Every morning when I step outside, nothing comes close to the happiness I feel. Looking around at mountains and pine trees come rain, shine or snow I can't help but smile because I'm home, a feeling I have never had before, and at age 45 it's never too late to find your happy ending.
Our adventure started in Northamptonshire, England. I had an overwhelming feeling that had been by my side for years, I was feeling lost. Feeling unmotivated. Living the rat race. I was browsing my phone searching for houses and stumbled upon a house on an island in the Scottish highlands. The view was incredible with wide open spaces, surrounded by nature.
I was feeling excited. I like to jump before I've had time to think and the thrill of an adventure was sparked somewhere deep inside, so I sent the link over to my husband. He's the complete opposite to me and doesn't like change, I definitely wasn't expecting him to agree and suddenly, just like that, our new life began that day.
During the summer of 2018 we talked a lot about moving home. With such a big decision ahead of us we had to figure out what we all wanted as a family from the move, so we asked our children to make a list, and we did the same.
As a family of six and with my son in his final school year, we chose to wait for him to finish his exams, so that gave us two years to plan. Two of our children are homeschooled meaning we needed a supportive homeschool community around us, and we soon found out that my husband wasn't allowed to work from home. Jobs can play a big role in a decision to move. This came as a shock and suddenly it felt like our new life was on hold, but after some brainstorming we realized it was time for a new job, because if you want your dream badly enough you make it happen!
Denne historien er fra June 2023-utgaven av The Country Smallholder.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Denne historien er fra June 2023-utgaven av The Country Smallholder.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
How to Buy a Smallholding in France- Long-time smallholder Lorraine Turnbull looks at the practicalities of moving to rural France
Aspiring smallholders are continually thwarted by the prices of smallholdings and property with land located within the UK. Even the humblest croft in Scotland comes with a substantial price tag and conditions which would make even an adventurous wannabee consider carefully. But all is not lost. For those willing to take the adventure of a lifetime, there is always Europe, and one of the most popular places is France.
Meet the Bournemouth goats and their supporters
These capricious animals are hard workers preserving the natural habitat
Still warm enough to sit outside with a Pizza
Henrietta Balcon uses fresh figs to create an unusual dish at Harvest time
Goodbye to the birds of spring and summer
If you look and listen you might be able to see them preparing to leave says The RSPB
Get ready for the colder weather in the warmth of late summer
Claire Waring advises on doing the best to make sure your colonies survive until next spring
Preparing the Veg Patch for Winter
Lee Senior says, a well-run plot can excitingly continue to produce good quality, tasty, fresh food for much of winter
Time to prepare to plant your orchard
Wade Muggleton, smallholder and author of The Orchard Book, shares his practical experience so you can create your own fruit collection
Choosing feed for the autumn
As autumn approaches, Joanna Palmer, nutritionist at the Smallholder Range, offers advice on choosing the right feed to support your adult birds through their annual moult and ensure your young birds grow and finish well at this time of the year.
Vet advice from an experienced poultry vet
Reflecting on how much the humble hen has helped people world wide plus advice on stopping the scourge of red mite
Give your hens some support
Paul Donovan looks at the right and wrong ways of handling birds
