Traditional house inherited by family

The last lag of my bicycle ride brought me back to my native town Oroshaza.  The below picture is of a farm selling pumpkin seeds near Csongrad :)

Riding and re-exploring the countryside was just what I needed. It enabled me to reconnect with the land and its people. I focused on two counties: Somogy where I used to live for 8 years and the mostly unknown Zala. Both are in the South West, far from the capital. Cycled around the lake Balaton in the hot August, 35C in shade midday.  I tried to get a sense of places and to have an idea of property quality, quantity and value.  Prices are still going down, especially in less populated areas far from city or town.  Gipsy minorities living close in good numbers also mean lower prices.  There are quite a few abandoned traditional homes, damp with leaking roof or unrepairable already. My mother also inherited a share of a traditional house with a small garden and a bit of an agricultural land a few weeks ago. All heirs were interested in the land and far less in the house, some even gave up their share of it.  This house has been abandoned for 3 years and it is located only half a mile from my mother's.  All four remaining owners say it should be demolished.

I used to be involved in small scale building projects before working for a multinational company in Hungary than moving to the UK in 2006. I visited this house mid-week to realize how a skilled tradesman, using quite a lot of time, energy and money, could refurbish and save this house. The sell price will be the price of the land and I decided to go for it. Restoration and refurbishment - this might be my future path? Anything is possible. I intend to learn traditional building techniques, farrierry and traditional agriculture with its native species and find out how these can be combined with new cross bred species, welding, drainage fixing, etc. Sounds exciting, doesn't it?  It will take years to learn, I know...  I want to make a start now at least and expect that I will surely need to specialize on one or two areas.

The area of the garden and the house is 1000 m2.  Not big at all, rather small.  Repairing the roof and insulating the walls are the first two tasks.  I will hire an expert or buy a tool and do it myself. This house shall be my 'training ground' :)  I will need tools like this and proper insulation materials. I am hoping to do it alright so the house will stay in one piece :)  Whatever happens, it's the beginning of a lifelong learning!

Actually, the front does not look too bad.

I have not mentioned the Location Finders' 1 Sept meeting that will be followed by another meeting on 21 September.  Something great started on the first of September and we all felt it in the air, something that might even be the core of a potential new Hungarian ecovillage or sustainable community.  I am definitely going to contribute to it.

Interested in local products, I am planning to take part in a Local Product Festival in Mikohaza, North East of Hungary. I have been abstinent lately (for nearly two years with a few exceptions), however I will meet one of the best selections of Hungarian wines at this festival so it might prove to be difficult...  I will do my best and keep my milk bottle ready :)