If things get tougher?

balmaiden

Talking of the "Survivors" I read last week that there is a new version coming on the box this autumn. Well timed don't you think?

ceridwen

balmaiden wrote: »

Talking of the "Survivors" I read last week that there is a new version coming on the box this autumn. Well timed don't you think?

Think we'll all be tuning in somehows ......now repeat after me 50 lines of "power of community" and then google for Transition Towns Movement...;) Gawd...the British Transition Towns Movement is just so much more "gentle" than "Annie - and Arnie - get your gun":D

Charis

mollymunchkin wrote: »

Now it seems that apples and pears are set to rise in price too. This is due to restrictions on foreign workers in the UK and the strength of the Euro meaning it's too expensive to pay people to pick them and they will be rotting on the trees with an estimated 20% shortfall and therefore price rises :mad:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2008/aug/24/immigrationpolicy.food

A lot of this year's strawberry harvest didn't get picked. We heard it's because the migrant workers didn't come over this year in the expected numbers. I've heard the wages are piece work and they have to work very, very fast.

The apple harvest is probably the most important crop locally. The biggest cider firm in the country are in the process of building the biggest cider press in Europe in this county. Strange thing though the supermarket apples are nearly all still from abroad. I've got a tree full outside though

Charis

ceridwen wrote: »

Yeh...okay....BUT.....there is always the possibility of a group of friends/neighbours getting together and approaching the farmer concerned with a "business proposition" to the effect that "we are a co-operative - we'll pick what we want - free labour to you dear farmer - and then you charge us what is reasonable bearing in mind we have provided the labour for picking".

Why not?

God/the Universe/whatever you want to call it helps those who help themselves.

If I lived in a rural community I'd be in there...

That would probably work...if we each wanted five hundred weight of apples. Otherwise it's not worth the farmer's time supervising to make sure the public don't break their necks on his property or make off with the goods.
There's always Pick Your Own in the countryside, but it may not extend to trees. Something to do with Elfin safety.:rolleyes:

ceridwen

Well - I guess thats where a disclaimer form might come in handy - pick at your own risk and all that. I guess re the supervision the farmer would have to trust people - and obviously some people just arent trustworthy. But then - if the stuff is going unpicked anyways - then what has he got to lose? That way - he would get some money (hopefully all he was due for).

Of course - he could always rent a bit of his land out for allotments to people - I would have thought a win/win situation - as in many areas of the country (mine for instance) - waiting lists for allotments are as long as your arm - if you can get on them in the first place - Community Supported Agriculture - google for Stroud, as they have one of these.

mardatha

speaking as one who lives surrounded by farms, let me tell you that farmers are a pure PITA and will refuse just for the satisfaction of it !
gawd I hope there's no farmers in here...
making very quietly for the door.

ceridwen

Does anyone refuse a good offer of money ? I gather 1 acre of land would do for 25 allotments (if my memory serves me correct). Okay - allotments cant charge much rent - but every little.....

Unless of course the Government is getting in the way - theres a thought - whats that thing about farmers being paid to "set aside" land?? Maybe we need a bit of lawchanging.......;)

Charis

Updating my 'price book' which I have been keeping since July 1st, I am pleased to see that most of the prices are, so far, the same as they were at the start. My main shop is with Mr T and nearly all the staples (porridge, milk,pasta, bread flour etc) haven't changed, which is surprising. The fruit and veg are all over the place because of the constantly changing offers.

We had a failed attempt at the MSE choc chip cookie recipe at the weekend. Dunno what happened but they tasted horrible and were far too greasy. Since we can buy 2 pks of T's own brand double choc chip for a little more than one packet of choc chips, I have simplified and chosen the latter option. We don't eat that many anyway. I suppose we could chop up a bar of cooking chocolate. We could grow our own wheat and grind it too probably but sometimes simplifying means taking a calculated short cut

FairyElephant_2

FieryBlondeScot wrote: »

cant believe i did this.... but after reading the tip some pages back on here i crept out of bed at 1am and topped up all the bottles of diluting juice with water :beer: as i have a son who will use half a glass of dilute to half a glass of water and i have had enough!! those bottles are heavy to carry!! and we are constantly running out :eek:

i tried the same thing with the bubble bath and shower gel but it does not seem to have worked!!! he will easily pour in 1/4 bottle of bath foam per bath!! :mad:

Hiya,

WILKINSONS sell pump-action dispensers in their bathroom stuff for 19p. I bought a couple for hand soap (well, actually it's LIDL 19p shower gel, but I'm the only one who knows! - Oh, and you lot of course - LOL!) and bath foam (also LIDL's cheapest). The SK's have been told to use 2 or 3 pumps - but even if they use more it still lasts ages.

Next week I'm going to get some more for MY POSH SHAMPOO & CONDITIONER, which DSS#1 insists on using when he stays.........

Sarahsaver

I have noticed that my shower gel in a pump dispenser has lasted AGES, thanks for the head up on the morissons bottles;)

My son (8 yrs old) made his own squash last night - with elderberries, it is lovely!