Learned the hard way

[Lffsam]

Hi all, retired fireman, 20 years living in central France, originally from West Yorkshire, sold up and bought 20 acres for horses and "living the good life". Have kept a 74 IH 454 tractor going along with hay gear, flail mowers etc. Bought an old JCB 3C, but mistake, now long gone. Learned on the job, knew nothing about land management or plant, but have managed not to kill myself so far. I have been a long time lurker, so please be gentle. I also have a 2.5 acre lake, which needs some tlc, so have decided the time is right to buy myself a mini digger. Please take a look at my post and see if you can help or offer advice. Cheers

 

[kabin man]

Welcome. I have a feeling that when you get your machine, there may well be some offers to pop over and do a demonstration for wine and cheese..

 

[Furniss]

Hi all, retired fireman, 20 years living in central France, originally from West Yorkshire, sold up and bought 20 acres for horses and "living the good life". Have kept a 74 IH 454 tractor going along with hay gear, flail mowers etc. Bought an old JCB 3C, but mistake, now long gone. Learned on the job, knew nothing about land management or plant, but have managed not to kill myself so far. I have been a long time lurker, so please be gentle. I also have a 2.5 acre lake, which needs some tlc, so have decided the time is right to buy myself a mini digger. Please take a look at my post and see if you can help or offer advice. Cheers

Welcome - great forum with a wealth of genuine knowledge, if you're in rural France and tackle a lot of it on your own by necessity at times ,it can be beyond useful

 

[Lffsam]

Welcome. I have a feeling that when you get your machine, there may well be some offers to pop over and do a demonstration for wine and cheese..

Wine and cheese ap!entry for any willing volunteers

 

[Lffsam]

Welcome - great forum with a wealth of genuine knowledge, if you're in rural France and tackle a lot of it on your own by necessity at times ,it can be beyond useful

Thanks, yes it's just me the wife and the dog! The dog is not much use most of the time....... he is great at moving branches, but generally in the wrong direction

 

[Gecko]

time is right to buy myself a mini digger.

Welcome!
My only useful comment is: if space isn't a problem, don't get too hung up on 'mini'.
A midi will get you a lot more machine for your money (possibly the same money), but the extra reach (etc) will make it a lot more useful.

 

[Lffsam]

Thanks Gecko, space is not an issue, that's one thing I have plenty of lol. I am getting similar feedback on the thread I have running on the subject. I am now looking at both options. Have not done any research on larger machines, say 2-3t, but intend to do so in the coming days. Will also have to speak to my transporter with regards to feaseability.......

 

[Fms1]

Wine and cheese ap!entry for any willing volunteers

What about the fishing!

 

[V8Druid]

What about the fishing!

what about the fishing ??? .. can watch paint dry at home - and often do

 

[Lffsam]

What about the fishing!

Carp to about 25lb, plus the rest. Perch to 1.5lb, caught a tiny tench, so mum n dad must be around lol

 

[Lffsam]

Each to their own, but fishing or not, 6 berth static, 50m2 log cabin, hot and cold running water, parties for 60+, did I mention it's got a mains electricity supply, for less than a decent second hand car in the uk? Shame the digger prices are so high

 

[V8Druid]

Each to their own, but fishing or not, 6 berth static, 50m2 log cabin, hot and cold running water, parties for 60+, did I mention it's got a mains electricity supply, for less than a decent second hand car in the uk? Shame the digger prices are so high

yeh - mid to southern France was always my retirement target location, 'til my body let me down ...
if it hadn't been for the catastrophic economic collapse in '08, we'd have been there in 2010 when it did
I like the way of life France present(s/ed) and it's a beautiful country
Back then property was almost being given away had a few lined up in '08 to go view - then the sh1t hit the fan and the contracted, deposit paid, buyers for my yard went tits up (yes guys--I went through the hassle/stress of selling it twice [and kept their bloody deposit])

 

[Lffsam]

That's such a shame ......... Life can be cruel sometimes. We have luckily had little contact with the health service here ourselves, but our friends speak highly of the speed and level of service they have received.
Rural property has taken a bit of a bit for the last few years. I doubt our property is worth not much more than we paid for it 20 years ago, despite the renovation we have carried out. It's a very different market here. Not the boom and bust.

 

[V8Druid]

That's such a shame ......... Life can be cruel sometimes. We have luckily had little contact with the health service here ourselves, but our friends speak highly of the speed and level of service they have received.
Rural property has taken a bit of a bit for the last few years. I doubt our property is worth not much more than we paid for it 20 years ago, despite the renovation we have carried out. It's a very different market here. Not the boom and bust.

that surprises me as it was climbing '15 to '20 ...
but see it has dropped back a bit ...
keep an eye on it still, but doubt we'd ever be able to end up with much more than a HH, if anything -
travelling is difficult and have to be here once a month to take delivery of my med.s (which don't travel well)

 

[Monkeybusiness]

that surprises me as it was climbing '15 to '20 ...
but see it has dropped back a bit ...
keep an eye on it still, but doubt we'd ever be able to end up with much more than a HH, if anything -
travelling is difficult and have to be here once a month to take delivery of my med.s (which don't travel well)

You could definitely build a fridge into/onto a Goldwing and do a monthly commute. Even if you had to tow your monster generator on a trailer behind!!!

 

[V8Druid]

You could definitely build a fridge into/onto a Goldwing and do a monthly commute. Even if you had to tow your monster generator on a trailer behind!!!

aye - that we could .. can't see as Pam'd be up for the trip much though ... stick it on a trailer behind the Sportage, 'praps - -- - need two wheels for bimbling in Froggy - country was built for it

 

[Lancs Lad]

aye - that we could .. can't see as Pam'd be up for the trip much though ... stick it on a trailer behind the Sportage, 'praps - -- - need two wheels for bimbling in Froggy - country was built for it

One thing I've learnt last few weeks ..
If you want to do something ....do it now!
You never know what tomorrow brings

 

[V8Druid]

One thing I've learnt last few weeks ..
If you want to do something ....do it now!
You never know what tomorrow brings

that is very true Gavin .... you have no idea what the next hour will bring, let alone the next day.
my 'episode' in 2010 changed my life and my outlook.
sadly the former, not for the better and took a while to get over, but as far as outlook went - really re-ordered my priorities

 

[Lffsam]

That's basically what prompted our decision to move to France at only 38 & 40. We had both lost loved ones at young ages, and decided that life is too short ....... Enjoy it while you can

 

[Storrsy]

That's basically what prompted our decision to move to France at only 38 & 40. We had both lost loved ones at young ages, and decided that life is too short ....... Enjoy it while you can

So true. At 37 Id guess I'm one of the younger ones on this forum but frankly it's shocking how quickly it's all going! Still think like a 15 year old