 |
Life In LimousinGraham, Paula and their 5 children started their life in limousin in 2004. Since then there has been another addition to the family, so now there are 6 children.
Paula was the owner of the veterinary practice on the Isle of Islay, and Graham managed the RSPB farm on the island. Concerns about the future of agriculture in the UK, led them to investigate all the 'rosy' rumours about farming in France. After searching on and off for 2 years they finally decided to 'do it'. They narrowed down the area they wanted, to the Limousin, (it looks a lot like Scotland). They decided to stick with what they knew and go for Limousin cows and sheep. The only final requirement was for a habitable house. With 5 kids, the renovation/caravan option was not very appealing. With the help of installation agent George Lidbury from Eurofarms, they quite quickly found La Tuilerie. Life in Limousin was turning from dream into reality.
See Eurofarms website.
Health problems with the herd had put off a number of other purchasers. Luckily, with Paula's veterinary background, these problems were quickly sorted out. Now the herd is certified free of all major infectious diseases and has no ongoing health problems.
The children all settled into school well, some taking longer than others. They are all now bilingual, with the oldest, at 14, also studying German, Spanish and Latin as well as French and English. The french education system puts a rather higher priority on languages than in the UK.
One of the aims for their life in limousin was to see how self-sufficient they could be. Paula, a very keen gardener, has a much longer season for the vegetable garden here, compared to Scotland, and is almost at the stage of 'year round supply'.
Gradually they built up their knowlege and skills to rear the animals for self sufficiency. They were less familiar with pig, chicken and rabbit husbandry to begin with. Not only were they keen to rear these animals but also wanted to learn about butchering, curing and processing.
As part of her veterinary practice, Paula had provided services to the local abattoir. This gave her knowlege of dressing and butchering techniques. All animals are slaughtered at licenced premises, as Paula believes that this is the most humane and least stressful method for the animals and ensures public health.
You get incredibly attached to some of them but this should not alter the desire to eat them. After all they do not know they are going to be eaten. If you give them a happy life, and humane death, that is your duty of care fulfilled. You can eat your food with a clear conscience knowing that no animal suffered to feed you. Of course, free range, happy animals with stress free lives always taste amazing too.
The backyard self sufficiency, happy animal, philosophy works for the farm too. If you place animal welfare first, lots of other things just fall into place. The effect of stress on farm animals should not be under estimated. Animals living in poor conditions get ill. If you treat your animals well, they stay well themselves. This is not incompatible with farm economics. Healthy animals cost less to look after.
Book your holiday now Return from Life in Limousin to Home
|
La Tuilerie had been neglected for a number of years due to the death of the old lady who owned the farm, resulting in a classic, complicated, french inheritance muddle.
Keeping animals in small numbers for your own consumption, is an incredibly satisfying thing to do.
You know what has happened to those animals throughout their lives. You are responsible for them, so you can make sure they have the right food, the right environment and happy lives.
