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Natural living:

We have always wanted to share our place of quietness in this protected area, with others that would benefit from it and would appreciate it.
We have made it to be as natural as possible, so it is free from a lot of what is taxing our ourselves and our bodies in modern life.

Wifi: For one, we removed the Wifi from the property; having found out that those things are not as harmless as they are made to appear; having lived myself [the regent writing here] in London for 10 years, I could not take the constant hammering of those microwave stations day and night.
Barry agreed, and, despite swearing at the cables getting in his feet, we now have wired Internet in our home, which is actually faster than the wireless which used to be there before! It was a struggle to get BT to turn off the Wifi router. They protested, saying it was harmless but also made us feel odd as if we were the only ones on the planet wanting cables back!!! Anyway, it is done now, and so much more peaceful, even if it is just psychological!!!
If you need internet access during your stay, you are welcome to bring your laptop and use our Cable which is in our lounge, as there is not one in the Dortry. We would only ask you not to fall sleep in our living room on top of your laptop at early morning hours, but appart from that... You are welcome! As the internet can be very important to some people who do not have a broad-band phone.

Mobile Phone signals: They can be very weak around the property, depending on which phone company you are with. Orange used to be non-existent till they merged with T-mobile, which now gives a good signal (which is a shame for the natural living but there is not much we can do about that, plus it is handy to have phone signal on holiday, you never know) O2's signals are ok but a bit meagre, though they are better if you walk up to the top of the hill. I do not know about the other phone companies. You will tell us maybe if you do use one!

Mercury light bulbs: Having read a lot about mercury vapours and heavy-metal toxicity, and having tried detoxidying myself from it for years (some sources find it to be linked with poor memory and Alzeimer's disease) Barry and I have agreed, despite our wish to save the planet, to remove all life-saving bulbs and fluorescent tubes from our property. Life-saving bulbs are made in poorer countries using mercury, (talk about their own pollution for saving the planet then spilling mercury in rivers to make so told "better bulbs") and those bulbs then (according to the research) irradiate mercury ions in the air when turned on. The theory is that they are not really clean for the natural living we were aiming for, and we went back to rading the local shops of all good old incandescent bulbs and normal spotlights!
We have now replaced most of our bulbs by L.E.D bulbs, which use very little power and are harmless, and that includes the kitchen lights, bathroom, lounge, and the upstairs wall-lights, as well as most table lamps. We couldn't find a halogen 100w replacement for the standing light, so we are keeping an eye out for them. Unfortunately, those bulbs don't give out as much light as incandescent, but hopefully they will improve with time!

Spring Water: The water supply to the cottage and our home comes from the mountains you can see if you stand on the doorstep of the Dortry. It is an extremely soft water (so less soap is needed for those who like saving soap). A year ago, we installed a thousand litre tank in between the 2 houses, and a pump: the pressure, which used to be gravity fed and extremely poor, is now very high and enjoyable. There is a filter on the pump to prevent any grit damaging the pump, but no more is taken out of it; and, having come myself from a place in France where we had our own spring, I can say this water is the most beautiful water I have ever tasted.
Though, the springwater supply to the cottage has had to have a UV filter put on in April 2012, as a health and safety council obligation to all holiday lettings using their own water supply. It is to cancel the activity of natural spring bacteria that are natural and normal to the waters. It is to prevent the case that one ill-making bacteria was among those harmless ones shown on the water analysis results.
It means that the water is irradiated by a UV bulb unit near the cottage. It explains why the cold water turns hot for a few seconds after running through the pipes, as being pre-heated by the unit.
If you have objections to this filter being used, the unit can be turned off. (just ask the plumber!)
There is an outside point for collecting water straight from the spring (unfiltered by the pre-filter and not stored in the plastic tank) by the side of our home. If you want to fill some bottles with this beautiful water, do feel free to use the outside tap. I take a jug from there every morning, as all those pre-filters and pump things somehow take out the joy of having natural, living water!

Artificial air fresheners: The Dortry is free from any artificial room freshener; all you can smell when you come in is the floor freshly mopped smelling of linseed oil, and some essential oils that are burned in a candle burner, which are lit before guests arrive; It is so agreable, a home where it smells welcoming and nice, but not overpowering. All the essential oils are from plants and are not artificial. Some of those essential oils live in the oak cabinet, and you are free to use them responsibly (they are very potent and can be dangerous if used abusively) for the oil burner.
I cannot understand why some people like to use room fresheners (don't they smell like toilets?!) and worse, why modern public toilets have timed sprays which regularly make the air unbreathable? All that to avoid having to pay cleaners to keep the toilets fresh and clean! Oh well, this is it for my rant on the toilets and air fresheners.

Washing powder and cleaning products: Those sentivive to washing powders will be (I hope) happy to know we only use Ecover for the laundry; like the bedding and towels. It gives it a very slight and delicate smell. No rubbing your face in the towel and smelling of industrial washing powder for the rest of the day. Or, unable to fall asleep at night for the over-powering smell of the sheet! (it has happened to me and I have to get up and sleep on the floor in my coat)
All the cleaning products used in the Dortry are also bio-degradable and ecological, and we supply for your use washing-up liquid (in an Ecover bottle but it actually is the Oxfam's Eco washing up liquid), multi-surface cleaner, scratch-thing cleaner, bathroom cleaning spray...

Microwave oven: There is still a microwave in the Dortry as we are still mainly renting it from the Hoeseason's agencies whose requirements are that we should have a microwave for those who cannot cook. We both would like to get the microwave out, (haven't you guessed if you have read all of the above!!) this tool of the Devil, as it is very possible to make a delicious meal with electric hobs and an oven. Ok, some would say a gas hob would be better for cooking, but this electrical hob heats up very quickly and is very good. To clean it, whilst it is still warm, spray some water and washing up liquid on it and wipe it with a sponge, or use the glass-scraper which is in the basket with the various kitchen utensils, to get rid of lumps of black pancake mix.
Do not put any other detergents on it, as it will damage the glass surface as it heats up next time; or, rince it well.

Sceptic tank: We have a sceptic tank at the back of our property that collects all the used waters from both houses.
Because of it, we do not use bleach or any harsh chemicals around our property that we would need to clean in the sink, as it would destroy the healthy enzymes that are present and which transform the used waters into clear water. This was one of the main reasons as to why we had to use ecological products around the house, and in our bathroom - as well as for health.

Also, due to its slow fall that you can see in the drawing, the drain has occasionally been known to block, like most drains do,throughout their life, when it suits us most. It is easily solved.
Remember Greece, for those of you that have been there? Well, if we may ask you so, please do not put huge amounts of kitchen towels or whole rolls of toilet paper that you have used to wipe the floor with, in the toilet. There is many other places to dispose of them away from drains.

Everything else for natural living - projects: We have used for the Dortry's interior paints with less chemicals and better quality, so not to affect those who have difficulties with standard branded paints. Fired Earth, Little Greene and Farrow and Ball were the paints used.

Bio-degradable plastic bags are used for the rubbish.

We are hoping to soon fund some solar panels in the field (not the one you have the view onto) for electricity, so we could be more independent and happy about using electricity and the 100 watt incandescent bulbs .
We are also hoping to, at some point, set up a tank for Grey Water, which would be used for bathroom water and the washing machine, but have not worked out how to feed it to the Dortry, it may well just be for our home.

There is a recycling facility for those of you who want to do it: in the wood-shed, there is a compost bucket that will welcome your vegetable and fruit scraps and teabags- though it is best to avoid any starch products or anything the rodens would make a feast of, like cooked vegetables and meats which attract them. To recycle those, we do have chickens, and if you do see them around, they will be delighted to help you! (though please do not give them burned food or anything too salty as it will harm them)
The geese will also be very happy to help recycle any apples or pears cores you have finished with. You will see them hanging around the Dortry and welcome you out in the mornings. They are harmless despite their sometimes intimidating singing! They are lovable, 'silly' birds and much cared for.

You may separate from your rubbish, tins and hard plastics (together), glass, and paper/cardboard, again, the log-shed. We will then collect them for the recycle point in Llandrindod.

Cigarette ends would be most happy to be disposed of in the bag hanging in the wood-shed, for they will not make the dustbin and kitchen smell for the next guests. We will also ask you not to smoke inside nor out of the windows as the smoke blows back in and settles in the curtains. The shed is a lovely place to smoke in for rainy days.

We do our best to save ourselves -sorry, save the planet- , and it is very rewarding in all. We enjoy doing it, but we will not pick on anyone who choses not to do it; it is a good thing to do but also a personal choice.
This may all sound a bit too precious or overdone, but it is how we like it and as long as it doesn't bother others and make us happy, why not do it, it is all in self-respect.