Can it really be? Already? It's my last week living off-grid, this year at least. Six months have ripped by faster than a pheasant escaping a shotgun volley (an everyday occurrence around here at the moment) and it's nearly time to pack up and head south for the winter – no not South Africa or even Seville, but sunny Dorset where I will be picking up my volunteer duties at Pilsdon Community again. I'm hoping that the art of hand-milking cows is like learning to ride a bike, as no doubt I'll be rota'ed to get up before sunrise on Monday to be reacquainted with the Jerseys.
So much has happened here since I first inched the Suzuki Jimny nervously down my narrow steep windy track with caravan in tow and a sheer drop on the right. It's time to take stock and cast one's mind's eye (does the mind have only one eye? like Sauron from Lord of the Rings?) back over the half-year gone, to assess, compile, summarise, and otherwise make up a compelling narrative from the myriad events both small and great that have happened (to me at least) since April. What have I actually achieved? Have I learned anything? How have I actually survived this long without radio, TV or internet? Have I lost my grip on sanity?
Let's start with the achievements. And these are not things that I can blow my own trumpet about, as much of it has been down to other people's generosity of spirit and open-heartedness. In no particular order:
– A growing area (700 sq metres) with twelve large raised beds and space for twelve more has appeared, replacing a jungle thicket of juncus. This was in fact all my spade-work (it's what I've mainly been doing) apart from the tree stumps removal which my neighbour's digger made short work of.
– A pheasant-proof fence and netting is being constructed around this growing area by the pheasant-keepers to stop their birds eating my crops, in return for which I am letting them use my land again next year for rearing.
– My “test” potatoes have successfully grown which I am steadily working my way through every dinner. However salad seeds came to nothing, possibly due to the acidity of the soil so I am adding lime to the raised beds to try to fix this.
– With help from Mary and Matt a beautiful compost loo, a gracefully proportioned greenhouse and a sublime wood-store have all been erected.
– I have made contact with a veritable host of friendly people both close by and over at Machynlleth, many of whom have provided help, advice, manure(!) and even the possibility of working together in the future (e.g. raising pigs to sell the meat locally, and a veg-box scheme in Mach). I have even made actual friends (not invisible ones).
– I got a local ecologist to carry out a “Preliminary Ecological Appraisal” on my land before I did anything, to check I wouldn't be destroying the habitat of any protected species with my spade.
– And not least, I have survived six months of living alone in a tiny caravan with no mains supplies and no radio, internet or TV. It has been really quiet. No distractions at all. During the day I have generally been digging whilst listening to the birds and the rushing river, and at night after a meal I'd read a book or write a blogpost. I have found it particularly calming to know that I can't be interrupted from my tasks by anyone and nor do I have the ability to interrupt myself, by checking the news headlines on my phone or switching on the TV. I imagine I must be in a tiny minority in the UK who can say this.
What have I learned? Well, I like it here enough to want to come back next spring. The people are welcoming and open, the surrounding mountains, rivers and valleys are stunning, and Machynlleth is a fantastic small town with an independent spirit. I've found that I am quite content to live solo, at least for these six months (winter in a caravan might be more depressing) but would consider getting a volunteer or two next year to help with the work. On the financial side, by keeping a careful eye on expenses since I got here I've found that I've been spending £28 average a week on food, £24 a week on other consumables (petrol, toiletries, propane, travel, gifts), and a total of £1650 on other stuff I've needed. So next year I'd better start earning some money! I've got to know the land quite well, at least during the more pleasant months – where the sun falls during the day, which direction the wind tends to come from, what new streams form during a deluge, what plants are naturally growing here. I've seen toads, frogs, grey squirrels, bats, some kind of shrew, moles, mice, butterflies, all kinds of birds – heron, robin, woodpecker, blackbird, buzzard, red kite, crow and many others I couldn't identify. I've heard owls after dark, and maybe they've heard me.
On the question of my sanity I'll leave that for others to judge.
This Saturday I'll drive off leaving my caravan locked up and “winterised” (drained of water to prevent pipes bursting in the cold). It'll be March before I set foot in her again and start the next chapter of off-grid living in Wales. This is my last post on this blog for now, thanks for tuning in everyone! Those who want to continue to follow the remorseless saga of Matt Swan's life, service resumes next week on the mattswanindorset blog. Those who don't can go and watch Homeland instead. Bye!
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