This is something I'd fancy doing as an able bodied person: http://www.stratford-herald.com/69495-grants-will-open-great-outdoors.html

Absolutely.

There are skills there that we're rapidly losing.

I bet you'd like to go self sufficient and off-grid wouldn't you Lex?

Yes, it's something I've always fancied doing. I was given a backwoods survival course as a birthday present last year, and really enjoyed it!

Interesting!

I did an outward bound type course as a teen. It interested me in so many things I'd never encountered being a city kid.

I often read about people living off-grid, more to admire their inventiveness than anything else. I'd actually like to buy a narrowboat and go as a live-aboard, but the good lady is having none of it. Apparently, if I do it, I do it alone and that means without the dog!

What's more, I have an old school friend in the process of doing exactly this. - He doesn't have anyone else to worry about though, but will still need to work to afford it.