Zagato wrote:

... Little darlins think how much easier it would be without sprogs!!

tell me about it ... and they don't get any easier !

TheTechnobear wrote:

Just do it

Last year we started down this route (remote farm in the Spanish mountains)...just recently received our planning permission
been having discussion about solar systems, water filtration, heating systems... and places to store a tractor etc, etc
its been fantastic so far, though, still a very long way to go - no doubting, it will be hard, but I'm sure will be rewarding in so many ways.
(oh and it many i could buy a defender )

pom wrote:

For generating power a water turbine can't be beaten, works 24x7 365. Panels are ok but don't work as well in spain as they get too hot and this decreases their efficiency big time. Water cooling them can get you as much as 40% more juice out of them.

Pom

Assuming, you have an appropriate water course ... which we don't

water cooling panels is interesting, though not sure how viable, will have to have a look.. wonder how this fits, with our plans on using solar heating.
(i guess though, the overheating is not too much of an issue, as during the summer, we will have excess power, its the winter thats the tricky bit)

wind turbines are also interesting, though we are planning on measuring wind speeds to determine viability.

bpman wrote:

how about a bunch of us buy a farm, split up the buildings and land ?

A commune Steve, now your talking, give it a religious slant, newcomers welcome with funds for our pot


Seriously though, so many small farms are still being sold off. Many wealthy people trying it as a hobby, some actually making a go of it! I started in farming so know what I would be doing but making money out of it is very difficult and it's very hard physically, I'm not sure starting at the old age of 46 is a good idea. I always remember farmers in their 40-50's hobbling around with worn hips and damaged backs. I would still give it a go though if you could find a way of getting a good enough return........not easy!

bpman wrote:

I'm not sure starting at the old age of 46 is a good idea. !

Oi I'm 61 and still have this dream

I think with the sort of equity you have you could buy somewhere to cut your outgoings dramatically, the problem is that you can't get them to zero so there has to be some sort of work or income involved.

The other issue is that, like me, you seem to be a chap who likes his toys, the sort of lifestyle that you are envisaging toys would be a problem. Do you think you could cut them out just like that, for the rest of your life? (A question I always ask myself - the answer is usually no - and you don't grow out of it )


Brian