Can you? I can't.

bigjim · June 2007

Just reading post on another site. Re living the simple life. A lot of people have the dream. Isolated cottage. Not on the work/commute treadmill. Growing their own etc. I don't think I could do that. I need or think I need the regular human contact. At work. At home. I admire these people that head off into the wilderness or on long cycle tours. Camping wild etc. How do they do it? is it a skill that can be aquired? How long would you last? Who has done it? Or tried and failed? Is it possible to be a natural loner?

Jim

Nothing to prove.

Tom Butcher · June 2007

It's easy, I did it last night, and am going to do it again in about half an hour, so long as I get back to pick my eldest up from Brownies.

Warning about well known bike shop removed at request of moderators.

alecstilleyedye · June 2007

if you do you'll end up with a beard and then have to do audax rides[:I]

if i had a better signature, i'd use that instead

Unknown · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by bigjim

Camping wild etc. How do they do it? Nothing to prove.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Economy with the truth helps. I had a phone call from a friend who was supposed to be wild camping. Under the influence of vast quantities of red wine she blurted out, "The accommodation's great and we're only a few yards from a really good restaurant."

Buggi · June 2007

i think it's easier than you think, but you have to reach a certain age before you want to do it.

i think you're conditioned to like the hustle and bustle. it's what you're used to.

_____________________________________________

To infinity... and beyond!
my epic adventure: www.action.org.uk/~Antonia

Joe Sacco · June 2007

I'd love to do it. You need to be well setup to start with though, i.e you need to own the isolated cottage rather than have a mortgage on it for a start.

You also need a good few acres of land to yield enough food.

You also have no income so paying things like council tax, gas etc, becomes a bit challenging.

One for people with a lot of money in the bank.

vernonlevy · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by alecstilleyedye

if you do you'll end up with a beard and then have to do audax rides[:I]

if i had a better signature, i'd use that instead
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I don't have a beard but tend not to shave before the day I do an Audax ride. Does that count?

I don't wear sandles tho'

Rigid Raider · June 2007

Mt brother in the USA keeps emailing me about this. he dreams of self-sufficiency for the day when oil runs out. I don't think he's realised that when that happens, anybody with anything worth having like food or alternative fuel or transport will probably get shot and mugged for it...

Global TH1.5 Ti hardtail.

Unkraut · June 2007

Does Eurocamp count as wild camping? Especially in Luxemburg. It has nothing of modern life about it except tables, chairs, beds, fridges and cookers, and a restaurent and shower block not far away. It positively brings out the caveman in you.

_Bonj_ · June 2007

There isn't a 'simple life' -it doesn't exist. Everyone needs money at some point for some things, so we might aswell just accept that money exists and try and make as much as possible.

Unknown · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Rigid Raider

Mt brother in the USA keeps emailing me about this. he dreams of self-sufficiency for the day when oil runs out. I don't think he's realised that when that happens, anybody with anything worth having like food or alternative fuel or transport will probably get shot and mugged for it...

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I suspect that American self sufficiency enthusiasts are also armed to the teeth.

Unknown · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by bigjim
[br.... I admire these people that head off into the wilderness or on long cycle tours. Camping wild etc. How do they do it? is it a skill that can be aquired? How long would you last? Who has done it? Or tried and failed? Is it possible to be a natural loner?

Jim

Nothing to prove.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Strange subject for Soapbox

I have done it! Several times, and met so many people out there who do it too.
Wild camping and finding places to sleep is an acquired art. You have to overcome your fears about chavs, wild animals, and even insects.
I love the solitude, but that's just me, and I love to meet people (sometimes).
When I do meet people, other cyclists or people who offer me somewhere to stay, they reinforce my belief that most people out there are OK.

How long did I last?

look at my site below, 5 months in South America and 3 months across Europe.

I started the usual way with short rides, then week long ( LEJOG), and it just grew from there.

I prefer to do most of my rides alone, my pace, my places to visit, stop , detour.

george

_________________________________
Trip
www.pedalpatagonia.co.uk

2 Bikes
http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/imjibi/Bikes

Archcp · June 2007

There's various degrees of simple life though, bigjim. You say 'isolated cottage', and that you need human contact. No reason why one shouldn't simplify one's life to some extent, and be at least partly self sufficient, but still have human contact.

Ideally, yes, you need to own a place outright to cut out the mortgage. And be able to set up stuff like a wind turbine to get as much electricity as you can. If you have enough land, and work at it hard enough (it may be 'simple, but it ain't 'easy') you can probably grow enough excess veg to sell or swap some. Eggs also, I guess. In which case living in, or close to, a community is an advantage - people to trade with. Also, it would give the opportunity perhaps to earn money odd jobbing.

Yup, I'm another one with the dream, and one who could probably do fairly well without lots of people around, in terms of how much company I need. On the other hand, I'm realistic about how much work it would be. I'd rather share it with another person who felt the same, than be totally going it alone.

As for wild camping and so on, yes, I've no doubt the skills can be learned. It's not for me just know - I'm too nervous of the uncertainty, and as yet, I don't have the skills. Well, I'm learning to spin at the moment, but I couldn't exactly knock up a sweater in a day... And you have to be able to put preconceptions about eg. what is food aside. I like to think that if society went tits up, I'd be better equipped, mentally and skills/knowledge wise than many to live 'in the stone age' In fact, my department, if we stiuck together, would be fine - we have skinners, weavers, flint knappers, experts on pottery and ancient diet, people with many practical plant recognition skills... So archaeology is useful...[;)]

If I had a baby elephant, it could help me clean the car. If I had a car.

Flying_Monkey · June 2007

I think there are some rather different things here:

1. Living the simple life, 'downsizing' (urgh...) etc.;
2. Living in a remote place on your own;
3. 'Roughing it' temporarily.

These aren't the same things. You can live a more simple life collectively, in communes, co-ops, cohousing, or just with like-minded neighbours, in cities, towns and villages. It can be associated with all kinds of 'business' venture too.

Buying a remote cottage, or living far away from 'civilisation' has nothing necessarily to do with this, and probably has more to do with some desire for escape, simple misanthropy, or all sorts of other reasons...

Going off on your own for a while and relying on yourself as a temporary thing is different again. I do it simply to challenge myself, to reinvigorate my life, to have some peace, and to remind myself of the inevitability of death...

Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety

Unknown · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Arch

In fact, my department, if we stiuck together, would be fine - we have skinners, weavers, flint knappers, experts on pottery and ancient diet, people with many practical plant recognition skills... So archaeology is useful...[;)]

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Bags I Ray Mears on my team - we'd be in the Iron Age within a week.

ankev1 · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Flying_Monkey

I think there are some rather different things here:

3. 'Roughing it' temporarily.

Going off on your own for a while and relying on yourself as a temporary thing is different again. I do it simply to challenge myself, to reinvigorate my life, to have some peace, and to remind myself of the inevitability of death...

Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I now have a vision of you boo-hooing into your Trangia. You do realise this sort of thing could land you straight into Pseud's Corner?

Unknown · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Flying_Monkey

, and to remind myself of the inevitability of death...

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I hope that this isn't because most of the time you reckon you're immortal. [;)]

Joe Sacco · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by ankev1

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Flying_Monkey

I think there are some rather different things here:

3. 'Roughing it' temporarily.

Going off on your own for a while and relying on yourself as a temporary thing is different again. I do it simply to challenge myself, to reinvigorate my life, to have some peace, and to remind myself of the inevitability of death...

Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I now have a vision of you boo-hooing into your Trangia. You do realise this sort of thing could land you straight into Pseud's Corner?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

You mean he is not in there already? [:)]

Rigid Raider · June 2007

For an insight into life after the apocalypse watch the rather worrying film 28 Days Later on Channel 4, Sunday 10:00 pm. With a nod to Day of the Triffids it's the only plague/zombie film I've ever watched, which didn't have me in incredulous laughter. Some good shots of deserted motorways and London too.

Global TH1.5 Ti hardtail.

Archcp · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Patrick Stevens

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Arch

In fact, my department, if we stiuck together, would be fine - we have skinners, weavers, flint knappers, experts on pottery and ancient diet, people with many practical plant recognition skills... So archaeology is useful...[;)]

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Bags I Ray Mears on my team - we'd be in the Iron Age within a week.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Bah. New fangled nonsense. That was where the rot set in you know...

If I had a baby elephant, it could help me clean the car. If I had a car.

Unknown · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Arch

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Patrick Stevens

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Arch

In fact, my department, if we stiuck together, would be fine - we have skinners, weavers, flint knappers, experts on pottery and ancient diet, people with many practical plant recognition skills... So archaeology is useful...[;)]

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Bags I Ray Mears on my team - we'd be in the Iron Age within a week.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Bah. New fangled nonsense. That was where the rot set in you know...

If I had a baby elephant, it could help me clean the car. If I had a car.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Arch looked up from pounding a mixture of earthworms and beetles. What was that strange aroma from Ray and Patrick's house? She wondered how they'd made that Aga. What was it they were eating last night? Could it have been navarin of lamb with seasonable vegetables washed down with a rather cheeky little claret from their vineyard. What ever it was, it couldn't be nicer than their fermented sheep guts.

Ravenbait · June 2007

That's a delicacy in some places, you know.

Anyway. You'd be in trouble with Ray Mears on your team. What would you do about oilet facilities? Every time he pulled down his shorts to relieve himself your bog would be incinerated.

Sam

The cross product of Tank Girl and Ellen Ripley:

http://ravenfamily.org
"You might remember that 'annoyed' is my natural state!"

http://gentlemencyclists.org/clubhouse
"Ya'd think we could just attract ants, like normal people."

Unknown · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Ravenbait

Anyway. You'd be in trouble with Ray Mears on your team. What would you do about oilet facilities? Every time he pulled down his shorts to relieve himself your bog would be incinerated.

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

How do you know these things? [:0]

Flying_Monkey · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Joe Sacco

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by ankev1

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Flying_Monkey

I think there are some rather different things here:

3. 'Roughing it' temporarily.

Going off on your own for a while and relying on yourself as a temporary thing is different again. I do it simply to challenge myself, to reinvigorate my life, to have some peace, and to remind myself of the inevitability of death...

Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I now have a vision of you boo-hooing into your Trangia. You do realise this sort of thing could land you straight into Pseud's Corner?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

You mean he is not in there already? [:)]
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

There was a certain degree of self-depreciation involved in the post - I mean, can you imagine what I'd be like if I took myself seriously? [;)]. It's still true though, in as much as it can be to a relatively comfortable middle-class person like me. But, having just come back from the Big Smoke yesterday, I reckon if I was cycling on a daily basis in London I probably wouldn't need reminding! [:0]

Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety

Ravenbait · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Patrick Stevens

How do you know these things? [:0]
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">You have to ask?

Sam

The cross product of Tank Girl and Ellen Ripley:

http://ravenfamily.org
"You might remember that 'annoyed' is my natural state!"

http://gentlemencyclists.org/clubhouse
"Ya'd think we could just attract ants, like normal people."

Unknown · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Ravenbait

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">How do you know these things? [:0]
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">You have to ask?

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

In the interests of science you pulled Ray Mears' shorts down? [:0][:0][:0][:0][:0][:0]

ankev1 · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Flying_Monkey

[
There was a certain degree of self-depreciation involved in the post - I mean, can you imagine what I'd be like if I took myself seriously? [;)]. It's still true though, in as much as it can be to a relatively comfortable middle-class person like me. But, having just come back from the Big Smoke yesterday, I reckon if I was cycling on a daily basis in London I probably wouldn't need reminding! [:0]

Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

What on earth is going on? They close the forum down for a day for an oil change or something and now the regulars have lost their grasp on the language! First Redcogs and now you.

SELF-DEPRECATION

(Unless of course you are really losing value by the minute.)

Unknown · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Flying_Monkey

I mean, can you imagine what I'd be like if I took myself seriously? [;)]. <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Probably best defined mathmatically, as certain concepts defy the imagination. [;)]

Ravenbait · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Patrick Stevens
In the interests of science you pulled Ray Mears' shorts down? [:0][:0][:0][:0][:0][:0]
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Who said science had anything to do with it [}:)] ?

The cross product of Tank Girl and Ellen Ripley:

http://ravenfamily.org
"You might remember that 'annoyed' is my natural state!"

http://gentlemencyclists.org/clubhouse
"Ya'd think we could just attract ants, like normal people."

Archcp · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Patrick Stevens

Arch looked up from pounding a mixture of earthworms and beetles. What was that strange aroma from Ray and Patrick's house? She wondered how they'd made that Aga. What was it they were eating last night? Could it have been navarin of lamb with seasonable vegetables washed down with a rather cheeky little claret from their vineyard. What ever it was, it couldn't be nicer than their fermented sheep guts.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Why do people assume that living in the stone age involved a diet of beetles? Based on the most common Mesolithic hunter/gatherer evidence, I'd be noshing on a starter of seafood platter, a main of venison and a dessert of hazelnuts...

And at that stage, I'd never have seen a sheep - they hadn't been invented yet...[;)]

If I had a baby elephant, it could help me clean the car. If I had a car.

Unknown · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Arch

I'd be noshing on a starter of seafood platter, <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Arch, I urge you to think more carefully about when the book says, "In the crowded hutments of the age, nearly everyone had crabs."

Can you? I can't.

Comments

Categories