the daydream fund challenge thread

lostinrates

newsgroup_monkey wrote: »

I just wonder if other farmers are going to think about splitting up their land - this farmer apparently (after doing some investigation) has split his farm into about 120 plots then sold the house with an acre or so individually.

I think this way, land buying IS achievable. I'm in the same boat as you - my other half, if we had our way, would love to invest in a huge piece of land. Half set aside for a campsite (there's very few campsites near us and we're on top of Milton Keynes - Gullivers and so on and also Whipsnade and Woburn are within 10 miles) and the other side set aside as a Market Garden with any excess being sold on.
She's got a BSc mostly in environmental studies and an MSc in Land Management (Conservation and Ecoysystems) so she knows a thing or two about doing it on a large scale.

Unfortunately, we're in a slightly worse financial situation. My marriage went the way of the pear about 5 years ago and she sold her house to fund her studying as a mature student so we're basically broke. I have 2 kids (one of which is a teenager so I sympathise). We live in rented accomodation although we don't go without. We just need to get a financial plan together. Houses are cheap enough to buy right now round our way, but getting a deposit together is a nightmare!

I think realistically, our best move would either to buy a Holiday home and rent it out (We don't intend to stay where we live for much longer) or buy a piece of land. Either way, deposit is key.

i think its a good idea....various practicalities being met. I've also read about a few community owned/run farms...which seems a fantastic idea...presuming the odd balls in a community are affable oddballs and people are of an ethos where common ground can easily be reached...comprimise on things like services and reliance on them etc etc.

Location would also matter...because it needs to be accessible. A plot nearest the local community might be worth more for ease of access for the time rushed/lass mobile. Who would own/maintain walkways to plots...suppose someone used an off road vehicle along grass paths in wet weather leaving ruts that make pedestrian access less easy etc etc etc.

Because I am an oddball I am a bit wary of schemes where my oddities might make me, or others uncomfortable.:o:o though love the idea of most community schemes. (even though individually owned, the need for good relations and bulk power for things like tool hire, seed purchase would be a real asset to something like this). If livestock were to be allowed keeping them happy becomes another issue where group power can help. e.g. if say eight plot owners each wanted a goat, rotating use of a paddock for goats all turned out together might keep the goats happier (group animals generally thrive better when social needs are met) and the impact of parasites, and cost of parasite control, down. Labour can be shared...a rota to hay/water/clean sheds etc.

Inevitably, even not working as a whole, keeping livestock can impact on others in close proximity. One persons chickens/goats whatever get a transferable disease/infestation, in relatively close proximity it will spread. But you can't do much about how neighbours choose to manage animals. Personally, I think the parasite thing has the potential to bite a lot of small holders in the future. Threads like the one on the board at the moment remind me of the trouble people can get into. Still for everyone that has trouble, there is one who never has (or never recognises if they do) any trouble just flying by the seat of their pants.


would you believe it, the first pits have come out with NOTHING exciting in them (in cluding btw no footings.....I understand why the house fell down). Also digger guy makes small bales! I'll have a saleable product this year! Hurrah!

Lotus-eater

Has anyone got any experience of yew poisoning? I'm starting to wonder about my illness and the fact I've discovered just how toxic yews are, I was in contact with a sick yew for a while at about the same time.

COOLTRIKERCHICK

NG-M ....Going back a few years ago, we were in MEGA debt...we chipped away at it... and paid it all off ( except our mortgage, which we had to more than double to ease some of the debt we owed)

So please remember you can do it....baby steps....it just means re- adjusting your spending, and saving... ( flip that makes it sound so easy:rotfl:)

In reality..... unless i win the lottery:D there is no way we could buy a smallholding unless some sort of miracle happens:A:p, so i am keeping my eye out for a bit of land, with the potential to put a caravan on it.

I know the law has now changed ( apparently) that you now need planning permission to place a static caravan on your land, but depending on what your council is like, they will permit it, if its for security or as a 'stockman's hut, to look after livestock or machinery etc ( to stop them being 'nicked' or on welfare grounds etc)

As you can see were are a truely friendly bunch here... regardless if you have a tiny back yard or lucky enough to have land allready....we all would like to have the 'dream' property..so whether we chat about getting extra money, or advice on growing stuff, we are all in it together on here..:T

COOLTRIKERCHICK

Lotus-eater wrote: »

Has anyone got any experience of yew poisoning? I'm starting to wonder about my illness and the fact I've discovered just how toxic yews are, I was in contact with a sick yew for a while at about the same time.

:eek::eek::eek::eek: ooooooooooo noooooooooooooooo

I havent got a clue, and there is no way i am going to google it, as by the time i have read everything.... you would have been dead and 6 ft under in a matter of seconds...and i would have had the same symptoms too....

I would go and have a chat with your doctor.....

Lotus-eater

COOLTRIKERCHICK wrote: »

:eek::eek::eek::eek: ooooooooooo noooooooooooooooo

I havent got a clue, and there is no way i am going to google it, as by the time i have read everything.... you would have been dead and 6 ft under in a matter of seconds...and i would have had the same symptoms too....

I would go and have a chat with your doctor.....

I don't think that's going to happen. Firstly because I'm not dead, which means if it was yew, then I was very lucky and now I know about it, I'm going to be bloody careful and have warned the kids well away.
Secondly, because the doctor will never believe me and this was weeks ago, there's not going to be anything left in me now.

lostinrates

Lotus-eater wrote: »

I don't think that's going to happen. Firstly because I'm not dead, which means if it was yew, then I was very lucky and now I know about it, I'm going to be bloody careful and have warned the kids well away.
Secondly, because the doctor will never believe me and this was weeks ago, there's not going to be anything left in me now.

have they got a different working theory they are treating you for?

How are you feeling now?

Lotus-eater

lostinrates wrote: »

have they got a different working theory they are treating you for?

How are you feeling now?

They have no idea. They think I've gone gaga, so they gave me loads of antidepressants, which I haven't taken. Which really annoyed the doctors.
I keep explaining, I had physical symptoms, yes, no doubt my mind made it worse than it was and some of them were so bad, I actually thought I was on my last legs but I am convinced I was ill.

I did my first longish walk today funnily enough, with my lad on my back, no real problems, I was a little worried because last time, I collapsed, although that was a few weeks ago. Crazy, I've gone from doing 10 miles a day, to worrying about a mile or two. Anyway, enough about my problems.

lostinrates

Lotus-eater wrote: »

They have no idea. They think I've gone gaga, so they gave me loads of antidepressants, which I haven't taken. Which really annoyed the doctors.
I keep explaining, I had physical symptoms, yes, no doubt my mind made it worse than it was and some of them were so bad, I actually thought I was on my last legs but I am convinced I was ill.

I did my first longish walk today funnily enough, with my lad on my back, no real problems, I was a little worried because last time, I collapsed, although that was a few weeks ago. Crazy, I've gone from doing 10 miles a day, to worrying about a mile or two. Anyway, enough about my problems.

well, for a start anti depressents doesn't mean gaga. infact I keep a anti depressant in stock because its also a muscle relaxant (that said I find it very, very poor for me and actually makes me feel blue...which I don't think is how they are meant to work for people who don't take them for nuerological symptoms).

Its good you managed a walk with your son. Perhaps building up slowly might see you back to your old self?

I really hope you feel better soon:kisses3:.

Lotus-eater

lostinrates wrote: »

Its good you managed a walk with your son. Perhaps building up slowly might see you back to your old self?

I really hope you feel better soon:kisses3:.

Thankyou my love, I do feel better already, my legs were a bit jellyfied today, but I think that's because the muscles have wasted from non use. I need to start walking every day again.
He was really funny today, I let him out of the backpack when we were up in the woods on level ground and he's got this thing about sticks atm, so he went round picking them up and slashing at greenery with them. Had to bring one home, as he screamed when I took it off him :rotfl: he stops every 2 feet as he's really into birds and there's loads, so any walking with him takes ages.

lostinrates

Lotus-eater wrote: »

Thankyou my love, I do feel better already, my legs were a bit jellyfied today, but I think that's because the muscles have wasted from non use. I need to start walking every day again.
He was really funny today, I let him out of the backpack when we were up in the woods on level ground and he's got this thing about sticks atm, so he went round picking them up and slashing at greenery with them. Had to bring one home, as he screamed when I took it off him :rotfl: he stops every 2 feet as he's really into birds and there's loads, so any walking with him takes ages.

Any time Lotus. He sounds a cutie.

I need to walk too. Today I didn't even poopick. When we talked about what's possible with illness etc I think I mentioned priorities...priorities atm is feeding animals and meeting clients needs....atm walking across the field isn;t.:o:D

Hopefully tomorrow I'll get to the field. Even i I can only do half this week, its better than letting it build up when it becomes a half day job at the weekend.