Off-Grid Life: surprising hurdles await ⛈️
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 27 ม.ค. 2025
- Join us on our journey as we dive into the world of off grid living in rural Wales, where the picturesque landscape belies the surprising hurdles that await. From renovating our stone built farmhouse to cultivating a slow living approach, we're embracing sustainable living and homesteading in a bid to reconnect with nature. But it's not all plain sailing - find out what unexpected challenges we face as we strive to live off the grid and restore our rural heritage.
Music credits
------------------------------------------------------------------------
All of the music in this episode is performed by The Rob Lear Band
The band's website can be found here: roblearmusic.com/
And their content on Bandcamp is found here: roblearmusic.b... where you will find the track Strange Birds amongst numerous other gems of pure brilliance. Thank you for your support Rob.
#Homesteading #how to #off the grid
Excellent structural bones to build from! Lots of work, but a worthy effort ahead. Thank you for sharing.
And thank you for supporting!
👋 hello 👋 lovely videos, don’t worry about the sound of the wind and water, that’s the sound of wild Wales! Looks like a piece of heaven to me. After 12 years in North Wales with a smaller project, my advice is to first of all discover what is on your plot (drains, ditches) and then get the water going where you want it to go. Each storm is an education and will teach you something valuable. You can see the love that has gone into the walls of the big house. Just take time to learn what you have, then prioritise, don’t rush, enjoy each step along the way. Best wishes.
Thank you Chris - you are so right about the plot and discovering what is there re groundworks - also hoping to uncover some finished stone and maybe ever windowsills in the undergrowth 🤞🏼
Save everything, you will need every piece of stone, every piece of timber, there will be a use for everything, but so rewarding.
Great commentary, and, what a lovely calm voice you have.
Thank you.
Wishing you all the best of luck ahead on your project here . Subscribed from your first post and looking forward to seeing how you attack the place
The fallen trees are a gift! You're already into a few hundred £ worth of free firewood!
Out thoughts exactly when we realised how many had fallen. Mother nature has done the hard bit for us!
@@EightAcreHavenI find the endless stating of the blindingly obvious, in TH-cam comments, maddeningly irritating..... and I'm just an observer.....
.....it'll probably have you reaching for sharp implements before long... !!!
Just found your channel and look forward to following your journey ❤
Thank you 😍
OHH and save the stump! lol actually depending on what type of wood it is at least a nice shelf or coat rack should be doable and a nice story to tell in the future!
We will definitely make something out of it - not taken the time to look closely yet but I think it is likely Birch.
There is a lot to do but at least the storm didn't do as much as it could have. I hope you will get all the damage cleared OK and can then get on with the restoration. Thanks for posting....
Indeed, it could have been much worse! Thanks for watching and supporting :)
great video ,cant wait to seee you start work on it allxx
Hi all new subscriber from Newfoundland can’t wait to follow you all on this wonderful journey. The place looks amazing and the buildings look fine stone wise with a bit TLC it’ll be great irrigation is going to have to be a big part of the land cause of all the water, but the rest looks fabulous.cant wait for the next one 👍👍
Thank you for your good wishes and support - you are spot on about the irrigation - reckon it will make for quite slow progress on around a quarter of the first field.
The stone wall out the back of the house could have been part of the Ty Bach (loo). Someone has mown the rushes, but they will come back with a vengeance. The only way to get rid of them is to spray. Lime and drainage will help, but even after pigs ploughing, they come back and will take over all the grass. I am constantly at war with them. I lost several trees to the storm, but it is heating for next year! Keep going, you will get there!
Could well be the Ty bach indeed! Good shout - will investigate :) also, thank you for the advice on the rushes - they are stubborn!
Will look forward to watching your story unfold
Lovely to have you join us 🤩
It's going to be great! Thanks for sharing! 👍
Not boring at all, what a challenge you have but it comes across that you know what your in for and know how to tackle this. What a truly stunning property in a stunning location, can’t say I’m not envious! Looking forward to following along. 👍
Thank you - relishing the challenge!
Hi!
Stumbled upon your video's of your off-grid dream house, a lot of work, but will be a beauty in the end, I'm sure of that! In your second (?) video (storm damage) you are talking about the fire place... and where you could place it... If I may recommend something; try to place it in the heart of the house, because the heat will (more) evenly distribute througout the different rooms. It will be a bit more work to construct such a big, solid chimney, but you won't regret it. Greetings from Belgium!
Falco.
Love the recommendation Falco - if possible, we are thinking along the lines of a mass heating solution. Glad you stumbled upon the videos 😁
Excited for your journey and to be able to follow you right from the start. What a beautiful little piece of wilderness you are caretaking.
A lovely sentiment - thank you!
look forward to following your journey
We would like to follow you as the potential of your channel is great. Sometimes less is more when it comes to talking on videos.
I’m sure as you continue on your TH-cam journey your videoing and audio will improve as we’ve seen happen in other sites.
Good luck.
Welcome on board! Great to have you join us - yes, the plan is to improve the AV skills 😁
My new favourite channel👍
Thank you Neil - lovely to have you join us.
So excited for you both. Can't wait to see the progress of your farm and the channel. Watched both your videos, liked and subscribed and looking forward to next week's video already.
Thank you! Great to have you along for the adventure
#SAVETHESTUMP 😁
Wise words! 🧘🏼
ooeeoo, I can’t believe how damp it all is. some serious drainage to sort out 😮
Yep, drainage is high up on the list of priorities!
Congratulations on your new purchase. Tons of potential .have a great week
Nice. Love the inside tree, but not very convenient. Can I just say, that if you are thinking of wood fired heating alongside other methods, (you have plenty of wood and space to prepare it as fuel), it is good to put a chimney /fireplace on an internal wall rather than on an external wall. That way you can use the whole of the chimney as 'thermal mass' - like great big night storage heater. If on an external wall, you lose heat to the surroundings. The bigger the chimney, the grater the thermal mass. Between 2 ground floor rooms, you can go double aspect, heating both rooms and the thermal mass of the chimney will heat the adjacent first floor rooms. If they're bedrooms, you don't want 'em as warm anyway....
Indeed, bit of a trip hazard that stump. We do like the idea of thermal mass storage so are pondering the internal chimney option too.
Exciting times ahead. Good luck 😊
They are indeed - so much to do but a lovely place to be able to do it 🥰
That stonework looks to be in great shape. You may find that the cowshed was originally two levels. Byre down below and original home above. Not suggesting you put it back that way but looks like a wonderful challenge.
It is generally great - some bad patches but fab in the main.
I’m excited to follow your story and see your home come to life. ❤
Love what you are doing. A heck of a challenge - looks like you’re up for it. My wife and I live off grid for six months out of the year - Northen Ontario. Always carry a chainsaw in your vehicle. We use ours about once every three weeks or so due to blow-downs. Also, can barely hear you. We’re in for the long haul on this project with you (shades of Geo Clarke!). Investing in a better audio capture will go a long way with your viewers. Cheers to both of you.
Thank you for joining us and the advice - working on those audio teething problems!
@ Love the music!
Thank you - we'll be sure to let Rob, Liz, Terry and Tom know that you enjoyed them 🥰
Goodness you’ve got your work cut out for you! This is a life’s commitment! Years worth of work to get it into a habitable condition. I do see the charm in the property and admire your tenacity! Don’t think you’ve got one easy fix amongst the catalog of jobs you need to do. ❤
Nothing easy on the list Rosemary, but, to be fair, neither of us are very good at easy 😊
Hi there, what you actually have is a great blank canvas when it comes to the house as you haven’t got any rotten floors or plaster on the walls to remove so you can pretty much dig your ground floor up insulate and screed and put your first floor in and you’re ready for first fix electrics and plumbing simple when you say it quick. It’ll be a beautiful home when it’s done absolutely lovely stonework personally I hope that you keep it looking traditional with carful use of modern materials to bring it up to modern living standards.👍
Yes, not having to strip out gives a great start for us. Also saves a great deal of money as no skips will be required.
So, a chainsaw (plus security equipment) is also on your list of many tools to buy. All the fallen trees at least will provide you with some firewood. I guess, you bought the property at the right time before it started to crumble completely. It is a lot of work. But the substance is a good base for restoration.
We agree that the substance is good - others may be put off by how it looks but we know it is generally all sound. Thankfully chainsaws are not on the list as we have 5 🤣
There's always an upside!
Seems like great potential for hydro-electric, and you'll have wood burner fuel for some time! 👍
And extra security until we clear the fallen trees!
Top of the shopping list, a go pro compatible clip on microphone with wind sock👍
👍🏽 all the gear - not much of an idea! Working things out as we go 😁
Drainage looks to be your top issue 🤦🏻♀️ Looking forward to your videos! What is your yorkies name? I had two George and Gracie. Loveable little pups 🥰🥰
He goes by many names but his official one is Walter!
What wonderful deep stone lintels. We have sprung arches which are nice but I like those serious eyebrows.
Welcome to wales.
The storm made a mess. Thanks for showing the house and around the property. I was wondering the type of work you can do on the place.. Is this your first project or have you done this before. Have you started getting information like size and location of each building drawn out so that you can figure things out?
A mess indeed but thankfully little actual damage.
Does the barn really need knocking down and rebuilding? It's hard to see on camera but looks like it might be satisfactory to repoint it with lime mortar. The back wall looks damp and like it would benefit from digging out the ground behind it.
I'm looking forward to following along with this project.
That back section is in the bedrock so we are scratching our heads current regarding handling that. There are some sound sections and others that will benefit from rebuilding - will try to show in future footage when the ground conditions are not taking attention away whilst filming!
whats the weird stuff on the kitchen table blocking it being used properly?
🤣 Rhys made me take the engine I was rebuilding off it and put his fancy table mats there instead 🙄
@@EightAcreHaven ROFL...
Thanks for revealing the property to us. House looks like it has good foundations and had sash windows (Victorian with single, vertical glazing bar in the middle). My beloved splayed window reveals are not present, which is a shame, as quite a bit of work involved to create if you like that idea. Great slate(?) sills though.
Question - do you have Cliff Blundell's amazingly informative books on correct restoration practice: "Sustainable Legacy" and "Precious Inheritance" which are superbly written showing case studies and available via 'e By Gum'.
The cow shed would make an excellent log store if you widened the doorway or opened one half, and so close to the house. The stone barn looks like it can easily be incorporated (as you said Jo) into the house and would make a great laundry room, big pantry and back cloakroom / boot room off the kitchen?🤔
If you are buying new senisoidal, wriggly tin, you can buy conservation grade sheets which are 0.9mm thick instead of 0.6mm. Galvanised is available, but if wishing to paint almost immediately you will need some 'T' wash Mordant solution otherwise wait a whole year before painting!
You are welcome Richard - there may be scope for the splayed reveals in the cow shed, but yes, not for the house without a great deal of additional work. Thank you for the recommended reading. As for the incorporated barn - we both have ideas for that and our respective crafts ... probably going to have to toss a coin when the time comes to see who 'wins' - course, we both win in the end 🥰
@EightAcreHaven
Gosh! Might have to add a wooden barn onto the end.
What is the history on the property, how long ago was it first built ?
We are still researching this - earliest we can find ordnance reference is early 1700's - the cow shed is much younger!
@ ………… was it originally a farm house to a farm, have you asked local farmers and in local post offices/Pubs etc. I’m sure you have.
To have its own driveway (if that driveway, is only for your house) could show up on old maps etc.
sorry I’m just guessing, I’m no expert in these matters. It’s just always interesting to know a property history.
Anyway good luck on your adventure. I’ll keep watching from my little Welsh Cottage in Mid west wales-near Machynlleth. 🙂
Machynlleth is a lovely part of the world that we've enjoyed visiting - CAT inspired us!
I hope you’ve got deep pockets and long arms. We started a project like yours 16 years ago.
Anyway I wish you the best of luck and I’ve subscribed👍
Thank you!
I do hope you have very deep pockets!
😂 if only!
Let's get this save the tree stump bottom staircase campaign going!! 🌲🌳♥️
Yes, YES! 😂🥰🪵
The wind did you a favour and took the tin off the cow barn for you. Take the hint. Take the rest off, pole rafters down, get back to the stonework and repair the walls first. If you need it dry , put up some plastic tarps over the area you're working on.
Hi guys remember..Trees, whether standing or fallen, are the responsibility of the Landowner whos Land the Tree was standing/growing on..just sayin'.
Yep.. all very well if you can find the person involved.... or obtain their cooperation.....!!
....'just sayin'......
@andymccabe6712 ascertaining the Landowner is straightforward
Hi Jo and Rhys, is there any way a private message can be sent to you both instead of posting on here I wonder? Thanks
You can do William - the email address is linked in the channel 'about' section.
@ thank you
The sound in a lot of places wasn’t good. The microphone didn’t pick up you speaking
👍
La idea del arbol es muy tonta , disculpa mo honestidad