Horsepower....

I have this romantic notion that one day we will be self sufficient, but of course in reality it's highly unlikely we'll ever pull it off. I've collected and read (ok so for some I've just looked at the pictures) a great collection of books ranging from living off grid by Nick Rosen to an absolute 'good life' classic called the 'the complete book of self sufficiency' by John Seymour which includes everything from how to plan out your land and clear the tree stumps, through to how to butcher a pig! It also has a great matrix (not that I'm sure matrices were around in the 70's) comparing the pros and cons of tractor ownership against a horse or indeed an Ox! 

Now, who wouldn't want to own a tractor ?........ But.......reading between the lines I think owning a horse could be the way forward....

They don't require diesal, don't need taxing and more importantly their waste can be used to help grow more crops. 

Of course the downside is I'm actually not that fond of horses and have almost got less of a clue how to look after a horse then fix a steering box on a tractor (which I have no idea on either in case you were wandering .....), however, we are already partly kitted out for horse ownership though and when I find Norways version of Mole Valley Farmers,  imagine the fun I can have finally buying a horse coat! ......for those who aren't devon folk, mole valley farmers is the most fantastic country outlet, selling products that allow you to delouse your chickens or inseminate your cows (I'll draw a sketch next time) through to a pair of tweeds or a tractor linkage. .......Fabulous place.  

As I mentioned in an earlier post, when we bought the house we acquired a huge amount of stuff, which included old farm equipment. So aside from finding a 4 legged companion to actually do the work and figuring out how the all the tack actually fits,  we're good to go. We even have 2 stables in the barn. The entrance and floor into the big barn is worn away through years of horses coming and going and the stable divides have the signs of having been used to satisfy a good set of knawing knashers. It's these old objects, features and patina in the fabric that make the story and heritage of the place.

 I had originally thought when we'd bought the house that the seller was the grandson of the original owner/builder, but it has since emerged he was actually more of a distant relative.  We still however have a great selection of photos of the original owner and his descendants, including one of who we think is his son, stood outside the house with his horse! 

Of particular note are 2 things.....firstly that the wall he's stood in front off is still the original stone foundation wall, now replaced with blocks ( and needing repair) and secondly (and for most people) more interesting, I think we still have the hat in the house!

So watch this space ......at some point you might see a similar photo in years to come, I might however be sat on a quad bike...... ;)