Time for Action!
Jonathan & Denise >
After nearly ten years of indecision procrastination – and empty pockets, we’re at last approaching the time for action!
In early 2008, shortly after we acquired our Eriskay croft, we set to work tackling the extensive dereliction of the croft – ruined buildings, choked ditches, decayed fences, infestations of invasive weeds, and rubbish everywhere – both above ground and buried – the detritus of decades of neglect. All our efforts at that time were concentrated on Field 1 / Home Park – between Carrick and the sea.
We cleared broken and fallen fences and erected new. We planted trees and shrubs for shelter and fuel. We established soft fruit bushes and built wind protection enclosures for them (now mistakenly identified on Ordnance Survey maps as Sheepfolds!). We made good the ruins of an old byre and adapted it to create the big Henhouse. The old store, also, was adapted for use as a henhouse (more recently it’s been used as a field shelter for sheep). Chickens, ducks and geese were introduced. (We found ducks unsuited to the conditions, but the chickens and geese have thrived and are now cornerstones of our crofting business).
At the same time as all that, we were building Carrick – which proved far more expensive than we’d planned, nearly ruining us. There was no money left (and in the midst of the 2008 worldwide crash, no chance of a loan) to complete work on Home Park. The work left to do was beyond our own capabilities – it could only be carried out by groundworks contractors : and yet we just couldn’t see how the expenditure would bring sufficient return – or any at all. Quite simply, there was no money and higher priorities.
Though our finances eventually, gradually, improved … money was always short, other priorities always higher. So, for almost a decade, every day – every time we’ve passed through the field gate, we’ve felt a pang of reproach, the sting of shame at our failure to make progress – and at the thought that others might see this is our idea of a job well done.
Well, those days are over!
In recent months J has been drawing up plans and specifications, and then getting contractors to price them. The prices are back and, as they’re broadly in line with expectations, we’ve decided we’re ready to move ahead. All we need now are official consents, and then we can give the successful contractor the thumbs up. Oh, but that’ll be a good day!
It’ll be a few months yet before work will start on the ground, not least because the contractor’s currently busy with other work – as you’d expect with anyone worth their salt. In the meantime, we can start preparing for the next phase : designing the building we’re planning for the valley – for which we’re constructing the base slab in advance. It’ll be for the sheep in winter stormy weather, and for lambing (and all the straw, hay and feed they’ll require); and also to provide our guests staying at Carrick or Eight Askernish (and why not others!) opportunities to get hands-on with shearing, lambing – or just handling of sheep.
So, this is going to deliver much more than just a tidied-up field!
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Oh my goodness, Carrick is unbelievable! What views, very special. People must leave completely transformed after their stay there. Where is it located in relation to the drawing above?
J > You’re very kind, Melissa. The house is at lower right, with ’11’ over it. You’ll also see it in context in my rather crude plan of the croft – http://biggarden.scot/maps/
Wonderful! I look forward to following the progress – in the fullness of time 🙂
What exciting news! You’ll have lots to tell us about in the months to come!
You live in a beautiful place! Having a farm we understand that HUGE amount of work you have done and appreciate the need to wait for money to gather itself again! I’m so glad you are able to continue now!
I’m so happy for you. I know what it’s like to make a plan, then see those plans dashed by cruel circumstance. I’m glad that you have turned the corner and so pleased to read about this current phase — and the one to come. My best wishes to you both. You are such a brave couple.
Exciting to be moving ahead with plans. I fear we may all have to rethink our henhouses if we have another winter of having to keep them shut up.
Looking forward to following your action.
The electicity to the henhouse and new building are our response to the shut-down. We can maintain high welfare much easier with electricity.
Pleased to hear your good news.
Yeeha !! You have done well !
I am so happy for you both. I do understand. Having big dreams and then having them put on hold due to economic constraints is a hard nut to swallow. Glad the plans are back on the table and in the works.
Wow! I cannot imagine that much work! We took over our family tree farm in 2009, and we had to do a lot of brush and bramble clearing, clearing out old junky fences, etc. too — BUT we always have temperate weather! I cannot imagine trying to do all that with WINTER to deal with, and then having the guest business, store, and websites on top of that. I tip my hat to you!
J > And that’s some hat you’ve got there too – so quite a complement – and encouraging for us, too. ;~)