So 2021 was the busiest year of my life, not exhausting, just relentless tasks that were both fun and frustrating. After catching Covid, it felt like my energy levels would never return; yet after about 3 weeks, the lethargy disappeared and I embarked on two major projects.
1). The Shepherd's Hut Build (details to follow)
2). Conversion of the space above the garage into an AirBnB studio (details to follow)
With my day job coming back to life after the various lockdowns, the project work had to be undertaken during the evenings and weekends....(that's the excuse for not doing the blog!). While that was going on, I was also trying to get my 10 year Woodland Management Plan completed which if successful would give us a10 year felling license.
I had applied for a grant from Sussex Lund to cut a 'ride' through the woods to link up with the nature reserve managed by Sussex Wildlife Trust. There's a whole conservation thing about creating wildlife corridors and this project was accepted as worthwhile. Before any work could commence I had to have all the relevant licenses in place.
By January 2022, I had a two-thirds built shepherd's hut, an unfinished AirBnB conversion, along with a February start date for the 'Ride' work in the woodland. The garage was full of materials for the unfinished shepherd's hut in addition to the various stuff needed to finish off the studio above the garage. By March, I had a woodland that looked reminiscent of an Amazon deforestation programme rather than a conservation project. On a positive note, it was looking like we were closer to finishing (at the least the beginning of finishing) all projects and the reality of starting a holiday let business was now becoming a reality.
In July 2022 we launched the 'Cosy Woodland Studio' on Airbnb. 10 months on and it appears to be running quite smoothly - the visitors leave such wonderful reviews; they too appreciate the surrounding environment. One thing I have learnt....if you do Airbnb, you gotta like cleaning! But ultimately, self reliance is becoing a reality. I'm going to post the pics and links for the Studio on a separate post.
In the meantime.....keep hugging them trees!
Shepherds Hut nearing completion