A few sheep loose in the top paddock...

[Stonehead]

Your plot looks very professional. (You are not, by any chance, a closet perfectionist?) I worked on a small farm/market garden a few years back, and that place was a shambles compared to yours... It might look a lot of work to get it so well organised, but I'm sure it'll pay off in the end.

No, I'm not in the closet!

More seriously, we have to be very organised and methodical as we are extremely dependent on what we produce, grow and rear on our place. We can't afford to be slipshod or cut corners, so we do it right and we build it strong.

There's also a huge amount of work to be done and, without doing the OH a disservice, there's only one person to do most of it. At the same time, I also look after our boys and do most of the domestic stuff. (And if you think the OH has it easy - she teaches, handles much of the organisational side, and is studying for two masters degrees at once.)

Btw, wasn't Gunners looking for one of those wheeled hoe thingies that you use? Maybe you can give him some tips on how to get one without paying the £335 they want on that one website (special offer!!!).

You're joking? I hope! Ours came from Freecycle - effectively free although we gave the donors some homebrewed stout and barley wine as a thankyou.

Well, I should tear myself away from the desk and get back home. Work to do. (Damn, should have taken a few days longer, this server change - would have given me a chance to sort out a few more things for house and garden! )

You'll just have to learn to multi-task! I can do this and drink a glass of barley wine at the same time for instance... hic!

Stonehead

[Lou8]

Wow - how do you have the time to come on the internet?

[Chickenlady]

This is the longest welcome thread ever, isn't it?

A most impressive set up you have there, Stonehead.

[Stonehead]

Wow - how do you have the time to come on the internet?

Usually while having a cup of tea, waiting for the Big Lad to catch his school bus, waiting for the Wee 'Un to finish in the bathroom, or last thing at night. There's always a few minutes to be found here and there.

I make a real effort to use the internet as it can be my only contact with people for days. The workload here is immense so we don't have much of a social life (although visitors are always welcome) and while Linda has her job, I sometimes find I don't get much time for more than a weekly chat with the playgroup staff, the shop assistants in the local shop and feed merchant, and sometimes the blacksmith, mechanic and butcher.

The phone is nowhere near as convenient as email and forums (which I can read and visit at times that suit me), and I don't have (or want) a mobile.

So I make the most of small amounts of time to keep in touch with like-minded people and hopefully share a little of what I've learned.

Stonehead

[Stonehead]

This is the longest welcome thread ever, isn't it?

A most impressive set up you have there, Stonehead.

I wish!

It would be impressive if we could just get a bit more time and cash to get a few things properly sorted (water, fencing and a properly set up workshop would do), but as things are it's a constantly changing tightrope.

Take today for example. We'd like to get a stretch of fencing finished so we can move the pigs into their next field and plant the last of the potatos, but we also need to finish the last of the groundwork in the vege patch and do more planting, but I also needed to finish rebuilding the ridging plough, but I also need to finish the neighbour's fence as he's paying me cash and I need the cash to fix my Land Rover, but I need to bottle my homebrew because I can swap that for other stuff, but....

Fun, fun, fun!

I used to do a 70-80 hour a week job with very good salary, now I do around 100 hours a week for a pittance - and I love it!

Stonehead

[Lou8]

Well I'm glad you are still enjoying it so much.
Good luck with it all.

[Shelle]

very inspirational Stonehead ... hope to learn and hear more about your adventures ... seems like you have life pretty sorted and in balance over there.

[Stonehead]

very inspirational Stonehead ... hope to learn and hear more about your adventures ... seems like you have life pretty sorted and in balance over there.

It's a small world. Not only are you from Port Macquarie - I have fond memories of barbies on Shelley Beach in particular - but I see from your profile that you're connected with Glen Wallis. I often put on Hardass and BeatstalkerD50 while writing (I love the metallic double beat in the latter - reminds me of fencing!).

Stonehead

[Shelle]

must say Stonehead ... you certainly have just made the world seem like a very small place (happening to me a bit lately!)

great to hear you like the tunes thanks for the feedback.