Tales from beyond the grid

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When things take a left turn
When we first looked at this property three-and-a-half years ago, Steph, the former owner, the realtor and I found ourselves on the other side of the…
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Charles Mandel
17
Meet Montana. She's from Texas. And other tales from beyond the grid.
I’d been saving this story for some time now, but for various reasons I haven’t had a chance to follow through as much as I would have liked. So, what…
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Charles Mandel
4
Nova Scotia coastal protection continues to lag; Off-grid and Hurricane Lee; Shipwright's pizza; and more
The plot thickens. Provincial environment minister Tim Halman continues to drag on enacting a coastal protection act for Nova Scotia. It’s a mystery as…
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Charles Mandel
11
Endless rain, Sheepdogs, and more
It’s no secret it’s been a dreary summer on the South Shore this year. We had the burst of wildfires, and then the rains came…and didn’t stop. We’ve had…
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Charles Mandel
6
In the weeds; at the restaurants
Perhaps I should change the name of this newsletter to the Ramblings of an Old Geezer, or something like that. I am just going on these days about this…
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Charles Mandel
6
The critters come calling
I had a wake up call the other day. Farley and I were wandering down the lane, and, truth be told, I wasn’t paying much attention. I carried a pair of…
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Charles Mandel
14
Coastal protection: first steps. Right steps?
A card arrived in the mail with a lovely watercolour depiction of Hirtle’s Beach. “Talk to us about coastal protection,” read the accompanying text. The…
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Charles Mandel
8
Around the property: Moving from spring into summer
Our modest patch of land is actually a sanctuary for a number of endangered species. The nighthawks are back for the third year running, spinning and…
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Charles Mandel
5
Woodstack: the festival; back to the Annapolis Valley; and more
My adventures this time included a visit to The Noodle Guy in the Valley. Love the funky space and colours. Woodstack: Peace, love and stacking wood…
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Charles Mandel
10
The off-grid news; local architect, international architecture; and more
A luxury off-grid trailer - but you’ll pay for it Living Vehicle is a luxury off-grid trailer. A team of LEED-accredited professionals and architects…
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Charles Mandel
2
Leaving the grid; and a trip to the Valley with a visit to The Rice Bowl
Solar lights at our property at sunset. Leaving the grid is a subversive and revolutionary act. It might not seem like it, but the banks don’t want you…
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Charles Mandel
7
Making an off-grid move sounds easy, but you can’t bank on it
Our off-grid home. [Editor’s note: I first published this opinion piece in the National Observer, January 29, 2021. In terms of obtaining a mortgage for…
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Charles Mandel
11
Tales from beyond the grid
Personal essays, and news about off-grid living, sustainability, the climate crisis, local food, and more.
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Tales from beyond the grid

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