'supporting each other through really tough times'

Peanut2013

Gorgeous sunny day here too Thinking of trying to get out for a walk with the little man, have baby group later but think we can go for a stroll after

Had an amazing day yesterday. Our best friend is back after working all winter in France. Havent seen her for 5 months and she's never met little man. She spent the afternoon having cuddles and it's just great to have her back home She's off to uni up country in September, so time to make the most of her being home!

On the note of holidays we are so excited as we've picked up an older camper style van this weekend It's a crime what we paid for it, mainly because the engine is shot. But OH is a mechanic and so can fix it himself (apparently needs minimal parts, mainly labour). It needs a damn good scrub as is filthy but again it's all labour work. After a good bit of hard work it's going to be perfect for the 3 of us to travel to the beach at weekends (plenty of room for our surfing gear) and pick up a cheap camping pitch for the night (most are about £6 a night)

I see years and years of super cheap but good holidays coming our way

silvasava

Brilliant Peanut Its so great to be able to come & go as you please and organise your day to your own needs. We've camped, 'vanned & caravanned for about 40 years! Just love the freedom & the experiences you give your LO cannot be underestimated - Happy Camping!

nuttyp

Wow peanut the camper sounds like its going to be loads of fun. When our girls were younger we bought a very cheap caravan, I made some 'curtains' from cheap lining fabric. I say curtains, but they were nothing special. We got a cheap off cut of carpet, and there it was our new holiday home. The hob worked and the fridge did too, no lights inside so we had a bedside lamp. There was bunk beds at the end, and we had a rota for who got the top bunk, alternating every night we stayed in the caravan....... They have been some of the happiest and cheapest trips ever, lovely memories too.

Well time to pack my tea, sandwich and a yoghurt again.

Have a good day everyone.

oldtractor

well ,this month we will be really skint. So will be eating up the last of the store cupboard and freezer stuff and doing without losts of things. No worries however, its kinda exciting ,this challenge, I've just done a Te*cos order for less than £110 for the month. Hurray.

[Deleted User]

Busy,busy day today. 3 washing machine fulls on the line, dried ,ironed and back in the cupboards. We've put up a double length pea and bean frame in the garden and tied on the nets for them to climb up, we've each done a good hound walk in the sunshine, planted out the first lettuces and a courgette in the polytunnel and a cucumber in the greenhouse. He who knows has removed and cleaned the pond pump and the tortoise has been taking the air all day in the garden sunbathing. Now watching the IPL Cricket on TV and having a cuppa (No NOT the tortoise!!!). Have cooked up a humungus amount of rhubarb in the slow cooker and will make crumble later and get some into the freezer for next winter (I know, we've not far left this one yet!) as I am aiming to use all we grow if I possibly can. Also sorted out, washed and chopped a big carrier bag of leeks for the freezer as they are beginning to go to seed, Phew, and did the housework and made lunch!!! Going to sleep well tonight I think, Cheers Lyn xxx.

jamanda

Mrs LW - For the last year or two I have successfully bottled rhubarb in a light syrup because I was running short of freezer space. If you have plenty of space it is OK, but worth bearing in mind if you want to save space for the rest of the massive garden crops we are all going to grow this year.

[Deleted User]

Thanks JAMANDA, the family clubbed together and got me an Excalibur 9 tray dehydrator for christmas last year and I'm going to dehydrate as much as I can so it can be stored without needing to rely on electricity. Having said that, I don't think I can dehydrate Rhubarb Crumble can I, I do have storage space and am going to get some more kilner jars for bottling this year as we do produce lots of fruit in the garden and on the allottment so thanks for the reminder, Cheers Lyn xxx.

Popperwell

Was going to avoid paying the TV license but decided to give in for one more year...

Had fish and chips(YS)worth £3.50 paid 89p.

Tonight at the Music Club...music and someone has a birthday so has arranged some pie and peas.

Fuddle if you are reading...

Brand new farmers' market starting this Sunday, Stewart's Park Middlesbrough 11-3pm. Every 1st & 3rd Sun/month

monnagran

Lovely day here too. Went to a coffee morning this am, then off to the cash and carry, M&S and various other ports of call. Back home exhausted and hungry as it it our Fast Day and we'd had nothing but a cup of coffee. Was pleased with myself for not going mad - lots of salad bits and 1 Ounce of cheese - yes, I weighed it! Boiled egg and 1 slice of toast tonight with sugar-free jelly to follow and that's my lot for today.

Found a fabulous little material and wool shop. Bought myself a book on how to crochet and a crochet hook. On holiday I am determined to learn how. It's ridiculous, I have been knitting and sewing since I was a child but never learned to crochet. One crochet hook, one small book and a ball of wool won't take up much space and won't add too much to the weight of my suitcase.

Have a day long trip to the mainland tomorrow for the funeral of the son of our elderly friends. Not looking forward to it much. It's always the wrong way round when the child goes before the parents. They are super people and very courageous but it has hit them hard.

Oldtractor: there is a certain pleasure in facing up to a challenge - all power to you.

x

fuddle

Yeah monnagran, go you with the crochet hook. You'll know of a scarf that is just rows of single crochet... easy peasy

21 is the bus, so pleased mccollach was around last night. It's a small store jam packed with meat and veg/fruit (cheaper than supermarkets) eggs, bakery, deli. Well worth a look and won't tire you out too much because its small.

Had eldest DD from school as she has slapped cheek syndrome. Took her to docs where they said she could go back because the contagious time had already passed.

Been visiting my 65 year old friend today. She has a holiday caravan on a lovely site so been supping tea and eating cake while putting the world to rights on the verandah in the sun, really nice afternoon and just what I needed.

Picked up application form for teaching assistant post. Will do that tomorrow.

Had the girls wash my car... what a mess lol but they had fun.

Ducks in the nature reserve have had little ones and swan has laid 3 eggs in her nest. It's a lovely time of year.

Can I ask? What is lidl's fruit and veg like quality wise?