How Did We Get Into TheWaytoBEE

BEElifestyle

We moved to the countryside after spending most weekends in Kent on the River Medway boating. Realising that being in nature was both enjoyable and relaxing we began to dread going back to our daily city commutes. It was daunting at first and can remember oversleeping as there was no noise to wake us anymore.

BEEresilient

Slowly we started to take more interest in animals and our food source so started to keep chickens. We were as green as the grass and even rang the breeder on day one to ask if it was ok the Pekin bantams were pecking the grass! A love of pets meant that we started to add to the family and came home from a country show with ferrets one day. Now that is a baptism of fire. When we were flooded with one meter of water in 20 minutes during Oct 2000 we had to quickly rescue Cats, Ferrets, Chickens and Guinea Pigs to our upstairs. Luckily they all survived and we had to live with them for a while as we got the house refurbished and dried out!

BEEknowledgable

Education in animal husbandry and smallholding skills really helped us tackle most things and we went on both practical and theoretical courses to gain the knowledge we needed. These always proved enjoyable and informative meeting new friends along the way. We purchased our first piece of woodland and began learning new skills to manage the land and provide fuel for our fire.

BEEdetermined

Then one crazy evening we viewed an old derelict farm building and ended up buying it at auction the next day! At first we used to just go and picnic there at weekends enjoying the peace of the countyside. We managed to eventually get planning permission for a conversion to a holiday cottage but came upon a major stumbling block when the neighbours refused to authorise our connection to the power network. Instead of abandoning the project it took a turn in direction and we decided to go “Off Grid”. In 2008 we completed the conversion and new setup with solar powered batteries. The property is also rain water harvested since the water pressure was so low it wasn’t worth connecting to mains. We have successfully welcomed many guests since to Hornbrook Dairy who have loved the escape to the country.

BEEinspired

In 2012 a BEEkeeping course began a love of BEES which is very rewarding both in health and happiness for them and us with a plentiful supply of raw honey. This is an ongoing learning curve which always gives the opportunity to learn from these magical creatures. As time goes on we become more knowledgeable and more profitable as a bonus. We manage them and they reward us in BEEtime.

BEErealistic

We aim to give practical information to help you learn new skills to be able to go ahead and do if you want to or just enjoy the dream. It is true we learn from our mistakes and we have made them along the way so that we can share with you the reality not just the textbook approach.

We wish you every success on your journey finding your own WaytoBEE however far that may take you.