Chapter 18: Online Off-Grid

This week on 2 Kids Off Grid I had the opportunity to talk with Bill and Sarin about their Facebook group "Off Grid Nova Scotia". This was one of the very first groups that I joined back in May when we were getting ready to move and it has been very helpful. Not only did we meet friends through the group who were also new to the area, we have a great resource for asking questions about transitioning off grid and having an online community that shares lots of updates about each member's journey to a more sustainable lifestyle. 

I found the group SO helpful in our first few months that I thought that highlighting this group as a resource for others would be useful. 

Sarin & Bill

I reached out to Bill & Sarin by simply looking up the moderators of the group and sending them a message through Facebook. It is always a shot in the dark asking strangers to give even more of their time away to someone they don't know, so I am really grateful that they messaged me back and were willing to take some time to tell me about why they started the group and what its been like to watch it grow from just a few hundred members to over 6000 members in the past 18 months. Not only did I have a very interesting conversation with them about their group but I also met two lovely people who make my life richer by knowing them.

Sarin & Bill live out near Bear River outside Digby. As a relative newcomer to the province, I hadn't actually had the opportunity to visit that area yet and this excuse to get out of the house and travel to a new place was absolutely perfect. I took this drive just after a major ice storm hit the province, so it was nearly majestic to take the 2.5 hour drive down to Digby through ice covered trees sparkling in the sun. I was white-knuckling it in a few areas of unplowed road and I had a real thrill trying to get up the final stretch of road to their home, but with Bill's direction I backed down the road and just humbly accepted a ride up to their property. Needless to say we have learned that having snow tires isn't quite enough in a true Nova Scotia winter.

The view of the Digby Cove from Sarin and Bill's place

After I arrived, they welcomed me into their home and we chatted for a little while until getting down to the interview. They have graciously allowed me to share some photos of their beautiful space. The photos are amazing but they really don't capture the warm energy and coziness that exude from every corner of their home.  

Sarin in the kitchen with some homemade cabinetry, upcycled cabinetry, welded wine racks and more. 

Their front entryway is made up of recycled windows, lumber and furniture hand made by Sarin's father.

The woodstove provides heat for the entire home, except for a small heater in the lower level to keep the edge off. Above the stove is a handmade three-tiered drying rack from everything from wet hats to dehydrating cranberries. 

Their kitchen table and corner cabinet were skillfully made by Sarin's father. Every piece of the home is oozing with the passion for quality craftsmanship and homemaking of three generations.

I am new to this whole interview process and I found it so difficult to edit down an hour long visit talking about their lives and how they live, as well as their histories in the area. I am looking forward to perhaps sharing a second edit of this show to include that part of the conversation because while it wasn't necessarily about the Facebook group, they are exceptionally interesting people with a lot of offer us in terms of lived experience. 

This is Sarin's father's cabin where he and her mother often have weekly date nights. This little escape was full of old books, a record player, beautiful stools and handmade furniture and a tiny loft. 

The view from the top of the property overlooking both houses and the hills beyond. Not featured are the sugar shack, greenhouses, gardens (buried under quite a lot of snow still) and more.

I hope you enjoy this week's show and that you check out this excellent group as a resource for anyone looking to go Off Grid in Nova Scotia. If you weren't able to catch the show live on 88.7 CoveFM today at noon, you can listen again on Spotify using the link below.