The Living off-grid experiment
I had never been into camping, it was something my family simply didn’t do. The only time I had ever slept in a tent was when meeting my future in-laws for the first time. They already had a full house of guests so we had to sleep in a tent in their paddock.
Whilst living in Guatemala for a while, I became ever more filled with a desire to live in a tent, for no obvious reason, it was simply an urge from deep within, that I increasingly could not ignore. Returning to the UK in September 2017, with this as my plan, it finally came to fruition the following June, when I was granted an opportunity to pitch a tent on permaculture land in the middle of the countryside. The family who lived on, and owned the property, welcomed me and made me feel a part of their family. I had purchased a cheap but reasonably good tent and proceeded to live it. I used a compost toilet, we put together a solar shower and I was able to use the bank of solar panels on the land, to charge any devices. I did fetch water from a mains connected tap outside the main house. There were a few hilarious moments and tales but I felt alive, happy and blessed, with organic veggies and fruit from bushes and trees readily available.
Naively, I thought I could survive a British winter in the tent but it became increasingly obvious that that would be challenging. So, the family kindly offered to build me a shed to live in by their orchard. I had never even picked up a power tool, so this was a big learning curve for me, as we toiled away in cold weather, building a solid structure that would become a 11ft x 6ft living space, insulated throughout and liveable in. We sourced local larch for the outside and used second hand wood for floorboards, used windows from eBay and an old door. The cost was way cheaper than any shed we might have purchased and a lot more solid.
Once the simple wooden furniture was completed, I moved in and this was my home for the next 2 years. I have to say, I loved it, and had never been happier. It was simplicity itself and yet in that simplicity, life had never been less stressful and more fulfilling. Waking up each day hearing the array of birds, next to my little abode, as they sang from the hedgerows and trees. Snuffling hedgehogs and foxes passing by at night, the occasional hoot of an owl and the scurrying of voles became a normal part of life. 8 months later, we added the smallest wood-burning stove possible to buy, which was more than sufficient to heat the tiny space. I cooked one pot meals on a one-burner camping gas stove, fetched mains water from a tap that had now been installed close by and in the winter, bathed by flannel washing in warmed up water and pouring jugs of water over my wild hair. Life fulfilled on so many levels.
Eventually, Latin America called me once more and with a hint of sadness I left by humble home and began a new chapter in a more raw and simple world. Even living in simple accomodation, it was an adjustment and a luxury to have a normal shower available again, flushable toilets and electricity available at the flick of a switch. Something, I still don’t take for granted. Now 18 months on, I crave that off-grid living once more but this time with a new dream, a dream that has been brewing in my mind, heart and soul for a while now. I envision a community this time. A group of all ages, living together in simple harmony. I know this scenario involves personalities and therefore egos 😄 and potential disagreements etc but I am ready for the next step, intentional community living, honouring the land. This time, I know how to use a powered-up drill and have basic construction skills. Also, how to build a compost toilet and what wild plants can be consumed. Forever grateful for pushes and nudges from the Universe and the gifts it has brought and the multiple lessons, of course!
