Selfsufficientish.com

Hi I've spent the last couple of weeks picking and freezing dandelion heads to make some wine. I've been told by one person that you have to take off all the green bits, but someone else told me that if you leave it on the resulting wine tastes like retsina. Anyone know if this is true? I looooooove...

We bought a tunnel from First tunnels. Frame went up just fine but we never seem to have calm enough weather up here to fit the polythene. We've tried in what is relatively calm weather and had to abandon it. We've got their aluminium base rail kit which is supposedly easier than trench digging etc ...

When you've got the crud off wipe it over with some baby oil!!! Fantastic.

http://www.godecookery.com/incrd/incrd.htm#016
http://www.lc.capellauniversity.edu/~13 ... eacock.htm

Found both of these with a quick google - both sound a bit Mrs Beeton - "First catch your....."
Maggie

Thanks Martin - and everyone
Still not sure where I stand but I'll leave it for a while - until our house is sold.
Maggie

Hi
I too live in Sutherland - near Durness. Do we count as urban self-sufficient? Don't care really - this seems like a really good forum.
Maggie

That was all completely arse about face. Permission denied under 50m and not needed over 100. + dwelling not swelling! I'm driving down to Manchester today to finish off selling the house so I'm all of a dither - my excuse anyway. By the way if anyone's interested in buying a house in Gtr Man area -...

I've read differing things. I think round here it is impossible to get permission within 100m of neighbours, may get it at 50-100m, don't need it under that. How many people live more than 100m from nearest swelling? Even round here the housing tends to be closer together than that.
Maggie

I know - I can't believe how lucky I am. When I'm rationalising the move I tell myself I've worked towards this for years (retraining etc). But the truth is we were in the right place at the right time and grabbed the opportunity with both hands. I still can't believe it - just hope the business goe...

Hi folks Just moved to NW Scotland (see entry in newbie section). Glorious scenery, fantastic lifestyle, great neighbours, but weathers been foul. Our heating and hot water is currently provided by an ancient Franco Belge boiler which is coal-powered. It's costing us over £20/week just in coal at t...

Hi
Echo last post but cardboard might be better than carpet - unless it's pure wool and hessian-backed. Otherwise it may never rot!!!
Maggie

Hi Alexandra Don't know if you've sorted out your polytunnel yet but if you're in Scotland have you looked at Highland Polytunnels website? Their prices look quite good and I'm hoping that, being based in Inverness, they know of the particular problems of growing in the highlands. I'm hoping to get ...

Hi Thanks for the welcome messages - I'm hoping to get to know y'all better over the coming months. Will be busy running new business (won't promote it here as per rules, but google green aura and you might just find me!). A polytunnel is certainly on the cards but first we have to clear the jungle ...

My mother puts canes, pea sticks etc criss-crossed all over her new beds. The little beggars are too lazy/dim to shift them and don't have room to squat and scratch - works a treat.

Hi, just moved to the North-west tip of Scotland. Not very self-sufficient yet, but working on it. I think up here it'll be necessary (as well as desirable) - nearest supermarket is 70 miles away!!! Also hoping to get lots of advice about wind power - we've got lots of that - over 120mph yesterday :...