Daydream fund challenge part 4

alfie_1

Davesnave wrote: »

No action today. We had a visitation from the Outlaws, who are very good with input to the building work, so a number of issues were settled, which we'd previously discussed without conclusion.

And we had a hearty wave from Mr Dog....well, I think it was a wave!:rotfl: MiL and I were drinking our tea on the patio, surveying the field and sheep, when there was movement at the far end (220 metres away.) It was Mr D, who came purposefully through his bushes and err.. 'waved' at us.

We didn't wave back.

:rotfl::rotfl: dont suppose it occured to you he may have been speared on one of your "deterrants" and "waving" for help....;):rotfl::rotfl:

Davesnave

COOLTRIKERCHICK wrote: »

Alex, there are always options, might not be the ideal dream ( which what ever the dream is in your head, in reality it doesn't exist, but you can get close to it)

I agree. The dream often isn't totally achievable, but something like it might be, and it may even suit you better, long term.

We dreamed of having a 'proper' nursery, but it didn't happen. We created a super business in the city, but that model didn't work when applied to this place, so we had to change our direction.

I know now that we were looking at the wrong property for our age and abilities. I kept saying that we didn't really need much acreage.....and I was right. :Abut I still kept looking at larger places!:rotfl:

However, now we're here, we like it. Things are just different from how we imagined them...and we can still dabble.

ukmaggie45

alfie_1 wrote: »

hes actually yorkie cross maltese !!

Our next door neighbours have a maltese, she is delightful. Ridiculously friendly, always wants to visit us when we're sitting in front porch. She's very silky and a real sweetheart.

ukmaggie45

Davesnave wrote: »

However, now we're here, we like it. Things are just different from how we imagined them...and we can still dabble.

Hugs to you and Mrs Dave - sounds like you made right decision.

Davesnave

ukmaggie45 wrote: »

Hugs to you and Mrs Dave - sounds like you made right decision.

The decision to buy a property with significant land is usually a huge gamble, and there's no doubt that it doesn't work out for many. Consider the number of sold properties in Wales which reappear on the market 3 or 4 years later, tarted-up at some expense, and often at a price no higher than they originally sold for. In short, someone made a bad investment.

This is not necessarily a reflection on Wales. It's where most of the affordable, non-tied property is, but it's also true that rural Wales (and the truly rural parts of other places) can be an acquired flavour. Some people who've come to our village have found the transition from urban environments too difficult to cope with.....and this is a really friendly, easy-going, place, compared with some. :A

Then, beyond all that, there are the variables which come with purchasing land in addition to those that are house-related. The chances are that if it's affordable, the house will have issues, but the land may well have problems too, only revealed when the full range of weather is experienced.

That lovely tree lined drive that looks so idyllic in May, might be a rushing torrent this morning! Those trees that cast such a welcome shade in July cast nothing but gloom in January....and so on. I really believe that choosing land is much harder than selecting a house. Houses are easier to alter!

So, am I here at the start of a New Year, putting people off the Daydream? No, I'm not. I'm just saying think really hard about the whole package you want to buy into and don't rush the process.

After a huge amount of research, we bought our place because we knew we could get our money back, and it's only now, after 5 years, that we're putting serious extra money into it. I won't lie, I didn't feel too comfortable here for the first couple of years, but it grew on me. It can take that long for all the attributes of a smallholding to surface and it's all too easy to see the down-sides first, especially on a wild morning like this one! :rotfl:

COOLTRIKERCHICK

Totally agree with everything you have said Davesnave..


The ranch looks fab in the spring and summer, and yes when you look at the house/garden etc from a certain angle its fantastic,BUT then in the winter, or as you said when its raining and blowing a gale, mud everywhere, its looks like a depressing hell hole lol..


We knew there was a large jump in price from the price of the ranch to other smallholdings in the area.. at least double the price. and we knew we could never get/save that type of money..so after looking at different things, like the land with the big barn, and the 1 acre with the old falling down house, which would have been a gamble for reinstatement.. and going so far in the process of buying them.. we were lucky enough to win our ranch in auction...


It will be 3 years in march we won it.. and its been far from a bed of roses.. with neighbours, change in work etc... and still the uncertainty of work this year...


I know I have said this year on year lol.. but THIS year.. we really do need to get house1 sold, as with living costs getting higher, less money coming in.. its not a good mix when you need to get things done to make the ranch solid and liveable ..


Am I glad I done it???? flip YES!!!! BUT its not that cosy quaint cottage country living people dream of lol...(well it might be when we are actually living in the range, and not living between a caravan and house1 lol

I_have_spoken

First bit of 2015 gardening

Planted out the hellebore and added more wires to the pergola to tie in the honeysuckle and stop it thrashing about in the wind.

Just to keep the succulents from feeling frost in the conservatory...don't think it can produce enough heat to keep cacti and aloe above their min. temp even when they are dry.

Davesnave

I had my first seed delivery this morning.....:D

Before you panic, Rummer :cool:, it was for seeds which need planting now for germination in a few months time.

And the plants probably wouldn't be suitable for most gardens, being 4 species of Rheum plus the similar, even larger, Gunnera manicata, which I threw in just for fun. :rotfl:

Very impressed with eBay seller, who got them here in 2 days.

alfie_1

hi all... spent all day in the shop today.. bit of a rainy dismal day here. overcast and generally gloomy ! im off to [i think] ILLMINSTER? tomorow to pick up a purchase i know its "west" and will rely on my sat nav [oooo get me ] to get me there...:rotfl: then i have to double back to BORDEN to pick up another lot so i think thats tomorow sorted ...:p 2 cocker spaniels were stolen from a local game keeper night before last :eek: hes wacked out a £1500 reward !! i get so cross/mad/infuriated when i hear that some low life has done this and put the owners through hell of the unknown :mad: i would seriously "do time" if i caught them... i wouldnt bat an eyelid to see/put them in an extremely dark place... promise you will all write to me..;)

ukmaggie45

Just thought I'd let you know we had an offer on our old home this morning. Turned it down. 2 more to view tomorrow. Don't want to say too much about it all at the mo. Never know who's lurking! :eek: