Two Pennies Left

Greying_Pilgrim

Oh Fortune - bravo you for making folk's experience so rich on your guided tour! We too enjoyed bluebells and blossoms on our day out yesterday Although the (unguided) walks were in and around the estate and landscape, where we were, I have to say, they were very well signposted (:TNT), and there were one or two interpretation boards (would have appreciated more, but realise it's all about the ££££'s). We also spotted a beetle, wandering about, minding it's own business on the path. I took some pics, as everytime it moved, it's legs shimmered the most funky electric blue I've just looked it up and it might have been the 'bl00dy nosed' beetle. I hope that we didn't disturb it enough to make it live up to it's name - don't think we did.

Hope you have a great day today - and keep drinking the water!

Greying x

Fortune_Smiles

Greying_Pilgrim wrote: »

Oh Fortune - bravo you for making folk's experience so rich on your guided tour! We too enjoyed bluebells and blossoms on our day out yesterday Although the (unguided) walks were in and around the estate and landscape, where we were, I have to say, they were very well signposted (:TNT), and there were one or two interpretation boards (would have appreciated more, but realise it's all about the ££££'s). We also spotted a beetle, wandering about, minding it's own business on the path. I took some pics, as everytime it moved, it's legs shimmered the most funky electric blue I've just looked it up and it might have been the 'bl00dy nosed' beetle. I hope that we didn't disturb it enough to make it live up to it's name - don't think we did.

Hope you have a great day today - and keep drinking the water!

Greying x

Thank you Greying. I'm researching all sorts of facts and anecdotes to try and make the tour interesting. What sorts of things do you like to hear about when you are on your visits?


I will pop over an have a look at your beetle.


Fortune x

Greying_Pilgrim

Fortune_Smiles wrote: »

What sorts of things do you like to hear about when you are on your visits?

Well, we tend to be doing unguided tours much more than guided. Our last guided tour was into a mine. But I think that most of all, I always like to feel that I have learnt something that day.

Now, me being me, it isn't always the most obvious or *high-brow* point - I really quite like quirky, abstract, anecdotal, as well as *factual* But it's usually something that I can relate to - say like knowing that I liked Leopards bane, before actually learning it's name. The other labelled plants in the display, I knew; lilac, bluebell, apple blossom and horse chestnut - but I've learnt a new one to add to my knowledge

I think it also depends on the visitor group. When we went down the mine, there were quite a lot of children - the guide correctly tailored most of the information to them, but I did answer when we were asked what we thought miner's antiseptic *lotion* was....... As I expected (and the guide knew), the kids were grossed out :rotfl:However, at least two of the things I got from that visit was how dim it was (just standing still, never mind working) in candlelight, when we were all momentarily asked to cover our lanterns, and how steep the ladders were to get out and about - it gave you a small sense of the hardships endured - without the dust, explosives, hammer vibration, cold and damp.......

In contrast, the interpretation of the NT house we went to recently was deathly dry and dull, we didn't even wait around for a guided tour of part of the roof - which might have been excellent - but we decided walking in the estate would give us more pleasure - I think we made the right choice

So, teach me something and paint me a picture of the place - or my place in it, or it's place in history/the world/the local community.

Not sure that helps, but I'm pretty sure you're a top-notch guide anyhow :T

Greying x

egoode

Fortune_Smiles wrote: »

Hello egoode :wave: Lovely to see you.


WI Head Office have confirmed the situation for us. We cannot donate to other registered charities as the Charities Commission rules don't allow this (we did know this and had chosen causes which weren't registered). We can donate to causes which align to our constitution. All of our causes do align so there is no problem. I don't think our Federation Mentor was very well informed on this particular issue and set some hares running.


Here's the official guidance if anyone's interested http://www.thewi.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/9629/A-WI-Guide-to-Raising-Funds-for-Projects,-Causes-or-Appeals.pdf


All's well that end's well - it was just funny to see the WI getting so animated. Jam spoons at dawn :rotfl:


Fortune x

Thanks for the link Fortune, it's very useful. I have to say I'm really enjoying being part of the WI as I'm relatively new to my area (only been there 18 months) and it's a great way to meet new people.

The tour guide job sounds really interesting, I hope it goes well for you.

Greying_Pilgrim

Hey Fortune - I hope all is well?

I was just popping in to tell you about a little bee I saw yesterday, a female hairy-footed flower bee if my identifier is to be believed



Unfortunately, I missed the *money* shot of her cleaning her proboscis She was very thorough too But I couldn't get the camera into the flower heads at the right angle, without bashing the clump she was on. Glad that I got to see it though, truly marvellous

Greying x

Fortune_Smiles

Hello all


I've been very lax about my diary entries recently - life seems to be so busy. However, I have two big (and several small) financial goals I need to concentrate on at the moment and am in danger of losing focus on these so here I am again:

• we've reached the target for our emergency savings
• I have a (very) big birthday early next year and have decided I would like to be away somewhere exotic on the day. We've saved the cost of the holiday itself but there will be spending and clothes to consider
• DSS2 and his finance have set the date for their wedding in July next year. We would like to make a financial contribution and have saved 21% of this so there is still some way to go
• I've found my wardrobe is a little too casual for my new job so need to address this
• and, if possible, I'd still like to continue with home improvements and a few lilies.

So the plan is:

• continue to save £500 per month to savings for holiday and wedding costs
• continue to make our regular mortgage OP but channel PADs and any additional income to savings
• continue to set aside any remaining disposable income for home improvements
• keep a look out on Fleabay and in the sales for work clothes
• use my survey, art and work income for clothes and lilies.

So here goes...


Hope all is well with my forum friends


Fortune x

Fortune_Smiles

A mother Woodpecker brought her baby to the bird feeder today. He couldn't manage to land on the feeder itself so clung to the wall and waited for mum to come to him with the nuts. Only one baby this year. We usually have 3 or 4 so I wonder what happened this time.

Mr F and I have had a relaxing Sunday just pottering around. A few chores have been completed and some PADs made to the savings.

It was Lentil Chilli for supper tonight to use up a sulky red pepper.

Mr F is feeling quite tired so it's an early night for us tonight. I have a new book to start so I'm looking forward to that.

Have a good evening all

Fortune x

Greying_Pilgrim

Hey Fortune!

I just wanted you to know that I tried out your 'woody asparagus stalk pesto' tonight We were gifted a wee bunch of garden grown asparagus, which frankly, didn't 'yield' much in the way of woody stalks, but I made up the pesto, using the slightest ends of the asparagus, some toasted hazelnuts and sunflower seeds, garlic, basil leaves, oil and lemon juice (I think that was all that the A&C recipe listed........ along with seasonings......).

I coated the casarecce pasta in the pesto; tossed in chopped up grilled asparagus stalks and topped with chopped boiled egg and the tips of the asparagus. Drizzled a little EVOO over the top with a few grinds of black pepper.




BLISS


Thanks for the recipe tip hun! It has been put in the recipe index box!

Greying x

Fortune_Smiles

Greying_Pilgrim wrote: »

Hey Fortune!

I just wanted you to know that I tried out your 'woody asparagus stalk pesto' tonight We were gifted a wee bunch of garden grown asparagus, which frankly, didn't 'yield' much in the way of woody stalks, but I made up the pesto, using the slightest ends of the asparagus, some toasted hazelnuts and sunflower seeds, garlic, basil leaves, oil and lemon juice (I think that was all that the A&C recipe listed........ along with seasonings......).

I coated the casarecce pasta in the pesto; tossed in chopped up grilled asparagus stalks and topped with chopped boiled egg and the tips of the asparagus. Drizzled a little EVOO over the top with a few grinds of black pepper.




BLISS


Thanks for the recipe tip hun! It has been put in the recipe index box!

Greying x

That looks absolutely delicious Greying! I had quite large stalks on my last asparagus so lots to make pesto with. I'm going to use it as a crust for salmon this week. It seemed such a good idea for using the bits you'd usually throw away.

Bon appetit!

Fortune x

Fortune_Smiles

It's been dry but quite blowy here on top of the hill. A good day for getting your washing dry. Mr F has been home working and I've been concentrating on my new goals:

Money Saving

• did the weekly shop. Would have been just on budget this week but came across an offer/error I had to take advantage of - £2.99 for 380g of frozen pollack or 5 packets for £6! (Waitro$£ if you're tempted)
• counted up the coins in the Marmit£ jar - £23 to go in the savings pot
• meal plans for this week have been based around using up the stash of fruit and vegetables in my fridge before they reach the point of no return. Lunch was tuna salad with leaves from the garden and Asparagus Pesto stired through some warm new potatos. Supper was Crispy Asian Salmon with Noodles. I managed to redeem half a green pepper, a red pepper, some spring onions, a lime and some sugar snap peas overall
• no unplanned spending :A

Money Making

• called work to let them know I've an extra weekend free if they want me for tours

Home Improvements/Maintenance

• cleaned the bedroom and put some nice fresh sheets on the bed

Clothes

• 2 Fleabay purchases arrived in the post today. One is a brand new Laura A$hl£y linen cardigan. It's pristine, fits and all the tags are still attached ... but it did smell slightly of mothballs :rotfl: The other item is a Laura Ashley top which fits and is quite pretty but it was listed as new and I don't think it is as the material looks a little worn. That's the chance you take on Fleabay I suppose. I might sell it on
• repaired a little snag in an existing top

Health

• I've sneaked this one in as it should be highest on the list of priorities. I pulled a muscle in my back last week which was very painful. It's reminded me not to neglect this area
• all meals cooked from scratch today with lots of healthy, organic vegetables:A
• no snacking

Lilies

• putting my new cardigan out on the line for a few hours and bringing it in smelling of nothing but fresh air and wild flowers I may wear it to work on Thursday
• clean sheets and a new book to look forward to at bed time (I was too tired to start it last night).

I hope everyone has had a good start to the week.


Fortune x