Hello Thrifty Chiffchaff! Welcome!
I am not sure how large a space you have in your patch of land, but here goes. I am just supplementing the good advice provided by Yorkie.
Laying out paths. Between two types of plants, I would make any walkway at least as wide as the distance between rows for the plant requiring the greatest distance between rows. For example, tomatoes require rows about 3 feet apart (some say 4), while courgettes require 24 to 30 inches apart (again, some say more), so I would allow paths at least 3 feet wide, or more. Cultivated space between paths should be a useful bed size for what you intend to grow, and not so wide that it is difficult to reach the middle of the bed from your paths. You can start with paths that are just places you routinely walk (no mulch) but if you can lay down a cheap/free mulch (mulched brown leaves, spent straw, or something else) to keep down weeds and prevent compaction, it will look better and reduce soil compaction. Even better, lay down some cardboard first, then lay your free mulch on top of that.
Sticking with the thrifty/tight budget theme, does the crofter have something like a lawn mower with a bagger that you can use on spots with brown leaves etc.? You cutting and bagging in areas that he wants cut may ease work for the crofter, and benefit you with some free mulch.
You may need to move paths to accommodate beds that change size or shape. If you have to dig up compacted soil from a path, and have the option of doing so during the cold months, dig up coarse clumps of soil, turn them over, and let the frost tear them apart for you ("frost heaving" does a great job breaking up soil, without breaking your back). Right now, the paths between my beds are just "pine straw" (needles) raked up from my yard, and placed where I need them.
For some crops (examples: sweet corn, pumpkins) a successful planting may be a larger "patch", or block, rather than a bed of a certain width. Just make a useful path to access that patch.