ALAN'S PERSONAL SITE

Yes- this is it! The big one, the one we waited for for years - our retirement project! Buried deep in Scotland but not so far from communications, we have bought a farmhouse with its steading. The steading, or farm buildings, were VERY run-down having been left for 20 years with no maintenance and the previous owner on a tractor to knock holes in everything. In fact it was officially valued, for sale, as having no value. Quite right - it'll cost us a small fortune to re-instate it something like, and we could never afford to do a complete face-lift. The house, however, is great! The neighbours all are very supportive - they saw the place going downhill with great sadness, so they are as helpful as they can be. We now have some buildings that keep out the rain, and keep hens, and some calves. The field that came with the property has been planted with trees, and the rest is grazed by a neighbour's sheep. So now we have a lovely quiet life, loads of good healthy outdoor work and a view to die for!
The view from across the valley is now a bit different - buildings re-roofed, and the garden given some TLC. . . . The large building at the back is an old water mill, and we would very much like to know more about that.

And another close up from our neighbour's field?

Would you like another view of the district? Here's a sunset to get you envious.....

Would you like to see one of the calves? This is an early view of my wife feeding her "first attempt" in the large tin shed that our vendor eventually removed. He had lost his mother at birth and was still on milk.......

One day we intend to "tell all" and give a close account of all our adventures with this place and its previous owners. You won't believe most of it, we wouldn't have either, a couple of years ago! Stay tuned......