Woohoo! We're about to start work on our off-grid holiday home...

It's official, we have planning permission to convert our pretty but battle-scarred stone Linhay into a unique, cosy, off-grid bolthole. Using local builders, reclaimed slates and green oak timber from our own woodland trees we plan to create an open plan living area with sleeping platform above, rooflights so you can star-watch from your bed and a wood burning stove for warmth and character. There's certainly no shortage of firewood - Nick has filled the log shed with seasoned oak logs this year so our guests will be able to help themselves.

Our lovely architect friend, Tor, has designed a small larch clad shower room extension which will have a proper flushing loo as well as a good hot shower and a basin. I love the idea of waking up in the Linhay with the sun streaming down the water meadow and the sound of birdsong, being lulled by the burbling of the river, catching sight of a deer, sitting round the firepit watching the bats fly by yet still having the mod-cons for washing and of course cooking. With no wifi and no mains electricity it'll be the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of modern living, a chance to disconnect from the hurly burly and reconnect to the tranquil and peaceful.

Access to the Linhay will be on foot with wheelbarrows provided to transport beach gear, supplies etc to and fro. On arrival our guests will park up by the workshop and their luggage will be delivered to the Linhay by tractor or 4 x 4. It's only a 2 or 3 minute walk but enough to make you feel totally secluded and private. The ideal romantic hideaway or the perfect retreat for families and friends.

I'll keep you posted on our progress but for now we have had to commission a very comprehensive tree survey & protection plan to ensure that our ancient woodland is not harmed by the building works. This is really important to us as our enduring ethos is to keep our footprint as light as possible with minimum impact on the ecology of our beautiful woodland and meadows.