Hello from Durham, England

[RuthG]

Hi all, Just dropping in to introduce myself. I live in County Durham in NE England where we still even have some snow at present.

I have a fairly big house, but the children have all flown the nest now, so just me and DH. I have been trying to downshift because while I seem to ahve the ideal job (hours more or less to suit myself and £30 am hour) I would prefer to be at home, doing the garden, or keeping the house clean and tidy Seems I cant manage all three at once and as there are several renovations we need to do on the house (including having the slate roof relaid), I have to continue working at present until those things are done. Time frame is hopefully autumn next year to have everything done.

Havent been self sufficientish for many a year but thought Id like to get back to growing my own and wasting less etc. Downside is the garden is very overgrown with thistles, nettles, dock and brambles.

Dream is to have a house somewhere else (long story) and run B&B while having a small holding of sorts. Cant do much here, despite the size of the place, but can at least make a start. DIY is a bif hobby for both DH and me, so we should be able to get on with the renovations ourselves.

So looking forward to getting loads of tips and encouyragement, and hopefully being able to contribute to others as time goes by.

Ruth

[indy]

Hi and Welcome to Ish Sympathise with you and your brambles, thistles and the such...I am similarly afflicted

[red]

welcome

[spider8]

Welcome Ruth. I've only been to Durham once and thought it was a beautiful place, lovely countryside too. Do you live in a rural spot and where is your dream location - nosy beggar aren't I

[RuthG]

Welcome Ruth. I've only been to Durham once and thought it was a beautiful place, lovely countryside too. Do you live in a rural spot and where is your dream location - nosy beggar aren't I

No more nosey than I would be!

Dream place would be Yorkshire Dales, preferably Swaledale, but Wensleydale would do :)

I do live in the country, but not the kind of country you might read about in books - it's an ex-mining village and might as well be in the inner city. We have gun crime and vandalism like you wouldnt believe!

Ruth

[Milims]

Hi there and welcome

[Green Aura]

Hi Ruth. welcome to Ish

I think you must definitely leave there - gun crime!

[Millymollymandy]

Hi and welcome Ruth!

[MuddyWitch]

Welcome to ISH

MW

[RuthG]

Hello all. It appears I havent been on here for about a year! And there has been little or no progress since I was last here, either.

First of all, my mother died, which wasnt expected and therefore came as a complete shock. That event has also added to the clutter in our house, as I inherited all her possessions. Most of them that I am going to keep have homes now, but it has taken a long time to get organised.

Then my son finished university and couldnt get a job. He has been home for the last 10 months, fixing up reclaimed bicycles and selling them on. Yesterday however, he moved out 150 miles away to start his first 'real' job.

That means I am home alone (I do still have a Hubby, but he works 70 miles from home so is out a long time each day) much of the time and need to keep busy (to prevent feeling sorry for myself) and getting the house organised enough so we can sell it and move closer to where Hubby works (which wont be bad, as he works just outside the Yorkshire Moors national park )

So, looking basically to reintroduce myself, get sorted at home, get growing in the garden, finish renovating the house (to sell) and have the support of likeminded people.

Thanks for reading

[becks77]

Hi Ruth missed you first time so..... helloooooo