A New Life Style An Old Style Way
- Thread starter Solitude
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Come along to the amazing Summer Moot (21st July - 2nd August), a festival of bushcrafting and camping in a beautiful woodland PLEASE CLICK HERE for more information.
I don't want to get 'all political' but throughout the 90's thats exactly what myself and thousands others did in protest against the hunting ban. We fought at every level, we organised the biggest demonstrations seen but did the government listen...... no they didn't.
Now Iam a criminal if I take a lurcher across the fields to catch a hare for dinner, yet I can shoot foxes all night to my hearts content?!!!.
My wife and I had the chance to move to New Zealand in 98 but did not go, what a pair of idiots we were
As others said, the loud minority have gagged the silent majority with political correctness, state the obvious like our schools and health system are being choked by the influx of people from the expanded EU and you are a racist etc, you can't state the obvious for fear of being labeled something you are not. My daughter qualifies as a Nurse next year, and if all goes to plan she will be in NZ by 2010 and good luck to her I say (nursing posts are now getting thin on the ground in the UK), out there she will have a chance to grow I believe.
A student led survey of student Nurses at a nearby university showed that 70% hoped to leave the UK after qualifying, thats a sad sign of the times lads.
As others said, the loud minority have gagged the silent majority with political correctness, state the obvious like our schools and health system are being choked by the influx of people from the expanded EU and you are a racist etc, you can't state the obvious for fear of being labeled something you are not. My daughter qualifies as a Nurse next year, and if all goes to plan she will be in NZ by 2010 and good luck to her I say (nursing posts are now getting thin on the ground in the UK), out there she will have a chance to grow I believe.
A student led survey of student Nurses at a nearby university showed that 70% hoped to leave the UK after qualifying, thats a sad sign of the times lads.
NZ won't be such a bad place to be come 2010. That's the year earmarked for Peak Oil, and the markets will go haywire when oil companies can no longer refute that fact. Many predict an economic depression. So, NZ, with it's low density of population, relatively cheap housing (make sure you get one with a big garden mind), and plentiful supply of fish and deer. Hmmm, if I was younger i'd be off in a flash. I spent 5 months there in the 90's and loved it.
Myself and a few friends have thought of just that but found out that all the land in the UK is owned by the crown
so we opted to buy barges instead and lease some land to hunt grow forage etc...
Well let me tell you this I was on land I have permission to shoot on about 2 miles from Coventry Airport and was arrested at gun point with a sniper in a helicopter just itching to kill me for daring to have a gun in public when they had carried out ballistic tests etc they gave me my gun back with the parting statement DON'T LET US CATCH YOU WITH THAT IN PUBLIC AGAIN all because 2 members of the public so they say they had seen someone that looked like a terrorist near the airport:werd:
Some good comments amount a number of issues here guys, although a little off topic in some ways.My partner is a teacher and I hoping that might get 'our foot in the door' somewhere that we can buy some land would love to go to New Zealand, lived in France for a bit but lots of places in Europe are getting to be out of our price league.
Keep us posted on your preparations maybe we will join you in your new utopia!
Dave
Keep us posted on your preparations maybe we will join you in your new utopia!
Dave
A quick story of my life.
From the time I graduated from school I chased the all mighty dollar. First in north Africa
with the oil boom. Then on to the Mideast also with the oil boom. I was making money
hand over fist. Then one day I took a good look at my life. hear I was at 30 making
more money then most but not happy. I sold my big house on lake Houston and bout
660ac land in west Texas. Built a small ranch house. By this time the wife and I found
we no longer needed to make so much money we are happier than we ever were living
in the big city. That was 27 years ago. You would be surprised at the small amount of
money we spend now . But have all we need or wont. The only regret we have is that
we wated so long to get out of the rat race.
So my advice to you young ones is do it now and start enjoying your life. Yes most
of our family thought we were crazy. But you need to do what you got to do.
Have a great day. And get on with the rest of your life
From the time I graduated from school I chased the all mighty dollar. First in north Africa
with the oil boom. Then on to the Mideast also with the oil boom. I was making money
hand over fist. Then one day I took a good look at my life. hear I was at 30 making
more money then most but not happy. I sold my big house on lake Houston and bout
660ac land in west Texas. Built a small ranch house. By this time the wife and I found
we no longer needed to make so much money we are happier than we ever were living
in the big city. That was 27 years ago. You would be surprised at the small amount of
money we spend now . But have all we need or wont. The only regret we have is that
we wated so long to get out of the rat race.
So my advice to you young ones is do it now and start enjoying your life. Yes most
of our family thought we were crazy. But you need to do what you got to do.
Have a great day. And get on with the rest of your life
Now now lets play nice, you dont know me and i dont know you. Lets not descend to a level of insult please.
Thankyou chaps for your kind words of encouragement and good wishes, i know im doing the right thing for me, " traderran " has a great story and we can only benefit from his experience.
Ive had a few PMs from people who seem serious about clubbing in on a plot , which has taken me a back , its definately something that needs thinking about.
Some great points raised and some insights on different peoples expectations and concerns of relocating to the wildeness, i.e some are concerned with medical services, some want electriciy, some internet. i think most of the modern things we surround ourselves with or think that we would need we would have no time for in that surviving each day, tending crops, hunting food gathering, water, fire making and general activities would consume each day (but what a forfilling day, an achievement, an honest days work which doesnt conflict with others or natures way). after a few weeks you probably wouldnt think of TV. But then again whats wrong with having TV internet phone etc living far away from neighbours and appreciating the wilderness on your door step? Personal preference i guess.
Is "Fear" our greatest enemy, we are scared we might fall ill and need a doctor, or we are scared of making the leap and failing. Failure is not an option in survival as there is one hell of an insentive to succeed!! There is also fear of having no money, but as "traderran said its suprising how little you need to spend i.e hunt for food, one elk would last a year, you could make clothing, furniture, etc if you rigged up solar panels you would have no elec bills if you found a well or lake you would have no water bills, grow your own veg in summer, ice fishing in winter, IT CAN BE DONE and somone wiser than us is out there doing it right now, but you wont find him on here, and he probably hasnt heard of tainternet!
I have far too much to say for myself!:tapedshut
Ive had a few PMs from people who seem serious about clubbing in on a plot , which has taken me a back , its definately something that needs thinking about.
Some great points raised and some insights on different peoples expectations and concerns of relocating to the wildeness, i.e some are concerned with medical services, some want electriciy, some internet. i think most of the modern things we surround ourselves with or think that we would need we would have no time for in that surviving each day, tending crops, hunting food gathering, water, fire making and general activities would consume each day (but what a forfilling day, an achievement, an honest days work which doesnt conflict with others or natures way). after a few weeks you probably wouldnt think of TV. But then again whats wrong with having TV internet phone etc living far away from neighbours and appreciating the wilderness on your door step? Personal preference i guess.
Is "Fear" our greatest enemy, we are scared we might fall ill and need a doctor, or we are scared of making the leap and failing. Failure is not an option in survival as there is one hell of an insentive to succeed!! There is also fear of having no money, but as "traderran said its suprising how little you need to spend i.e hunt for food, one elk would last a year, you could make clothing, furniture, etc if you rigged up solar panels you would have no elec bills if you found a well or lake you would have no water bills, grow your own veg in summer, ice fishing in winter, IT CAN BE DONE and somone wiser than us is out there doing it right now, but you wont find him on here, and he probably hasnt heard of tainternet!
I have far too much to say for myself!:tapedshut
Robert the Bruce had a different way about him!! and William the Conquerer. They took the system from behind and created there system.
S.o.r.r.y Solitude but I must just reply.
dommyracer, I understand your theory but..... become part of the system!!!!!
Well we were politicians,councillors, teachers, doctors, mechanics, bakers, builders, nurses, dustmen, factory workers, plumbers etc etc etc
The government appeases the majority or the most vociforous. I really believe we could not have done more.
I think the great thing about a 'Bushcraft ethos' is that there is solace in nature whenever you need it, wherever you are. I have little patriotism for today's England and am frustrated by the same things you are but I will be staying for the foreseeable future for work, friends and family.
When it gets me down I take a moment on my ride to work to see the beauty of nature around me and take a weekend here or there to immerse myself in it. A balance can be achieved without a major move. I've met expats around the world and from what I can tell troubles have a habit of following you. I'm all for making the best of where I am now and it doesn't take much more than an urban fox at dawn to level things out.
When it gets me down I take a moment on my ride to work to see the beauty of nature around me and take a weekend here or there to immerse myself in it. A balance can be achieved without a major move. I've met expats around the world and from what I can tell troubles have a habit of following you. I'm all for making the best of where I am now and it doesn't take much more than an urban fox at dawn to level things out.
I often fear that when we consider moving abroad it is a 'grass is always greener' theory that is driving it forward, but if I'm honest with myself it is and has always been a financial reason that has driven it forward.
What I mean by that is I can get more for my money elsewhere and also enjoy a richer life where the population is smaller and there is more open space to pitch up. I personally have never considered it from an 'England is going down the toilet' prospective before. After all everywhere has it's issues.
I can see where Dommyracer is coming from but, and I mean this with the up most respect, I feel that you are being a little naive!
I only say this after standing for the Trafalgar ward in the local elections in Horsham in May.
The process of standing is hugely complex. I'm sure it is different in each area. There was no point standing as an independent where I live, for a number of reasons but the main two were I could not fund a campaign, leaflets, adverts etc by myself and quite simply independents don't get elected.
I was left with only one other option and that was siding with one of the main parties. Once I'd chosen the one that I felt I cold get along with the best I had to become a party member and pass an interview.
Now selected for a ward, I had a choice to make, do I blag that I fully support the party, fight the fight and then work for my own ends once in, or am I honest when I campaign.
I honestly couldn't fib bout where I stood on certain issue just to get in to power, how could I be a man elected by the people if they'd voted me in on policy that wasn't mine and that I had no intention of supporting. That is not democracy.
So I was honest. Long story short I didn't win the seat I stood for! It was a great experience, and I still have some of the leaflets as a keep sake! But it isn't as simple as you make it out to be. Even if you do try and get into a position of power, if people don't vote for you then you are stuffed.
As for living in a commune, I have often fancied the idea and would possibly give it a serious thought but I would worry about not getting on with people, upsetting so and so. I don't know I just think I'd find it way to stressful!
Pib
What I mean by that is I can get more for my money elsewhere and also enjoy a richer life where the population is smaller and there is more open space to pitch up. I personally have never considered it from an 'England is going down the toilet' prospective before. After all everywhere has it's issues.
I can see where Dommyracer is coming from but, and I mean this with the up most respect, I feel that you are being a little naive!
I only say this after standing for the Trafalgar ward in the local elections in Horsham in May.
The process of standing is hugely complex. I'm sure it is different in each area. There was no point standing as an independent where I live, for a number of reasons but the main two were I could not fund a campaign, leaflets, adverts etc by myself and quite simply independents don't get elected.
I was left with only one other option and that was siding with one of the main parties. Once I'd chosen the one that I felt I cold get along with the best I had to become a party member and pass an interview.
Now selected for a ward, I had a choice to make, do I blag that I fully support the party, fight the fight and then work for my own ends once in, or am I honest when I campaign.
I honestly couldn't fib bout where I stood on certain issue just to get in to power, how could I be a man elected by the people if they'd voted me in on policy that wasn't mine and that I had no intention of supporting. That is not democracy.
So I was honest. Long story short I didn't win the seat I stood for! It was a great experience, and I still have some of the leaflets as a keep sake! But it isn't as simple as you make it out to be. Even if you do try and get into a position of power, if people don't vote for you then you are stuffed.
As for living in a commune, I have often fancied the idea and would possibly give it a serious thought but I would worry about not getting on with people, upsetting so and so. I don't know I just think I'd find it way to stressful!
Pib
I'm not naive, I've got a very good understanding of politics, the poltical process and how it works (or not), and I would never say it was easy
Pibbleb, I admire you for making your stand. and I am fully with you about standing for what you believe in. You did this, and you weren't chosen - this is exactly how our democracy works. At least you had a go and stood for what you believed in, put it to the test - the majority of people that bothered to turn up to vote in your area of representation didn't agree with you.
But who knows - if more had heard your message, if more had become activated, the story may have been different. This is what I'm talking about - the easy way is to switch off and drop out.
The hard way is to fight. You had a go at the hard way, which as history tells us, is generally the only way to win....
Pibbleb, I admire you for making your stand. and I am fully with you about standing for what you believe in. You did this, and you weren't chosen - this is exactly how our democracy works. At least you had a go and stood for what you believed in, put it to the test - the majority of people that bothered to turn up to vote in your area of representation didn't agree with you.
But who knows - if more had heard your message, if more had become activated, the story may have been different. This is what I'm talking about - the easy way is to switch off and drop out.
The hard way is to fight. You had a go at the hard way, which as history tells us, is generally the only way to win....
Fair point Dommyracer, fair point, but we have to appreciate that it isn't for everybody and surely that is also part of the democratic process. The right to move on and not be thought any less of!
Anyway we are going off topic I think, so I would ask, if you had the chance to set up a holiday bivvi where would it be?
Pib
Anyway we are going off topic I think, so I would ask, if you had the chance to set up a holiday bivvi where would it be?
Pib
BOD
Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Two themes seem to emerge from this thread as reasons not to go
1. Language
2. Its too difficult and expensive.
My family and I have moved to a number of different countries over the years and believe me it is not that difficult.
We have moved on not because we regretted a choice of country but because we like to see different places and experience them as residents not tourists. We may return to Australia eventually or grow old and die in a foreign (but not strange) land.
Why should language be a problem? In many countries you will find English-speaking locals and other expatriates fleeing the UK or wherever. These people have invariably given us a more intellectually stimulating social life than when we lived an a monocultural environment. After all you don't want to go to another country and spend your time with other Brits only. In OZ there are too many whinging Poms lamenting how Australia is not enough like the UK. One wonders why they came in the first place. One the other hand, I know many Brits,South Africans and Rhodesians, as well as Europeans, who thrive and throw themselves into Australian life with enthusiasm. Here in Malaysia we see many expatrites who have made this their second home and are so glad they left.
My wife's family were migrants from Holland after the war. They worked hard and achieved a lot. They were prepared to live in country Western Australia and spent a lot of their lives in the small towns in the desert or the wheatbelt and later the SouthWest. Their family photo albums look like something from a museum display and the kids played with aboriginal children, ran around unsupervised in the forests around the mill towns and could make fires by age 5
If you can sell or give away your posessions you will arrive unencumbered and ready for the exhilarating adventure of setting up home in a new land. If you are unable to get rid of everything but a small-medium crate then I believe you are psychologically unsuited to be a migrant/pioneer etc.
Get a skill. Be humble and don't expect to be a manager, supervisor etc or whatever you were before.
I can honestly say that I have lots of friends and aquaintances who were managers and now are ,for example, security guards (in Canada) and are much happier.
If you don't do it soon you will remain in the UK leading a life of quiet desperation.
1. Language
2. Its too difficult and expensive.
My family and I have moved to a number of different countries over the years and believe me it is not that difficult.
We have moved on not because we regretted a choice of country but because we like to see different places and experience them as residents not tourists. We may return to Australia eventually or grow old and die in a foreign (but not strange) land.
Why should language be a problem? In many countries you will find English-speaking locals and other expatriates fleeing the UK or wherever. These people have invariably given us a more intellectually stimulating social life than when we lived an a monocultural environment. After all you don't want to go to another country and spend your time with other Brits only. In OZ there are too many whinging Poms lamenting how Australia is not enough like the UK. One wonders why they came in the first place. One the other hand, I know many Brits,South Africans and Rhodesians, as well as Europeans, who thrive and throw themselves into Australian life with enthusiasm. Here in Malaysia we see many expatrites who have made this their second home and are so glad they left.
My wife's family were migrants from Holland after the war. They worked hard and achieved a lot. They were prepared to live in country Western Australia and spent a lot of their lives in the small towns in the desert or the wheatbelt and later the SouthWest. Their family photo albums look like something from a museum display and the kids played with aboriginal children, ran around unsupervised in the forests around the mill towns and could make fires by age 5
If you can sell or give away your posessions you will arrive unencumbered and ready for the exhilarating adventure of setting up home in a new land. If you are unable to get rid of everything but a small-medium crate then I believe you are psychologically unsuited to be a migrant/pioneer etc.
Get a skill. Be humble and don't expect to be a manager, supervisor etc or whatever you were before.
I can honestly say that I have lots of friends and aquaintances who were managers and now are ,for example, security guards (in Canada) and are much happier.
If you don't do it soon you will remain in the UK leading a life of quiet desperation.
As for living in a commune, I have often fancied the idea and would possibly give it a serious thought but I would worry about not getting on with people, upsetting so and so. I don't know I just think I'd find it way to stressful!
Pib[/QUOTE]
Good points Pib, refering to the above quote : I think there would have to be one house per 5 acres at least. I also dont like the idea of building a close commune, or village. After all space and freedom is what i seek, so better to buy large 50 acres and have say 10 members live on it max. If more wanted to come then more land would have to be purchased. I also dont like the idea of imposing a way of living on anyone, so if someone wants basic and someone wants advanced so be it, but the key thing is we all help each other on a like for like fair basis.
And yes i agree, money or cost of land is a major reason why im not choosing the highlands of scotland. I mean £600,000 or £60,000 hmmmm tough choice, plus Sweden is at the same latitude as Alaska has a majority of the same wild life, salmon,trout, brown bear, elk/moose, lynx, wolf and a very similar landscape. Have i sold the idea yet!!!
Pib[/QUOTE]
Good points Pib, refering to the above quote : I think there would have to be one house per 5 acres at least. I also dont like the idea of building a close commune, or village. After all space and freedom is what i seek, so better to buy large 50 acres and have say 10 members live on it max. If more wanted to come then more land would have to be purchased. I also dont like the idea of imposing a way of living on anyone, so if someone wants basic and someone wants advanced so be it, but the key thing is we all help each other on a like for like fair basis.
And yes i agree, money or cost of land is a major reason why im not choosing the highlands of scotland. I mean £600,000 or £60,000 hmmmm tough choice, plus Sweden is at the same latitude as Alaska has a majority of the same wild life, salmon,trout, brown bear, elk/moose, lynx, wolf and a very similar landscape. Have i sold the idea yet!!!
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