Retired early from work - ill-health and had enough! Together with soul-mate, and husband, Peter, we sold the house in Scotland in December 2006 and down-sized to an ancient motorhome to travel round Europe giving full rein to our hippy/gipsy/bum alter-egos!.

10 months later and settled in France, we're waiting to move into a dilapidated house to renovate, re-create and rebuild a small-holding using sustainable and eco-friendly energy, materials and methods.

A year later, June 2008, we have been installed at 'La Forge' for four months. We've 'refreshed' the wee cottage where we'll live while we renovate the main ancient house. We have fenced off our hectare of land and ploughed up half for growing food for us and the animals. We are working towards being off-grid and as self-sustaining/self-sufficient as we possibly can.

We have hens, ducks, geese and as of last week...3rd June....we have two goats......watch this space....

As of 18th October we now have 4 sheep!

Had a crackin' harvest...except for blighted tomatoes.