Whew, I feel worn out just watching! I'm really enjoying watching your homestead series, and love watching to see how it develops over the months. Looking forward to seeing the meadow in the summer. 🙂
With all those wild flowers you should get yourself 1 or 2 horizontal hives and catch yourself some local bee swarms. Also get some coco core to mix in with that soil for your raised beds.
Great video SImon. Your place looks perfect! Pond wise, may I suggest a sunken hide, to get lens at water level, and then build the pond round that... Could attract amazing birds if large enoigh and you stock it with fish... what a place and what a fab project! Enjoy it!
Loads of hard work there Simon and its looking good. As they say, the pain is temporary, the glory is forever. A pond, reeds, the Hoki and great crested Grebe. I can see it now.
Always a joy to watch Simon… you are doing a cracking job there… you will be rewarded on a daily basis with superb wildlife encounters. Bet you are missing a pie though 🤣 Best wishes Paul
Ay up Si. You two must put in more work per calendar month than anyone I know. You know you work hard when you need 2 wheels on yer barra! Damn, I wasn't gonna mention calendars! I know there's always something to do, and you have to take advantage of good weather but pace yourself lad. Had me blowin' just watchin'! I need to ask you something on the QT, can I get your email or message you on fb maybe? Stay safe and well mucker.
Love following your progress at your new Homestead. Can I ask what source you use for the music in your videos? I have a small channel myself and struggle to find copyright-free stuff
I really admire all the hard work and creativity you are putting in to develop your Wildlife Homestead, Simon. Not only is it going to be a haven for wildlife but it is going to be a sanctuary for rest and contemplation for anyone who is honored with an invitation to visit the Homestead. Your dogs are already enjoying their new home.
Another great video Simon. Making good progress, Loved to hear the word Pond that will be a big job all of it's own, just an idea a steep bank on the back side using some of the spoil with a few old clay pipe's or something popped into it you never know a Kingy might just take an interest chuck a load of little rudd in for a bit of a teaser , ps a power barrow or a mini tractor and trailer would make life a bit easier me thinks saying that you looks like you will be getting allot more help before you know it with the GC's😉, Great to see. all the best as always, Mike E...
Dreams do come true fairplay to you all for putting in a great effort !! and mostly with a manual wheelbarrow thats an achievement in itself !! great to see you been rewarded with some beautiful birds !! Bring on the pond ! could you utilise that stream to make it happen ???
Cheers Pat, sadly the stream is on the other side of the property but I think theres enough water in this part of Wales to keep it sufficiently topped up!!😃🤞🏼
Enjoyed this Simon, there’s some graft done and to be done there. I’m not sure if you’ve mentioned it on another video but I think I’ve watched most of yours, but anyway, are you planning to hire out the built hides like some do. Some interesting wildlife to be had there for sure.
The place is looking great mate. I dont know where you get all your energy from, maybe its that healthy Welsh country air. Catch up soon. Keep up the good work. 👍
looking fantastic going to be amazing when complete and you are certainly getting your steps in, How to you find the time to go to work or have you took the plunge and early retirement
Blimey !! Saves on a gym membership Simon !! :-) ...great projects and as I know from my old place incredibly satisfying to see what your efforts bring in...FYI after much deliberation and to go with my Z8 I settled on the 800,mm PF and the 180-600mm and both ridiculously good and crazily light (relatively)... I'm using the 800mm primarily for birds/reserves etc but for my hide work/walkaround/mammals like my current Fox project the 180-600 is brilliant and incredibly good value...The only very small issue is the f6.3 on both but with noise reduction it's a small thing. Ideal combo probably the 180-600 and the 400mm f2.8 TC but that requires selling both kidneys !! Just a small point re the Barn Owl box (I put up about ten over the years) always make sure there are no overhanging branches blocking a good clear flight in to the box as Barnies I found are surprisingly sensitive about that (unlike Tawnies who'll push through walls ) ...enjoy the summer and looking forward to how your amazing homestead all develops
Thanks Nigel, youve got a great setup there. I really enjoyed the 180-600 when i borrowed it, like you say great value!! Ive trimmed around the Barnie box, hopefully there may be some new residents soon. Apparently this year is set to be a record year for Barn Owls with over 70 breeding pairs in Montomeryshire. Great news. Thanks for following the progress 👍🏼
@@simoneardley Thanks for the reply Simon...fyi your review persuaded me to buy a HikMicro thermal Lynx 2.0 as well !! :-). ....what a great bit of kit..fascinating just to take out without the camera when I'm walking the dog
Great video Simon and very inspirational. One day if I’m lucky I’ll create something similar, looking forward to follow your project and cant wait for the pond build! 👏
Fantastic stuff Simon. Great film and brilliant to see an update. Some graft there but no corners cut and beautiful work as always Si. Whether your making paths , walking sticks, wildlife pics etc it's always a mint job. Can't wait to see your bridge 🙂👍. Atb Si , see ya soon Rick n Billydog
Wow, hours of graft there Simon, my back hurts just watching the video 😂, it's looking great, 👌 Looking forward the the next installment. Thanks for sharing 👍
Hi Si, another great film! So good that the buzzards have been down! It must be lucky buzzard week, because I've also had one down on my perch, after almost giving up hope. Persistence does pay off!
Wow, Team Homestead have put so much hard work in that I almost feel guilty relaxing with a coffee to watch! It’s going to be an amazing wildlife haven for you. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Wow Simon you have been a busy lad ,its look beautiful. Loving the wood chipping footpath,so much so we are going to do the same on a much, much smaller scale. Hope the weather stays good so you can keep busy,can’t wait for the next installment even the wife keeps asking “ Has the fig roll man put a video on yet” 😀. Take care mate
No question about you staying fit there Simon, excellent news about the Buzzards, they make brilliant subjects. The pond is a great idea , I can operate excavators in exchange for a Buzzard shoot or two 😁. Things are starting to take shape there Simon it will be good when you can relax and enjoy it.
Another fantastic video, Simon, you've been a busy man, and it's great to see you've had the buzzards down. My boss has a great greenhouse that he has just recently purchased that would be great at your place, I'll get the details and a picture for you and send them over.
Thanks again for another great update. Really enjoying seeing the place come alive can't wait to see the pond video. A mini digger job definitely 😁. But like you say a magnet for wildlife, nice beach area with a trail camera up would be awesome. In my pond I get loads of birds from the woods that you just don't get from feeders like the redstart, chiffchaffs ECT.
Cheers Simon. The homestead is looking great. You can see the hard graft you’ve put in already making a difference. A pond will attract a lot of different species in. Respect to you. All the best. 👍👍📷😎
I can't believe the amount of hard work you get done there! It's all looking beautiful, and what a treat to discover the buzzards. So looking forward to the next episode!!
The homestead is coming on fantastic Simon, know it'll have been a lot of hard work but I'm pleased to see the path going in as it'll make getting around a lot easier especially in the winter. Looking forward to the next vlog
The place is starting to take shape now Simon. Really looking forward to seeing the pond going in, it will be a magnet for all sorts of wildlife. Great to see your knee seems to be holding up ok. Look forward to the next instalment. 👍
hi Simon wow what beautiful area looking fantastic bloody hard work digging out the paths but well worth it. Its coming on a treat now can't wait for the next up date clive
Its all starting to come together Simon, you've certainly accomplished a lot already in a short time. Some great ideas with the pond etc too. Waiting for the next update. Chris
A lovely interesting update on the homestead Simon. Its really coming on a treat, some great ideas & well thought out to maximise the oppotunities the property has. I going to be interesting watching it all take shape, you certainly are a grafter thats for sure 🤛
You’ve achieved so much in such a short time 👏. Looking forward to when you open the hides, can you give an indication on location as Powis is quite large. Message if you don’t want it public yet.
Great update :-) Looking amazing, like you said some big projects planned. Have you thought about hosting like minded photographers, either in their tents or campervans or car camping. They learn some knowledge about wildlife photography around the campfire, in exchange for some hard graft :-) Especially on the pond project, many hands make light work. Use the good weather while it's here, I would be up to signing up :-) Put up a poll Simon for interest
Sorry but I have switched off, why do so many utubers insist on playing so called crappy music on their channels, I have followed your channel from the beginning, but I just couldn’t listen to that, I hope you think again before using something like that.
Great video Simon. On Pied flycatcher is for next year if you block the holes that until they arrive this will stop the blue tits and other taking them by this time will have found somewhere else to live leaving most of the boxes for the flycatchers. You probably knew this but in case you didn’t I thought it was a good idea. 👍
you forgot to mention the visit of the Stork to your family recently LOL
Thanks Simon, really interesting, I've just bought the 180-600 to go with the Z8 and pleased with the combo.
Thanks John, thats a great setup youve got there. Perfect walkabout combo👍🏼👍🏼
With the amount of wood chip you're getting through, maybe just buy a wood chipper!? No shortage of stuff to feed into it!
Yeh, were going to hire a big one for a couple of days Phil.
Whew, I feel worn out just watching! I'm really enjoying watching your homestead series, and love watching to see how it develops over the months. Looking forward to seeing the meadow in the summer. 🙂
Cheers Andy
Lovely property, but I'd need a quad bike with a small trailer, no way I could push that wheel barrow up that his so hats off to you Simon
Cheers Tony, its on my wish list!!🤣
The place is looking great Simon, big changes since your first vids all the best
Yeh, getting there Alex 👊🏼👍🏼
Awesome work mate, looking superb! It's hard work, but very satisfying stuff. Cheers Rich 😀
Thanks Rich, hard graft but you get out what you put in. Cheers for watching pal👊🏼👀
Convert your big double wheel barrow to a single wheel in the middle. I did mine like that. Much easier turned and manoeuvred.
Cheers Phil, might look at that mate 👍🏼👀
I'm wondering what you do in your spare time?☺
Haha, ive heard about that stuff, never had any!!!🤣
With all those wild flowers you should get yourself 1 or 2 horizontal hives and catch yourself some local bee swarms. Also get some coco core to mix in with that soil for your raised beds.
Ive heard Beekeeping can take over your life and I've enough hobbies John🤣🤣 Think ill just stick to buying the local honey, nice idea though!!👍🏼👊🏼
great video its look good
Thank you! Cheers!
Well done Simon, plenty hard work for you, but you,ll reap the rewards, cheers Den
Thanks Den 👍🏼
Great update mate it's certainly coming together well done
Cheers Keith 👍🏼
Great video SImon. Your place looks perfect! Pond wise, may I suggest a sunken hide, to get lens at water level, and then build the pond round that... Could attract amazing birds if large enoigh and you stock it with fish... what a place and what a fab project! Enjoy it!
Thanks Clive, it'd be rude to not put some form of hide in for the pond !!👍🏼📷👀
Loads of hard work there Simon and its looking good. As they say, the pain is temporary, the glory is forever. A pond, reeds, the Hoki and great crested Grebe. I can see it now.
Cheers Nigel, its enjoyable work and the pond is an exciting addition. Cant wait to get cracking with it.👍🏼
Always a joy to watch Simon… you are doing a cracking job there… you will be rewarded on a daily basis with superb wildlife encounters. Bet you are missing a pie though 🤣 Best wishes Paul
Thats the plan Paul!!🤞🏼🐦🦊 The wife makes a good pie👍🏼😀
Love that opening! All the homestead vids should start like that with the same music! 😆
Haha, not everyone was so taken by that soundtrack!!🤣
Ay up Si. You two must put in more work per calendar month than anyone I know. You know you work hard when you need 2 wheels on yer barra! Damn, I wasn't gonna mention calendars! I know there's always something to do, and you have to take advantage of good weather but pace yourself lad. Had me blowin' just watchin'! I need to ask you something on the QT, can I get your email or message you on fb maybe? Stay safe and well mucker.
Thanks Richard, its on the list mate again !!🤣 Of course drop me an email at simoneardley1969@gmail.com 👍🏼
Coming together nicely si,well done,looking fwd to seeing the pool development in the future,keep up the gwaith arbenig!!,keep up with the good work!!
Cheers Neu, cant wait to start the pond. Should bring plenty of species in 📷👀
Love following your progress at your new Homestead. Can I ask what source you use for the music in your videos? I have a small channel myself and struggle to find copyright-free stuff
Thanks for following along, I use Epidemic sounds. You have to pay but they have an amazing selection to choose from 👍🏼
First video I’ve come across of you and I wasn’t disappointed looking forwards to this project great video pal
Thanks for watching Aaron. Welcome to the channel 👍🏼👊🏼
I really admire all the hard work and creativity you are putting in to develop your Wildlife Homestead, Simon. Not only is it going to be a haven for wildlife but it is going to be a sanctuary for rest and contemplation for anyone who is honored with an invitation to visit the Homestead. Your dogs are already enjoying their new home.
Cheers Clifton, yes they love the place as much as we do!!👌🏼👍🏼
Building the dream there buddy but it just shows how much work is involved! So impressed mate! O Another great video oh and I loved the music 😂😜
Thanks Michael, gotta mix it up a bit. Had a few complaints but you cant please everyone!!🤣🤣 Thanks for watching mate👊🏼👍🏼
Another great video Simon. Making good progress, Loved to hear the word Pond that will be a big job all of it's own, just an idea a steep bank on the back side using some of the spoil with a few old clay pipe's or something popped into it you never know a Kingy might just take an interest chuck a load of little rudd in for a bit of a teaser , ps a power barrow or a mini tractor and trailer would make life a bit easier me thinks saying that you looks like you will be getting allot more help before you know it with the GC's😉, Great to see. all the best as always, Mike E...
Thanks Mike , cant wait to start the pond. It'll be amazing what wildlife it should bring in !!👍🏼🤞🏼
Dreams do come true fairplay to you all for putting in a great effort !! and mostly with a manual wheelbarrow thats an achievement in itself !! great to see you been rewarded with some beautiful birds !! Bring on the pond ! could you utilise that stream to make it happen ???
Cheers Pat, sadly the stream is on the other side of the property but I think theres enough water in this part of Wales to keep it sufficiently topped up!!😃🤞🏼
Enjoyed this Simon, there’s some graft done and to be done there. I’m not sure if you’ve mentioned it on another video but I think I’ve watched most of yours, but anyway, are you planning to hire out the built hides like some do. Some interesting wildlife to be had there for sure.
Thanks Frank, yes thats the plan. Were hoping to set up a Shepherds hut up as well to provide accommodation.
The place is looking great mate. I dont know where you get all your energy from, maybe its that healthy Welsh country air. Catch up soon. Keep up the good work. 👍
Thanks John, the energy comes through necessity!!🤣🤣 It'd be a jungle if I didn't keep at it mate. ATB, Si 👊🏼👍🏼
looking fantastic going to be amazing when complete and you are certainly getting your steps in, How to you find the time to go to work or have you took the plunge and early retirement
Cheers Andy, not retired yet mate. Later this year!!👍🏼
You are a man on a mission, Simon. I take my hat off to you. A real Labour of Love. Best Wishes.
Thanks Alistair, i pray for good weather every day!!🤣🤞🏼
great job Simon the wood chipping are a great idea what with work as well do you have time to sleep catch you on the next instalment laurence
Cheers Laurence, i grab an hour here and there mate!!🤣
Blimey !! Saves on a gym membership Simon !! :-) ...great projects and as I know from my old place incredibly satisfying to see what your efforts bring in...FYI after much deliberation and to go with my Z8 I settled on the 800,mm PF and the 180-600mm and both ridiculously good and crazily light (relatively)... I'm using the 800mm primarily for birds/reserves etc but for my hide work/walkaround/mammals like my current Fox project the 180-600 is brilliant and incredibly good value...The only very small issue is the f6.3 on both but with noise reduction it's a small thing. Ideal combo probably the 180-600 and the 400mm f2.8 TC but that requires selling both kidneys !! Just a small point re the Barn Owl box (I put up about ten over the years) always make sure there are no overhanging branches blocking a good clear flight in to the box as Barnies I found are surprisingly sensitive about that (unlike Tawnies who'll push through walls ) ...enjoy the summer and looking forward to how your amazing homestead all develops
Thanks Nigel, youve got a great setup there. I really enjoyed the 180-600 when i borrowed it, like you say great value!! Ive trimmed around the Barnie box, hopefully there may be some new residents soon. Apparently this year is set to be a record year for Barn Owls with over 70 breeding pairs in Montomeryshire. Great news. Thanks for following the progress 👍🏼
@@simoneardley Thanks for the reply Simon...fyi your review persuaded me to buy a HikMicro thermal Lynx 2.0 as well !! :-). ....what a great bit of kit..fascinating just to take out without the camera when I'm walking the dog
Good vlog Simon. You are a grafter . . . but it will be worth it in the end. Thanks for sharing all your plans for the project. Keep up the good work.
Thanks mate 👍🏼
Your doing a great job Simon keep it up. Rodders 👍
Cheers Rodders 👍🏼👊🏼
Great video Simon done a lot of work already look forward to the buzzards !what a great place👍👌
Thanks Paul, its a special spot weve got 👌🏼👍🏼
After this you will not be able to sit still in a hide for long, Simon ;O)
Haha, a bit of hide work would be a welcome break 🤣👍🏼
its looking stunning already ,It looks absolutely amazing
Thank you! Cheers Peter 😀
Clearing that ditch looked a hard slog with plenty graft.
Tell me about it 🤣💪🏽
Phenomenal work...Take a bow sir
Cheers Chris 👍🏼
Huge respect from Rio 🎉
Cheers Paul 👍🏼
I really like seeing all your prograss and hearing your plans!
Thanks Andrew👍🏼
Living the dream Simon! U must be shattered doing all that work! Its looking great tho! Exciting projects ahead!!!
Cheers , I eat lots of spinach!!🤣🤣 Slowly getting there👍🏼👍🏼
Great video Simon and very inspirational. One day if I’m lucky I’ll create something similar, looking forward to follow your project and cant wait for the pond build! 👏
Thanks Andy, I'm looking forward to that part too!!😃👍🏼
Fantastic stuff Simon. Great film and brilliant to see an update. Some graft there but no corners cut and beautiful work as always Si. Whether your making paths , walking sticks, wildlife pics etc it's always a mint job. Can't wait to see your bridge 🙂👍.
Atb Si , see ya soon
Rick n Billydog
Thanks Rick, always appreciate your positive comments. Looking forward to seeing you down there again soon 👊🏼
Wow, hours of graft there Simon, my back hurts just watching the video 😂, it's looking great, 👌
Looking forward the the next installment. Thanks for sharing 👍
You and me both!!! Thanks for watching
Hi Si, another great film! So good that the buzzards have been down! It must be lucky buzzard week, because I've also had one down on my perch, after almost giving up hope. Persistence does pay off!
Thanks John, thats the key mate. Never give up, persistence always pays off !!👊🏼📷
Wow, Team Homestead have put so much hard work in that I almost feel guilty relaxing with a coffee to watch! It’s going to be an amazing wildlife haven for you. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Youre welcome Samantha, its coming along nicely 😃
Wow Simon you have been a busy lad ,its look beautiful. Loving the wood chipping footpath,so much so we are going to do the same on a much, much smaller scale. Hope the weather stays good so you can keep busy,can’t wait for the next installment even the wife keeps asking “ Has the fig roll man put a video on yet” 😀. Take care mate
Cheers Graham, "the fig roll man"!!! Ive been called worse🤣🤣 ATB, Si 👊🏼
Absolutely cracking, Great to see things coming along and your ideas unfolding. Thanks for the update.
Youre welcome Michael 😃
No question about you staying fit there Simon, excellent news about the Buzzards, they make brilliant subjects. The pond is a great idea , I can operate excavators in exchange for a Buzzard shoot or two 😁. Things are starting to take shape there Simon it will be good when you can relax and enjoy it.
Ive heard about that word Ray, "relax"!! 🤣🤣 I'll bear that in mind , thanks for the offer pal👊🏼
Another fantastic video, Simon, you've been a busy man, and it's great to see you've had the buzzards down. My boss has a great greenhouse that he has just recently purchased that would be great at your place, I'll get the details and a picture for you and send them over.
Cheers Lee. looking forward to trying to capture some decent pics of the buzzards 👍🏼
All your hard work will pay off when you have finished mate . Your putting plenty Graft in 👍👍
Tell me about it, cheers Neil 👊🏼
Looks amazing your certainly getting it all sorted. It’s turning into a labour of love.
It sure is Neil 👍🏼
This is a beautiful piece of land and it will onl< get more beautiful with time. But a lot, a lot, alot of work. Respect!
Thanks Richard 👍🏼
Thanks again for another great update. Really enjoying seeing the place come alive can't wait to see the pond video. A mini digger job definitely 😁.
But like you say a magnet for wildlife, nice beach area with a trail camera up would be awesome.
In my pond I get loads of birds from the woods that you just don't get from feeders like the redstart, chiffchaffs ECT.
Thanks Mike, the pond should be a great addition to the place👍🏼🤞🏼
Cheers Simon. The homestead is looking great. You can see the hard graft you’ve put in already making a difference. A pond will attract a lot of different species in. Respect to you. All the best. 👍👍📷😎
Thanks Rob and cheers for watching mate 👍🏼
I can't believe the amount of hard work you get done there! It's all looking beautiful, and what a treat to discover the buzzards. So looking forward to the next episode!!
Thank you very much for watching the channel. See you on the next one 👀👍🏼
The homestead is coming on fantastic Simon, know it'll have been a lot of hard work but I'm pleased to see the path going in as it'll make getting around a lot easier especially in the winter. Looking forward to the next vlog
Thanks very much, the path has made a huge difference 👍🏼
Loved this update, mate. You are living my dream! Well done to you and Dawn for all your hard work. Nice to see the dogs are lending a hand as well. 😊
Thanks Steve, the place is coming along nicely. They take great delight in chasing the pheasants through the woods!!🤣
The place is starting to take shape now Simon. Really looking forward to seeing the pond going in, it will be a magnet for all sorts of wildlife. Great to see your knee seems to be holding up ok. Look forward to the next instalment. 👍
Thanks Phil, these hills are certainly a test for the old bones!!🤣 Cant wait to start the pond, its on a very big list of "jobs to do"!!😃👍🏼
It’s looking Amazing, you still working at your old fire station ?
Thanks Kev, yeh still there mate. Retiring in September and cant wait!!👍🏼🔥
hi Simon wow what beautiful area looking fantastic bloody hard work digging out the paths but well worth it. Its coming on a treat now can't wait for the next up date clive
Thanks Clive 👊🏼
Its all starting to come together Simon, you've certainly accomplished a lot already in a short time. Some great ideas with the pond etc too. Waiting for the next update. Chris
Thanks Chris 👊🏼
A lovely interesting update on the homestead Simon. Its really coming on a treat, some great ideas & well thought out to maximise the oppotunities the property has. I going to be interesting watching it all take shape, you certainly are a grafter thats for sure 🤛
Thanks Roy, its graft alright but very enjoyable
What an amazing amount of work you have done already coming on really well
Cheers Steve 👍🏼
All looking good, Squire Eardley.
Thanks Alistair, thats got a ring to it!!!🤣🤣
You’ve achieved so much in such a short time 👏. Looking forward to when you open the hides, can you give an indication on location as Powis is quite large. Message if you don’t want it public yet.
Thanks Sue, the good weather helps. Were inbetween Oswestry and Welshpool
@@simoneardley great, not far from me in Shrewsbury then 👍
Looks like a full time job just keeping the place in order!
I dream about mowing grass!!😂
Well, I have 4acres in woods I keep mowed.
Great work Si 👊
Cheers Si 👊🏼👍🏼
Great update :-)
Looking amazing, like you said some big projects planned.
Have you thought about hosting like minded photographers, either in their tents or campervans or car camping.
They learn some knowledge about wildlife photography around the campfire, in exchange for some hard graft :-)
Especially on the pond project, many hands make light work.
Use the good weather while it's here, I would be up to signing up :-)
Put up a poll Simon for interest
Thanks Tom, thats a good shout. Probably best when ive retired later in the year but like you say many hands👍🏼👍🏼
@@simoneardley Roger
Sorry but I have switched off, why do so many utubers insist on playing so called crappy music on their channels, I have followed your channel from the beginning, but I just couldn’t listen to that, I hope you think again before using something like that.
Really?
Sure, just hit the mute button during that first bit - there was no other audio/voiceover, so no problem.
Great video Simon. On Pied flycatcher is for next year if you block the holes that until they arrive this will stop the blue tits and other taking them by this time will have found somewhere else to live leaving most of the boxes for the flycatchers. You probably knew this but in case you didn’t I thought it was a good idea. 👍
Each to their own, but it doesn’t bother me.
👏👏👏👏👏