Hello Arni,
This looks like the PERFECT DREAM OFF-GRID HOME!
I love old stone cottages.
THe location and land looks ideal. You've made some observational, relevant, and important points.
I don't take pleasure in physical strength activities like chopping wood or using firearms to hunt animals.
NO?! You don't say!!!🤣
A remote secluded life is lonely even for a hermit such as myself. Books can keep us company to a certain extent but creating bonds and meaningful conversations nourish us.
This is a relevant and true point. Even on the narrowboats. There are other boaters about, but sometimes I go with interacting with anyone for long periods...suits me fine, but I try to socialise with others who are up for conversation walking dogs, or at locks. A personal goal of mine is to fit in catching up with friends more regularly virtually though.
The property is powered by solar energy, solar thermal panels, small-scale wind systems, and an option of being heated with wood-burning stoves.
This sound like a great system going, and the mills enhance the aesthetics.
Rainwater taps in homes are not allowed in France and rainwater harvesting is closely regulated so we'd have to do some research in ensuring guidelines are followed.
Ouch! I had no idea. I wonder what's the reason for this. Personally I am not keen on drinking rainwater. My mum grew up drinking it, and as a child when I went back to her parish, they would let me taste it. I'm not a fan. I'm surprised that you are not able to have rain-catchments though, for all general purposes.
Great article as expected 🙌
Hi Camille,
Thank you so much! Old stone houses are charming, aren't they?
Haha, you know me so well 😂, although I did go through a high school military training to become an officer in high school, imagining myself swinging an ax is a scary thought.
I think that's the beauty of being location independent, you get to meet different people and small and big towns are at your fingertips, plus you have a narrowboat community that seems to look after each other. I think that's a cool personal goal of catching up with friends whenever possible.
Regarding rainwater regulations, they're strict about using rainwater for drinking, and cooking for safety reasons in France and a few EU countries in case there are traces of asbestos and lead on the roof so drinking potable water from the tap that is connected to the main drinking water line is encouraged. If there should be rainwater collection taps within buildings, they should be labeled, "not drinking water." There are recommended types of roofing material for rainwater harvesting and a qualified plumber should install the system.
I haven't tried drinking rainwater even a boiled one. The good thing about the Philippines is, that we don't have strict rules in place regarding rainwater harvesting, and the underground rainwater tank that we have had was handy during the typhoon. What is it like in the UK when it comes to rainwater collection?
I laughed out loud when I saw this 🤣
You have brought something to my attention about rainwater. I'll have to check to see what the law is hear in the UK. If I had a water catchment on my boat, it would probably go directly to my container.
I love these posts that lead me to do further research:)
Hahaha 🤣 I shudder at the thought of it.
I guess you'd have to assess the weight of the rainwater on the boat right? Happy Friday to you both!
Haha!
Honestly, on the canals, we don't need to think about storing water because waterpoints are strategically positioned. The only time we ever had a problem was a few months after we started our narrowboat journey and went to Leicester. There was some property conflict between the building owners of the water supply and the local govt and they turned off the water supply. Luckily, our friend who is a plumber was tablet to drive by the towpath and fill up our tank from his truck. We were so lucky then.
Thanks, and a nice Friday and lovely weekend to you and fam:))))
Thank you, can't believe another week just ended. Cheers!
Yes, it's really hard to believe. I can't keep up with the days at all. I'm gonna go for a wander later :)))
Happy exploring!