Found the site at the weekend and really like the ethos of trying to live a simpler lifestyle without completely turning one's back on some of the nice little luxuries that the modern world can offer.
I am a cabinetmaker by trade, with my own little business making bespoke furniture. This gives me an almost unlimited quantity of offcuts of wood to burn at home!
I currently have three adjoining allotments on a local site 2 minutes walk from my front door; this is my first year so I am still doing a lot of clearing, but one plot is planted up and doing well. I'm hopeful that something approaching self-sufficiency in veg could be possible next year.
Most importantly though, I find the allotments a tremendous stress-buster, and go down there every night after work, even if it's just taking the dog for a walk and pulling a few weeds. It's a little oasis of calm in a mad world - until my wife and the kids insist on coming too!
Most of our disposable income seems to go on alcohol, so I'm very interested in starting to make my own. My late grandmother used to make a marvellous brew she called 'Elderflower Champagne'. My mum found the recipe for me yesterday in an old scrap book so I've just been out picking a load of elderflowers which happily are still in season up here. I'll let you know how I get on.
Anyway, it's nice to meet you good people and I look forward to getting aquainted.
Cheers
Duncan
Duncan. 
to the forum. I'm a retired carpenter, and was selfemployed. And have own workshop, making own house cabinets.