Its Not Easy Being Green-worth a watch

[chrisp]

I thoroughly enjoyed the first episode & have it series linked on Sky+.

I have not got the cash to go the whole hog & do the same, but I'm sure as heck going to take what I can from the program & do as much as possible, wherever I can afford to live (just being turfed out of the family nest).

I can't wait to see the engineering behind the water-wheel :)

BTW, I'm glad I found this forum. I too was looking for Donnachadh McCarthy & his book of greenness.

I hope to see you all on here sometime soon.

Cheers,
--

ChrisP xx

[Andy Hamilton]

Hello crisp and welcome to the forum. I think that with these sorts of programs you do have to take what you can. There are not many people in the fortunate position of having their own 'army' and having a few grand to play with.

In fact this is really where self sufficient ish was born from.

[Shirley]

Hi All... and welcome Chrisp!! (my son is called Chris and I call him Crisp )

I did enjoy it, as I said earlier. But yes, they did have more money than most to throw at such a project and a wonderful band of willing helpers too - I guess that being on the telly and working close to the beach for free food and lots of beer was a good incentive to the army of helpers.

I'd like to do something similar here - any volunteers to come and camp in my garden and help out?? We don't live near the seaside (but do live by the river Don and beautiful hills of north east scotland), we are skint and so can't afford free booze (but we could make some homebrew), and it won't be televised... although it could appear on ssish.tv if andy was interested

What... no takers?? Shame!!

Back to reality. We do have a stream at the bottom of the garden, and living in an old mill, there was previously a mill race that ran past the bottom of the house. It's now been diverted across the road. We thought that we could try and do some sort of hydro power stuff but not likely a wheel the size of the one on the programme.... but wasn't it beautiful??! A true work of art. Do you need planning permission for that sort of thing??

It would be an interesting comparison to do though - on a shoestring budget. What do you think??

[Tigerhair]

Shirlz... I am sure that if you really wanted some southerners and four dogs to... erm... help.... we would LOVE to come and caravan with you!

And not being televised would be a BONUS!

[shiney]

It was a feel good program, but they were rich hippies to be honest. It's not easy to be green, even with a half mil home and 200K savings! Mmmmm....!

It's really not easy to be green without a place of your own (ie, not rented) and on a low income.

But... we try!

[Goodlife1970]

I really enjoyed the programme and my fears about Dick being a bit "shouty" being in the Army and all,were completely dispelled! I wish he was my Dad! Its given us loads of ideas and things to consider and Im so glad that even people with money have to compromise sometimes,eases the guilt feeling a little!

[Millymollymandy]

I wasn't very impressed. I expect it was because they spent half a million pounds on a wreck. How can something so awful cost so much money?

Then they spent £50,000 having the roof redone. WHAT? Must have got French workmen in to do it. Wouldn't they have been a bit more self suffish getting their army of helpers to redo the roof for them?

Also so much for the water wasting toilet and bath. Where was the compost loo? Imagine all the water used after all those helpers have a bath........ Obviously not on a meter.

Then they never showed what they did inside the house (apart from the bathroom) to show how they made it vaguely habitable.

And after all that, they've only got 3 acres!! The outbuildings would take up half an acre of that too! Not going to have much choice of animals on that small amount of land. Believe me, I've got 2 1/2 acres and it ISN'T a lot if you are going to have animals that need to graze.

And as for the moustache. Bleugh!

[shiney]

Yeah MMM, that tashe! YEEUUUKKKKKKK!

I really don't like moustaches at the best of times, but that takes the biscuit.

Sends a shudder down me spine.

Nice guy with lots of ooomph and ideas tho'.

[Shirley]

Shirlz... I am sure that if you really wanted some southerners and four dogs to... erm... help.... we would LOVE to come and caravan with you!

And not being televised would be a BONUS!

Tigz.... you are welcome anytime... FOUR dogs!! WOW.. what type??

[Lou8]

http://www.cix.co.uk/~dmccarthy/ the very lovely donnachadh mccarthy (I hope I've spelt it right!!)

Wasn't it just a brilliant programme...

Thanks Shirley, I have just ordered the book.

[Chickenlady]

MMM - you have forgotten how much property costs in the UK, especially the southern bit!! He could have got that wreck for half the price in Brittany, I am sure!

I think you are a bit harsh, although I was a bit surprised that a composting loo didn't appear. Maybe later?

[Tigerhair]

They did mention getting a composting loo - for the future and they agreed that baths weren't great, but she'd only had the one in two weeks and it was a special treat for her... as long as they share the water as we do here.

Shirlz... all rescue, 1 yorkie (rat on a string), 1 collie cross, 1 alsatian cross and 1 rottie cross....

[Libby]

Hiya chrisp

[Ranter]

They do have more money than most, but are obviously still mortgaged to the hilt. That wreck in the East Midlands would have been a lot cheaper, but Cornwall comes with a hefty premium these days.

Nothing on the first episode for most of us to emulate, except the enthusiasm (I've warned the OH against emulating the moustache), but looks like lots more to come. I'll certainly be watching - if only cos it's a while since anything eco-friendly has been on the blessed box.

[Goodlife1970]

[quote="Libby"]Hiya chrisp Isnt that ChrisP?