...Contd. from Home Page

Outside of our narrow publishing bubble, the world trajectory does not look particularly optimistic, what with the reduction in global oil supply, a shortage of fertiliser, and general overpopulation. Nevertheless, it is possible for many of us to buffer ourselves against such uncertainties as these.

We have lived on a 5.5 acre smallholding for the past 30 years, gradually restoring the fellside (and farmhouse) so that we now have a small flock of sheep, chickens, a productive veg garden and fruit orchard.  We set up a spring water supply, septic tank and, last year, added a 2.5Kwatt solar power system.  Not enough to completely run the house yet, but in two recent outages this winter, we had lights, TV, kettle, toaster and a (small) air fryer all working handily, while most of the village below our place was sunk in darkness. 

Looking at possible hard times ahead, we’re wondering if all this accumulated knowledge might be useful to others, and if a book with chapters covering all aspects of self-sufficiency would be of interest – there are a bundle of such books on the market already, but most of those we’ve seen seem to rehash the same old themes (some of which, we know from experience, simply do not work, or are fraught with far more complications than are evident in the text).

Would such a book be useful?  Your comments would be greatly appreciated.