Debt free in ten years-my new, more realistic challenge.

poohbear59 · 4 April 2012 at 5:11PM

Thank you Pinot, I have done a lot less today and I think it is actually helping me to recover. I am like you, never stop and on Monday I tried to fight it and made myself worse. DD and I did lots of sorting and decluttering though.

Our cottage is in Cumbria. The ski tow is about 2-3 miles from here. There is no where for all those hungry people to find hot food especially when the pubs in the village are closed. We have ideas which could work if the council gave the go ahead. I can just imaging being across the river to the pub and wishing I could be there

We all have our food Hygiene certificates in this family so anyone could give a bit of catering a try. I am tempted to put a sign on the corner to direct people here another time. Mr P would be horrified!
In the Spring and Summer 100s of motorcyclists go by the end of our road too. I was thinking bacon butties for them

| I know other people in the village have tried to open tea rooms and the like and have been turned down by the council. Probably because we are now in a conservation area and AONB.

Your memory sounds just like mine. I often think I have done something when I haven't. I am blaming the meds this week.

PinotGrigio41 · 4 April 2012 at 5:28PM

If your blaming the meds, what on earth is my excuse !!!

poohbear59 · 4 April 2012 at 5:41PM

PinotGrigio41 wrote: »

If your blaming the meds, what on earth is my excuse !!!

I was excusing us both because we lead very busy lives, then realised I wasn't at the moment so had to come up with a good excuse.

As DS1 used to say when he was little 'we have too much information in our heads'.:rotfl::rotfl:

Phew! I think I got away with that one.

brizzledfw · 4 April 2012 at 7:47PM

hey PB..I found you! Haven't had time this eve to read your diary but have subscribed!

One thing I have just caught sight of is the idea of catering to the hungry hordes!! I think it's a goer. Last year we went canoeing in Fowey..just cruising upriver we heard about the next village having cracking HM pasties ( we heard this from some fellow canoeists coming the other way) and lo and behold on the next turn were the best pasties ever....they tasted great. A farmers wife in the tiny hamlet had a proper set up. Catering van parked by the farm gate. She made a great cup of tea too....

So maybe worth looking into! We had food with us... But who wants chocolate and squashed sandwiches when there is a proper pasty on offer!!!

PinotGrigio41 · 4 April 2012 at 10:59PM

brizzledfw wrote: »

hey PB..I found you! Haven't had time this eve to read your diary but have subscribed!

One thing I have just caught sight of is the idea of catering to the hungry hordes!! I think it's a goer. Last year we went canoeing in Fowey..just cruising upriver we heard about the next village having cracking HM pasties ( we heard this from some fellow canoeists coming the other way) and lo and behold on the next turn were the best pasties ever....they tasted great. A farmers wife in the tiny hamlet had a proper set up. Catering van parked by the farm gate. She made a great cup of tea too....

So maybe worth looking into! We had food with us... But who wants chocolate and squashed sandwiches when there is a proper pasty on offer!!!

I love Fowey, actually I just love Cornwall, one day I will live there ! We tried Canoeing in France a couple of years back but just went round and round in circles. Poor Mr Pinot was trying to dish out the instructions and keep us girls in check, but he gave up in the end and resigned himself to and afternoon of sitting back and getting dizzy !!

And are you starting up the great pasties debate again Mrs B ??!!!

PinotGrigio41 · 4 April 2012 at 11:02PM

poohbear59 wrote: »

I was excusing us both because we lead very busy lives, then realised I wasn't at the moment so had to come up with a good excuse.

As DS1 used to say when he was little 'we have too much information in our heads'.:rotfl::rotfl:

Phew! I think I got away with that one.

:rotfl:We have to tell DD2 to switch her brain off at bedtime and when she was tiny she used to make a little noise like a key turning in the lock to show us that she had indeed finally switched off ! It was when she appeared in the bedroom at 1am one morning, spouting interesting facts about Egyptians that got me concerned ! Most certainly doesnt take after her mother that one.

I have lots of information stored ,but most of it is utter nonsense !!

poohbear59 · 5 April 2012 at 2:06PM

Hello brizzled:wave: canoeing can make you hungry, all that fresh air and exercise. I am not sure I could hire a van like the farmer's wife but will continue to look into things.

Pinot I think your daughter does take after you. I am sure it isn't nonesense in your head.

My DSs yesterday had another idea for money making. I received a copy of the Dollar Stretcher money saving booklet (from USA) as I had given a tip for the booklet. I used to write GCSE revision books so the boys thought I should write a money saving book or a frugal family ideas book but there are so many out there at the moment. DS3 says I am the money saving queen

I have been doing this for more years than I care to think about and we are where we are now because we lived on virtually nothing for a whole 6 months. I mean we managed to use what money we had to set up the business by doing without for a long time.

Just suggested selling bacon butties to the boys and they reckon I would need a new kitchen before I would be allowed to cook for other people. I have to admit mine is pretty ramshackle as I have a new one in the cottage

poohbear59 · 6 April 2012 at 2:01PM

I have taken a private booking for the cottage which means we get 100% of the money (after tax)

Sales through cottages4you mean they take 23% plus vat! The cheque is being dropped in this afternoon.
The sale of the week now means I can pay the cottage secured loan for the next 6 months without any worries.

I already have lots of bookings through cottages4you but April is quite a lean month because we had a cancellation, by a family member and I don't want to ask them for the money even though they very kindly offered.
Let's hope we don't have any more cancellations.

brizzledfw · 6 April 2012 at 7:23PM

Great news pooh..have just read your diary from start to finish.

Do think about the direct catering idea. I think the lady near Fowey owned it, it didn't have any services from memory,think she only did it on high days and holidays and it was right next to her house so not an issue there. Kitchen..am sure as long as it's clean that's fine!

Pasties Mrs PG??!!! Absolutely. They are fantastic as food for when youre working hard in the outside. Bacon sarnies would be good for bikers though I reckon. You can tell I live in the West Country can't you..although you can't beat Kendal Mint Cake when the kids are flagging out on a long walk!!