A day out in the countryside

The Iron Age Roundhouse at Woodview Farm

The Iron Age Roundhouse at Woodview Farm

Earlier in the year, in anticipation of our move to Nottinghamshire, I signed up to a local club called “The Nottingham City & Country Explorers Group” as it seemed many of their activities included many things I am interested in such as history, archaeology, heritage, architecture, exploring, adventure, art etc. So when an opportunity came up to attend an “Iron Age Roundhouse Open Day” I jumped at it!

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I’ve decided to live without a car for as long as I can, as with the good transportation system on my door step, running a car would be considered a luxury and not a necessity. My theory being also that I’ll also give more thought to where I travel to and I’ll have to walk more too and therefore facilitate weight-loss. So travelling to the open day in a neighbouring village, consisted of a bus ride and then a half mile walk to Woodview Farm in Calverton.

The owner spent literally hours telling us about everything and answering our questions- amazing!

The owner spent literally hours telling us about everything and answering our questions- amazing!

The Iron Age Roundhouse at Woodview Farm was amazing! I had never been up close and personal with a roundhouse before and the owner, Grahame, was extremely knowledgeable and full of details about every aspect of how he built his interpretation of a 2000 BC roundhouse. Many would say that this is probably the most authentic replica of a roundhouse in Great Britain and as we all sat inside on benches, all our billions of questions were answered.

The Romano British House under construction

The Romano British House under construction

Not only was I lucky enough to see, touch and smell the roundhouse but see a Romano British House under construction (dating about 2000 years later). The simplicity but robustness of each structure was beautiful and amazing. Wattle and Daub (essentially a wooden interwoven frame work smothered in a dung/dirt/horse hair/stones and small debris mix) was a very effective way of building and I was surprised to find the walls so strong and hard. When I see today’s eco-friendly structures I feel that many are very similar to these ancient structures, low-impact housing. I can’t help but feel they got it right…

Heavy stones for milling grains

Heavy stones for milling grains

Not only did we enjoy the houses but there was also bronze smelting, milling of grain and jewelery making. Coupled with the glorious hot sunshine and being out in a lovely meadow and out in the countryside for the first time in a few weeks, I had a wonderful time and felt happy being able to be enthusiastic about the Iron Age Roundhouse and the Open Day with fellow visitors.

I know this is not 1940’s but I kind of felt like I had stepped back in time and it was good…..

C xxxx

PS: I was so taken with this place and through research couldn’t find much info on whether it was open to the public at any other time except open days, I feel it needs a little informational website. If anyone knows the owners and reads this, please let them know that I would LOVE to put a little website together for them to raise awareness of it for free… PAY IT Forward

Bronze Smelting

Bronze Smelting

Moving on… returning to blighty (probably)

We await to hear from Canadian Immigration, the results for our PRRA. It’s our last chance of not having to leave Nova Scotia here in Canada. Realistically we know the chance of that having a positive outcome is very slim so I’ve been making what practical plans I can, should we have to return to the UK this summer.

One of these plans is to sell our home, our only asset in the world, the sale of which will clear the debts run up trying to survive here in Nova Scotia, with no job (or government assistance) and fund a return to the UK. Without the support of my family and friends I don’t think we would have ever made it through- thank you x

The good news is that our house is under offer. That is a huge relief..and I’m so pleased who it is going to.

So now it’s time to once again, plan another journey into the unknown…I really thought finally I had found my Nirvana but obviously it was not meant to be and the road still beckons.

After having lived in isolated or rural locations for 17 years, something by the way I have really enjoyed, I’ll be leaving the last 8 years of my life behind to live in a diverse, cosmopolitan city with lots of history, a very large student population, beautiful surroundings…. the home of Robin Hood, Nottingham.

I want my children to have the opportunity of experiencing city life, being independent, building their own lives and being productive members of the community, they will have lots to offer. Pity we couldn’t offer that in Nova Scotia..

We will have a busy few months ahead planning our next life, I’ve just forgotten how the UK works, I’ve been away 8.5 years and have never returned once. I’m rather scared of all the responsibilities I have for so many lives and for the choices I am having to make.

If there is one burning light at the end of the tunnel, it is that I will see my parents again. I’ve missed them so very much.

Let the new adventure begin!

C xxx