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Posted: Thu Oct 20, 2005 11:04 am
by PeterO
Off to NZ next week. We will have an extended holiday looking for a small farm/smallholding. Plan A is Nelson, Plan B is Northland, Plan C the Coromandel/Gisborne area.
For those remaining in the UK I wish you well with DEFRA/New Labour and hope the forecast Winter is not too bleak.
Cheers
Peter
Posted: Thu Oct 20, 2005 12:39 pm
by Duncan MacIntyre
I am sure lots of good wishes go to Peter in his new venture, and we wish him every success. I am sure he will not abandon the discussion board though, they probably have computers and internet access in NZ and we look forward to hearing from him when he gets established there.
Best wishes,
Duncan
Posted: Thu Oct 20, 2005 5:17 pm
by Sylvia
Peter
Wow, it all sounds so exciting. Many congratulations for actually following your dream, that is so... impressive. And what timing - just as the weathermen say don't panic everyone but there is a 60% chance it is going to be the worst winter for a decade. I do hope you keep in touch with the board and we'll even let you gloat a little as you enjoy Spring and Summer down under as we struggle on.
Sylvia
Posted: Thu Oct 20, 2005 5:24 pm
by jeffyorks
Best wishes & keep in touch
Posted: Thu Oct 20, 2005 6:56 pm
by Mark Bowles
Well done PeterO,
thanks for your input on the Board, hope you keep in touch and continue to let us know your progress.
I would hope to visit NZ one day, ever since my school days when i did a project on the country have a fancied a trip.
Im sure there must be some disadvantages with NZ,.......................................................................................
........................................but i cant think of any at the moment!!
All the best to you and your family,
Mark
Posted: Sun Oct 23, 2005 7:36 am
by Inger
You timing is excellent PeterO. The real estate market has dampened over here and there are a lot of properties for sale up North around our area. I've emailed you our contact details. In case you're in our area.
Yes Duncan, there are internet cafes in NZ. :;):
Mark, one of the disadvantages of living in NZ at the moment is that we have a Labour Government and MMP has enabled a politician, which many consider unsuitable for the job, has been given the portfolio of Foreign Affairs. All we can say is Lord help us! :p
Posted: Sun Oct 23, 2005 11:27 am
by Duncan MacIntyre
Inger, yes I thought they had computers, just wasn't sure about electricity. Maybe they have wind up computers. I would never try to wind up anyone or anything of course.
Duncan :;):
Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2005 5:17 am
by Kathy Millar
...and what was the name of that remote island off the wild coast of Scotland in the middle of nowhere....that you live on, Duncan? Do you get much snow?
Kathy :D
Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2005 10:26 am
by Duncan MacIntyre
We actually get very little snow, warmed by the Gulf stream etc and believe it or not we have palm trees growing along the sea front. Rothesay at one time was one of the main holiday destination for the masses from Glasgow, and at that time was billed as "the Madiera of Scotland".
But it does rain, and rain, and rain, and rain. Sometimes the wind blows as well.
Duncan
Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2005 11:10 am
by Inger
NZ actually got electricity back around the 1870s Duncan. :p When did your Island get it? :D
One thing we do share at the moment though, is rain. We seem to be getting more than our fair share at the moment. It is warm rain though, so that's something to be grateful for I guess.
Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2005 11:19 am
by Sylvia
Keep quiet about the wind Duncan or you'll have your beautiful countryside covered with wind farms. Tall, white blots on the landscape that don't even work properly just like the ones we are promised 
Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2005 1:17 pm
by Duncan MacIntyre
Sorry I can't give a date, but Bute would have gas and electricity in late 1800's, though some country areas not till 1950's. I was not born on Bute but in Argyllshire. The farm where I was born had electricity installed the month befroe I was born.
But I suspect my wind up has been successful :;):
The comments on wind farms are very pertinent - lthere is an application for a farm on the Argyll mainland jsut opposite Rothesay, the main town of Bute, as we speak. We can already see several wind farms in the distance if we look carefully. Personally I would rather look at 100 wind turbines than the Hunterston Atomic Power Station which we have far too clear a view of from the south end of Bute.
Duncan
Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2005 1:36 pm
by ann
Re Wind farms
I actually would like one on my farm, I actually am one of those strange people who think they look lovely and would have no problem with one in my back yard.
Especially if it gave me free electricity.
:p :p :p
Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2005 3:09 pm
by Sylvia
Ann, if they were no more than the height of the electricity pylons scattered over our farm, and they worked to a similar standard I'd be all for everyone having their personal one if they had the space and everyone else having solar panels on the roof, also I can see a certain beauty if they are in the sea, but this area tries to sell itself to tourists as unspoilt countryside and, goodness knows, it hasn't much else going for it so major wind farm developments (which won't work if there is no wind and have to be turned off if there is too much, thus needing back up power, and which do not benefit the local population one bit) seem a perverse way to go.???
Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2005 3:13 pm
by Jim Taylor
Duncan, As a matter of Interest, you would be looking at 5100 wind turbines to replace the Hunterston Atomic Power Station
Jim