Getting Away From It All
Country Smallholding|September 2017

Liz Shankland continues her new smallholding venture in west Wales, but still finds opportunities to relax, from time to time.

Liz Shankland
Getting Away From It All

When I run courses for aspiring smallholders, I always warn them not to take on too much, too soon. I’m a firm believer that, if your responsibilities become so great that you’re not enjoying what you’re doing any more, it’s time to have a serious re-think.

Having said all that, I don’t always practise what I preach. I find it difficult saying ‘no’, and I have a real problem with asking for help from people I don’t know very well. Consequently, I frequently overload myself with stuff and end up getting stressed out, worn out, and completely burned out.

I should know better by now. I had thought that, when the college summer holidays arrived and I didn’t have to devote one entire day to sitting in a classroom being taught how to be a teacher, and another to getting some practical lecturing experience under my belt, things would get a lot easier for a while. But Parkinson’s Law – ‘Work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion’, is, sadly, very true. In reality, we just find other tasks or distractions to fill the spare time, without really realising it.

I had promised myself that, once term ended, I would get out more, explore new places, go to local events, and even visit the coast – which is only about 20 minutes away. And what did I do? None of the above! I have pottered about, tidying up rubbish, lighting bonfires, making trips to the council tip, and selling unwanted items on eBay and Facebook.

I did get to a show….

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der September 2017-Ausgabe von Country Smallholding.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der September 2017-Ausgabe von Country Smallholding.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS COUNTRY SMALLHOLDINGAlle anzeigen
The Secret World Of The Honey Bee
Country Smallholding

The Secret World Of The Honey Bee

Who knew that honey bees are the best builders? Nicola Bradbear from Bees for Development reveals how they build their parallel wax combs with extraordinary accuracy

time-read
6 Minuten  |
November 2020
Tip the light fantastic
Country Smallholding

Tip the light fantastic

The latest offering from Ifor Williams Trailers is the Single Axle Tipper, which is simply perfect for small-scale farmers

time-read
2 Minuten  |
November 2020
The legacy of The Good Life
Country Smallholding

The legacy of The Good Life

The Good Life captured the public’s imagination when it first aired in 1975. On Country Smallholding’s 45th birthday, Jeremy Hobson looks at this and other programmes with a self-sufficiency slant that have captivated urban and rural dwellers alike over nearly half a century

time-read
10 Minuten  |
November 2020
‘The hens took shelter under the pig trailer in the paddock'
Country Smallholding

‘The hens took shelter under the pig trailer in the paddock'

A tree Armageddon frightens poultry diarist Julian Hammer’s flock and leaves him with a mammoth clear-up job

time-read
5 Minuten  |
November 2020
Tools of the trade
Country Smallholding

Tools of the trade

In the second part of his mini-series on tools that are useful around the holding, Kevin Alviti takes an in-depth look at the iconic scythe, a thistle paddle and forks that were once virtually indispensable to small-scale farmers

time-read
6 Minuten  |
November 2020
The nightclub bouncer of the sheep world
Country Smallholding

The nightclub bouncer of the sheep world

Adam Henson waxes lyrical about the Texel, which boasts such a stocky body that it resembles a box of muscle on four legs

time-read
2 Minuten  |
November 2020
Buying on a tight budget
Country Smallholding

Buying on a tight budget

As demand for smallholdings increases and prices continue to rise, is there a way to achieve your dream without forking out a fortune? In the first part of a new mini-series, Liz Shankland explores the possibilities

time-read
8 Minuten  |
November 2020
Crazy for crafts
Country Smallholding

Crazy for crafts

In an ordinary back garden and single paddock near Kidderminster, Kay Dalloway has created both a thriving smallholding and a successful fibre business — all while working full time for the NHS. Helen Babbs drops by to find out about her ventures

time-read
8 Minuten  |
November 2020
Game on
Country Smallholding

Game on

A little preparation in the autumn months will help to make the transition into winter smoother and put your garden and tools on a better footing come the spring, says Stephanie Bateman

time-read
5 Minuten  |
November 2020
1975 And All That
Country Smallholding

1975 And All That

Country Smallholding is 45 this month. To celebrate, Jeremy Hobson takes a look at some of the changes — both good and bad — to small-scale farming over that near half-century

time-read
9 Minuten  |
November 2020