Winter cottage renovation REALITY | restoring our Irish farmhouse

[@offgridirishhomestead]

While you follow along on our tomfoolery, fabracobbling and bumblef***ery ...we need all the support we can get. Support us by subscribing, giving the video a thumbs-up 👍 and sending us a comment 🗨 on our videos. We have enabled the KZbin Super Thanks feature for you keen supporters to contribute within the KZbin platform. If you want to contribute gifts 🎁 or funds 💲 to assist our shenanigans feel free to use the links below: You can buy us a coffee ☕ or a cake 🎂 to help fuel this bumblef***ery 🐝 : ko-fi.com/cori_and_kayvan We also have a Patreon account for our closest fans to give us a regular lifeline: patreon.com/OGIrishHomestead If you want to treat us to something handy, a tool ⚒, some PPE 🥽 or a book 📖 to expand our minds 🧠 , you can gift 🎁 us something from our Amazon wishlist: www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/3URCYZDU0R8W4?ref_=wl_share Merch is being considered - however, we try not to be thoughtless consumers ourselves, so we want to be conscientious about anything we put out there, so watch this space!

[@neutonrenda2303]

Watching you guys trying to explain what you have been through in the caravan, yet laughing and joking about it at the same time is one of the reasons I love watching, you have a wonderful attitude and sense of humour, either that or you're emotional wrecks. 😂❤️

[@offgridirishhomestead]

Highs and lows, just like everyone

[@moiragoldsmith7052]

A rich Lichen growth is a sure sign of 'harmony' . That means ALL is in balance in that particular area. How beautiful is that! 🎉🎉🎉

[@offgridirishhomestead]

[@jenniferbaird9694]

You can do it guys!!! You're young and strong and a spirit of adventure is what makes life so magical. You'll look back on this winter with laughter and pride. This is my first winter in rural Ireland too - in my tiny old stone cottage. The sudden change in temperature and snow caught me unprepared also + a couple of power cuts with storm Bert. A good lesson for me to have plenty of dry logs in and ready for the fire and candles, matches, torch to hand. But still......very exciting! In the middle of it all I had to go up the mountain to my very simple spring water catchment as it had got blocked up by sediment. A month ago it was a frog😳😄❤💥

[@offgridirishhomestead]

Your adventure sounds just as challenging and exciting as our own. You seem to be in top spirits - thanks for following along

[@yvonneryan3920]

You guys are amazing!!!! Kudos to you both & your beautiful daughter… as you say ‘just one winter’ this time next year you will be nestled down in front of a blazing wood burner & under floor heating.. with all the comforts of a rock solid home.. hopefully the weather will turn milder real soon. Keep up the great work you are an inspiration ❤

[@blessedbeyondmeasure-sisdeb]

hopefully their remodel will be done by then, most of the ones I watch are taking like 2 years!

[@liamgreenwood]

Complaining about the weather is, of course, the British national pastime! Very much enjoying the infrastructure work starting. Keep your toes warm!

[@offgridirishhomestead]

Indeed, if its not the weather, its the queue at the post office! :D

[@ClaireWhelan-s8l]

Jeez yer great..ye really are. It's gonna be tough through winter but the end result as in a cosy gorgeous Irish cottage will be worth all the hardships. Love yer good humour and enthusiasm that will get ye through.

[@aedwards4428]

Just imagine this time next year you can look back and laugh at what you've endured, keep smiling,your doing fab 😊

[@offgridirishhomestead]

Makes us appreciate the luxuries more.

[@aedwards4428]

Hope your safe,thinking of you all in this awful storm x

[@IanCox-zw7cq]

What about thinking out of the box Use a shoot to slide the stones down too the wire cages (like a cement mixer has) All the best.

[@Redtop1965]

Was thinking the same or just using large sheets of board to slide down. Could even use a cheap children's slide.

[@louiserowley-spendlove2462]

@@Redtop1965two of them one for the rubble one for the nice stone.

[@offgridirishhomestead]

Nice idea!

[@Kate-v9d]

@IanCox-zw7cq Ian, that is exactly what I was about to say also, thank you, I think it's a great idea, cheers Ian, love from Ireland xx

[@yvonneroche3897]

I think the two of you are Marvelous. How could you possibly plan for such extreme weather conditions. We often joke that you can have 4 seasons in one day in Ireland. Keep the Faith, it will be so worth it , and you will have your Beautiful Home.

[@blessedbeyondmeasure-sisdeb]

I didn’t know Ireland gets that cold and snow!

[@Dreyno]

@@blessedbeyondmeasure-sisdebIn 2010 the temperatures dropped to -12°c during the day and as low as -18°c at night for a month. It’s rare to get that low but below freezing temperatures happen every winter and most winters will have at least a few days of snow. The problem is you can’t predict when. In 2010 I was driving to work and it was -15°c. The exact same day the next year it was +15°c. A 30° difference.

[@offgridirishhomestead]

Thank you, we appreciate you.

[@adrianbirkett594]

Hi, you need to get a Christmas tree any size, light it up to cheer you up!.you can't even take a break for a couple of weeks with the animals there, it's going to be a test for sure, remember..spring will come soon. You guys are fantastic, what great memories you are making. Take care of yourselves. Adrian.

[@offgridirishhomestead]

Hi Adrian, our digger man suggested exactly the same thing! Thanks for following along, we appreciate you

[@bernadettehanzlicek9436]

Maybe hire a funnel that builders use for sliding building material from a height to move the rocks to the cage area. We love watching your updates from Australia

[@offgridirishhomestead]

Nice idea! Thanks for following along

[@stacietessman3318]

Just for your information In traditional medicine, borage is used as a sedative and a diuretic, and as a treatment for seizures and kidney disease. The leaves are often used as dried herbs or tea. Today, fresh borage is eaten and used as a garnish or in drinks. The seeds are also pressed to make borage seed oil, which is used as a supplement.

[@waynecooper7968]

Wonderful video. Amazing how the weather changed. You make my Sunday evenings such a pleasure. Just wish they were longer videos.

[@offgridirishhomestead]

Lovely sentiment, thank you. We appreciate you.

[@joannaschmidt1925]

I look forward to your updates every week. I love how you both keep your senses of humor through all the unexpected challenges. Can't wait to see what you have to share next week!

[@offgridirishhomestead]

We appreciate you

[@amandaoconnor2854]

Hope you had a wonderful birthday Corie! Our Canadian daughter was an au pair in Dublin to the a wonderful family with three great little girls. While she was there Dublin had what we call a 'blizzard' (although it wasn't) with school being canceled for days and the shops being emptied of bread. We had great fun sharing vicariously with her family's tales of living on cheese toasties while all the neighbours shared and caught up communally.

[@offgridirishhomestead]

Lovely scene you paint - thank you!

[@susanstabio5773]

I hope you are still making content when you are old, sitting in front of the fire knitting and smoking a pipe, ruminating over the immense job you took on and how happy you are that it turned out so incredibly well!

[@ronking9683]

Borage makes A Good Plant Food .Fill A Container With The Borage And Top Up The Container With Water And Leave For A Few Weeks. Just Water Your Crops With It And Put The Solid waste On The compost Heap Site The container Near Your Crops To Save On The Walking !

[@randallcaldwell4611]

My wife and I live in Petitcodiac, New Brunswick, Canada. We are also in the depths of winter. We will be experiencing another Atlantic Canada winter for the next 5 months. I do respect the difficulties you are going through and am amazed over the progress you have made and the HARD work you you have done. The progress you have made and the beautiful cottage you are bringing back to being a home, are beyond words. We have subscribed to your channel from the beginning of this project and look forward to seeing all your videos. The outside construction business pretty much shuts down in December in our area because we usually receive between 3-4 meters of snow over our winter season. We wish you so many prayers that you don’t receive a typical Canadian winter and can continue on with the building of your home. Cheers from your neighbours across the pond in Atlantic Canada!🇨🇦❤️🙏

[@offgridirishhomestead]

New Brunswick - woot! You really have the real winters, our weather is nothing close to what you guys have to deal with. Thanks for following along

[@johnshaw4140]

Maybe get an awning for the caravan , they're universal fit ( for each length of caravan ) and it will give you a dry place to change out of wet dirty clothes before going into the caravan

[@ede-jomadden8182]

wind

[@Dreyno]

@@ede-jomadden8182Yes. I worked in a campsite on the Irish coast years ago and I’ve seen awnings being shredded by the wind and it wasn’t even considered a proper storm.

[@geoffknight7322]

How about making a timber canopy and deck with room for boots and stuff so you get out of the dirty gear before coming into the van, 3-4 sheets of OSB would do it, and it’s only for one winter of course 😊

[@Dreyno]

@@geoffknight7322 A garden shed with a doorway cut in the other end.

[@geoffknight7322]

@ I don’t think it would be tall enough unless it was lifted off the ground, good idea though.

[@abbielynnjuett4031]

Symbiosis in the REAL!!! A beautiful and amazing gift. Lichen💚💚💚

[@offgridirishhomestead]

[@susanwayman3725]

Well done...it'll all be worth it in the end.😊

[@offgridirishhomestead]

[@johnbuffini9593]

Living in Southern California with the A/C blasting in November is normal, but when I go home to visit my parents in Dublin the cold that emanates from ones bones is other worldly! Cant wait for your to enjoy your underfloor heating!

[@offgridirishhomestead]

Woot SoCal

[@annecanty1227]

The lichen on the trees is a sign of pure air.You are both great and you will have more and more successes.Best wishes.

[@offgridirishhomestead]

[@dggivens8433]

I AM SO GLAD I LIVE IN THE SOUTH....I LOVE LOVE LOVE YOU GUYS!!!

[@offgridirishhomestead]

[@SonyaPierson]

Belated Happy Birthday to Cori!! :)😁🥳

[@offgridirishhomestead]

[@michelle3830]

Thanks!

[@offgridirishhomestead]

We appreciate you!

[@neutonrenda2303]

Watching till the very last second is often the best moments ever, thank you for making me smile.😂

[@offgridirishhomestead]

We appreciate you.

[@OtterwoodCottage]

Sending warm and cosy thoughts your way - hope the winter doesn’t get too harsh. Exciting progress on the ground works 🥰

[@offgridirishhomestead]

Fingers crossed! And thank you!

[@Monebriak]

For really cold nights, get yourselves some warm sleeping bags, three cotts and a safe space heater. Close off your future bedroom, heat it and get toasty. Better than freezing your arses off. 🥶

[@ilonakatalindako-tolman5545]

Always wonderful watching your ideas.you are both doing so well and always looking very happy and enjoying all your area🥰💝💯🤗💫👍🎄

[@offgridirishhomestead]

Thank you

[@joantabb3062]

I love your attitude. I'd be in tears. ❤❤

[@offgridirishhomestead]

[@catherine3058]

Just one winter - love it!! ❤ 🇨🇦 keep the faith you guys are doing great!!

[@offgridirishhomestead]

[@dianavanhouten6071]

Happy birthday Cory! Or Corie.. i hope this will be the last snow you have seen this winter. But anyway you 2 are strong, you’ll manage!

[@offgridirishhomestead]

TY!

[@jeanchance9334]

Love you guys attitude!! Hang in there!

[@offgridirishhomestead]

TY!

[@claireskinner9077]

Happy birthday Cori! You’ve much braver than me - being Australian we don’t have to contend with snow in most of the country, let alone homestead in it in a caravan! I agree with the advantages of thick stone walls in a storm - I live in an old cottage currently and it’s very true! Maybe a side quest to make a semi permanent ‘boot room’ for the winter would be a good idea. You could use 4 IBC totes joined together - tops cut off all 4 with 2 flipped on top of the others to make a room, and then an access door cut in the two walls closest to the caravan entry so you can walk in, take off the boots and jackets and then nip into the caravan. You could secured them with stakes in the ground to stop it blowing away, although you may want to raise it to caravan door height to make access easier. Hope that makes sense! Google IBC tote shower if you don’t understand what I’m describing. In the meantime hand and foot warmers will be your best friends! Stay warm and dry!!

[@offgridirishhomestead]

Interesting use of the IBCs - nice idea! Thanks for following along

[@saskiab.-m.2211]

Happy belated birthday Cory! Hope you guy´s had a lovely evening with your friends. Also the ´pipe scene´cracked me up, Cory you always put something in the vid..like the freezer hug. All the best and keep up the good spirit. Until next time. S.

[@offgridirishhomestead]

Thank you

[@Kate-v9d]

It will prob. snow again in March, this would be normal, but not a lot of snow though. Also, when we move from extremes, warm weather to cold , expect a storm. Can't wait to see the inside being started. Thank you both, love from the west of Ireland xx

[@offgridirishhomestead]

[@dionwagner6864]

Love your Honesty your content keeping it real Thank you God Bless you and your family ABUNTLY your laughter is infectious 😅😅😅😅😅😅😂😂😂😂

[@offgridirishhomestead]

[@cathyclark9653]

Hope those ponies have some shelter.

[@kathycolunga75]

I had to turn up my heat! Just watching you in that snowy weather made me cold. Stay safe!

[@offgridirishhomestead]

[@mariannesharp9904]

Love you guys, you just bring a smile to my face! Keep on keeping on xxxx

[@offgridirishhomestead]

We appreciate you

[@Ann-h9p]

My favorite line “Oh, so much heat!” 😂. You’ll probably tell these stories for the rest of your lives.

[@offgridirishhomestead]

[@annjarvis9300]

Awwww what a storm you had hope now dried out a bit well done better next year 👍🎂Happy BIRTHDAY NAN CONGRATULATION BLESSINGS TO ALL the oldies 🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗

[@offgridirishhomestead]

Thank you!

[@sharonheron7559]

Lichen was indeed stunning!❤

[@offgridirishhomestead]

[@csharpe5787]

Look the the Irish honest. They have some good ideas about land management and prep.🙂

[@DRthistle]

This is why so many get frustrated with your picking plants and berries instead of getting more progress on proper place to live! Haha.. just kidding. Love it all!

[@offgridirishhomestead]

All in good time! :)

[@DRthistle]

@@offgridirishhomestead 😘

[@dane5896]

My Mother was born and raised in Co. Cork. She said at times, they would have all four seasons, in the same day. 🌞🌦🌧🌨🌩🌬🌀☔❄

[@offgridirishhomestead]

100% we have our own style of weather extremes here

[@Richard.blackburn]

Just one winter until you are in your super cosy bougie wougie cottage! 🍀🍀🍀

[@offgridirishhomestead]

Woot

[@WestCorkWander]

Gosh you brought back some memories with this video 🙈 oh the mess in the caravan of four pairs of muddy boots! But look you guys will be fine, its only one winter and we survived. One absolutely must which got me through was the humble hot water bottle every night. Menories of religiously filled four bottles every evening, and then there was drama one night as clearly i didnt put the lid on properly and Ciaras had a wet bed. Running around in the dark to find sheets and towels oh the joys🤣 Ground works look great and to have your geothermal in will be a massive milestone.

[@offgridirishhomestead]

Yeah the struggles are quite tangible and in your face daily, nay hourly in the 'van. Water bottles are definitely part of the evening ritual in this caravan-hold. Looking forward to seeing the back of the ground works for sure.

[@SueWhitney-y4w]

I use Borage as a medicinal tea. Leaves and flowers can be used. I let them dry first for storage and then add some to hot water and honey. It is an easy plant to grow and multiples like crazy. You can relocate them and they will survive well.

[@annsmith-rudnick-ss9gh]

It’s so cool that you don’t even hear the wind inside the cottage great dreaming for next year

[@offgridirishhomestead]

[@YevhenNosulko]

just watching this video while Storm Darragh is in full swing here, hope no carnage on your homestead and you guys are all safe and sound!

[@offgridirishhomestead]

We survived with no damage - we appreciate your thoughts

[@falusitablet8747]

You're doing great.. Happy birthday! 🇨🇦🇬🇧

[@offgridirishhomestead]

Woot - thanks

[@jimsimons2309]

Hi guys, been following you for a while. I think your in South West Cork / Kerry, we moved from UK in 2021 to south west Kerry & although not creating a homestead we are trying to be fairly off grid. We have found the weather a challenge as it changes from hour to hour. We also have horses & they only tend to escape when they are hungry. Having said all that our move to Ireland has been the best thing we have done, only wish we had done it sooner, Jim

[@offgridirishhomestead]

Hi Jim, our move so far has been filled with lots of admin, trials and tribulation distracting us from the beauty and privilege we are surrounded by. Hoping to be in a more comfortable position to reflect and appreciate it more by this time next year. Thank you for following along and commenting.

[@edcleasby1120]

I enjoy ...just found the channel, the thing that is me is l game idea where you are or the approx cost of 6 acres. So l can't get any context

[@Sandyb2503]

Love following your journey,and so impressed with your courage. Stick with it. Stay warm as the damp weather can get into your bones! Moved to Ireland 20y ago; pros far outweigh cons. Enjoy the adventure- have fun!

[@offgridirishhomestead]

[@paulrogers3385]

I'd consider camping out in the cottage with a fire on stormy nights

[@offgridirishhomestead]

Looking forward to being able to!

[@TeriDuncan8049]

Love spending time with you! Keep warm!!

[@offgridirishhomestead]

[@veronica1952]

Glad to hear that you will have a break over Christmas 🎄 Delighted that you have made friends locally. That's what life's about we work to live not live to work in Ireland 🤗💚 Don't forget to watch the Toy Show on the late late show on Friday night one of our Christmas favourites. Looking forward to seeing your progress in the coming weeks.👍👍💚

[@kategreen-adarkcarnival6747]

Bless guys you'll be fine! Anyway, I laughed out loud with you so that's cool. All looking good even if you are rolling around in mud! Kxx

[@offgridirishhomestead]

[@susanlecuirot1573]

I’m watching this in bed , glass of vino and my electric blanket, sorry about that 🥰😂

[@offgridirishhomestead]

Room for 3 more!? 😂 We are blessed you chose us as entertainment

[@jinns9503]

Have you considered putting a portable/temporary carport over the caravan to 1. help with the weather barrier/heat retention and 2. create a sort of "wet room" space to take off wet gear before getting into the camper? I have seen other van-lifers who were building their first home do something like that, and it worked a treat. They also had heat wraps on their water pipes to prevent freezing. Don't know if that's an issue there. Excellent work you two. Love getting to watch your adventure.

[@1940sDream]

We don't get snow in Nov but it was freezing last 2 days & as we left to go to 20th anniv reunion concert, it was snowing hard. But our home has heat & we can go to basement if scary wind! You are brave, but it still looks beautiful at your land! Background shots of you talking were stunning. Hope you have lots of tea or show us if you make your own please. The first 2 min had perfect music. Take care, thanks! (From Upper South USA). 😁

[@bevkirk1475]

Great video. I'd feel happier if your horses had a shelter. Please 🙏 x Ps I live in Leeds and when my son was born in November 1986 it was thick of snow lol x

[@offgridirishhomestead]

Hello and thanks for following along! Fear not, the Cobh ponies are resilient to these conditions. They will be getting a purpose built shelter at some point, hopefully before next winter. In the mean time there are plenty of nooks and crannies in the fields they can find shelter from the worst of it.

[@jonathandavidpope7812]

It used to snow in November in UK when I was a lad in the 60s and 70s.

[@offgridirishhomestead]

☃️

[@gregford5991]

Enjoying watching your journey, guys. Great family. I'm watching from Australia. Interesting how you use cages to hold the rocks in place for retaining wall. Here in Australia we use very large boulders locked in angling back for strength. Another note, I see you are doing a land trench around your house to remove water, I take it you are going back fill pipes with dirt over the top. Me personally, like to just have the land batted back (land on an angle) for natural water flow across the land, so no blocked drains to worry about. But love your work guys, extreme conditions in Ireland to work with, we have it easy here 😂🤣😅

[@offgridirishhomestead]

Australia woot! Thanks for following along.

[@Anthony-oq9qc]

Welcome to ireland weather so lovely 😍

[@offgridirishhomestead]

Hahha so true!

[@ChristineKelly1000]

I think you are great to stay so positive and find humour in the situation. Keep on with the good work.😊😊😊

[@offgridirishhomestead]

[@patriciapadgett4696]

Hola. Another great video, makes our Sunday. I can assure you that no matter what the struggles are its worth it. Living for 6 years totally off grid in the mountains of Spain we have been snowed in for days, jo way in or out. When we finally started to build we were lucky the weather never affected us, except it could get too hot. So i don't think you can ever be prepared. Just go with the flow, you'll get there. Keep smiling, and keeping us entertained. Hugs ❤️

[@offgridirishhomestead]

Mountains of Northern Spain - dreamy! Thanks for following along

[@jmfs8738]

Happy Birthday!🎉🍻🥂 May your cake be tasty and your ice cream, a delight - next July! Stay warm and toasty and healthy!

[@offgridirishhomestead]

Woot!

[@Melissa02891]

We're on the coast of Rhode Island and experience noreasters storms much like you just had except we're in a big house (6 of us) and we all get a bit cranky and stir crazy after listening to the wind and precipitation hitting and rattling our 30 windows long before the storm is over. I can't imagine how difficult it would be in a caravan! I'm so happy to see you're both still smiling and giggling in spite of it all. I hope the weather cooperates and you're back to work on the drainage and piping. Mother Nature has a weird sense of humor sometimes and throws you a curveball when you least expect it. Sending Happy Birthday wishes to you Corrie 🥳 you're such a lovely lady.

[@offgridirishhomestead]

30 windows! I'd be cranky and nervous with that lot too. Thank you for following along.

[@user-nt8ck4zg4z]

Happy Birthday Corrie hope you had a nice time celebrating. That weather was really weird. It even snowed in Bournemouth 🤣started with rain and then it snowed 😮 it hung around for two days. Take care and stay warm.

[@offgridirishhomestead]

[@neutonrenda2303]

Happy birthday!🎉 I hope you had a wonderful time with your neighbours. What a turbulent week for you guys being in the caravan. Stay warm and hopefully you'll be having better weather this week.❤

[@offgridirishhomestead]

Thank you

[@user-nt8ck4zg4z]

Hope you are all ok and are surviving this latest storm. Been thinking of you. There was even a childs trampoline on top of someone house chimney our local facebook 😮

[@offgridirishhomestead]

We survived with no damage - thanks for the sentiment.

[@suewestby824]

Such energy! I truly wish I was much younger and still be capable of having such a wonderful life adventure. 😊

[@offgridirishhomestead]

Follow your dreams!

[@jimcrowley123]

Kayvan why don't you strap together 4 or 5 drainage pipes and slide the rocks down like a shute

[@offgridirishhomestead]

Nice idea - noted.

[@Hillarybray]

Here in southwest BC/metro Vancouver/Vancouver island winter is called, The Annual Summer Tire Meet-up Club! Despite being connected to the rest of Canada, we are collectively unprepared for winter! (Our snowies ARE on)

[@offgridirishhomestead]

Snowies make sense when it lasts more than the 6 hours it did here :D

[@johnlydon533]

Great video guys. Rough weather Enjoyed watching. 👍🏼👍🏼

[@offgridirishhomestead]

Thank you!

[@seantwalsh8630]

Being a transplanted Canadian living in Ireland in the countryside - the storm and winter weather was nothing compared to autumn and winter storms in Canada.

[@dway5340]

you two have the most beautiful relationship.😊

[@offgridirishhomestead]

[@alidabotes6264]

It just seems that weather all over our earth are changing. It could also be that social media makes us aware of the catastrophes & changes that we didn't really know about in the past.

[@offgridirishhomestead]

Very true!

[@michelleleigh007]

Oh my 😮 one heck of a snow storm, Right there! Boooo to that weather 😬 and that wind, thats just nasty! Almost scary guys. Pleased you've all got one another ❤❤❤

[@offgridirishhomestead]

All is well here

[@monicasiuksteris]

Just think this time next year you well be nice and comfortable. You will get through this.

[@offgridirishhomestead]

[@irishdancer2753]

Happy Birthday! I am really enjoying your videos! Thank you for sharing …

[@offgridirishhomestead]

[@liamseamushannon8923]

Fair play it's a great project keep going love your attitude write a book are the ponies rugged up keep calm and carry on ❤

[@offgridirishhomestead]

Thanks a mil! The ponies are Cobh breed and are not to be covered with a rug as they grow their own winter coat.

[@MsAgatha1Eta]

Yea! I'm first! Experiencing very cold weather here in WV 🇺🇸 also. ❤️ 😊

[@Lonesomelane-58]

It's cold in Northern Florida too. 28 degrees last night. So much for the sunshine ☀ state. Lol. I live inland and that wind will cut right through you. Come on Spring. I am not a winter fan.

[@offgridirishhomestead]

[@shelleybergen1232]

Happy belated birthday Nan!!! Love from Canada!

[@offgridirishhomestead]

[@angelrose7906]

I would add a tarpaulin or some other type of cover over the caravan to help with the wind, could help with the heating? You need a sliding board for the stone :)

[@Dreyno]

Tarps get shredded in the wind this time of year. It gets moved slightly continually and then tears where the friction has worn at it. Plus, it’s almost impossible to tighten them enough without tearing them and they make a lot of noise in the wind.

[@angelrose7906]

@@Dreyno What about putting some bails of straw around the caravan? Or build a carport around it :)

[@kelleyroo2]

The first year any where getting use to the weather is tough enough, but an added unexpected storm and unusual weather can be challenging. We had the same "Indian Summer" like you and then in the last week our temps have dropped below the normal here. No snow but that is the gift of living in North GA in November. Love keeping up with what your family is up to. Love the Attitude you both keep. Keep it up! What part of Ireland?

[@offgridirishhomestead]

North GA woot! We are down in the SW. Thanks for following along.

[@judithmoyle9101]

Such an episode of variety! 😀😯🫣😩🤣! Maybe if another storm threatens, maybe get a really versatile small tent to erect inside the cottage to sleep in- likely warmer than in the van🤔🤣

[@judytsiang6274]

Thank you for sharing your lives with us. I've enjoyed the journey very much. I think I've asked this before, but why don't you have a dog? It seems like a natural fit. And what about a donkey for hauling stuff around? They are amazing animals. I worry about your backs! Your on-camera attitudes when facing obstacles are inspiring. --from Montana

[@tomwinch9107]

I remember staying in a caravan in the garden of the house my parents were renovating - the 80/81 winter in Norfolk was pretty cold - it got down to -4 (Celsius) inside when we woke one morning Still, a sudden change in temperature is far worse than when it slowly gets below freezing I hope you feel encouraged by the community willing you on ... that us being with you in spirit helps lift yours As you say, it's only one winter ... you're probably more positive than I, but I'll try to offer support from the sidelines to help keep you positive

[@offgridirishhomestead]

-4 inside!! Woah, that's intense!

[@tracybarnes6608]

Good luck guys,stay safe xxx

[@offgridirishhomestead]

[@Tomm9y]

I think you got off lightly with the wind! After all the highest wind speed ever recorded in Ireland was 103 kn (191 km/h; 119 mph) at the Fastnet Lighthouse, County Cork on 16 October 2017. At least the cottage is well tucked away under in the lee of the hill, so you are protected from prevailing winds. When the storm reached the UK it was very gusty too. Hopefully the lane behind the house drains to the end, above the rapids and not down the bank or your driveway. Not only is snow in November unheard of there, it has rarely settled at any time in the year. I hope that's the last of it you see this winter and for a decade or few. Many years it doesn't even reach freezing point, hence the subtropical plants and gardens around the coast, particularly Bantry Bay and the Kenmare River. I hope your plants survived the weather. Would you consider including a rainwater harvesting diversion to a tank? Athough the Goldman Sachs inspired post crash metered water charges have stopped, I can see they may be resurrected in the future, and despite the reputation for rainfall in Ireland, there can be spells of little or non rain, such as this summer/autumn.

[@rtyria]

I was one of those folks wondering what the fuss was about, but then I live in Michigan. We've had a late start to our snow season with just ten inches so far (4+ more expected tomorrow). North of me they've already exceeded 2 feet of snow. The temperature won't go above freezing for any considerable duration for at least 5 months - unless God smiles on us and gives us a break. I'm not expecting it. In another two months or so I'll be so used to the cold that any day the temps get above -7℃ it'll feel positively tropical.

[@Carmencuriel74]

I feel for you all! I live in southern California USA I don't know real winters. Hang in there it'll be worth all the hard work❤

[@offgridirishhomestead]

Woot - SoCal

[@Susan.I]

I hope you all stay warm by layering clothes and blankets!!

[@offgridirishhomestead]

Thank you! We're trying!

[@soniaharvey2155]

I’ve seen porches built over caravan doors and of course there’s always a porch awning. At least you would have somewhere to put your dripping wet clothes and muddy boots , which would be a lot less depressing ❤

[@irenemarlow9144]

Good progress! 🙂

[@offgridirishhomestead]

Thanks!

[@Wolfaaaaa]

Do the horses have shelter?

[@vickymassey1479]

They don't really need anything. If you see a horse outside with a thick blanket of snow, they are fine, it means no heat is escaping their body.

[@brendabrinkmanpasichnyk3500]

@@vickymassey1479 Have a heart😢☹

[@marywalker2896]

A lot of humans don’t have shelter..pray for them and any animal without in these frigid tempers..

[@annmiddleton4802]

Have I had a dream , I thought the salmon coloured paint was gone ? I always look forward to your videos. I'm ful of admiration for you both x

[@Wolfaaaaa]

@@vickymassey1479 I’ve been around horses before, I used to take riding lessons and would stay with them after the sessions to take care of them. I know horses can stay outside in cold temperatures etc, but there is a reason why most horses do have stables or a barn/roof to rest under. I’m sure it’s more comfortable than being in the cold and getting wet.. thanks though!