We love hearing from you, so here is your chance. Introduce yourself and tell us what makes you selfsufficient 'ish'. Go on don't be shy, we welcome one and all. You can also tell us how you heard about us if you like.
I'm Debby. I just wanted to pop by, introduce myself and say hello to you all. My husband and I are working towards living totally self sufficient. We both have our own allotments, he grows the veg, I grow weeds - Intentionally! We have 13 acres of woods where we go to play. I'm vegetarian, into animal rights, love digging, recycling and have my own Freecycle group which I started up in 2004. I have lots of rescue animals (dogs, tortoises, fish, lizards) who keep me extremely busy! I work part time and home school my 14 year old daughter. My dream is to sell up and move abroad where we will live 'Dick Strawbridge' style and if all goes to plan this dream will come true within the next 5 years.
Well, thats me! I look forward to getting to know you all and learning lots from you all!
" We have not inherited the world from our forefathers--we have borrowed it from our children ."
-Kashmiri saying
Thanks for all the replies and welcomes! In reply to the questions asked.. Robin, we have been looking at northern /northwestern France but we still have so much more to look into so not 100% sure yet.
Mithril, my life couldn't get any busier! Well, I certainly hope it doesn't! Lol.. but I'm sure I would moan and complain if it were any different :)
Hedgewitch, the only regret I have about home schooling is that I didn't do it sooner. My daughter has spent the last 4 years being bullied, having sleepless night's over stupid, petty and unimportant issues with teachers and peers and learning next to nothing because she is so disillusioned by the whole system. Since taking her out of school at the start of the year I have watched her turn into a wonderful, happy, caring young woman, full of confidence and self esteem. She has discovered a love of nature and actually wants to learn things rather than being forced into it. It's all good!
Andy, for the last few years I have been growing many wild plants like dandelions, white and red dead nettle, bittercress, plantain, clover, hedge mustard, mallows, sow thistle, vetch and sainfoin to name but a few. I always carry a paper bag to collect seeds and any I can't collect, I buy on Ebay. I grow them all on my plot at the allotment. I was given a large overgrown, organic plot, well away from others so that I didn't upset other plot holders by promoting weed growth :) I actually grow them to feed my tortoises but do use the dandelion leaves in salads and occasionally make tea with them. I've not tried nettle tea...yet.. what's it like?
Red / Thomzo, we have had the woods now for about 7 years. They are full of Ash, Hazel, Hornbeam, Oak Standard, Chestnut, Wild Cherry and Silver Birch. All of the trees in the woods are coppiced apart from the Oak Standards. The woods are home to an array of wild life including foxes, rabbits, badgers, a seen only once - black deer, red deer, countless insects, birds, such as Nut hatches, Wood Peckers, Owls, Pheasants and many other small birds. With the arrival of spring the woods become alive with activity, the woodland floor changes from a sea of fallen autumn leaves to a vibrant carpet of bluebells, wood anemone, fox gloves and random patches of rare wild primroses to treat the eye. It truly is a place that when there you forget anything else exists. We love nothing more than spending summer days there working and clearing. We have a large camp area with teepees and fire pits where we have summer parties and barbeques. I feel so at peace there - it really is wonderful.
Last but definately not least, Contadino, I have trouble with my own 'tash, let alone stick on another one!!...lol.
Debby.
" We have not inherited the world from our forefathers--we have borrowed it from our children ."
-Kashmiri saying
Andy: Benefits of nettle tea? What are they? For soe reason, i'm under the impression that nettle tea is a diuretic...now, if you like peeing, then i can see the benefits! Or maybe it helps water retention!
And, what does nettle tea taste like? I've tried nettle soup and it was disgusting!! It was really gritty and bitter. Is tea nicer? did i make it wrong?
