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stumbling self sufficiency in a small space
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11:08 pm
2nd Grader
New members
Sun 31-Jan-10
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Hi, my name's Dave and I haven't had a drink for about 3 minutes.
I live near Chepstow in South Wales with my Aussie wife. We have two boys, Josh and Nathan, 13 and 10, and wake up to the sound of cows munching the grass and the smell of horse S***.
We have chickens, a psychotic cat and anything growing in the garden that can't be eaten is on death-row.
We try to grow as much as we can ourselves and the freezer contains half the cast of "Watership Down"
Love this site; seems to be populated by a bunch of like-minded people. Thanks Danny!
2:19 pm
Knowledegable
Mon 21-Sep-09
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hey there Dave welcome!
So how does it differ for your wife living in Wales? rather than Oz
3:15 pm
Supreme Being
Thu 24-Sep-09
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Hi Dave I am sure you will enjoy this forum. You sound like a handy man to know!!!
Old teachers never die, they just lose their class
3:58 pm
Supreme Being
Wed 30-Dec-09
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Warm welcome Dave and your menagerie - yes, it certainly is a friendly site - and as Danast knows, too, it is quite addictive!! 
6:50 pm
2nd Grader
New members
Sun 31-Jan-10
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Thanks all! 
Yeah, I've already found myself coming back here a couple of times a day...
Having lived in Australia for the majority of her life, my wife often comes up with ideas that I'd not thought of...and seem to work quite well here.
What we've found as the best lesson for being as self-sufficient as possible is a willingness to ask!
7:46 pm
Sat 12-Aug-06
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Hi, Dave.
You appear to have really taken on the self sufficient mentality inasmuch as any of can who do not own a smallholding on a remote hilltop (I don't think that would be for me - extreme self sufficiency sounds like really hard work). Well done for all your articles, tips and tricks in your first day or two writing on this site.
The great thing about this blog and forum is the quality tips that the members publish for cutting costs and basic DIY techniques to reduce our dependency on mainstream consumerism. I often try to relate options back to "if I were living in a big city high-rise, what could I achieve?". Many tips will work in any environment.
Your .22 rifle might not be an option in the city 
but a decent catapult would, for example. It's all about adopting one's mindset.
Please do let me know when you have developed a self-sufficient whisky supply! (OK, that's a joke. Distilling is highly illegal 
).
Never knowingly underfed
6:42 pm
Moderators
Tue 22-Sep-09
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Welcome Dave! 
Yet another Welshman, we are taking over this forum slowly but surely.
It sounds as though you are going to fit right in here, don't be shy.
I'll try that again!
9:16 pm
Expert
New members
Sun 17-Jan-10
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Hi Dave and welcome to the Forum. I'm extra glad to see you because it means I'm not the newest newbie here
4:47 pm
Moderators
Tue 22-Sep-09
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I hope you are not feeling insecure Shereen? We're all friendly you know. 
I'll try that again!
5:58 pm
Expert
New members
Sun 17-Jan-10
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Toffeeapple said:I hope you are not feeling insecure Shereen? We're all friendly you know.
Aw thanks Toffeeapple, I'm grand really.
6:15 pm
Moderators
Tue 22-Sep-09
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That's good to hear Shereen. What have you been up to today?
I'll try that again!
6:57 pm
Supreme Being
Mon 21-Sep-09
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Aww Shareen I haven't heard that phrase "I'm grand" in ages, that's what comes from moving countries away from my Northern English roots.
6:44 pm
Expert
New members
Sun 17-Jan-10
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Hi guys. Today G and I have been wrestling with DIY. The bath seal sprung a leak a while ago and we only noticed when the wall at the corner started bubbling. It should be an easy task to take the shower screen down, remove 5 tiles, remove the seal, let it dry and replace it all with a new seal. But G and I are not DIY people and have been struggling with this off and on all week.
If it was a bigger disaster we'd have got someone in to fix it, but this really isn't big enough to spend craftsman money on. If only we weren't so intimidated by it and cack-handed about it all. 
Still, the seal and tiles have finally been replaced and we've rigged up a plastic tent so we can still use the shower.
There may be a glass of wine with dinner...
9:13 pm
Sat 12-Aug-06
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Good on you and G for having a go, Shereen. 
In our house, it is real role reversal. Fiona does all the DIY and I do most of the washing an ironing.
Your plastic tent sounds intriguing!
Never knowingly underfed
6:46 am
Supreme Being
Mon 21-Sep-09
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My hubby is fairly handy at DIY but woodwork is not his forte, but we are blessed with a Swedish guy who is a bit of a jack of all trades and lives in the area. Due to the poor situation economically it also means there are actually people here who need work rather than disappearing off overseas. Just over a year ago you wouldn't be able to get a decent plumber, electrician etc because all the decent ones had gone to England or Ireland.
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