Hi There :)

I'm Ang, solo mum to three boys who moved home to NZ about 18 months ago after living in Brisbane for about 10 years, I'm in the process of hopefully buying a gorgeous 90 yr old villa on 25 acres here.

Looking into perhaps getting a windmill or perhaps some solar panels going. I'm interested in simplicity, and am a horticulturalist by trade.

The next big learning curves I'll be on soon will be keeping cattle, and beekeeping...

Can't wait to hear all about what everyone else is up to

Hi Ang,

Thank you for hopping onboard - Welcome! It's very exciting to have a horticulturist on the boards.

Lucky you, living in New Zealand. It's a beautiful country. When do you find out if you get the farm?

We have noticed that grays online (auction website) occasionally have wind turbines and solar panels going reasonably cheaply. One of our other new members knows quite a lot about alternative power (Jove), so here is a good place to ask away.

Another member here (Bugboy) is interested in Beekeeping (so am I actually), so that will be fun to discuss together.

Welcome Ang

I'm also looking forward to taking the leap into beekeeping and keeping cattle some time soon (I even have the cattle breed picked out lol)

Tallulah well the place had it's electrical inspection today (It's 90 years old) and came up fine, so the building inspection is tomorrow, I'm hoping everything (finance/Land Information Memorandum) will be sorted by early next week, and we'll hopefully be able to go unconditional... Everything crossed!!!!

Jo - what breed of cattle are you going for, and how many are you thinking of keeping?

All I know at the moment is we'll need about 20 to keep the grass down properly, I think I'll possibly simply advertise for grazing to begin with, not so much responsibility on me before i really know what I am doing, and a little bit of income.

Yes, we're looking at agisting some cattle too. I figure that way I can watch and learn a bit that way as well.

I want to get Dexter's and my partner wants to get Black Angus. Luckily they interbreed well. I want a heifer for milking so she will be pure Dexter. At the moment we are looking at about 6-10 head of cattle. Lots of noxious weed reduction to be done first though....

Goodluck with all the inspections and stuff, hope its all hassle free!