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Back to the Land
New Zealand
Приєднався 8 гру 2014
Welcome to our on-going journey in which we frolic, stumble, and claw our way Back to the Land - a semi-self-sufficient adventure.
Our names are Nick and Charlotte. In November 2014 we made a momentous lifestyle leap. We fled from New Zealand’s “Big Smoke”, Auckland City, opting instead for a slower pace of life in the middle of nowhere, deep in the lush Waikato.
Our humble cottage, nearing a century old, sits upon the rolling contour of forty-two acres, or as we like to view it, our canvas. Since moving here we have built up a small farm with cattle and sheep (and chickens and alpacas!), built fences, planted thousands of shelter belt and specimen trees, planted an orchard, and established a vegetable garden. Our next big adventure is basically rebuilding our old farm cottage from the ground up, with our own two hands!
Check out our blog or subscribe to our UA-cam channel to follow along on our journey.
Our names are Nick and Charlotte. In November 2014 we made a momentous lifestyle leap. We fled from New Zealand’s “Big Smoke”, Auckland City, opting instead for a slower pace of life in the middle of nowhere, deep in the lush Waikato.
Our humble cottage, nearing a century old, sits upon the rolling contour of forty-two acres, or as we like to view it, our canvas. Since moving here we have built up a small farm with cattle and sheep (and chickens and alpacas!), built fences, planted thousands of shelter belt and specimen trees, planted an orchard, and established a vegetable garden. Our next big adventure is basically rebuilding our old farm cottage from the ground up, with our own two hands!
Check out our blog or subscribe to our UA-cam channel to follow along on our journey.
Building Livestock Shelters | Lambing Has Started!
One thing a lot of farms don’t have enough of is shelter for livestock. We’ve done the whole tree-planting gig, but it’ll take a decade or more before the trees to be big enough to provide adequate shelter. Whenever there’s a sudden downpour, the sheep beeline for the shelter of the scarce mature trees, which are few and far between. We feel especially sorry for the little lambs sheltering from the chill winds. We always wanted to build some portable/towable sheep/lamb shelters, so for this year’s lambing season we did just that. We built two, documenting the full build of the second, from start to finish. It’s a good feeling improving the wellbeing of our animals - the ones that utilise the shelters seem very grateful indeed.
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Blog: backtotheland.co.nz
Instagram: backtothelandnz
Facebook: BacktotheLandNZ
Follow us
Blog: backtotheland.co.nz
Instagram: backtothelandnz
Facebook: BacktotheLandNZ
Переглядів: 16 441
Відео
How to Build a CURVED Post-and-Rail (Four Board) Fence | FULL PROCESS
Переглядів 47 тис.3 роки тому
We've had a lot of questions about the post-and-rail fences we build here on the homestead probably because there's not that much info out there! So we thought we'd record the whole process. How we do it, at least. Whilst not as common as the ubiquitous wire fences found throughout New Zealand, post-and-rail is a sturdy fence with a little more pizzazz. It's also fairly common in NZ, especially...
War of the Stumps | WHO WILL WIN?
Переглядів 23 тис.3 роки тому
Giant nightmare stumps, stubborn stumps from hell, and all manner of back-breaking trial and error as we attempt to extract them from their mighty grips on the earth. Watch us wage war on the biggest stumps on our homestead (some over six feet in diameter!) with little more than an old tractor and chain, a chainsaw, and good old-fashioned blood, sweat, and tears. We even needed to bring in a se...
Making Silage/Baleage in Rural NZ | Feeding Out
Переглядів 13 тис.3 роки тому
In addition to the hay which we bale ourselves, we also get a paddock made into silage/baleage each year. We don't have the equipment needed for this - so we get in the pros! Here's what the process looks like, and a flash-forward to us in winter feeding out the delicious "sauerkraut for cows". Quick Links 0:00 Cutting grass & intro 1:46 Raking 4:21 Baling & wrapping 8:25 Stacking 10:38 Feeding...
Waterwheel Pump Broke - No Water For Our Animals!
Переглядів 11 тис.3 роки тому
A stellar example of Murphey's Law. Smack bang in the middle of haymaking (the busiest time of year for us), our waterwheel pump decided to pack a sad. When the summer days are long and hot, our one-hundred-eighty animals are thirsty drinkers. So, behold the fiddly and time-sensitive process of us troubleshooting through trial and error to get this darn thing operating smoothly again before the...
How We Make Hay in Rural NZ | FULL PROCESS
Переглядів 437 тис.3 роки тому
Every summer we mow, ted, windrow, and bale 500 - 600 conventional hay bales over two paddocks (10 acres/4 hectares), with gnarly old equipment we had to figure out how to use and maintain. We sell about half the bales, and the other half feeds our animals over winter. We decided to document the whole four-day process this year, complete with drone footage for some unique and interesting perspe...
Making a Knife from Old Leaf-Spring Steel
Переглядів 7 тис.3 роки тому
There's lots of old treasures to be found buried on the homestead. Came across some 100 year old spring steel and wanted to try my hand at crafting a little rustic utility blade from it. Mostly done with hand tools (a LOT of filing) and without a proper forge. The hardness turned out well enough to take a good edge and resist chipping. Hair-shaving sharp! Smalls steps towards learning more abou...
Adding Stairs to Our New Deck | Major Workshop Upgrade
Переглядів 6 тис.4 роки тому
We figured out how to build stairs, yay! We added the finishing touches to the front of our workshop by finally adding a set of stairs to our matching deck and doors. The old stairs were just as shoddy as the old deck and doors - a narrow and steep ascent up slippery and rotting wood. It's a small alteration, but every little improvement to our old homestead brings a smile to our faces whenever...
New DIY DOORS and DECK for our workshop!
Переглядів 7 тис.4 роки тому
A year ago we built new doors for our workshop, now we finally get around to hanging them AND building a new deck too. This has helped us get the workshop waterproof as the old doors had big gaps in which the rain would get through. The new deck improves the drainage to stop the water puddling and running under the doors and is also slightly wider and much nicer to use! Stay tuned for building ...
Cattle Homekilled By a Professional | Slaughter, Skinning, & Dressing
Переглядів 181 тис.4 роки тому
Every eighteen months or so we get one of our cattle homekilled. It all happens here on the homestead in rural NZ, done by our local professional who does wonderful work. The slaughter is with a rifle, which is instant and pain-free. We wanted to make a video showcasing this fascinating process, which is both an art and science, from paddock to plate (minus the butchering, which happens offsite...
Building a rustic outdoor bench seat with custom brass plaque
Переглядів 4,2 тис.4 роки тому
Char is finally coming Back to the Land for good! I wanted to mark the occasion by surprising her with some homemade outdoor furniture and DIY commemorative brass plaque, fit for the orchard, her favourite place on the farm. A humble effort and nothing fancy, but it was fun to make. Follow us Blog: backtotheland.co.nz Instagram: backtothelandnz
Felling Three Huge Trees - Our First Time!
Переглядів 11 тис.4 роки тому
We've been waiting to take out a big row of old cypress trees near the house before we could finish our orchard fence. Initially we thought these trees were near the end of their life as we have other similar trees that are, but after felling a few and counting the rings we think they've got a few more years left in them so most of the rest will stay for a while longer yet! Our first time felli...
Tree Stump Removal - Part 2: Burning, Splitting, Backfilling, and Sowing Seed
Переглядів 54 тис.4 роки тому
Following up on our last video of pulling these giant tree stumps, this time we're dealing with the aftermath - which took a whole lot longer. 7 days of burning stumps, splitting firewood, filling stump holes, and sowing grass seed. The stumps are finally gone and we can get equipment in to start our cottage renovations on this old homestead. Follow us Blog: backtotheland.co.nz Instagram: insta...
Tree Stump Removal - Part 1: Pulling With Tractor
Переглядів 12 тис.4 роки тому
First we pull some huge cypress tree stumps out with our old Fiat 45-66 tractor and a heavy chain. Then the mammoth task of cutting and stacking the stumps into a pile ready for burning. Watch out for our next video on the subsequent inferno! Follow us Blog: backtotheland.co.nz Instagram: backtothelandnz
DIY Waterwheel Build: Pumps water 20 metres (65 ft) high during drought
Переглядів 75 тис.4 роки тому
DIY Waterwheel Build: Pumps water 20 metres (65 ft) high during drought
Homekill Professional Decapitating Carcass
Переглядів 15 тис.5 років тому
Homekill Professional Decapitating Carcass
Curious Cow Chases Homekill Carcass
Переглядів 15 тис.5 років тому
Curious Cow Chases Homekill Carcass
Homekill Kill Shot - Instant and Pain-Free
Переглядів 17 тис.5 років тому
Homekill Kill Shot - Instant and Pain-Free
TIMELAPSE: Building cages to stop cattle EATING our trees!
Переглядів 1,2 тис.9 років тому
TIMELAPSE: Building cages to stop cattle EATING our trees!
"Air Tractor" Liming in Rural New Zealand
Переглядів 1,5 тис.9 років тому
"Air Tractor" Liming in Rural New Zealand
What a load of nothing
Great video, great work, great farm! Do you age the beef?
Great video. I have the same tractor. But in very good shape...
People used to pull stumps with a mule. My father made his living digging up stumps with a shovel and Maddox. Yeah for 50 cents a day.
Don’t forget railing and a walkway to prevent muddy landing😍😍
Where did you guys go? Did you go back to the city??!🤭😳🥺🤔💙💛
What has happened to this channel? Nothing for 2 years
200 bales huh? The only trouble is i counted each bale having to be handled at least 7 times from the time it left the baler until the time it gets put in front of the cow.
Humans are so cruel
Best looking fence on UA-cam
The setting of your tedder is all wrong this set up is used for raking not tedding
Gonna take a week or more to ash this stump
No power shaft cover!!
That’s what happens when you don’t use John Deere tractors.
I used a carbide bit and those burs, they peppered my forehead. I had 5 or 6 blood dots when I finished 😂Where did y’all go? You have a beautiful farm and I hope you’re doing well.
STOP allowing your government to control you, realizing you are the government, therefore you have the power to live as you please.
Those "grease nipples" are called zerks.
Just curious why you don’t have a wagon behind the baler when you handle every bale 5 times to get it in the barn
Really cool dude! Have you also looked at a hydraulic ram pump to move water up the hill? Those are cool too!❤️
Several good suggestions noted. Might want to add a third axle support point out in the creek so the paddle wheel instead of being cantilevered out from the bank which places a tremendous amout of side load and torsion on the existing support points would have balanced support on each side of the wheel. This could easily be added during the low water time in summer. A rotohammer and some epoxy would allow you to anchor into the rocks. Adding some jetties to direct water flow towards the paddle wheel couldn't hurt. And a screened settlement tank for the water pick up will considerably reduce wear and tear o. Your pump. Also a screen across the creek upstream a ways would help reduce branches and other objects contacting the paddle wheel. A clever set up, with room for several minor and inexpensive improvements to increase volume and reliability. Best of luck. Scott, Vancouver, Washington. U.S.
When using the chain to pull the stumps, try placing the hook of the chain around the side of the stump, and then pull. It will have the effect of twisting and pulling the stump at the same time.
Great job. Who knew curved fences could be such fun. Thanks.
The bearings of the axis are wooden?
Sizin oralarda fakir fukara gariban yokmu kelleyi ciğeri verirdiniz çöpe atıyorsunuz ulan sizin yaticak yeriniz yok
nice fiat
WHAT A PRETTY WOMAN.
Жалко что видео больше нет.
Hi great job. Do you have plans available?
You could just make an outlet on the top of the 2nd tank with a line running back to the river so it doesn't leak back around the tanks
Me gusta
THANK U FOR THE INFO
If the to of you would like some pointers on how the rake and baler ajust I would be happy to help!
Can you record a couple of hours of the wheel turning and doing it's thing. It's very relaxing. It will get a lot of views.
Dude I'm moving to New Zealand so I can find a beautiful wife
If you ever need more power from the wheel, a Poncelet blade design could easily double your efficiency. Just angling the flat blades would help a lot. Certainly not needed if it's working well now
Future generations will not judge us lightly.
Awesome. That's so cool.
You guys can reach very high number of subscribers with more videos - maybe once a week. You create very good quality stories and your subject matter is in demand. I can see you with 1 mil+ subs like similar couples out there.
How many posts holes did you dig by hand?
Low chromium content--not high. About 1.5 to 2 percent chromium.
FINALLY Someone that gives all the correct information
Imagine doing all this and not enjoying your meal.
Proud to be indian hindu 🕉
looks great!!
I know some of those cows are like damn, that’s going to be me one day.
Not me saying " why waste so much meat?". In South Africa we eat even the cow head. We don't get rid of it that way 😭😭
Nice work, but get that loader bucket down, it's only a tip-over liability up there. Better yet, fill it with logs or rocks to hold your front end down giving your front axle more traction.
I would have never thought to consider bending and curving the fence but it looks so incredible. Great job
Such a waste😢😢😢😢
Do you have a supply list with plans?