Selfsufficientish.com

I found a load of sweet chestnuts while cycling in the Pyrenees. Not sure what to do with them I took them home and made a soup with parsnips. It was de - licious! Just make sure after you've boiled them, cut them in half and scoop out the flesh with a spoon. Don't try to open them with your nails. ...

Which is ironic, as there are a lot of people who are 50-90% self sufficient here. In my village lots of people have rabbits and chickens. My neighbour has a couple of lambs. Almost everyone grows their own vegetables and mushrooming season is a joy. Travelling on the train back from the hills there...

I had mice in my house last year and traps baited with cheese weren't successful but someone recommended chocolate and it was very effective. I still get mice in the garden but the house has been mouse-free for a while now.

I'm enjoying it! Friendly people - at least the ones I've met so far...

I've heard rosehip wine is difficult to make and needs to be left for a couple of years to be drinkable (though is then quite good). I am a rosehip syrup man myself. It is not only heaving with vitamin C (20 times more than oranges) it is also delicious. Try drinking a hot mug of rosehip syrup by yo...

Thanks! I have to be careful what I say or every Tom, Barbara and Margo will move out here...

Hi all,
I'm Jeremy in the Czech Republic. I bought a house here two years ago and have 32 trees in my back garden and plenty of room for growing vegetables and a lovely rich dark soil to grow them in. Very cold winters (minus 20!) and warm summers (up to about 35). No regrets about moving here.