of the field v the benefit of it - I can do some butchering myself - but I'd need to send them off to be slaughtered - if I kept sheep etc - folks always want rid of pet lambs but they are a menace sometimes!

The actual garden didn't seem very big really (but it was dark) I don't think I will get a tunnel in it - which is why I had thought of the field too - but I can't justify £1300 a year for a whim of mine - especially with the cost of a tunnel

Will hang fire - just thinking outloud alot of the time thanks for being all of the other voices! I certainly have alot to think about

And speaking of fires, I priced up woodburners, electric fake woodburners lookie likes and even 'calor gas woodburner lookie likeys'

I spoke to my mum to day and she said I should look at the options re a 'real' or a 'fake' woodstove - she's got a calor gas one which she says doesnt cost much to run - they are more expensive than the portable heaters - but they have a real flame and look lovely (and she's offered to help us out) if it means a nice alternative to a woodstove without the cost and the expense and the mess (although I like all of that too!)

Although I do like woodstoves - I liek collecting free wood from the beach etc - but ohterwise wood/coal is pricey - she argued the case for the fake ones (with a basket of lovely wood beside them..............to make it look a bit more real!)

EH - the lady said she had the tumble drier on alot - so that's probably contributed alot to their costs.......

sleepy girl here away to dream of hooses Pipsmum - if you can make your scheme work for you - I'd say go for it.....

Pippilongstocking

oooh - someone looking for accommodation til end May chasing it up