Exciting News
At the beginning of each month, I really enjoy having a Virtual Coffee Catch up with blogger friends, Sue from Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond and Leanne from Cresting The Hill. I really like the idea of a monthly catch up, so, inspired by Sue and Leanne, I am starting a new series called ‘Our Life On a Dirt Road and Off The Grid’.
On the first Friday of each month, you can pop into the blog and find out what has been happening at our tiny piece of paradise, during the previous month. Its’s not that much happens here really. But I would love to share our lifestyle and comings and goings with you.
For this month I will give you a little bit of information about where we live, just so you know what to expect when you make your virtual visit.
Our Place
We live on a property of 20 acres, on a dirt road, 25 kilometres from Bendigo in an area called Axe Creek. Our property is not suitable for farming, but is perfect for living a sustainable lifestyle. We are surrounded by beautiful bushland, as our property adjoins the Greater Bendigo National Park.
We have only been here for just on two years, and this is our first experience with living off the grid, so we’re still relying on trial and error to perfect our systems. So far everything is going well.
Off The Grid
‘Off the grid‘ means that we have no electricity connected to our house at all. We are completely powered by solar power. In our case we also don’t have water or gas connected. We have rainwater tanks and dams and our gas is delivered in bottles.
This type of life may sound austere to some, but we don’t find it at all uncomfortable. It just means that we have to give a little thought to the power and water that we use. Contrary to what most people think about off the grid living, we have most mod cons in our house.
We do limit the use of some electrical appliances that use large amounts of power, such as a hairdryer and an iron. We have a generator for back up power. When I need to use these appliances, I simply turn on the generator to limit the power that is sucked out of the solar batteries.
We don’t have an air conditioner, but this isn’t a problem, as our mudbrick house only gets hot if we have a run of very very hot days. We find fans are all we need to cool us on those extra hot days.
We also don’t have a dishwasher. I know that’s unimaginable in these days of convenience, but I really don’t mind washing dishes. My partner, Chris always helps and I enjoy it’s a good time to debrief about our day. In past years, I’ve always had a dishwasher, but rarely used it, so thisn’t a sacrifice to me at all.
We consider our choice to live here to be a lifestyle choice, so any small inconvenience is easy to tolerate. Small inconveniences are a small price to pay for the benefits and experience of living off the grid.
One of the big advantages of living off the grid, apart from the lifestyle is that we don’t have any of those annoying utility bills. I’m sure there would be many living in cities who would be envious of this.
The Future
At the moment we both work, so time spent at home is a bit limited. But we look forward to a fantastic life here in retirement. The aim by then is to be as self sufficient as possible by also producing our own food such as eggs, vegetables and fruit.
This is what we are working towards and making preparations for. This is what we can discuss each month, when you virtually pop over to visit our home on a dirt road.
Hi Jennifer, this is so interesting. I know exactly where Axe Creek is because I spent the first 22 years of my life living in Bendigo, or more precisely Kangaroo Flat. I can’t imagine living off the grid, but I guess it’s like anything in life, you eventually adapt. I love the idea of being self sufficient in all areas.
Thanks for visiting again Kathy. I remember you saying last time that you spent many years in Kangaroo Flat. Being self sufficient is a huge goal
Hi Jennifer – welcome to the virtual cuppa club! I feel like a mother hen because first Sue joined in and now you 🙂 I’m really looking forward to reading your monthly adventures. We lived on two acres of semi-rural land for 23 years (while we had kids at home and for a few years afterwards). We had power but our water was pumped from a deep bore + rainwater and our gas came in cylinders – nothing like the cylinder running out mid-way through a shower in Winter! I’ll be back to read your next instalment.
Thanks for inspiring me to start this series. I’m very excited about it. With your experience on the land, I’m sure you will understand our challenges.
Thanks for the shout out Jennifer and I love your idea of a monthly posts about ‘Our life on a dirt road and off the grid’. I’m not sure I could live that way but I find it interesting to hear what life is like. As you say you both work so you aren’t there full time and look at the gorgeous location! I’m sure you don’t miss the high energy bills especially living in Victoria they are getting out of control. Have a great week and look forward to next month’s Off the Grid post. xx
Thanks for your interest Sue. And also for the inspiration
I admire anyone who’s living off the grid. We have thought about it but … well, we did downsize but not a total off the grid tree change! I’d love to hear more about how you go and what you do, problems, challenges and triumphs 🙂
Thanks for your interest Jo. We do love our life here and I look forward to sharing it
What an amazing read! Total respect to you for living this way, I find the whole concept of living off the grid inspiring and it gives hope that we will all be ok. Should things come to that. Inspiring.
Thank you so much for visiting and commenting. We are just trying to do our little bit for the environment. Thanks also for sharing
Hi Jennifer, Oh my word I’m so glad you commented on my blog in order for me to look you up 🙂 I’ll certainly be following with interest, and what an interesting life you lead. Along with my partner, we love the idea of ‘Living off Grid’, which we’re nearly there with our boat, with solar etc. My partner would love to build a true Eco house one day. We also love staying fit and keeping up with the healthy side of living. Nice to virtually meet you! 😀
I was so pleased to have come across your blog Samantha as I soon realised we have quite a bit in common. Except that we don’t live on a boat of course😂 Looking forward to your future posts
I am also very interested in your lifestyle Jennifer as we were off the grid via a motorhome for years. An eco house would be amazing! If we could do it somewhere down the track when we settle down!
I’m very envious of your motor home experience Suzanne. Thanks for visiting
More and more people are living off the grid and sounds like you have it all figured out. Interesting post and I shared it x 3 ♥
It’s still a bit trial and error here, but we’re learning. Thanks for visiting and sharing.
Hi Jennifer! I may or may not be a little jealous of you!! I’m looking forward to more off the grid posts!
No need to be jealous Dianne but I’m pleased you enjoyed hearing about our life off the grid. Hope you come back for more.
So interesting! I can’t wait to hear more about your journey.
Thank you for visiting Brenda and for your comment