Dropping off the Grid

[Supernick]

Does anyone else fantasise about throwing their phones, wallets and keys in a lake, and leaving the modern world entirely behind? I want to keep the nice things, like my iPod, my bed, and the ability to cook and clean for myself without resorting to fire and streams. But I want to get rid of all of the rubbish stuff, like work, commuting, banks, British Gas, and the hassle of having to interact with 50 or so people per day, 45 of which I have no desire to start a conversation with.
Is it possible to be entirely self sufficient in Britain, and drop off the grid entirely?

[rabbitygirl]

No. But many would like to. If it was easy we would all try and who would answer the phones?!!. Are you due for your hols Supernick? Does your job not suit ? More chance of feeling better looking at realistic solutions than trying to turn into Tom of the Good Life. Dont know how old you are but you are never at the wrong age to make big changes. You are only here once - be realistic but do what gives you contentment and happiness if you can.

[bigmamma]

These days Supernick there would be someone ready to collect your wallet etc and steal your identity , leaving you with even more problems of the modern world . :-)

[raysparx1]

Hi nick, It is not impossible but it is not easy, whatever we do we need money, I left london 27 years ago, we had moved to Kent and I was commuting, i did it for 4 years,it did my head in, I hated it, when I looked at how my life was going, I said stuff it lets get out, we moved to North Wales and it was the best thing we ever did, no regrets,no pressure, no worries about working all the time,20 mins drive to the beach, 5 minutes walk to go fishing, i have never been motivated by money, happiness has been my goal in life, and i am so happy, if you want to get out of the rat race do it, what is the point of doing somrthing you hate ? if you really want a better quality of life, go for it, this is not a rehearsal, we only get one go at it, give it some serious thought, good luck, Ray

[China Doll]

Well I'm about to go to penzance and that's fairly off the grid....

There's a bloke in scotland I think who lives like a hermit but I think he also believes he's a leopard and he does just fine. I really rather envy him.

[Supernick]

Hi Ray,

Since I spoke last about the job (and them making me do things that I felt were rather dubious and immoral), I've followed my thoughts, and your back up advice, and I've quit. I've got a new job starting on the 16th July, so that's all brilliant news. I'm looking forward to it.
It is in London, which to be fair, I do love 70% of the time, it's just one of those days where you wish you could drop it all! But I would like to move to a simpler life, which i guess could coincide one day with family plans etc.

Failing that I'm going to start up a commune/cult. I figure that all we need is to get 10 or so people to buy up a big house. We farm the land and sell it at local markets.

[Goodsoulette]

Hey Nick, Im a farmers daughter can I be Grand Priestess Amyjay?

[Supernick]

You're in GS. The commune will have family units, but will not be some sort of weird free for all love-fest. I'm putting you in charge of the vegetable and herb gardens.

[Goodsoulette]

No free for all lovefests??? Can we be a brussel sprout free cult?

[Goodsoulette]

yay, Im in charge of propagating the "herb"!

[Supernick]

I'm trying to distance it from weird cults that propose sex between all members and especially the leader. The commune will be a happy place of peace and enjoyment, and of course if commune-mates wish to frolic with one another they are entirely at liberty to do so.
I fear that you're trying to bring the collective down with your carnal desires and rampant intoxicant intake GS ;-)

[Supernick]

I'm only half joking here you know. I find the idea of a little community unit like this, just 10-20 like minded people a very attractive idea. I have no intention of ruining the vision by thinking about any of the practicalities involved.

[Goodsoulette]

I have no carnal desires, im just surprised you dont. I was of course refering to basil.

[aka pixi]

Can I join the community? please please pretty please? Its my dream to live away from the rat race, hell I would even give my internet up !!! i have loads of skills (shurrup anyone who knows me) I could help GS in the herb garden :thumbsup: :D

[Goodsoulette]

No pics of Vin Diesel allowed though pix

[Supernick]

More than welcome pixi. Can you handle some general domestic duties, garden work, and perhaps cow milking?

[aka pixi]

eeeekkkk !!! aww i got a good pic of him in my head so that should be enough :D

[aka pixi]

I certainly can Supernick :D Not brill at gardening but Im a whizz at cleaning and although Ive never milked a cow Im sure its not too difficult lol

I put my foot down at singing round a campfire though, I sound like a strangled cat lol

[Hellyon]

Supernick - ther is a nice commune in dorset where the people who live there buy a flat in a large old manor house and then they all work as a community, some go out to work for money, some work at the manor/farm, some teach the kids, they all share cooking and washing/gardening. I can't find it on google at the moment but I read and article with the kids who \grew up there and they loved it.

[Supernick]

I'm going to try and find out about this community that Hellyon i talking about. Anyone else got any info?

[raysparx1]

Hi nick, just got back in, I am so glad you went with your own thoughts and decided to leave that company, don't get me wrong I was born in London and I love the place, but commuting and I was working 6 days a week to deadlines constantly rushing about, and going home one night i thought thats it, i am packing it in, so we talked and decided to go straight away, if you could get a little commune going it could be a great life, another thing you could consider is, if you could get work involving data input or whatever the phrase is ( scuse my lack of knowledge) you could work from home in any part of Britain, but whatever you decide to do, go for happy before money, no point earning �500 per week and hating it, earn �250 and be happy, good luck with your new job nick, nice to hear of people with morals, Ray