Oh welcome winter

Right...

First of all, sorry for the delay: It must be five months since my last blog, I have no excuses what so ever for this.

Since I last spoke to you mist of my time has been taken up with the basics!!

I have plenty of leaks in the roof, though these will have to just accept the temporary repairs until I can afford to do it properly...a long time in the future. I have installed a new sewage system, the old one was 25 years old and had never been emptied!!

My chickens have stopped lying due to the now cold weather, and I am desperately trying to fine a more suitable location for them as the hutch keeps getting blown over.

I have two of my own raised beds now in place: awaiting the manure that I have to collect once I borrow a trailer.

By good fortune a local farmer friend of mine called me up the other day to ask if I wanted a deer. A strange question to most, however to me it means venison for the freezer. It is currently hanging in my garage and I shall be practicing my butchery skills next week. Incidental the deer did die of natural causes (getting stuck in a fence). Though I am certainly not against shooting game...I should of had six or seven pheasants and nine or ten rabbits this year with my gun...I just can't seem to shoot straight. Plenty of time still left however.

My Christmas wish list as it stands: A greenhouse, another two raised beds, more hens, a bottle of chateau-neuf du pape and a large variety of pipe tobacco and cigars

That will do for now, photos shall follow soon of all I can.

Good afternoon to you all.

I am now officially in Hunter's and spending all day everyday working then coming home to sort clean etc.

I got a load - i mean a load of firwood for cheap too as a bonus

Have included a few photos of the house to get the idea across.

Had mine and mum's traditional first supper in new house meal last night: Roast chicken leg done with salt, pepper, herbs, oil and garlic, roast potatoes, sweetcorn and gravy. It was spot on.

Am getting chickens and ducks in a few days - just need to get myself settled first

First Post: Me and all that jazz

Good day,

As I have said in the "About Me" section I am Chris, 23 and entering the world of smallholding/foraging etc.

I have just got my first and I hope last house, where I shall be living with 3 mates and a number of animals, including Teal my sheepdog puppy (she is 10 months now).

I hope to use this blog for a number of reasons:

1. To let people see how easy/hard I find life doing this.

2. To help me keep track of where I am going with the project.

3. To have fun.

4. To share ideas/thoughts/recipes and so on with everyone.

5. To show not all us 'youngters' are hoodies.

I intent to keep it updated (daily/weekly, maybe monthly come some busier months) with information both on the smallholding, my own life and that of the animals, recipes and anything that takes my fancy.

I currently have nothing at Hunter's: though I have a few raised beds, a greenhouse, 8 hens, 3 piglets and a duck at my mum's. Some of this will follow me when I move in tomorrow and others will remain with her.

Photos will be put up as I (remember) to take them.

Unfortunately I have been at work today so have not done so much: managed to pick and eat some wild raspberries, and pick and make nettle tea in my lunch break. Raspberries were fantastic, I am still unsure on the tea - need to keep trying it.

One finally thing, a list of some of my loves:

1. Countryside and its pursuits...farming, shooting, walking etc

2. Studying...anything from history and law to youth work

3. My dog

4. Homegrown/made food and produce...from vegetables to meat

5. The occaisional pipe smoke

That's enough now - don't wish to bore you.

Take care