Valkyrie Posted January 11, 2016 Share Posted January 11, 2016 Finally to replace the doors (seeing as MIL copied us and had hers changed to match - so goodbye to them)and skirting boards. Sadly our lovely pine doors will be going downstairs too so that it's all uniform. Then decorating and at last new carpet all over! And then the countdown begins to moving day and getting the garden in order for that perfect house that someone will long to take off our hands. Goodbye horrible memories of living here - as well as some good ones - those will be taken with me and I'll try to leave the rotten ones behind. OH is going on a cheesemaking course and I hope to go on a couple of alpaca courses. It's all becoming a little scary now the new adventure isn't far away! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted January 11, 2016 Share Posted January 11, 2016 Yayy Glad to hear you've got the ball rolling, look forward to hearing about the next chapter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted January 11, 2016 Author Share Posted January 11, 2016 Next bit is getting the pick up for being in the middle of nowhere and perfect for chickens and other pets in the back. And it's getting a tow bar for the trailer! End of the month for that. So that will give me time to practice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted January 12, 2016 Share Posted January 12, 2016 OH is going on a cheesemaking course and I hope to go on a couple of alpaca courses. It's all becoming a little scary now the new adventure isn't far away! Now I have visions of alpaca cheese.... But exciting times! Hope everything goes smoothly! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 12, 2016 Share Posted January 12, 2016 Sounds exciting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted January 12, 2016 Share Posted January 12, 2016 Have you somewhere to move too? Moving with animals is hard work. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted January 12, 2016 Author Share Posted January 12, 2016 Not yet. The plan is to sell the house first so we can be a cash buyer. Then rent a house in the area rather than pay extra for storage seeing as His Nibs will have to be in an hotel for a few days in the week because he's still working and then I'll be ready on the doorstep to see what becomes available. It may turn out that we won't have to rent but at least we have plan A and plan B. We will only have the chickens and by that time I'm sure we'll just be down to 2. That's the main problem. They will have to go B&B for a while - always a worry. Hoping to go back for another couple of long weekends this year to get to know the estate agents. Of course I may not have alpacas, because the idea was to have a flock with enough to make quilt wadding. But I've not used that and since reading up on it, it sounds difficult to wash - OK if it gets a tiny bit wet, but full blown washing is another matter. May have to rethink that. So it's back to chickens, veg and wildlife. Maybe a couple of piggies. Dunno about sheep. Then again alpacas have good fertiloiyzrrr that can be put on the garden straight away without needing to wait a year. Ah well, can always make some very soft cushions! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancing cloud Posted January 12, 2016 Share Posted January 12, 2016 Ooh! Exciting stuff If you have to rent, it's always worth asking if you can have the hens with you - less worry and expense than a B&B for them. A lot of landlords say "no pets", but some are quite happy to take them, especially if you can offer an increased deposit (well worth chatting up the estate agents too). Although I had a restricted choice of properties, I rented with four cats and four hens and it worked out fine. I'd love piggies, but I just know they'd never go to market ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Princess Leia Posted January 12, 2016 Share Posted January 12, 2016 Now I have visions of alpaca cheese.... Apparently, such a thing does exist. In South America, at least. However, they are notoriously hard to milk and tend to lay down when you try it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted January 12, 2016 Share Posted January 12, 2016 I have visions of you trying to stuff an alpaca in the washing machine . Are they nice natured or a bit moody? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted January 12, 2016 Share Posted January 12, 2016 I love Alpaca's! They almost sound like they are mumbling all the time, with their little grunting noises. And they are soooo fluffy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted January 12, 2016 Share Posted January 12, 2016 I think alpacas spit yucky stuff if they are under stress or you are trying to catch them and they don't want to be caught . I would love a couple of pygmy goats but don't know if they are like micro pigs that aren't actually that micro Where are you going to move to Valkyrie ? I can see you with a massive quilting room and acres and acres of land Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted January 12, 2016 Share Posted January 12, 2016 Where I buy my chickens is an alpaca farm = they walk them on leads and halters - they are lovely Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted January 13, 2016 Author Share Posted January 13, 2016 I forgot the alpaca cheese!!! Er. Nope! Definitely not! He'll be doing cow cheese. He isn't keen on goat milk (well that's that one out of the window) - although I don't mind at all. DD will be miffed if he doesn't do vegetarian. I think DS who is now a pescetarian (formerly known as carnivore) would prefer veggie cheese! Thank you Dancing cloud (sounds like a nice First Nation name there). Hadn't even thought of the chooks being with us in a rental. DS had so much trouble trying to find a cat friendly place. Now he lives where the neighbours have chickens! Have to say they are jolly nice people! Definitely worth asking the estate agents. Plan A and AA and B now in place. Alpacas should behave if they've been brought up nicely. Spitting is usually reserved for each other - like pregnant females spitting at amorous males! I think if they are scared they might. They aren't cuddly creatures though, you can stroke their necks but you can't hug 'em and squeeze 'em. But the soft coat makes you want to! Also not getting any younger so have to be realistic with what we do, although we should be fitter! Pygmy goats do stay pygmy - you'll have to have a trip to Finkleydown Farm in Andover - pygmy goats abound. Redwing will have a few things to say about her goatsies! Dave is great! And we're looking in Herefordshire and Worcestershire - mainly Herefordshire and Worcester is close enough for cricket! And then there's the 3 Counties Show! With farriers competitions Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted January 15, 2016 Author Share Posted January 15, 2016 Builder now coming Monday - so he says! Apparently plan A is no longer plan A or even A, Aa or B! Hubby now says if we find a place we'll move in rather than rent (suits me better - and the chooks) so I'm going to take it as I find it! Need to look at dogs and cats next! He doesn't know that yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 We are in Worcestershire, lovely countryside but because it is commutable distance to Brum, it is more expensive than Herefordshire. We drove out to Kimbolton in Herefordshire to view a stunning farmhouse in a couple of acres of land, outbuildings and a huge metal barn, two receptions two woodburners ensuite to master and three other bedrooms, less than £400k Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted January 16, 2016 Share Posted January 16, 2016 Need to look at dogs and cats next! He doesn't know that yet. Well you need a dog for company and protection and a cat to catch any mice and rats Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted January 16, 2016 Share Posted January 16, 2016 Oh and a pair of geese! They are perfect guard animals! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted January 16, 2016 Author Share Posted January 16, 2016 Very good reasons for the dog and cat - and I forgot geese. Must have a couple of those too. OK bods, what else can I add to upset the man? Charlottechicken the further away from the crowds the less expensive it is - hubby wants away from the crowds! I have made a country boy out of a townie! We have been on a couple of long weekends last year - we chose April and May hoping to get rubbish weather to see if it made us feel any different - but we had beautiful weather both times. We found everyone is very friendly and very helpful to complete strangers. We also had a look at properties for sale but had public rights of way around or through the land. That was quite a good help because it gave us an idea of acreage. 17 is a lot!!! And we thought hey ho, no footpaths on our boundaries because of the odd (yep that applies to us in more ways than one) ramblers that wander around! The lady who owns the farm where we stay said she will chat with her brother if anyone in the area is thinking of moving - he always knows before they are put on the market, so that will be a good help too. Although she may lose business with us not visiting any more - but she does do really nice wedding receptions on the farm - her hubby is a terrific cook! Downsizing is no longer an option - we need the rooms for family visiting and our neighbours here want to come and stay!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted January 20, 2016 Author Share Posted January 20, 2016 Upstairs is done! Better get some undercoat and gloss paint and rollers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted January 21, 2016 Share Posted January 21, 2016 "Rollers" - here's me thinking the girl wants to look glam whilst she paints - good on her - but no you meant paint rollers didnt you. Was thinking what else could you throw at the old man to upset him - cat, dog, geese - you'll need a holiday after all that decorating etc - the H word always upsets him indoors as it means big bucks. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted January 21, 2016 Author Share Posted January 21, 2016 The decorating is long overdue here! But hubby doesn't like decorating so it's my job! Or rather one of my jobs. Long weekend booked in April for a Hereford trip! Although I've just had a summons for jury service today - that's March sorted and I hope it's not a juicy one that lasts months!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted January 21, 2016 Share Posted January 21, 2016 Wow jury duty! That sounds so exciting! Must be because we don't have that in the Netherlands. I only know it from the telly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted January 21, 2016 Share Posted January 21, 2016 The decorating is long overdue here! But hubby doesn't like decorating so it's my job! Or rather one of my jobs. Long weekend booked in April for a Hereford trip! Although I've just had a summons for jury service today - that's March sorted and I hope it's not a juicy one that lasts months!!! I have just had summons for 7thMarch jury duty too but hoping they don't use me!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted January 22, 2016 Author Share Posted January 22, 2016 I've decided on a couple of things - either I look at them with my eyes crossed when they call my name or I just carry on and do a Tony Hancock. They'll never want me around long! Or they'll lock me up for contempt . . . Just a couple of doors to go on downstairs and skirtings and door frames and that's done and dusted. Dusted being the word! No matter how careful they are, the stuff is everywhere! New lead on the porch, oak around the pillars and repointing on the outside is due for Sunday - I guess rain may stop play! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
