Where Do you Find out how to Build?
It's no secret that Dave and I were, and still are, very much novices and inexperienced when it comes to any type of construction, machinery and fixing things. As we attempted and succeeded in building the outhouse, pumphouse, workshop and started the cabin, we've gained in experience, confidence and skills.
It the beginning we thought we would be able to just pick up the phone and call a contractor, or a plumber or an electrician, but that's not an option when far from the nearest city. It's either too expensive for them to travel or they are too busy. So we have learnt by experience in most cases there is no option but to just jump in and get on with it.
There was one unexpected benefit that we were lucky enough to have available on our property. The internet. Just a few kilometers down the road in either direction there is none, but cell and internet service shines down on us at Fernhaven. Which is so lucky! This has given us access to all the help we could ever need. You Tube. Thank the internet that there are so many film makers out there willing to share their knowledge of how to do pretty much anything we have needed to know.
It not a simple thing to make good quality YouTube videos. It takes planning, repeating tasks, editing skills and a lot more. I did consider making YouTube videos of our adventure but I just couldn't contemplate the patience required to set up cameras every time we were going to start work. So a huge thankyou goes out to all those Youtubers who have helped us.
We have watch many hours of videos on YouTube from excavation, to steel building construction, well pump operation, cabin building, excavator operating and everything we've ever needed to do. I don't have a full list of every YouTube video we've benefited from, but here are a few of my go to channels that a watch regularly. Hope you enjoy and encourage you to subscribe to support their work.
Girl in the Woods - brooke whipple
This is "Girl in the Woods" Brooke Whipple's channel showing what her subscribers have been inspired to create. Watch and be inspired too, see if you can recognize anyone at around the half way point!
The Vanwives aka Crystal and Jas "The Pack" and their two dogs, release videos every Sunday, showing the transformation of their remtoe off grid cabin in Nova Scotia. I just love watching their progress, for inspiration and reassurance that we are on the right track and not alone in our struggles.
Bushradical - Dave Whipple
This is Bushradical Dave Whipple's channel who provided the outhouse video that helped us build our own outhouse. He has videos on well pumps, solar power, cabin building and everything in between.