Skote? Well I have no clear idea what that word means but I suspect that it is an informal term of endearment from Newfoundland, Canada. I came across it this past week when I found myself being drawn into a YouTube channel called "Skote Outdoors".
Who are the two skotes pictured at the top of this blogpost? Why they are Matty and Kelly Clarke, the creators and stars of the YouTube channel. Let me tell you a little about them and their vlog.
Matty was originally from Newfoundland and Kelly was from Virginia, USA. They met over the internet and immediately Kelly determined that Matty was the man she was going to marry - even before they had met in person.
For a nominal fee, Matty bought an abandoned wooden house on the island of St Joseph's in Placentia Bay to the south of Newfoundland. It was in a sorry state without running water or electricity and there was plenty of rotten wood too.
I watched as they installed solar panels on the hill above the old house and also how they found a way of piping water from that same hill - from a pond that their neighbour helped them to excavate.
Have you ever wondered what it might be like to live "off grid" in Nature, pretty much free to do your own thing? If you have, "Skote Outdoors" might well be the answer to your curiosity. Why not check it out? You don't need to investigate every video they have uploaded but you might wish to step a few months back in time.
I have found it all pretty uplifting and a healthy reminder that people can be self-reliant and happy without allowing the news of the world to press our faces into the proverbial mud. Earlier this very day, Matty and Kelly had great news to share. She's pregnant! So hopefully in about eight months time, there'll be a new tiny character in the videos.
If you have some idle time, please check "Skote Outdoors" out.
Well, you know that I lived my first ten years like this. It's tough so I know what they're experiencing. They have much to make it like a grid but they have to set it up by themselves. Interesting. I'm sure many people would like to live like that.
ReplyDeleteOf all my readers, I believe that you would probably get more from their ongoing video story than anybody else Red.
DeleteThe aspirational version of me really, really wants to live off grid and grow my own food and make my own cheese and have solar panels and raise chickens and bake bread.
ReplyDeleteBut my body isn't built for that and even if it was, I don't think I really have the drive.
I might have a quick peek at one of their videos. Thank you, Neil
Like you, I don't believe that I would have ever had the drive to do what Matty and Kelly are doing... but they are showing us a possibility, an alternative.
DeleteI will have a look, as soon as I finish other blog reading.
ReplyDeleteI will be testing you Elsie!
DeleteI read the word as 'scrote', which is not so nice.
ReplyDeleteI increasingly find myself watching YouTube clips over free to air television stations. There really is something for everyone's tastes on YouTube, and many are successful enough, they can make a living from their videos, as perhaps the scotes you mention are doing. Don't let the algorithm control what you watch though.
But I worship the almighty Algorithm and I believe in him. Praise The Lord!
DeleteI haven't yet checked it out, but is it "Skote" or "Scote"?
ReplyDeleteThumbs up to this young couple! They look like fun-loving people, full of life and not at all afraid of hard work (and a bit of discomfort), not like me - I love my creature comforts too much and get nervous when the hot water in my shower takes half a minute to get properly hot.
Thanks for pointing out my error Meike - now corrected. It's "skote" with a "k".
DeleteThose videos sound interesting - I'll take a look later. It's good to read of a young couple striking out and creating their own off-grid life style. Sadly not all the younger generation are able, or capable, of doing the same. It would solve their housing problems if they could!
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure if I could live totally off-grid, but it's be an interesting thing to try.
ReplyDeleteYou pretty much need to be young to jump into that lifestyle from the beginning. To create it yourself. I just read a three-year old article in The Guardian about the Canadian government claiming that Matty had build a cabin on land he was not allowed to build on. i hope that his and Kelly's present home is clearly and legally theirs.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't be able to do it. They must have a bit of technology if they can record and post videos, though, so they aren't totally cut off from civilization. Are the videos how they make their living?
ReplyDeleteGlad to see they are enjoying it, my idea of roughing it, is staying at a Holiday Inn.
ReplyDelete