Daydream thread continues.....

alfie_1

rozeepozee wrote: »

I'm typing this on the loo. Only place you can get any peace in this place.

Lots of interesting posts. Alfie, I assume you know your father is entitled to access to his medical records? There is an application form and procedure, and they have a certain timescale in which to provide them.

I'd love Sebastopols... Think they may be the fancy geese we're looking for. I'm holding out on a breed before we commit.

We have confirmed a builder! Work starts 30th May. Can't believe it.

Rummer, I've been looking hard at our finances and, like you, there's little to trim. Much of the expense is business related. Everything else has been pared down before. We just don't spend already on the sort of things "normal" households can cut back on. I realise that growing our own probably isn't going to save much at least this year....

We have just bought two huge sheds, mind.... We urgently need storage for anything that comes out of the stripped house that we're saving. I hoping that in future years, when the kids are at school, big expenses like that can be cut back on as we'll have time to do the work ourselves.

albeit you have already bought....for future reference look at stables. they often sell off show ones and they are solidly built [usually more so than sheds] i bought [last house] a 12 x 12 with a 6 x 12 "tack room" all in one building.pitch roof, had 3ft overhang , gutters etc i just had to put a base down and they put it up. cost £1000. [rrp £1900] that was 10 yrs ago but ive looked into it and not much more now.
these are usefull cos high head room, split doors and there if needed for future livestock.
just a thought

ferretkeeper

Itismehonest wrote: »

We used cattle/horse mats for our pigs. Pricey but easy to clean & kept the cold concrete/ground away from them. They last for years so pay for themselves really.

What a blooming good idea, can't believe I never thought of that, thank you!

We do actually have some of this down in our stables left by previous owners, and one day the stables will be converted for pigs so it'll be useful then but we could get more of the matting for any outdoor arks not going on concrete...so simple!

alfie_1 wrote: »

albeit you have already bought....for future reference look at stables. they often sell off show ones and they are solidly built [usually more so than sheds] i bought [last house] a 12 x 12 with a 6 x 12 "tack room" all in one building.pitch roof, had 3ft overhang , gutters etc i just had to put a base down and they put it up. cost £1000. [rrp £1900] that was 10 yrs ago but ive looked into it and not much more now.
these are usefull cos high head room, split doors and there if needed for future livestock.
just a thought

Alfie, any idea where I might look for such a thing now? I'm not very good at finding bargains like that, we could maybe do with something like that in our rented field...

Itismehonest

In alfie's current absence .....

They come up on various websites like Preloved but you can also find them advertised in local papers & on cards in your local equine/farm suppliers. If you have a neighbour who keeps horses then it's worth asking them to keep their eyes & ears open for one.

alfie_1

ferretkeeper wrote: »

What a blooming good idea, can't believe I never thought of that, thank you!

We do actually have some of this down in our stables left by previous owners, and one day the stables will be converted for pigs so it'll be useful then but we could get more of the matting for any outdoor arks not going on concrete...so simple!




Alfie, any idea where I might look for such a thing now? I'm not very good at finding bargains like that, we could maybe do with something like that in our rented field...

i will have a scout round... i think i may know someplaces...;)

alfie_1

Itismehonest wrote: »

In alfie's current absence .....

They come up on various websites like Preloved but you can also find them advertised in local papers & on cards in your local equine/farm suppliers. If you have a neighbour who keeps horses then it's worth asking them to keep their eyes & ears open for one.

the only problem with USED ones is YOU HAVE TO DISMANTLE AND LOAD...
its ok-ish if they have been screwed together but if nailed :eek:
got the T shirt for that one..:rotfl:

lostinrates

Did you get my email Alfie?

Well, I think we are having it vetted. It's not my cuppa tea at all. In fact, I'd go so far as to say its U.G.L.Y. But it's also S.K.I.N.N.Y. And a very nice person, and dh likes it. He is a sucker for a bit of a ugly tree drop out.

On the plus side, it will be a challenge to turn this one around, and I have it's life time to try and improve it physically. It's neck is upside down.....I hate that. And it has a pigeon chest.

rozeepozee

Davesnave wrote: »

Hurrah for the commencement of work on 30th, rozee! :beer:

We now have our plans prepared for building regs, which to my eyes seems to be just a cut 'n paste job. I wish I could've got £300 for every school report I did that way! :rotfl:

Soooo, although the bare bones are there, it looks like a much more detailed spec will be needed for builders to estimate intelligently. This is where the quantity surveyor comes in, but knowing what those cost, I think I'll have a go myself. :eek:Fortunately, I know someone who receives specs all the time, so he's going to send some appropriate ones to use as templates. I think there will be some advantage here too, because it will focus us on all the details & fittings early on and increase our involvement.

Meanwhile, thinking about itsme's comments, I have been mulling over a Plan C, just in case there's some serious cost hitch with Plans A & B. I could still live with C, though it's clearly more of a compromise.

if you want to see anything of our details, let me know. You'd be welcome to. We have got everything costed in detail.

rozeepozee

Thanks for the tip on stables, alf. We have PP for stables, so it may be something to consider in future.

COOLTRIKERCHICK

morning all:j:j:j

Its not far off the middle of may, and we lite the fire last night:eek::eek::mad::mad: Its was quite cold, I thought it was just me, but hubby agreed, and lit the fire..

Ordering another pig arc today...and will be on the look out for some sort of large water storage tank/small bowser for the run... also need to get another auto drinker too...

So will be looking for some more piggies when we come back from the smallholders, :T:T

Davesnave

rozeepozee wrote: »

if you want to see anything of our details, let me know. You'd be welcome to. We have got everything costed in detail.

That would be brilliant! :TThanks. :A

I'll PM you later.....:)