the daydream fund challenge thread

lostinrates

cootambear wrote: »

Good post. What is your scientific training out of interest?

IIRC cortisol levels (a stress indicator?) rise in depression, so it could be a good indicator.

My training is relevant, though please forgive me but I do not care to discuss it on the forum - its a small world -but my (short) scientific career in the industry makes me confident that my choices are less quasi religious and more science meets morality. As you say...we each must make our own decisions. If I had to feed lots of children on a low income my choices would by necessity be different I'm sure.

choille

Well it's really warm here, just must have risen about 15 degrees - I think it's as warm as about -1. It's almost Spring-like.

http://wildwritingfromtheedge.blogspot.com/

lostinrates

choille wrote: »

Well it's really warm here, just must have risen about 15 degrees - I think it's as warm as about -1. It's almost Spring-like.

Ooooh, maybe this cold turn won't last as long..after all if this wind is coming from the north you've had it first (and warmed it up) :D

Rummer

I have to say our food choices are dependent on our income which has fluctuated greatly over the last couple of years. I refuse to eat meat that has come from animals that have not enjoyed as natural a life as possible so we altered our diet and started to eat mainly vegetarian meals with the occasional piece of nice meat. Lack of cash and the desire to eat local fresh food also encouraged us to grow our own. Over the years I have tried to support local businesses but it can be hard when you are working late and they are closed when you are ready to shop.

lostinrates

Rummer wrote: »

I have to say our food choices are dependent on our income which has fluctuated greatly over the last couple of years. I refuse to eat meat that has come from animals that have not enjoyed as natural a life as possible so we altered our diet and started to eat mainly vegetarian meals with the occasional piece of nice meat. Lack of cash and the desire to eat local fresh food also encouraged us to grow our own. Over the years I have tried to support local businesses but it can be hard when you are working late and they are closed when you are ready to shop.

Oh, I agree with all of this. we don't eat much meat, despite being committed carnivores. We buy less often but the best production methods we can, and use it to the nth degree...stocks etc.

Shops being open is a big thing. The last place we lived was Italy and its amazing the difference in convenience from local shops. There are so very many more, you are always near one, and that makes it easier. Because they are also your neighbours you support them, and likewise they do what they can for you.

In one of our nearest villages here there is a community owned shop, as there was where I used to live..and I have to admit I haven't yet been there..though have sent my dad there a bit for things .

choille

Yes - I think it's warm enough for a heavy dump of snow even.....

Rummer - it is hard & we are lucky. I do try & make ethical choices but it is hard & sometimes you have to grab & go.

Tomorrow I aim to go down to the shore - probably break my neck doing so, & get mussels - mmmmmmm.

Davesnave

choille wrote: »

I do try & make ethical choices but it is hard & sometimes you have to grab & go.

I'm afraid I 'went' today, after 10 days locked-up, I got the car out of our road and on to the one they are using as an alternative bus route. So, it was off to the supermarket for all the 'other stuff' besides the meat & basic veg.

At least doing the Christmas shop was hassle-free. Where we lived before, it would have been totally manic on December 23rd. Here, we found a parking space, did our shop and walked to an empty till, just as normal.

There were lots of conversations going on, featuring people trapped in their villages, until today. When we returned home, the road near the house was still pretty dicey, and we had to wait a while until two vehicles which had come close to collision were extricated from the deeper snow. There's still no room to pass in some places, so only one way to go if you meet someone!

Good to hear it's warming up...... They are still forecasting -10C on Christmas Eve for us!

choille

They are forecasting -20 tonight for Altnaharra & -6 during the day & it's forecast for snow tonight, but I don't know if they're just making it up as they go along to be perfectly honest.
The last two nights have been incredibly cold but it does feel miledr now to me but no thaw happening yet.

Good you got out Dave. We are about out of LP gas for the cooker but we have sourced some to be delivered tomorrow to the top of the track - hopefully, but if it doesn't happen we have the woodburner - it's not desperate.

We spend a couple of hours getting old fence posts rounded up & barrowed down & sawn - well a fair few & we'll do some tomorrow if things allow - thing is it seems to take an awful lot longer to get stuff done when you're slithering about & keeping the water buckets filled/unfrozen.
I'm away to shred some paper & will top up the hen houses in the morning & give the wet sawdust a clean out & fresh in.

Lists, lists, lists......

alfie_1

As we're out of penalty-free cash, we've been thinking about how to sell our old nursery garden, so DW had preliminary talks with an agent last week. Our best bet is probably still to sell it to the people whose tiny yards back onto it, but we are not restricted in any way. Two of the houses have no rear access at all, so would benefit greatly, but what is a rear entrance (pedestrian) worth on a £300k house? The agent has his view, but I'd be happy to hear others' thoughts..

is the land off of any of your access routes? you will have to be carefull that it doesnt give them rights to cross your remaining land. this has probably been answered already but iv not read all yet !! a friend sold the end of her garden to a neighbour [said they wanted rear car access] only to find theyd got planning and wacked up a bungalow !!! she moved but it devalued her property.....
could you not put in for preliminary planning permission and sell as A PLOT ?? or at least get a valuation as such to see what value is best for you ??

alfie_1

Our neighbour on the far boundary of the land here has been allowing his dogs to bark again recently, sometimes all day. Last Sunday I could hear they were in their kennel and cage run in sub-zero temperatures from dawn to dusk.

i would be tempted to report them, not for the barking but the sub temperatures and conditions they are being kept.... the powers that be have more clout laws now as to the "conditions" and general welfare of animals as apposed to just cruelty. its not healthy for dogs to be barking for long periods....
i know its not nice to report anyone but it would maybe be just a word in thier ear to put things right ??