Friday 17 June 2011

The search begins

We had a meeting with our Landlords earlier this week. We had asked them for more grazing land and recently sent them a letter outlining our plans for the future and how the herd was going to keep on expanding. The negotiations over the land had halted last week and at this meeting we found out why. Not only could we not have any more land but they would very much like to reclaim the land that we currently occupy. We had already made it clear to them that if the herd could not be accommodated that we would be off. And that is where we are at the moment. We are currently looking for new premises to live, all of us.

It is a strange feeling. We have lived here for the past six years and have loved every minute of it. Those of you who have been here will know what I mean, it really is a fabulous spot. However, we fully understand the position of the land owners. They are getting on and are looking to the future when the farm will be sold. The house we are currently living in will be sold soon, I am sure of that. It is their land and they must be allowed to do whatever the want with it.

So, there are two ways of looking at the immediate future. We could be negative and moan or we could take this as an opportunity to improve our lives. I favour the second option and am excited about the prospects.

The slight fly in the ointment is the difficulty we may have in finding somewhere suitable for us all. A small family, two big dogs, two cats, two chickens and a herd of forty or so alpacas!

I am not despondent though, no way sir. When we found the house we are currently in the landlords were expressly asking for tenants with no pets. Look where we ended up there!

So the search has begun, we have some viewings over the next day or two and we will be casting the net to take advantage of anything new that comes onto the rental market. The timing is not right yet for us to buy our own land, we need to stall for another two and a half years yet and that was always the plan. We will not be moving far though as it is important that Angus has continuity at school and we will be moving, hopefully as one. The entire Patou Tribe.

Watch this space.

10 comments:

Andy and Deb said...

I wish you luck. You have a wonderful outlook on it all!

Rosemary said...

Wow!
Many best wishes for the search!

Amiryck said...

Good luck. I hope you find somewhere equally lovely.

Cotswold Vale Alpacas said...

Good luck with your search and move, Im great believer in whats meant to be is meant to be, and its probably time for you to move on and Im sure it will be for the better, for you all.

Jenny said...

Sorry to hear that Mark. I thought that you had just been busy fencing off more land that you had negotiated. Hopefully something good will turn up for you all.

Debbie, Barnacre Alpacas said...

Having been in that same position over rented land I know exactly what it's like.

It's very stressful trying to find the right thing without feeling your are just going for something because you have to.

We have our rented land for a couple more months yet, so the plan is the herd will move on mass after birthing; but to where... keep tuned on the blog.

Unknown said...

Good luck in your search Mark and Sue...sometimes the things that are out of our control...end up bringing the best rewards:))

Apple Vale Alpacas said...

Good luck to you both with your search, Dave.

Zanzibah Alpacas said...

Good Luck with your search .....hope you find that needle in the haystack !..it can be a bit of a nightmare.....but I'm sure things will work out just right for all of you....after all if its meant to be ...it will happen !!........Jayne

Lucy said...

Good luck..... hope you find somewhere soon.