A journey to Rediscover Life
I grew up comfortably in West London during the 1980s, the youngest of three children with two older sisters. My Dad was the live-to-work type, tirelessly focused on earning money. My Mother, however, was the heart of our home, even as she battled Lymphoma that began when I was just two years old. Despite enduring a decade of gruelling chemotherapy, her health eventually declined, and she was moved to a hospice when I was 12.
My Dad decided we needed a fresh start, so we left behind the familiarity of London and moved to the Isle of Wight. For three months, we lived in a hotel, an unusual but transformative time for me. Despite the circumstances, I fell in love with the Island, sea, beaches, and the raw natural beauty. It felt as though my life truly began there. Eventually, we settled into a house in the quiet village of Niton, and, to our joy, my mother joined us later as her condition temporarily improved.
For several years life was idyllic, but by the time I turned seventeen everything unravelled. My family’s business ventures failed, and we lost our home. Eviction forced us into temporary accommodation, and the bonds that held us together began to fray. My Dad eventually returned to London, leaving us to navigate the wreckage of our once-stable lives.
The Road Beckons
By then, I had already been expelled from several schools, conventional paths didn’t suit me, so I embraced an independent, nomadic lifestyle. For the next ten years, I lived on the road a challenging existence that reshaped how I viewed the world and my place within it.
The comfort and convenience of my childhood were replaced by hardship and uncertainty. Living out of vans, I faced antisocial encounters, poverty and an unending cycle of breakdowns of both vehicles and spirit. Yet this life also offered profound lessons. It stripped away the superfluous, leaving me to discover the essential.
In nature, I found solace. The wild places I inhabited became my refuge, teaching me to forage, practice bush craft, and live with minimal means. This deepening relationship with the natural world was transformative. As my connection with nature grew, my belief in modern society eroded. I resented any pressure to conform, choosing instead a life of freedom and authenticity.
But freedom came at a cost. The more I embraced this unconventional lifestyle, the more I drifted away from family and friends. Excessive consumption of alcohol was also destroying my soul. Loneliness became a constant companion. For all the relief I found in solitude, I yearned for connection and collaboration a longing that mirrored the harmony I admired in nature.
Finding My Place
By the time I turned twenty-seven, the road began to feel less like liberation and more like a limbo. I wanted roots, a sense of purpose. My search led me back to the Isle of Wight, where I secured a plot of land for £6,500. It was cheap, abandoned due to a landslip in the 1990s, but it offered something priceless: the chance to build a life aligned with my values.
That first night on the land, I slept peacefully for the first time in a decade. My days of being moved on by police or harassed for parking my van in the wrong place were over, or so I thought. The plot wasn’t perfect, but it was mine.
I started with a second-hand caravan, a modest £300 purchase that transformed my living standards. Within a week, I added a compost toilet, and a wood burning stove. With minimal modern conveniences, my lifestyle remained simple, but the caravan felt like a palace a haven of stability and freedom.
Living this way reinforced my belief that values are shaped by relationships, not possessions. The modern world, with its relentless pursuit of comfort and convenience, seemed to rob people of deeper connections to nature, and to themselves. I vowed to protect the simple values I had cultivated, grounding my life in self-reliance and sustainability.
A New Chapter with Lucy
One ordinary night in the pub with friends, I met Lucy, a smart and confident woman. At first, we seemed an unlikely match, but a bond grew quickly. Lucy brought warmth to my life and made the caravan into a home. Her unwavering belief in me provided the strength to see my worth and the confidence to give up drinking.
Life without alcohol revealed a different experience. When the council sent us an eviction notice, Lucy was understandably anxious, but to me, it felt like a challenge to overcome. The pioneer spirit I’d thought long buried came alive, and suddenly, even hardship felt like an opportunity. Together, we built something new a partnership grounded in resilience, humour, and shared dreams. Lucy didn’t just join my world; she helped me see its potential, and for the first time in a long time, I felt like I was living.
Reflections on Freedom and Purpose
As we continue to develop the land, I remain mindful of the lessons learned on the road. Freedom isn’t found in rejecting responsibility but in claiming it embracing the essentials like food, water, and energy has been the most liberating experience. My journey has taught me that a challenging life is worthwhile, and that true wealth lies in simplicity and connection.
Lucy and I were building a life together, rooted in these principles. While the world around us raced toward excess, we had chosen a different path one that honoured nature, community, and the joy of living with intention.
In many ways, my story is one of returning. Returning to the Isle of Wight. Returning to the values that truly matter. Most importantly, returning to myself.
Rewilding the Future: A Journey Toward Regenerative Abundance.
They say opposites attract, and in our case, it’s undeniably true. Lucy isn’t just different because she’s female her entire way of seeing the world is remarkably distinct from mine. Where I lean toward self-reliance, systems, and function, she thrives on connection, community, and social rhythms. Our smallholding, is built with mostly my hands but shaped by both our spirits, and is a testament to this balance. It’s not just a piece of land, It’s a living reflection of our shared path.
If left to my own devices, I might have built a life entirely based on function. Lucy brought something essential that I wouldn’t have prioritised: human connection.
While I focused on the land, she focused on the people. While I found deep contentment in solitude, she thrived in community. Our relationship and by extension, our smallholding, became a blend of these two forces. She reminded me that a home isn’t just a system; it’s a place of belonging. It was through her that I came to see another form of abundance, not just in the soil, but in the relationships we cultivate.
At first, I resisted. Not actively, but instinctively. The idea of hosting, of opening our space to others, felt like an intrusion on the quiet efficiency we had built. But Lucy had a way of weaving people into the fabric of our lives without disrupting its rhythm. She revealed its value in ways I couldn’t ignore.
I saw it in the way she connected with locals, offering garden waste services and surplus produce. In the way she hosted our tiny home accommodation, and welcomed everyone that visits. In the way she made our smallholding more than a well oiled machine, but a home that breathed.
Over time, I began to appreciate that the land and the people weren’t separate. The same principles that governed a thriving ecosystem co-operation, diversity, mutual support applied just as much to human relationships. My way had its value, but hers did too. In combining our approaches, we created something neither of us could have built individually.
Integrating Function with Flow: What We’ve Built and Why It Matters
Over the years we have made some fascinating discoveries, blending function with flow to create supportive elements that work in harmony with nature. Every structure, every design, and every adaptation has been guided by necessity, efficiency, and a desire to live well without waste or traditional dependency.
We have created an immersive experience where the boundaries between nature and humanity dissolve where human needs are not just met but celebrated. Instead of separation, we seek seamless integration, embracing the magic in our world. Where A humble abode, designed with harmony, feels richer than any mansion. Sharing our creativity and way of life is part of our experience.
Above all else We demonstrate the human potential, the possibility to transform our own lives, regardless of where one currently resides. I found this way when i reached my limit of stability. modern life could not offer any meaningful recovery. The freedom to imagine and create became an essential way of life. The crafting of my environment is an expression of stability and resilience.
A Modular Mobile Home: Off-Grid, Passive, and Efficient
We designed and built a modular mobile home that operates entirely off-grid, incorporating passive solar design, straw bale insulation, and up-cycled materials. Its layout maximises natural light and heat retention, reducing energy demands, while solar power ensures it runs independently. Every element is chosen for longevity, function, and minimal environmental impact.
Why it matters: A home should provide security and comfort without relying on endless, costly inputs. This design proves that sustainable living doesn’t mean sacrificing quality it guarantees it, no matter the state of the economy. Design smartly, not wastefully. Build for resilience, not dependence.
The Pantry: Passive Cooling and Solar Power Combined
Our pantry is more than cold storage it’s a system that balances technology with natural principles. A solar-powered cooling system provides refrigeration during sunny periods, while night vents allow cool air to circulate when temperatures drop. Stored items themselves act as a thermal battery, maintaining cold storage even when power is intermittent.
The structure a repurposed lorry freezer body has been optimised for efficiency, with multifunctional stacking and strategic airflow to minimise temperature fluctuations.
Why it matters: This system ensures food security without reliance on external energy sources. With the country holding only a three-day food supply, disruptions to imported supply chains could send prices soaring or leave shelves empty.
Re-localising food production and storage isn’t just practical; it provides resilience, stability, and peace of mind in an increasingly uncertain world.
The Food Forest: A Self-Sustaining, Productive Ecosystem
Inspired by natural woodland ecosystems, we established a forest garden, a diverse, layered food-growing system that mimics nature’s balance. Canopy trees, understory plants, shrubs, herbs, ground covers, and root crops all work together, maximising sunlight, water, and nutrients while requiring minimal human intervention.
Unlike traditional gardening, this approach harnesses ecological processes to reduce labour. Fertile soil is largely regenerated in place, while predominantly perennial crops ensure long-term abundance.
Why it matters: Instead of exhausting the land—or ourselves—we work with it. This approach cultivates a deep, almost familial connection with the landscape, where abundance arises naturally rather than through relentless effort. A forest garden is not only visually stunning but also productive, self-sustaining, and deeply reassuring.
A Seaside Tiny Home: A Refuge for Rest and Recovery
Nestled by the sea, our tiny home accommodation offers a simple yet beautiful retreat, a gateway to a world apart. Thoughtfully designed for comfort without excess, it provides a rare opportunity to step outside the ordinary and experience life at a different pace. A sandy beach lies just down the track, while St. Catherine’s Lighthouse stands watch over the bay, deepening the sense of timelessness and escape.
Why it matters: True rest isn’t found in luxury but in simplicity. In a world that glorifies speed, consumption, and constant stimulation. This space offers something different, a chance to slow down, disconnect from excess, and reconnect with what truly matters. Here, the rhythm of the tides replaces the rush of daily life, and nature provides a quiet invitation to breathe, reflect, and simply be. It’s a reminder that peace isn’t something to chase, it’s something to allow.
The Tree Cone Chicken House: Supporting Natural Instincts
The Tree Cone Chicken House is designed to reflect the natural behaviour of chickens, drawing inspiration from their origins as jungle fowl. In the wild, chickens roost in trees at night for protection and shelter. The tree cone provides a safe, elevated roost, with a ladder that allows chickens to climb up at dusk. This design prevents predators such as badgers and foxes from reaching them. Waste naturally falls to the ground, eliminating the need for cleaning, while the structure integrates seamlessly with the land.
Why it matters: Instead of forcing animals into unnatural conditions, we create a habitat that align with their instincts. This leads to healthier, more resilient animals while reducing the need for human intervention. By working with nature, we eliminate common issues like overcrowding, excessive cleaning, and predator vulnerability. The result is a self-sustaining, low-maintenance husbandry, where chickens live as they naturally would, managing their own hygiene, seeking shelter, and feeling secure. In turn, the land benefits too, as waste is processed in place, enriching the soil rather than becoming a burden.
This approach reflects a deeper philosophy: when we respect the natural order, harmony follows effortlessly.
A Community Waste-to-Soil System
We introduced a free garden waste drop-off, inviting locals to contribute organic material that would otherwise be discarded. What began as a simple waste collection service quickly evolved into something far greater, an interconnected system of regeneration, education, and community engagement.
The Benefits:
Soil fertility improved, as organic waste was transformed into rich compost, enhancing the productivity of our food forest. The mulch and compost absorb winter rain, the wind evaporates the intercepted water back to the atmosphere.Community engagement flourished, with people feeling a direct connection to a meaningful cause. Instead of waste being seen as a problem, it became an asset they actively contributed to.Animals thrived, as suitable garden waste provided an additional food source for our goats, pigs, and chickens, reducing reliance on external feed.A ripple effect of resourcefulness emerged, with people offering not just garden waste but other discarded materials that could be repurposed—wood for fuel, unwanted tools or building supplies.Education and participation expanded, with locals attending tours, courses, and hands-on workshops to learn about composting, permaculture, and closed-loop food systems.Well-being improved, as people experienced the mental and physical benefits of reconnecting with local people, natural cycles, getting involved in meaningful, practical work.
Why it matters:
Waste isn’t waste—it’s an opportunity. This closed-loop local system challenges the throwaway mindset, showing that discarded materials can be repurposed into food, fertile soil, and shared knowledge. By redefining waste as a valuable resource, we create a self-sustaining cycle of abundance, benefiting the land, the animals, and the people involved.
Beyond practical benefits, this initiative cultivates a stronger, more resilient community. one that actively participates in regenerating local ecosystems while inspiring creativity, resourcefulness, and a shared dedication to improving not just our own lives but all who visits and shares the experience further afield.
The island community, especially our local supporters, represents the very foundation of Permaculture Island. Their contributions whether through shared resources, conversations, or hands-on participation have been essential. Together, we have transformed challenges into opportunities and successes that extend far beyond our shores, I offer my deepest gratitude.
The Electric Workhorse: A Golf Buggy Turned Hauler
The success of our garden waste project, especially during the hardships of COVID-19 led to another major development: a solar powered land vehicle for transporting mulch and wood chip.
We purchased a used electric golf buggy and adapted it for our needs:
Suspension upgrades and large off-road tires improved traction on uneven terrain.
A fabricated rear flatbed allowed it to carry ton bags of mulch, compost, and tools.
A simple unloading mechanism placing a rubber sheet under the load transformed it into an effortless hauler.
Front loading bucket for moving wood chip.
Lifepo4 battery upgrade
Why it matters: Efficient transport can run on renewable energy, operating without noise or pollution. This adaptation transformed an old electric golf buggy into an indispensable workhorse. demonstrating that small, thoughtful innovations, when applied with purpose, can enhance daily life while respecting the environment.
The Caraboat: A Dual-Purpose Adventure Vessel
The Caraboat serves two key functions: extending long distance electric vehicle travel and exploring sheltered waterways. As a compact off-grid home, it features a solar-powered battery system, enabling long-distance, self-sufficient travel. On water, it navigates lakes, canals, and estuaries using solar, electric, or pedal power, with full sun providing enough energy for walking speed.
Its versatile design allows seamless transitions between land and water, making it perfect for remote exploration. Large windows offer panoramic views, while a convertible living space ensures comfort in any environment. Whether anchoring in a secluded bay or resting after a long drive, the Caraboat provides a secure, off-grid retreat with complete freedom to roam.
Why These Creations matter
We are committed to a life that requires less bought goods and services. My desire to live this way was shaped long ago, when choices and circumstances created lasting impacts. I am motivated by a curios mind and observant eye, i have so many new ideas, its an adventure to keep up. My fascination of the natural world is what drives my passion to discover harmonious solutions. We often talk about:-
A home can be naturally comfortable.
Food abundance can be grown and stored in our gardens.
Waste can be transformed into resources.
Animals can be housed in a way that benefits them and the land.
Transport can be powered renewably and adapted for function.
Energy and fuel can be minimised with thoughtful design
Re-localising our needs offers true freedom.
A different way is possible, one that is resilient, abundant, and free from the limitations of consumer-driven living.
How we transformed our lives
Human Rewilding: A Path Back to Nature. Human rewilding is a movement that seeks to rekindle our innate connection with the natural world and with ourselves. It’s about rediscovering lost skills and wisdom, aligning our actions with the earth’s natural rhythms. This resurgence of self-reliance allows us to meet our most basic needs locally, by working with nature instead of fighting against it. This not only cultivates greater resilience but also reduces our dependence on unsustainable, centralised systems. The global crises we face today are vast, but they also carry a deeply motivating force. There is a growing collective desire to reshape our environments and establish meaningful solutions, a transformation that is already unfolding. These solutions are not isolated but part of a larger, supportive community working toward this shared goal. Re-wilding, at its core, is both a philosophy and a practical approach that calls for disengagement from centralised systems and a resurgence of personal responsibility in providing for our basic needs. It highlights a crucial truth: the problems created by human activity cannot be undone with the same destructive mindset that spawned them. Real, lasting change demands a paradigm shift a conscious adoption of a lifestyle that not only conserves the environment but actively restores and regenerates it to secure its wealth for generations to come. The most powerful action we can take to bring about such change is to become the embodiment of the future we wish to see. By exemplifying this vision in our own lives, we show others its possibility. Together, we create a living example of regenerative abundance, a vision grounded not in distant promises but in the choices we make today.
The Unshackling
You cry for freedom, yet fear the cost,
Trained to be safe, though something feels lost.
Taught to obey, to wait for the hand,
That feeds, that soothes, that weakens the stand.
Each day you wake with a hollowed-out need,
A hunger for more, yet afraid to lead.
The world is a weight, a tide, a test,
Yet freedom belongs to the hands that invest.
Not in the coins of comfort and ease,
But sweat on the brow and dirt on the knees.
The courage to fail, to craft, to repair,
To take up the tools and learn how to bear.
No master to blame, no system to trust,
Only your will, your grit, your dust.
For those who dare to think and try,
Shall walk unshackled beneath the sky.
written for my friend John BroadbentGavin Roberts