Looking to start Caithness Co-housing, eco-living for like-minded individuals/familes

[Seachelle]

Hello. I'm wondering if there are other people out there perhaps interested in the idea of pulling together, living and working together for healthy, organic living. A place to escape the insanity of the world today and just living in the way of the ancestors. Family/community striving for the goals of just looking out for each other, helping each other from cradle to grave. Healthy living. Turning our back on the modern unhealthy eating and ideas of self-gain.

Prices of everything from land, housing or food is skyrocketing with no end in site, right? But, self sufficiency, living off the land and off grid, recycling when and where possible and pooling and sharing our resources...sound like a Utopia? It doesn't have to be! It just needs like minded individuals and families to come together and choose to live like that. It only needs land and people that each have something to contribute to the overall good of the community.

Me? What would I contribute to the group? Well, I am currently studying to be a naturopath. Not to be confused with a homeopath. I'm studying to heal via organic fruits, veggies, herbs, spices, nuts and seeds. Pretty much like the healers of old. So that would be my contribution as well as working to plant the community's food supply, as well as helping to organise events, meet with people, share my resources too, rearing ethically raised animals etc. Of course, there would always be the need for builders, teachers, fellow workers, office workers, farmers, animal care, care for the children and elderly etc, etc..from cradle to grave.

Is there anyone else interested up here in Caithness?? Does anyone have any land that would be interested in a such a way of life?

[ducati]

It does sound like utopia seachelle, I'm a bit old to get involved now but if I did it would be somewhere warmer, where stuff grows.

[south view 7]

Is it april 1st already???

[laguna2]

Is this a wind up? If not, I have some land that I would be willing to sell at the right the price.

[newweecroft]

We already do, if you want to lend a hand and do the greenfingered stuff you would be welcome.

[Seachelle]

I hear you Ducati, I wouldn't mind some Summer warmth right about now, myself! No, Southview 7 it's definitely NOT a joke or a wind up Laguna2. And if enough people come together, then perhaps an arrangement could be made. Newweecroft, I would definitely be interested in lending a hand and help out with the "greenfingered stuff". Absolutely, it's what it's all about. How organic is your land, do you know if it could be used for organic crops? What of animals, like chickens and goats? I am very, very interested in ethically raising animals for milk, eggs, meat etc;

[Corrie 3]

Good luck with that!!!

[secrets in symmetry]

Well, I am currently studying to be a naturopath. Not to be confused with a homeopath.Is it related to a garden path?


I'm studying to heal via ... nuts ... .You'll be needing to share with macadamia. He's nuts too....

[MerlinScot]

I hear you Ducati, I wouldn't mind some Summer warmth right about now, myself! No, Southview 7 it's definitely NOT a joke or a wind up Laguna2. And if enough people come together, then perhaps an arrangement could be made. Newweecroft, I would definitely be interested in lending a hand and help out with the "greenfingered stuff". Absolutely, it's what it's all about. How organic is your land, do you know if it could be used for organic crops? What of animals, like chickens and goats? I am very, very interested in ethically raising animals for milk, eggs, meat etc;Have you ever tried that? I mean, do you have experience in farming? Because it sounds as an utopia kind of post...

[Seachelle]

Have you ever tried that? I mean, do you have experience in farming? Because it sounds as an utopia kind of post... Yes, I have. I came from a horse ranch in Arizona. But, we raised a lot of other animals like chickens etc too. And I am well aware of how Utopian it sounds and I apologise for that, but the interest is genuine. I assure you.

[MerlinScot]

I just guess that farming in Arizona is a bit different from farming in Scotland... When you have tried for a season to grow plants and/or vegetables here, comes back and post your opinion...Concerning animals, I found chickens are wee bu'g'gers, too many eggs or no eggs at all....

[roadbowler]

utopia? Sounds like hard work to me. What's utopian about hard work? Lol ducati, no it's not exactly warm here but, food does grow really well here and some not at all without some sort of protection. Certain foods do though. Kale, sprouting broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, tatties, parsnips, hardy herbs, neeps, onions, garlic, beets, leeks, broad beans, peas, lettuces, cabbages, mustards, mizuna, soft fruit, oats, etc. All grows here just fine as many could tell you but, becoming self-sufficient in these for a family takes a full-time gardener/farmer and lotsa graft. No doubt about it. Nothing utopian about placing more of your personal and community responsibilities on your own shoulders either. Try living off grid without mains electricity etc for awhile then decide whether it is utopian and some airy fairy easy way to eek out a living. Merlinscot, i totally agree on the chickens! Lol

[Seachelle]

I could not agree with you more, Roadbowler, it IS damned hard word. And you know, as they say more hands makes light work, right? Which is why if enough people get together and with the aim of sharing the produce, I think it is an viable solution to such difficulties. Our ancestors did it. Why can't we?

[sids]

Spuds and brassicas do well in Caithness.

[golach]

Spuds and brassicas do well in Caithness.

Depends which way the wind is blowing tho'.

[Shaggy]

Seachelle? as in Michelle from Thurso?

[Southern-Gal]

My neighbours have a great veg plot, they are very succesfull with it and they dont grow under cover.
Have to ask Seachelle - why does it have to be organic?

[Seachelle]

Organic, because it really is the best way to eat healthy. NO chemicals. For me, having been so sick, with various complaints, from what I have studied up on, it seems to way to go. Plus, it really isn't that good to pollute the land like that either. Using various pesticides, etc..really not good for you or the land. And it really is why so many people are so sick these days with whole new illnesses like irritable bowel, Fibromyalgia etc. But, eating an entirely organic diet can cure so much of that.

[secrets in symmetry]

Organic, because it really is the best way to eat healthy. NO chemicals. For me, having been so sick, with various complaints, from what I have studied up on, it seems to way to go. Plus, it really isn't that good to pollute the land like that either. Using various pesticides, etc..really not good for you or the land. And it really is why so many people are so sick these days with whole new illnesses like irritable bowel, Fibromyalgia etc. But, eating an entirely organic diet can cure so much of that.Which School of Totally Unjustified Assertions did you get your ideas from?

As I suspected - nuts!

Read roadbowler's post and learn - no nuts (for a change lol!)

[Seachelle]

Sorry Secrets in Symmetry, in this case you're the one that's got it wrong, she and I are on the same page. We both agree that it takes a lot of hard work, but also that it's possible. She does live like that currently as it happens. Plus, with the sheer amount of studying and investigating I've done, I have concluded that eating an all organic diet is the healthiest and best way to live and the only way for me personally. And what's up with the insulting sarcastic and rude comments and attitude? What have I ever done to you to justify that? I am only making inquiries, that's all. Lighten up, geez.

[joxville]

Which School of Totally Unjustified Assertions did you get your ideas from?As I suspected - nuts!Read roadbowler's post and learn - no nuts (for a change lol!)Have you considered that maybe, just maybe, that the OP is allergic to modern methods of food production, and so by eating organic where possible, that they can enjoy a quality of life the rest of us take for granted? Just because she wants to live life differently from you doesn't make her nuts. Your response was typical SiS, mock and talk down to people, because you really know better than them. You're such an arse at times.

[secrets in symmetry]

No. I know and understand things. Most people on this forum don't. That's why they should listen to me.

This is a General discussion forum. I try to help people who post rubbish. That's how they learn.

[changilass]

Arrogant and pig headed spring to mind.

[secrets in symmetry]

Arrogant and pig headed spring to mind.
I wouldn't say that about joxville or the other one. You are unkind in my opinion changilass!

[Shaggy]

That's why they should listen to me.

yeah very true....now go ahead and tell us everything you know, that will waste 10 secs of our lives.......

[secrets in symmetry]

I know stuff you've never heard of, and which you'll never understand without help.

I try to help people who write unsubstantiated rubbish and who claim it's factually correct. It's something I do to help you all. You are free to ignore me, but your lives will be poorer if you do so.

[Phill]

I quite enjoyed the chickens, they don't lay well in the cowd wind of winter, but then we don't like working in those conditions either.

[Shaggy]

I know stuff you've never heard of, and which you'll never understand without help.

I try to help people who write unsubstantiated rubbish and who claim it's factually correct. It's something I do to help you all. You are free to ignore me, but your lives will be poorer if you do so.

Well im always up for a laugh and a joke along with the serious side of things but let me see here....... you claim to be knowledgeable and understanding?....... forgive me now but i don't see a single part of that when you blatantly attack other forum users and claim they are dumb when all they want to do is live life as they want to? It is their choice and you have no say whatsoever in that choice! Is this how you get your kicks then? sad.....

[Corrie 3]

Your response was typical SiS, mock and talk down to people, because you really know better than them. You're such an arse at times.
Surely that should read..."You're such an arse at ALL times" C'mon Jox, you're slipping!!!

[secrets in symmetry]

I quite enjoyed the chickens, they don't lay well in the cowd wind of winter, but then we don't like working in those conditions either.Yes, and you can have a decent two way conversation with chickens.

Some people, on the other hand, are impossible to to convey your thoughts to. :cool:

[luskentyre]

I know stuff you've never heard of, and which you'll never understand without help.

Ouch... I hope you realise that just about anyone else could say the same to you?

[Southern-Gal]

I quite enjoyed the chickens, they don't lay well in the cowd wind of winter, but then we don't like working in those conditions either.

Our chickens have really laid their heads off since we moved up here. They've only had about three weeks off this winter for a quick moult and then started laying again. We have never had so many eggs, the dogs are even bored with eating them. I suppose the winter has been mild though.

[Commore]

utopia? Sounds like hard work to me. What's utopian about hard work? Lol ducati, no it's not exactly warm here but, food does grow really well here and some not at all without some sort of protection. Certain foods do though. Kale, sprouting broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, tatties, parsnips, hardy herbs, neeps, onions, garlic, beets, leeks, broad beans, peas, lettuces, cabbages, mustards, mizuna, soft fruit, oats, etc. All grows here just fine as many could tell you but, becoming self-sufficient in these for a family takes a full-time gardener/farmer and lotsa graft. No doubt about it. Nothing utopian about placing more of your personal and community responsibilities on your own shoulders either. Try living off grid without mains electricity etc for awhile then decide whether it is utopian and some airy fairy easy way to eek out a living. Merlinscot, i totally agree on the chickens! Lol

Lol! good point there roadbowler..I can catergorically state it is not utopian at all. :)

[Rheghead]

Didn't a bunch of hippies live on an island just off Coldbackie in the 70s? What happened to them?

[Errogie]

I think quite a number of us have been down the self sufficiency road but the only problem with reverting to a peasant society is that there is no time off and it is not very stimulating intellectually. Yes the flavours and the satisfaction are there but eventually the drudgery begins to pale and it just becomes boring.
Now to go back a bit further in time and try your hand at becoming nomadic whether by camper van or boat that has a lot more appeal for me.

[secrets in symmetry]

You're out of step with a number of forum members Errogie. The secessionists want to return us to a peasant society in a year or two.

[Oddquine]

Sorry Secrets in Symmetry, in this case you're the one that's got it wrong, she and I are on the same page. We both agree that it takes a lot of hard work, but also that it's possible. She does live like that currently as it happens. Plus, with the sheer amount of studying and investigating I've done, I have concluded that eating an all organic diet is the healthiest and best way to live and the only way for me personally. And what's up with the insulting sarcastic and rude comments and attitude? What have I ever done to you to justify that? I am only making inquiries, that's all. Lighten up, geez.

You're on Caithness,org.....insulting sarcastic and rude comments and attitude abound.....from certain posters!

[secrets in symmetry]

Ouch... I hope you realise that just about anyone else could say the same to you?They could say it, but it wouldn't be true in the vast majority of cases. :cool:

[orkneycadian]

Isn't using the org and the internet whilst 'off grid and living in the way of our ancestors', mildly contradictory?

[secrets in symmetry]

Yes - to put it mildly. :cool:

[Flynn]

Which School of Totally Unjustified Assertions did you get your ideas from?

As I suspected - nuts!

Read roadbowler's post and learn - no nuts (for a change lol!)


Really? Someone espouses a proposition and all you can do is insult them?

[secrets in symmetry]

Lol! I don't insult people, I educate them them with the help of their own dictionary. :cool:

[Flynn]

Lol! I don't insult people, I educate them them with the help of their own dictionary. :cool:

No, what you do - with your blinkered reactions to anything new or 'different' - is make Caithness folk look like insular web-toed halfwits.

[secrets in symmetry]

No, what you do - with your blinkered reactions to anything new or 'different' - is make Caithness folk look like insular web-toed halfwits.She isn't from Caithness. :cool:

[Oddquine]

No, what you do - with your blinkered reactions to anything new or 'different' - is make Caithness folk look like insular web-toed halfwits.

No.....he/she makes him/herself look like an insular web-toed halfwit. We'd only appear the same as him/her if we agree with him/her...and only the usual suspects tend to do that.

[Seachelle]

Since both of you arrogant, ignorant twits who arrogantly think they have ALL the answers AND whom are so small as to deride others without knowing fully what they are talking about, here's more info for you!
Cohousing and Ecovillages Cohousing and eco-villages are two innovative forms of settlement which have evolved since the 1960s. They have different definitions and histories.
Most cohousing groups are in urban settings, and most eco-villages in rural locations. Environmental sustainability is of prime importance for eco-villages, but this is only true for some cohousing groups.
However, there is now some interest, and a number of examples, of projects which are both eco-villages and cohousing communities. This section offers a brief definition of the two concepts.

About Cohousing A new approach to affordable, sustainable housing
The essence of cohousing is a combination of self-contained dwelling units with some shared facilities. Each household has its own front door and can live independently. Alongside this are shared facilities where residents can eat together when they wish, and often also a shared sitting room, guest rooms, laundry etc. The major benefits of cohousing include:
- Affordability: The shared facilities mean that individual units can be smaller and hence more affordable. Sharing transport, childcare, food purchasing and production also help reduce living costs. Most cohousing groups have some units available for affordable rent.
- Sustainability: A cohousing group can live more ecologically than a single household: for example, through car pooling, shared shopping, sustainable energy systems. Having more social contacts and some work opportunities where you live reduces the need for car use.
- Community: Cohousing creates many of the qualities of a traditional neighbourhood or small village. It makes it easy for people to socialise and support each other. It creates a safe and supportive setting, especially helpful for older people and young families.
- Autonomy: Cohousing enables individuals and households to maintain a high degree of independence: they can choose how much interaction with the wider group they want. Whilst some group agreements are essential, these are kept to a minimum.
History Cohousing developed in the mid-1960s in Denmark: 5% of all Danish households now live in cohousing. This is helped by government policy support, recognising its social and environmental benefits. Cohousing developments can also be found elsewhere in Scandinavia, and increasingly in the Netherlands and North America.
Cohousing Features Cohousing is the combination of four essential elements:


Self-contained dwellings with shared facilities: Individual units can range from 1-room studios to 4-bed houses, but all will have their own kitchen, bathroom, living and sleeping space. The shared facilities will usually be in a 'common house', which can be used by the wider neighbourhood, e.g. for playgroups, meetings, parties. Shared facilities may include dining room/meeting space, kitchen, lounge, guest rooms, also a market garden, work spaces, children's play area.
Intentional neighbourhood design: the layout of the site will encourage social contact and a sense of neighbourhood. Usually cars are kept at the perimeter, and the layout will focus on pedestrian paths and open spaces. A cohousing 'cluster' is usually 10-30 households, 14-60 people, to create the sense of neighbourhood. Larger projects are achieved by creating several clusters.
Participatory development process: Potential residents are actively involved from the early stages of design. This means that a sense of community is already formed before residents move in.
Resident management: The overall site and shared facilities are owned and managed by the residents. The site freehold will be held in common ownership, with owner-occupiers and any social landlord as shareholders.

Cohousing in the UK There is rapidly-growing interest in cohousing, with many new groups forming, and many individuals keen to join a project. Cohousing is also starting to attract interest from policy makers and the media, recognising its potential. The first UK conference was in early 2005.
There are three established cohousing projects. Springhill in Stroud is a new-build scheme of 32 units on an urban site, completed 2004. The Community Project is a conversion of a former rural hospital site in Sussex, completed in 2000. The Threshold Centre bought Cole Street Farm near Gillingham, Dorset in 2004, to create cohousing with education and visitor facilities.
Resources

the best book on the field is Cohousing by Kathryn McCamant and Charles Durrett (ISBN 0898155398)
the first UK book on cohousing has just been published: Thinking About Cohousing by Martin Field (ISBN 0-9514945-7-0)
A good book on eco-communities generally is Creating a Life Together by Diana Leafe Christian (ISBN 0-86571-471-1)
The UK Cohousing Network is currently reorganising. The web address is www.cohousing.org.uk (http://www.cohousing.org.uk)

About Ecovillages

Human scale, usually thought of as somewhere between 50 and 500 members, but with exceptions
A full featured settlement, in which the major functions of life – housing, food provision, education, manufacture, leisure, social life and commerce – are all present in balanced proportions. This should not mean that ecovillages be totally self-sufficient or isolated from their surroundings.
Human activities harmlessly integrated into the natural world. In practice this means that a cyclic approach to resource use should be aimed at, rather than the linear, throw-away lifestyle which has become the norm in western society.
Supportive of healthy human development. A balanced and integrated approach to fulfilling human needs – physical, emotional, mental and spiritual – not just for individuals, but for the community as a whole.
Successfully able to continue into the indefinite future.

My only question was to find out if there were one already here OR if there were others also interested in this. Turns out, there are AND they have been contacting me in private, so shows how much you really know, which turns out... isn't much, despite your chest pounding statements to the contrary! And just for the record, just because someone lives off-grid, it doesn't mean that through green methods they can't obtain electricity AND get internet, dumbass! So, no it really ISN'T contradictory. It's called moving with the times, which brings me back to the whole reason I wanted this up here in Caithness. With the endless rising costs of living these days and trying to find a cheaper alternatives, doesn't make me an insular web-toed halfwit, rather it makes you both look pig-ignorant and arrogant, scared of anything new or different to everything you've ever known. In fact, you're so ridiculous in your insulting attitude that I absolutely refuse to waste any more of my precious time on you! You're simply not worth it.

[orkneycadian]

just because someone lives off-grid, it doesn't mean that through green methods they can't obtain electricity AND get internet,

I'm intrigued. The Internet, and the propulsion of data through it is one of the fastest growing demands for electricity. Some estimates, put the electricity demand from the internet and associated devices used to surf it as high as 300 GW (various sources, but here is a typical one - http://www.newscientist.com/blogs/onepercent/2011/10/307-gw-the-maximum-energy-the.html )

(http://www.newscientist.com/blogs/onepercent/2011/10/307-gw-the-maximum-energy-the.html)That is something like 5 times the peak demand in the UK in the winter months and 10 times that in the summer. Given that Ywindythesecond has palpitations about the mere 5 GW he reckons that the UK's windmills don't produce, and that we are all doomed in relation to our energy supply, thats an awful lot of electricity being consumed just to deliver "e org" to your computer, even if you do run said pc from a privately owned, dung burning, mini power station.

Unless of course eco-livers have an alternative way to surf the internet that doesn't use up more energy than half of Europe?

[Seachelle]

As it happens they do. The can and do use wind mills, and water mills as well as use solar panels. Haven't you ever watched Grand Designs? A lot of the homes featured on the programme generate so much electricity that many end up selling back to the grid for the electric, and as for the internet, they use dongles, or go to the library or internet cafes.

[dorothy scott]

Good idea we need to do something about it!!

[ducati]

As it happens they do. The can and do use wind mills, and water mills as well as use solar panels. Haven't you ever watched Grand Designs? A lot of the homes featured on the programme generate so much electricity that many end up selling back to the grid for the electric, and as for the internet, they use dongles, or go to the library or internet cafes.

My windymill has been as much use as a chocolate teapot the last few days. How about yours? :D

[orkneycadian]

As it happens they do. The can and do use wind mills, and water mills as well as use solar panels. Haven't you ever watched Grand Designs? A lot of the homes featured on the programme generate so much electricity that many end up selling back to the grid for the electric, and as for the internet, they use dongles, or go to the library or internet cafes.

I'm further intrigued. How can you sell power back to the grid if you are off-grid? And where does the power come from to deliver the internet to the dongle, the library or the Internet cafe? Much of that 300 GW is whats powering the server farms, the cellphone towers and the infrastructure that delivers web pages to your door, your dongle, your library and your internet cafe. Isn't using the Internet therefore rather un-ecological?

[jim10]

So who pays for the housing and setting up for these communities ? or are you expecting the goverment to provide them ? and if you are serious about going it alone will you be giving up your benifits ? etc, if farmers struggle to make a living with hundreds of acres and generations of experiance how will you cope, yes its a lovely idea but totally impractible, just as in society today has workers and scroungers, you would have workers and hangers on people who sit on the sidelines while others do the work,you would need to adopt a kibutz style camp where everyone works [ie no scroungers]

[clash67]

Hi seachelle, I would gladly lend a hand and I may have some skills that would come in handy. An off grid community would be nice to have in Caithness and I myself have toyed with the idea too.
As for all the smart ass comments you are getting...well that is one of the reasons I don't post much on here anymore, its a shame because a forum like this could be used to accomplish so many things that might be beneficial to the community but the amount of know-it-all smart asses and down right insulting morons just ruins it for everyone.
At one time there was hardly a post on the org that wasn't ruined by idiots being sarcastic or just plain rude!
Anyway pm me if you go ahead with your idea as I would love to offer as much support as I can.

[secrets in symmetry]

I'm further intrigued. How can you sell power back to the grid if you are off-grid? And where does the power come from to deliver the internet to the dongle, the library or the Internet cafe? Much of that 300 GW is whats powering the server farms, the cellphone towers and the infrastructure that delivers web pages to your door, your dongle, your library and your internet cafe. Isn't using the Internet therefore rather un-ecological?Yes, indeed - eco-hippies tend not to understand the science.

Do you think we can teach them to understand, or is it beyond most of them?

[cesare]

No. I know and understand things. Most people on this forum don't. That's why they should listen to me.

This is a General discussion forum. I try to help people who post rubbish. That's how they learn.

is there a mute/ignore button for stupidity?

[Oddquine]

is there a mute/ignore button for stupidity?

Nope...but there is an ignore button for trolls..you could use that! Its amazing how fast you can get through some threads when you only read their posts if quoted by others.

[Reva]

Here I am thinking:roll:.

[Flynn]

My windymill has been as much use as a chocolate teapot the last few days. How about yours? :D


Maybe you should invest in some photovoltaic cells for your roof for days when the windmill isn't working.


I find it sad that someone proposes setting up a sustainable community and all people on this forum can do is ridicule the idea, those people make Caithness look ignorant.

[secrets in symmetry]

Maybe you should invest in some photovoltaic cells for your roof for days when the windmill isn't working.


I find it sad that someone proposes setting up a sustainable community and all people on this forum can do is ridicule the idea, those people make Caithness look ignorant.I think Orkneycadian has exposed their lack of green credentials rather clearly. He might even have prevented them from making a huge mistake, for which they would presumably thank him if only they realised what he's done. :cool:

[ducati]

Maybe you should invest in some photovoltaic cells for your roof for days when the windmill isn't working.




or spark up the giant gas generator :lol:

[Flynn]

I'm further intrigued. How can you sell power back to the grid if you are off-grid? And where does the power come from to deliver the internet to the dongle, the library or the Internet cafe? Much of that 300 GW is whats powering the server farms, the cellphone towers and the infrastructure that delivers web pages to your door, your dongle, your library and your internet cafe. Isn't using the Internet therefore rather un-ecological?

Photovoltaics often generate much more energy than required by the household. On those days the excess is diverted into the national grid and you are paid for your contribution. Most people can get their energy usage permanently into negative figures - using less than they generate - and always receive a reimbursement from the national grid. So even if you use the internet you are doing it renewably because you are putting the energy used back into the system.

[orkneycadian]

Seems logical. Tell me though, how do you get that electricity to go into the grid when you are off grid?

[ducati]

Seems logical. Tell me though, how do you get that electricity to go into the grid when you are off grid?

Buck....et?