really old style living?

ceridwen

...and another:

http://gardenaquaponics.wordpress.com

mardatha

Thanks ZZ. I think I have a book somewhere that tells how to soak pork in brine, but I liked the idea of the dry cure better.

NualaBuala

ceridwen wrote: »

No-one I know has that and I'm not technically-minded enough to know whats what on that:o. To me - I tend to want to leave the more scientifically-minded people to work out all the facts and then I'll take the consensus of opinion from them as to what they personally do and ask them what firms they used/wouldnt use again.

One factor thats a bit unsure is just how long panels in the roof would last. Most of the people I know of who have done this have done it mainly for ideological reasons - my financial situation is such that I have to know its not got a very long payback time. I obviously want to "do the right thing" for ideological reasons - but I cant afford to unless it makes financial sense to do so. So - like various other people I know I'm waiting to see what the Green Deal the new Government is mentioning is going to mean for this/whether they will honour the "25 year commitment" on feed-in tariffs. There is a group of us basically waiting to see what (if anything) they come out with in the Comprehensive Spending Review.

One thing we think would be worthwhile anyway and shouldnt cost too much money is putting every bit of insulation possible on the exterior walls (both internally and externally) - sort of like "putting a teacosy" on the house as someone put it...:rotfl:

I'm hoping by the time I'm in the position to do something like that, other people will have figured out what the best options are! Could be a while though ... first have to sell this house, then find another (smaller, cheaper) place to live. If I'm really lucky it won't need much doing to it, but otherwise there will be a long period of saving needed.

The insulation sounds great, I like the idea of being enclosed by a teacosy. On that note, I'm off to make a cuppa!

grandmasam

Re: Teacosy the house.

I go to Germany several times a year to visit Ds3 and family,and there it is common practice to batten the outside ,then fill in between with very thick sheets of insulation, cover all with marine ply and a spray coat or two of sealant and then either painted or rendered,[ sprayed on again.]
I have seen this done over there and it is the norm.
Ds3 worked out it would cost £5000 to do my 2bed semi, IF I could get planning in my area.
Have made enquiries with Pdept and it is only being trialled in a nearby area at present, so I took that as a no.

Caz

Alison_Funnell

ceridwen wrote: »

..which is a very good point - and I actually give away LOTS of information I've spent many hours searching out:D - see my MSE homepage.

Oh I know that! Just thought it was worth balancing out the somewhat negative bits in that post.

ThriftyFelicity

Alison_Funnell wrote: »

Don't let it upset you. Foraging is a lucky dip. A gift not a right, though I can see that after a few years it seems like they are 'your' crops. Try not to begrudge others, they may be in greater need. Atleast these things aren't going to waste. Nothing saddens me more than gardens with fruit rotting on the trees and people don't even offer them to others.

Well, that's where it's a BIG help to not be shy about asking to pick fruit going to waste in someone's garden. We've never been refused, in fact people are glad to have it picked, as it's less for them to clean up off the grass.

This year we've had plums, apples and crabapples from private land, and hopefully we'll also soon have quince from another local garden.

There's a lot less competition picking fruit from private land vs public land, as in my experience there are few people willing to ask to pick fruit on private land. I have to say that my less-reserved Canadian background is helpful in this regard; the first time I suggested knocking on someone's door and asking to pick their fruit, my hubby was mortified, but now he's right there by my side not looking *at all* like shrinking into the ground. :rotfl:

You can't really lose by asking... the worst they'll say is "no", and at best you'll get your own fruit-picking spot, probably for years to come. :T

babyshoes

Re: Fish - trout and salmon are similar in taste, both being pink, oily fish. Tilapia is also known as bream, and is a drier, white fleshed fish. It can be just as tasty, but mustn't be over-cooked. It would be nice in a batter, or quickly pan fried (if you have fillets) and served with lemon squeezed over it. A whole one is nice stuffed with butter, herbs and lemon slices, then wrapped in foil and cooked on a fire.

ceridwen

Alison_Funnell wrote: »

Oh I know that! Just thought it was worth balancing out the somewhat negative bits in that post.

Right - well thanks for that. I do admit to feeling "Crikey - Absolutely the only income I have coming into my house is my salary and I'm single - no help from the Government of any description. The salary is a low one (not by choice) and I HAVE had to spend time/money/energy learning all this - and I'm expected to give it away for nothing...........".

You'll understand why I refuse to ....chances are that the people who asked me would often be getting income from the Government of some description (as well as salary) coming into their home. I cant ask every person who accosts me "Excuse me - is the only income you have coming in your salary or benefit for just yourself?" - so I take the broad brush approach of "The answer is no".

But I AM willing to share whatever other knowledge/experience I've gained over the years..such as it is...

ceridwen

ThriftyFelicity wrote: »

Well, that's where it's a BIG help to not be shy about asking to pick fruit going to waste in someone's garden. We've never been refused, in fact people are glad to have it picked, as it's less for them to clean up off the grass.

This year we've had plums, apples and crabapples from private land, and hopefully we'll also soon have quince from another local garden.

There's a lot less competition picking fruit from private land vs public land, as in my experience there are few people willing to ask to pick fruit on private land. I have to say that my less-reserved Canadian background is helpful in this regard; the first time I suggested knocking on someone's door and asking to pick their fruit, my hubby was mortified, but now he's right there by my side not looking *at all* like shrinking into the ground. :rotfl:

You can't really lose by asking... the worst they'll say is "no", and at best you'll get your own fruit-picking spot, probably for years to come. :T

I certainly agree with that. Theres absolutely LOADS of apples growing in peoples gardens in my area and many of them falling onto the ground and rotting. I havent asked - partly because I'm still trying to summon up the nerve to do so and partly because I would have to find the time to make up something with those apples that I could give the homeowner as a thank you for letting me do so. Maybe when I come up with a couple of VERY quick/easy/cheap for other ingredients recipes that I could use to make up the "thank you" gifts. Hmm...now if anyone has an absolutely scrummy recipe for apple cake thats quick and easy to make/one can use either cookers or eaters/the other ingredients are cheap - then please let me know and I might just summon up the nerve to ring on a doorbell and ask:). A similar recipe with pears would also be useful - as I can spot some of them going to waste in gardens as well.

carriebradshaw

grandmasam wrote: »

Re: Teacosy the house.

I go to Germany several times a year to visit Ds3 and family,and there it is common practice to batten the outside ,then fill in between with very thick sheets of insulation, cover all with marine ply and a spray coat or two of sealant and then either painted or rendered,[ sprayed on again.]
I have seen this done over there and it is the norm.
Ds3 worked out it would cost £5000 to do my 2bed semi, IF I could get planning in my area.
Have made enquiries with Pdept and it is only being trialled in a nearby area at present, so I took that as a no.

Caz

we had our house 'tea -cosied' early last year by the council. They put a layer of what looks like foam slabs all over,then a metal mesh to hold the cement render over the top and then stone chips. I do think it's making a difference, as I'm sure I'd have the fire lit this week as it's really cold outside,but the house is lovely and warm inside :T. We got some off cuts of the foam stuff from them and lined the 2 loft hatches and the back of the front door with it too.