THE Prepping thread - a new beginning :)

moneyistooshorttomention

DOVELING

Tipi Valley - self-described as "a bunch of 70 hippies". There is a 4 minute odd video about them on YouTube - so you can see for yourself.

It's West Wales - so yep....there are conventional caravan parks here on the one hand and it is very much a part of the country where hippies/eco-freaks/etc come and form small communities. I've come across several near me and it's all "part of Life's rich pattern" as far as I'm concerned (ie I like having these sort of communities around).

There is a standard semi-jokey comment of "West Wales - where aging hippies come to die". A lot came over to this area in the 1970s from what I can make out. Younger eco-minded people are coming over now. Hence you will see a noticeable number of hippies in 70s/80s around - though some I know now look as conventional as anyone else.

Basically - it's not like there are a lot of jobs here in this area and, if you dont speak Welsh, then you tend to come "bottom of the list" for many of them (certainly the public sector ones:cool:).

I guess that's part of what makes it a cheaper area to live in - as regards houseprices??

I dont know Llanfynydd. Had a quick look and looks like an attractive little place. Quick look at population levels over time on the Wikipedia entry about it indicates the population is going down. Last figure put - 499. If you dont mind a place with declining population/few facilities - then that 2nd house that came up on clicking for other properties there looked pretty reasonable to me (ie the £170k one).

Anywhere rural or semi-rural in Wales - check carefully for Japanese Knotweed in or near the garden of the property concerned (some of the surveyors arent much cop re that - and I've got two different recent incomer friends that found their surveyor hadnt spotted it, but its there in their gardens). I've seen rather a lot of it over here - and attitudes vary between individuals with it (who are often not apparently that bothered about it....:eek:.:(). This village sure enough has/had some - check the minutes of the Community Council meetings - where they talk about dealing with it. Plus side to that village - those minutes are totally in English. That counts as "brownie point" imo - having studied the minutes of meetings of quite a few local Councils/community councils in this area since moving here. It's possible to get quite a good "flavour" of the area by seeing whether these are in English, Welsh or both and what the local concerns are I found.

The particular house you linked to definitely rates as "quirky". I sorta like it personally - but I'd run a mile (and more) at the thought of actually trying to live in it. Definitely for someone that likes a challenge - and has suitable private transport to live in it (absolute back of back of beyond by the sound of it).

Of the 3 larger towns in West Wales - Carmarthen, Haverfordwest and Aberystwyth - my order of preference would probably go:
- Carmarthen (the definite first)
- Aberystwyth (because I like university towns I have to admit)
- Haverfordwest (which I have heard described in very unflattering terms by a local there and I think anyone contemplating it would be well-advised to take a good trip round the town in a local bus first).

I think you said you arent in the best of health? Carmarthen and Haverfordwest both have hospitals. From what I'm used to - that I would rate as Level 1 - I'd put Haverfordwest one as Level 4 and Carmarthen as Level 6 iyswim. I've been in both and the Carmarthen one was a "bit of a shock" standards-wise...

HTH

pineapple

ivyleaf wrote: »

Doveling I love the "secret kiss" :A That's sweet! I like that cottage, but would prefer the description to say "well-appointed" rather than "habitable"

It actually reminds me of mine. Even now people are shocked to find that the manky built on shower room IS the bathroom and that there isn't actually such a thing as a water tank. In estate agent speak it was 'in need of updating' . :rotfl:
But I wasn't put off because while you can improve a property, you can't magic up the garden/land that surrounds it.
You have to estimate the costs of renovation then compare with the selling price of similar properties in the area - the baseline being that you should be at least be able to get back what you put into it.
Assuming no property crash.

maryb

I've lost count of the times I've had to say 'well I didn't see THAT one coming'!!

Apparently Her Madge is in Norfolk and DC has to go see her to resign and suggest that she sends for TM to ask her to form a government. So it might not happen until Queenie gets back to London later this week.

So probably not much certainty for a few days but at least things will get moving then. As you say, it's all the uncertainty that is crippling businesses like Nuatha's. But there should still be plenty for you to do Greenbee, I don't see this being a quick process

greenbee

maryb wrote: »

As you say, it's all the uncertainty that is crippling businesses like Nuatha's. But there should still be plenty for you to do Greenbee, I don't see this being a quick process

I don't need the work. The S that hit the Canadian economy earlier this year is still keeping me busy, and the US govt have just decided to make lots of work for me too. There is only one of me... I can't be everywhere, so I'd prefer it if people could schedule their economic and political meltdowns tidily based on my availability :cool:

maryb

Zombies take note:D

greenbee

maryb wrote: »

Zombies take note:D

I see some availability in about March 2019 if they want to book in?

GreyQueen

greenbee wrote: »

I see some availability in about March 2019 if they want to book in?

Too funny.

The trouble with crises is that they don't line up tidily one at a time, they will insist on happening all of a rush. No consideration, really.

Have escaped the workplace and the sun is still shining, so will have an early and light meal and go to the lottie a bit later. Politicians come and politicians go (wave bye-bye, angela person) but you know where you are with veggies.

I expect I am not the only one who can remember that Spitting Image sketch of Maggie Thatcher and her cabinet at a restaurant. She orders, the waiter asks what about the vegetables? and she waves at the cabinet and says they'll have the same. :rotfl:

I miss that programme to this day.mila, Spitting Image was a satirical comedy show done with grotesquely-cariacatured rubber puppets which ran over several series.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Doi1U7I1CyU

Angela person is bliddy lucky it isn't still running or I could see some very amusing skits such as Juncker being sent to the naughty step etc.

Margaret54

Thank you for your help Bob, much appreciated.

moneyistooshorttomention

mila

You just gotta watch episodes of "Yes Minister" on YouTube (assuming you can manage to get them okay in America). As an ex civil servant I laugh/wince even more at them...

WantToBeSE

Hi guys, can i join in?

I am back to being a DFW, so need to head over there are do a new SOA. My main expense is my food shopping bill, so i aim to get this to about £60 a week.

I am also mid house move. Not cheap..but i have now bought everything i needed, so time to start paying towards the debt.

Brexit has scared me, i REALLY need to prepare big time.