Resilence Lifestyle

[Jack the Lad]

I remember a couple on grand designs who desired a more resilient lifestyle which included a earthship home. They couldn't get planning permission in the uk so they went to France and build a lovely cottage/villa using old tyres, clay and straw.
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/overseas-mag ... s-home-fro

[jansman]

Here's a great example of a "resilience lifestyle" in action! Sadly, with the state of the US economy and its likely future, this may become more common in America. I'm not sure what the situation is in the UK, but would welcome any thoughts on that matter from that perspective.
Cheers,
Your American Friend

I read the OP as asking for thoughts or discussion on the matter of a resilience lifestyle. But maybe I read it wrong....

I read it like that too, Su, which is why I posted the rightmove link to illustrate the price differential between the US and the UK, and the effects it has on us. To stick with that, for a moment - thats US$ 214,500. My ex-council house costs that and more, in sterling - complete with the usual 35 foot long garden, not 5 acres! So its difficult to build in the same level of resilience, but we can try:
- water butts. I have 2, but they're still not connected up the drainpipes are cast iron, and the cost of connecting them has been quoted at twice my annual water bill. I'm having a think how to get round this right now.
- growing my own food. I've got maybe a score of edible perennials scattered around here, plus a few like a well pruned buddleia that produces thin sticks enough to power a rocket stove.
- insulation! And moving around working on my house and my garden fuels me to keep warm as well!
- making links in the community. This is slow, no doubt about it, I get viruses that last for months. At the moment, I'm well, so I'm chatting about an online project to RL neighbours, I've started going to a writing group locally, I'm cooperating with green fingered neighbours when possible.

Thats resilience, I think, that sort of thing. Though I'd really like to do what the guy in California did with his washing machine greywater

Arzosah. That IS resilience. At the normal person's level. Well done.

[jansman]

jansman what are the winds like where you are, a wind turbine could provide some eletrickery and solar PV panels. Found this website tother day and prices seem good http://www.bestecoshop.com/wind-turbines.html

Thankyou, I am looking into this. Thankyou very much

[jansman]

Jansman,

Thanks for the explanation on "Council Housing"

We've got chickens now and I know what you mean about eggs. I'd like to do rabbits in the future but I need to move to a bigger property first or sacrifice garden space for them. I'll stick with gardens for now since they are really productive, even in the heat of my desert home. This bit of your post made me smile though...

"The weak point here for us is electricity. Even if I could afford solar, the roof is not suited to it. Some form of micro generation would be good. Problems to solve in the future."

Not long ago I suggested to my wife that we might try an experiment. Lets see how easy it would be to give up electricity for just one night. Light the oil lamps, read books, play a few games with the kids, light the wood stove and enjoy the fire. All happily agreed... I stepped out to split the logs and do a few other small chores, when I came back in with an arm load of wood. My wife was using the microwave and the kids had the TV on... so ended my experiment with no electricity even for a day Good luck with your power issues, I wish you better success.

Your American Friend

My American Friend. I feel your pain!
My biggest contribution to being off grid is my woodburner. Saved us a fortune over the last 12 years.
Like you , though, the rest of the family are addicted to electricity. And so am I. To succeed there would have to be a steady transition.

I do think that the term "Resilience" is one that preppers should use more. Stockpiling is one thing, but resilience takes it to the next level.

[Arzosah]

Arzosah. That IS resilience. At the normal person's level. Well done.

Thank you Jansman!

I try!

Another form of resilience (acquiring skills and using them) - I've been self employed for twenty odd years, and always used to use an accountant. For the last 3 years, I've done it myself. Its complicated for me, the French apartment I mostly own means all sorts of extra pages, and my dratted Abbey National freebie shares became Santander shares, which are Spanish ... still, I copied what the accountant did, and its still down there at that level of payment, so I know I'm doing it pretty much right.

[izzy_mack]

Preppingsu hit the nail on the head! We would never get planning here. Some years ago, we tried to get planning for a log cabin and were told NO WAY.

They then told us what we could build, which would have cost us at least twice the price and the other demands were ridiculous, we figured it was £50000 just to meet them all and get water and electric to the site - guess what we're still renting.