Living the GOOD LIFE

Becoming more self-sufficient doesn’t mean spending your life knee-deep in mud – as these three readers have discovered...

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When Tom Good persuaded wife Barbara to give up the rat race so they could become self-sufficient in 70s sitcom The Good Life, it was viewed as a radical way of living, especially by exasperated neighbours Jerry and Margo Leadbetter.

But living off the land wasn’t a new phenomenon. The British have always had a particular affection for the countryside and agriculture, and allotments have been around for centuries. The ‘Dig for Victory’ campaign during World War Two, for example, encouraged people to grow their own produce.

And it seems it’s still in favour – whether it’s growing your own crops, or keeping bees or hens, having your own smallholding can give you a sense of pride. You don’t have to move to the country – many city dwellers manage in the smallest of gardens, even balconies.

Aside from living more sustainably and doing your bit for the environment, it’s a great way to keep healthy and spend time outdoors, as these three readers found out when they went in search of a simpler way of living...

Fresh eggs every day

Jen Mackinder, 47, lives in Hampshire

I knew it was possible to keep chickens in London, but it wasn’t until I moved out to the countryside that the idea really took hold.