After dreaming for 25 years, being relatively frugal for a decade, and property hunting for more than a year, we finally got a patch outside the city.
We were supposed to close right after the Vintagers but the seller had medical issues and the schedule pushed, but now we have our smallholding, about 2.5 hours north-northwest of the city.
During the final inspection this week, while I was looking in fields and woods for dumped debris in the usual places - in little valleys and at the downhill end of farm paths - I flushed four grouse from underfoot. A pair flushed from one of those old stone walls running through the woods. After the flushes, if I'd found a pile of dioxin drums in the creek I'd still have closed.
Some of the folks here were more influential than they know. I had to learn on my own that 8 acres isn't diddley if you only have 100 yards of road frontage. Our thinking on what's a good minimum size was assisted by some of the OT threads here. You all are the folks that I talk to about guns and hunting, so I figure I can BS and crow about land a bit too (I'll try not to crowd Lowell's schtick).
Surer than $#it, none of my city friends understand - they look at me with deep concern when acreage is discussed. They want to know about shopping, skiing, and isn't it scary at night without streetlights.
This summer, looking south to the Catskills
Bird Cover photos from this week's pre-close inspection
Double flush stone wall
I will definitely keep you guys amused as the place delivers the lessons I know are coming.