Living in an old derelict house
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- Опубліковано 18 вер 2024
- In this video we discuss the ups and downs of what it's like to live in a house hasn't been lived in for over 30 years.
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This was us 40 years ago, when I proudly showed our project to my sister, she said, "Are you sure you want to live there?" We did and while it was a tremendous amount of work, we are very happy living here. Our 4 children who grew up here, love coming home to the fields and memories they had made here. Take your project one day at a time, try to have one room that is completed so you have a retreat from the dreary days. Watching your video reminded me of how far we we have come.
It's great to hear stories like yours, we had that reaction when I showed people photos of this place! We're working on making 2 rooms comfortable and then will start on one of the front rooms to renovate fully, that we're not using. Thanks for watching 😀
What part of Western Ireland do you live in please
@PeterOHalloran-hf2ho We are in the USA Midwest. I remembered we also had a wall filled with honey bees --complete with honey, and an attic filled with wasps! The windows were so drafty we placed plastic over them and the plastic would balloon out into the interior. We had no insulation and we moved in during late fall here. Heating the house was expensive we went through 400 gallons of propane every month. We installed a Woodburner by the next winter. It was all a learning experience for us. What helped get me through it was sketching our dreams down on graph paper. I sa Ed my drawings and when I run across them now, I am surprised how close our dreams resemble the house today. We will be praying for your dreams to come true, you will fill very accomplished. Your home appears to have great bones, and Love the steps up to your house.
@@SallyDenney-wt9sg make our woodlice problem seem small in comparison! Into the attic this weekend and we're hoping they haven't eaten too much of the wood. It's going to be a learning experience for us, sounds like you went through that too. Every day we try and celebrate what we call a "little victory".
Well done so far, good luck. Get a potty for those midnight wees. Bubble wrap on the window glass. Get a couple of hens and let them loose for an hour to clean up some of those creepy crawlies.
Put bubble wrap on in the windows overnight with a spray of water to hold it on.. it's great insulation - DIY double glazing - plus it stops condensation on the windows.
I see such beauty in your home and land. It is hard I know but keep steady one day at a time. Love seeing your posts. Your pets are adorable. Loving your dream being fulfilled one day at a time. Keep up the good work great work. You are doing it!!!!
I lived like this in the west 22yrs ago whilst building a house, the winters going to be a real challenge, fix a tarpaulin to the ceiling, you will be amazed what drops down, and you are breathing that In, if it was easy then everyone would do it, good luck...
The attic is next on the list! 😬 we need to treat the wood so I imagine we'll have a few creepy crawlies falling in through those celing holes. Someone else suggested plugging the gaps with sealant before we spray. A tarp sounds like a good idea! 🙂
I hope you hang in there and are able to keep your spirits up, esp with winter coming on, which likely won't be easy! But I think once you get a bathroom and kitchen set up, and maybe laundry facilities, life should be a little easier. And it sounds like you've got wonderful neighbors, which is really important. Best wishes!
Yes, we're prepping for the winter. I'm hoping we can be comfortable enough and we will be getting more heating in, we plan on doing a video about that soon. A tumble dryer will be great when we can get one and we're hoping to sort a shower soon. Thank you 🙂
Also 'off grid bruce' is very handy, you'll learn lots from him.
thanks, we've been following Bruce's channel for a few years 🙂
A four poster bed would come in handy to keep the "detritus" falling on you during the night. Its why they had them in the old days.
Just found your channel.... very honest and refreshing. Good luck on your journey
Thank you, we'll keep posting! It's certainly a ride but it's been great reading all these messages of encouragement 😀👍
Keep on doing what you’re doing! We’re living the best life we can treading gently in North West Wales having changed our lifestyle at a much older age than you two. Wish we’d done it earlier but at least we’re giving it a go now. You have years ahead of you and a big chance to make a difference. Hats off to you both
@@simongostick5443 good luck to you in Wales. Youth is wasted on the young, if only we'd known! 😁 Great that you're living the life now.
Thank you for another rich and fascinating film. So much to learn from your experience and your candid, profound shares about the ups and down of all you are taking on are so powerful. You express the emotional toll of your current hardships so eloquently. I love that you're so often surrounded by Horace and the cats. Sleepy creatures exuding such peace and contentment. Beautiful.
I imagine that you'll soon look back at the earlier videos, surprised and enriched. Graciously celebrating your achievements, as you put those literal and metaphorical pieces in place. Building upon your dreams, visions and values. Inspiring.
Thanks Chris, the animals' contentment was a big part of this journey and it's nice to see them relaxing here. Onwards with this project! 🙂
I wish you luck. You have done a lot with what you are working with. It is going to look amazing. Love your kitties.😊
I bought a run down farm in Galway. The house was much The same condition as yours.I was a builder in the UK so that was a great advantage but anyone can learn these skills.
😃 If you don't mind me suggesting , that as you intend planting one of your 2 field's with tree's , why not make sure they're fruit bearing , as well as fruit bearing bushes too! 🤔☺️
We have started on the bushes, trees to follow - we have loads of blackberries here, we should do a video on those as we're enjoying flapjacks each day 😋
Ah.. makes me feel less insane to be living like this for a couple of years, thank you for sharing
@@blackbird9521 mad, but once we got the idea in our heads we weren't going to change our minds, so glad we did it though! ☺
We had no inside toilet or bathroom when I was a kid and I am sorry if I was you I would have to do what we did, take a bucket to bed and put it in the bedroom just for passing water, anything else has to wait for the morning lol!!
😆
Things can only [hopefully] get better. I'm sure you're looking forward to the time when the simple things become simple again. An old fashioned wood stove might help, and it could help keep you warm. Chickens and a heat source, lots of caulk, fillers, free cardboard you can use to insulate the walls, ceilings to keep heat in.
Get a wood stove. Put a false ceiling in the bedroom made of plywood and 2x4s with sheeps wool insulation and plastic below it. You need at least one room that is warm and dry as possible before winter sets in. Love your vision and your honouring of the faery fort.
Awe, love hearing Bob purring and Horace snoring ❤️
So proud of you both, I love it that you've following your dreams.
I look forward to many more visits 😃 (
@@ShamrockKel-i1y thanks! See you at the weekend 😎
This is giving me flashbacks! We lived for more than a year without heat, just a few outlets, no drains, and only a cold water spigot in the far corner of the basement. We had a membership with the cheapest workout place we could find ($12/month for two of us) and showered there. Orange juice containers hauled water from the basement. Heated sink water on the stove. Heated the kitchen with the open oven. Used a bucket under the kitchen sink to catch the water we had to remember to dump before it overflowed. Two words that still chill me: "contractor's toilet". To survive in the cold, we had an electric blanket and I spent a lot of time under it. Used those foot-warming beans you microwave, too. We couldn't leave for long or the temperature would drop by ten or more degrees with the space heaters off. In the winter, we were lucky to get the indoors into the upper 40s (Fahrenheit). Our kitchen soap froze. The cat water froze. BUT WE MADE IT! We now have drains, flushing toilets, hot and cold running water, HEAT! Plus a roof without holes and no more buckets to catch roof drips. No more "racoon latrines" (two other words that still chill me). We are working very, very slowly because we have to learn as we go, but it's progressing. At the time, we felt like homeless homeowners as it was nearly like living outside, and now we are HOME. Shore up for winter more than you think you'll need to. If we made it through, anybody can, and you definitely can! POSITIVE VIBES from Western New York to you!
I was brought up in a tenement flat. I now live in a nice comfortable suburban house in Dublin. There is no way I'd go back to living in a flat/apartment. Sometimes I think I'd like to retire to a cottage in the country but it's too late for us now we are in our elder years. Young people shouldn't be waking up to wee every night, that's what old people do unfortunately. With the cold nights it might be possible you have a kidney infection. Take care of your health, getting sick in Ireland can be expensive. I've watched homesteading videos for years and I've learned to begin this life you need one of two things, money or skills. God love you both. I hope all goes well for you and you get on your feet soon. ☘
Hello, you may already know about this, but there are grants available to do up vacant houses in Ireland, the citizens advice bureau website should have the details, best of luck 🍀
Just found your channel. How exciting! Can't wait to follow your journey. Good luck with everything! ❤
Nice sofa. That derilict stone shed has great potential. The walls look sound. Cheap enough to whack on a roof n use it. Keep at it, itll pay off. Lots of grants available. Even diy will get it comfy soon :)
I grew up in an old place in Sydney, Australia in the late 1960's like that. Have vivid memories of 100's of cockroaches. Now I live in a different state of Australia (rural) and believe you me, there are homes like this that people still live in!!!
Parcel tape over the joints on the ceiling will stop the woodlice dropping randomly- it will not look nice. An alternative would be to try to wallpaper the ceiling.
Well done both, when you're self sufficient you can look back on video & feel proud 🙂
It's amazing when we watch the progress from even a few weeks back. The videos and photos help us to remember how we're progressing, thanks for watching ☺
Hi Guys. Just found your video. Looks exciting despite the hardships and challenges. Good to see you both over there.
Cheers Andrew, thanks for watching 🙂👍
Get some woodlice/creepy crawlie powder at local hardware/gardening place, spread it liberally everywhere excapt near your food or cats food. Itll take care of them.leave it down long as you can. Even 1 woodlouse can have thousands of babies. Yuc!
Can wait to see how ye tackle diy
Love it.
i've lived 'rustic' for a while too. it can be tough. makin one room as absolutely comfortable as possible is what got me through it. are you in/sign up to the freecycle groups in ireland? really surprising what can come up in them - people offer and you can request.
We must use those groups more. We've managed to salvage a few things - sink and we actually have a window and front door to fit when we can work it out. But yes, I have a few groups to check out. We're working on a couple of rooms at the moment. Long term we'll start on one of the front rooms and rotate as we complete each one... imagine it will take years though! 😄
Good Luck with everything 🍀
Thank you ☺
You are awfully brave to undertake this big project good luck to you both
@@stephaniehenry571 thank you 😊
There's a place in Clare near scarrif called wastelands salvage. It has everything from doors to sinks - you'd be surprised at what's there.
Hi guys, I genuinely relate and feel lucky to have come across your channel for the first time today, whilst you certainly are at a far more intense stage with your home, I too have lived in old cottages for years, and have just moved to a Welsh cottage given that my husband is first language Welsh himself, that is up on a hill, in the woods and over 200 years old, I haven't had things like central heating or too be honest even warm water half the time, for almost a decade now. It's certainly a conscious choice you make as an individual and as a couple. I'm really proud of you both for the sheer passion and determination you have and that an old homes like this certainly demand of you.
The creepy crawlies, the constant fight against damp getting in, the bigger creepy crawlies like mice and rats we have to manage and keep on top of, managing the land itself and the trials and tribulations of growing your own produce. One thing I'll say is that to live rurally in an old home and partially to fully off grid, it has to be who you are as a person, which is obvious with you both, given that you do not regret the move despite the harder days.
You made me laugh when you mentioned the distance to the bathroom, I haven't had a bathroom I haven't had to cold foot it to down the stairs for years and still don't. It's so interesting when you visit family or friends and the immediacy of certain things hits you in the face with their houses, constant hot water, their houses always feel what I can only describe as 'sealed', the constant steady warmth and smooth surfaces, dishwashers haha but still I wouldn't go back. I really look forward to watching you achieve goals over the years, don't be too hard on yourselves, but your relationship first and always, I know the winter will be a challenge but I have every faith in you both!
Thank you, I think we're still in the adjustment period - there have been a lot of ups and downs since we moved here, but very quickly we've established a level of comfort here. New surroundings, new environment and a much wetter climate than even England. We're hoping to be much more self sufficient as the years go by and we both know that although the house will work for us it will never be a conventional modern house - it just has to function. Good luck with your Welsh cottage and glad to read your husband speaks one of the Celtic languages, I'm learning Irish myself and that's been an interesting journey too 😀
Wow, you are really brave! It will take some time, but soon enough you will have a really cozy home!
Thank you, it's cosy some days... the challenge will be keeping it warm this winter - we've yet to experience a West of Ireland winter. We've got less work done on the place than we wanted to since we moved here, but we'll get a few more heaters in and hopefully be fine 😊🤞
Chamber pot for night use! Get a cheap tent that your bed will fit in, pitch it and leave off the rain fly, just use the screens, zip inside at night--no creepy crawlies in the bed. I did that for a while when I had an rat, until I caught the little devil.
Vacant property grants and Seai grants. You should be eligible for both. You can get both but you have to make sure to separate out what work will be included in each grant. You won't get paid twice. So say seai will pay towards upgrading the windows so don't include this in the vacant grant work. If this make sense.
we did consider the grants, but you have to pay for everything up front then reclaim - we don't have that budget unfortunately
Good luck one room at a time and chickens will help and a warm bathroom would be a luxury
Temporary idea to put the Curtains up
can you get the the trouser hangers the type shops use with Clips ❤ Tell you why
as i have used them to Hang sheets or other large items ‘
on the Curtain Rail to Dry
You seem to hav good chimney, & a stove hole behind sofa? A stove u can heat radiators from & cook at least 1 pot on? See 'bealtine cottage' & irish cottage renovation or restoration nit sure which. Both doing that too & near you. (Heathers)
Hi Guys, if i were you i would by a chalk gun and use decoraters chalk and run along the ceiling planks above your bed, i had a similar problem many years ago, not creepys falling down but grit from the underside of the slates....so a gritty bed!
@@richardnortham5165 good tip! We plan on treating the wood in the attic soon so don't want too much debris falling through 👍
I lived like this for a number of years in the 80s (thatchers Britain) as a child. My sister and i would get up regularly in the middle of the night in winter and put our coats on. My little brother had to sleep with mum and dad cos his room was full of damp
I moved over to England with my family just before she got into power. We did ok in the 80s, but growing up the house we lived in had no central heating, I don't remember being cold as a child but a few friends used to keep their coats on when they visited 😁
Then block all access even high up walls, woodlice /other bugs will get in tiny gaps
We’re enjoying your journey just a idea if you could do a wee video every day even if it’s just a 10 minute video it’ll help keep doing what you are doing
We'll try to post as often as we can. Aiming for once a week 🙂👍
Years ago when there was no indoor toilets , there was a potty under the bed . My mother said she used to keep the blankets over her mouth and years because of earwigs etc like you describe 😭😭
@@mniaodhagain5180 my grand dad's place in Sligo didn't have an indoor toilet and, as kids, me and my sister were terrified to use it. And now Colette won't let me have a bed pan! 😆
@@PiningForMartens yes as a kid I remember sitting on the potty , doing my wee and getting vacuumed on to the potty . Stood up and off comes the potty and the wee went everywhere . Poor nanny 🤣🤣🤣🤣
@@mniaodhagain5180 the good days! 😆
If it was easy everyone would be doing hang in there live the dream 🇮🇪👍
That's true! But opportunities will always present themselves. Perseverance is the life lesson with this project 🙂👍
I wonder if you have considered using a portable induction hotplate - i found one quite cheaply in Aldi) ? I went off gas here (central Victoria, Aus) abt 18 months ago and now heat my washing up and personal washing water in a big stockpot. In many ways I feel like I am returning to my post ww2 childhood, so its not a huge shock. And for the night-time trips a bucket with sawdust can be handy especially if you are considering a humanmanure composting system…
Oops clearly didn’t watch all the way through since you have your humanmanure sorted lol.
You may also find “Artist as Family” vids interesting.
@@jbyrd2516 thanks, we'll check that channel out. And the induction hob is on the list for next payday 🙂👍
A rocket stove mass heater would be wonderful.
I've heard good things about them and also the Chinese diesel heaters... looks like a proper installation is needed so might be a longterm thing.
What part of Ireland are you in good luck in all you do
Thank you, we're in Mayo 😀
@@PiningForMartens my late mother was from mayo a few miles outside castlebar
You said when you come home from work. Do you & your partner work? I love your animals & outside areas. Australia 🇦🇺
❤
What are u plans for the house in the short term just as winter approaches. For the bugs u can get some in to put spray around the house.
It's going to be a quick fix this winter - oodies, portable gas heaters, blankets and whatever to seal the gaps. We have a few electric heaters but they will be expensive to run. We'll get up in the loft soon to treat the wood in there, that should hopefully kill off a lot of the bugs.
@@PiningForMartens my mum has a fear of spiders and hence why I asked. She gets a commercial guy in to spray around each of the rooms with an insecticide and it works for 6 months. He visits her when he’s doing the local bakery. £59 each visit. Yep for the winter try and get some fresh loft insulation in if u can. Local builders merchants will have it for about £30 for 5 sq meters. For the windows look up secondary glazing it’s dosnt need to be glass even heave clear plastic stapled to the window frame and then wooden battens around the frame. Easier done on the inside of the window. Try and avoid the gas heaters as they are very dangers for fumes. I’m from Co Derry and don’t know where u are at but there is an interesting charity shop in Lisburn called habitate for humanity. They are a second hand builders shops. A bit hit and miss but everything from old paint to bathrooms to real decent kitchens.
@@marcusd2380great idea😊
Oh Hell no!!! I could not live there with bugs!!! 🐛 🪳🕷️🦟🐛falling on me.
Get chickens,they will eat the creepy bugs 🐛
Why would you move in without making it a tiny bit more inhabitable before?
It’s 4 weeks since you showed the first video why you didn’t start on anything?
I mean winter is coming fast!
Sorry it’s not personal or to criticize you, I just try to understand if there are any plan of actions?
No worries. The original plan was to renovate from England, but it took over 2 years for the sale of our place/purchase of this one to go through. Then our dog had a health scare and we were determined to move earlier than we planned so he could enjoy life here. It was also very difficult to arrange work in Ireland while we were living in England. Our savings are gone and we're waiting for my first pay check to come through. It always was the plan to pay tradesmen as we don't have the DIY skills. We haven't documented much of the work we have done, but will be able to do more ourselves in the future when we can afford the tools and materials.
I thought you meant squatting!
Have you purchased or renting this property and land. How did you find it? Good luck
Bought it. We'd be suing the landlord if this was rented 😂
Found it on daft.ie
Just jam in new windows.
I am sure I would have enjoyed this video, but could not hear what you were saying.
Why the heck are you living there? Are you all crazy or what?
we must be!