ddickinson: I like your risk taking attitude, that's how I would be. I don't think I would be well suited to an office job. I would think the first few years would be the hardest for you to save money for. Once you have a nice nest egg saves up things get easier and you can start to enjoy the money you earn. I bet you enjoy working the van with your partner. I know it's not for everyone, but working with family/partners can be wonderful.
The subsidies can often damage a farmer, at least the independent ones. Many of the EU regulations seem to punish independent farmers, favouring those owned by big corporations. I think even Irish farmers are starting to see the damage the whole subsidising can have on the farmers and the market. But I agree about fixing it rather than just starting again. But sadly I don't see it getting better anytime soon. Politics are just getting worse and the corruption doesn't seem to be going anywhere.
Honestly it's the best thing we've ever done. We love working together and working for ourselves. Yeah, there's still a lot of things to cover right now so it's hard to save. Plus we're naturally shit at saving which doesn't help XD
I don't really know the ins and outs, only that it used to be seen ad a good thing in Ireland. But I'm sure you will know much more being actually involved with it.
I agree about politics, I'd wash my hands of the whole thing if I didn't know that would just make it worse (in so much as I don't have even the slightest say in what happens if I don't vote at all)
Edit: Anyway, that's me out. Nice talking to you :)
Night All.