I did it - but it is not for everyone

bettyboo71 · 15 June 2016 at 4:03PM

another_casualty wrote: »

Andy has a few good points .
The only thing I would advise, is to look for a job sooner.
That way you have cash coming in, and may help you settle more.
( if that makes sense)
Good luck

We are both actively looking now, and there are at least occasional options, but I am making a point of always mentioning that we are looking for work whenever talking to locals, as this is the sort of area where jobs don't always get advertised.

In the meantime, I am enjoying the extended holiday :-)

bettyboo71 · 15 June 2016 at 4:15PM

Lessonlearned makes some very valid observations. Life here is very different, lots of people have two or three jobs, just because of the seasonal nature of many industries here. There isn't the same opportunity for frittering, or even for spending money. We used to have a takeaway and either lunch or coffee and cakes at least once a week. There just isn't the opportunity to do that here - we go for a cheap lunch at our local cafe once a fortnight, and nobody delivers pizza :-(

Online shopping does mean that we tend to do plenty of research, and often wait for offers/deals. We also do a very organised menu plan and weekly shopping list - mainly because we have to carry it from the tesco drop off point, so we can't buy too much.

It is a very different way of life, and not for everyone, but we have already made some friends and possibly useful contacts, and we are constantly learning. Lots of local businesses are family-run, and tend to not need permanent staff - but being available and flexible and making sure they know that, means that there are always possibilities.

And of course MSE means I am always getting the best deals!

lessonlearned · 15 June 2016 at 7:03PM

Has anyone left you any pheasants yet ?...

A friend of mine lived on one of the outlying Orkney islands. Her dad was quite the handyman in an "gifted amateur" kind of way. He helped out whenever and in return they were rewarded with game, fish, baked goods etc.

It's just the way it worked.

My sister in law (mainland Scotland but in the back of beyond) used to be given a side of venison every year, not poached but culled.

bettyboo71 · 15 June 2016 at 10:06PM

lessonlearned wrote: »

Has anyone left you any pheasants yet ?...

No, but the neighbour's cat sees entirely different 'benefits' in my new hobby of bird-watching :-(

I believe that there is an element of skills bartering around here, and we are slowly getting to know who does what, and how to approach these things.
I got some free rocket seeds from Kelloggs last year and we had delicious fresh rocket for weeks. Buoyed by that success, I am now growing some tomatoes, which are looking very promising, and I intend to try other things - it is all part of the different lifestyle.

in_need_of_direction · 18 June 2016 at 4:29PM

Thanks for sharing your story. I hope it all works out. However, even if it doesn't, having had three years of minimal stress will help with any necessary changes.