From debt to freedom...

Honeysucklelou2

Thank you SA and Janb5. The ex has been turning up on days when I don’t expect him to see the children, usually in the morning and has been taking DS2 to work with him. DS1 leaves by 7.45 and I’m usually up and doing  things but last week DS1 left at his usual time, so the back door was unlocked and the ex and dog turned up and walked in. No news re the solicitor as yet - The mediator is back to work this week so hoping that if no progress is forthcoming with the ex, the form I need will be in the post promptly.

This morning DD2 and I went to the beach at 7.30. I was amazed by how many were already on the beach or in the water. We walked across the main beach, joined the coast path and walked on to one of the more hidden beaches which was much quieter. I can’t remember a summer when I have been to the beach so infrequently, so it was a great pleasure to hear the waves crashing on the sand and to walk across the beach admiring the variety of colours to be seen in the shells and pebbles. After about an hour we wandered back by which time there must have been about 90 people in the water either swimming or surfing. The beach car park was absolutely packed and lots of people were setting out their beach things for the day. I was glad to get an early morning visit in, but it also confirmed my thoughts that social distancing on the main beaches would be difficult.

For the rest of today I have felt quite lazy really. I sat out in the sun for 10 minutes which was lovely but then felt guilty at sitting and not being very productive. I did take some  time to check the account that the mortgage goes out from. I hadn’t checked it since March, as I know a standing order leaves my current account, goes to this one and then the direct debit for the mortgage goes out. I hadn’t clocked the interest rate going down so less money is leaving the account than I thought. The upshot is that I have £300 extra in there than I’d thought. Since  that money has already been assigned to the mortgage, from  my budget, I thought .I could make an overpayment. 🤔🙂

I’ve made the most of the dry weather and got a couple of loads of washing done and changed 4 beds - no gym workout needed here, wrestling duvet covers works just as well!
I’ve made a strawberry tart with creme  patisserie ready for tomorrow. I need to be up early to make some brownies for a picnic that we’ve planned, weather allowing. The greenhouse plants have been watered - some tomatoes are starting to ripen 🙂 and the cape gooseberry is in flower.  One of the hollyhocks that survived the rabbit attack, has just started to flower 😀.

Kitten868

I vote pay it off a debt or put it to one side for emergencies. I wouldn't overpay the mortgage whilst the documents are going through for the divorce. 
I'm with you on living at the beaches and not going as everyone else has. Seems so unfair. Can't take my children out in our area because people are coming from all over. Hopefully we will get it back in September xxx

thriftyish

We have calendula in full flower too, they are beautiful! I am hoping to harvest some of the petals to make calendula oil, have you tried eating the petals? I know they are meant to be really good for you, but I keep forgetting to try!

Is nice to hear of others still sowing, are you planting anything else this month? I might put some more kale in now, since you mentioned sowing some more. My first set of dwarf green beans didn't survive the rabbits, and I didn't even know we had rabbits on the plot then! I've just sown more another few rows of dwarf beans, they might not do much but its worth a shot!

It had completely not clicked that we are probably eating more as the children are off school, DD2&3 have a school dinner and snacks at school and whilst its not too much, it would be interesting to see what a difference it makes when they return to school (all being well) in September.

Cherryfudge

Well done on the rapid shoe shopping! That's quite an achievement!

flipflopflo

I vote debt as well.
We also live near beaches in a holiday destination and we've stopped going. Even the usual quiet bays seem too busy.
I went out in my wheelchair yesterday across the quay to M&S as I desperately needed to replace my knickers and bras (the holes were getting a bit big [blush]) and as I was wheeling round the number of people that were coming close and leaning over me to get things was ridiculous. I had to tell several people off much to my hubbys embarrassment but I wasn't going to be ignored. I even rolled back over someone toes and a power chair  is not light, he yelled    There was also quite a few people not wearing masks in shops or wearing them below their noses  . I don't think I will be straying far from my front door for the nest few weeks.

savingholmes

Good luck with the beach trips. i too would pay it off debt rather than the mortgage if there is any chance your ex would otherwise benefit.

Sun_Addict

Agree with the above, the benefit needs to be for you not the ex 👍

Honeysucklelou2

Thank you Kitten868, Cherryfudge, Thriftyish, SA, SH & Flipflopflo.

Good idea about the extra £300. Against the mortgage it would make a very slight difference but against a debt, it would make much more impact. The first window loan is down to about £700, so if I used the £300 against that and then diverted £50 a month to overpayments, I have a fighting chance of clearing the debt by the end of the year, which sounds positive 🙂.

The last few days have been more relaxing. On Monday, I met up with friends for a walk and socially distanced picnic. We went on a local coastal walk, that the children and I last did at Easter time. Although there is no beach to access, there is a flatter area of rocks that look like they may have been quarried in the past. The rocks are quite angular rather than the softer weathered angles of most rocks. We scrambled over a few of the angular rocks and found a couple of deep rock pools. We could see small fish darting around, much to DS3’s delight! It was refreshing to be near the sea and have the breeze help to keep us cool.

On Wednesday I was able to meet up in a friend’s garden for a socially distanced picnic. The weather was glorious and it was good to be able to catch up with my friend.

We have been able to get a couple of blackberry picking sessions in. I think about 3lbs have gone into the freezer. Quite a few blackberries have been found at the allotment, where I’d hacked back some of the denser brambles. Cutting back means better access to other brambles, if that makes sense! The elderberries are in evidence but need to ripen, as do the hazelnuts. I’m determined to forage as much as we can from the allotment as well as the planted crops.

Plant wise, the first sunflower has bloomed and looks amazing. The plum tree has several ripe plums which DD2 and I picked. I was so thrilled to have a harvest from the plum tree! Another 60 or 70 stems of sweet peas were cut and are now fragrancing  the house.
@thriftyish - I’m intending to sow some more lettuce this month and possibly some more beetroot. I did sow some chard a couple of weeks ago so hope to get that in the ground soon.

DD3 decided to make some cloudbread today ( Thurs). I’d never heard of it but apparently it is on Pinterest 🤷‍♀️. The consistency was quite like one of those memory foam children’s squeeze toys crossed with a marshmallow. She’d used egg white, corn flour and vanilla and some sugar. One of those tastes that was intriguing but I don’t think I want to repeat! 

Found out that the ex , after not returning  calls to the mediator suddenly has, so my hope to have the court form in my hand by the end of the week , has evaporated 😣.

Cherryfudge

How annoying of your ex. Do you think that's deliberate?

Your garden must be absolutely packed with sweet peas, to have harvested so many! I love them, the scent, the delicacy, the colours, the shape...

flipflopflo

It’s fabulous to get out and be near the sea. My favourite place to be. 

I envy you your allotment. We used to have one but since I’ve become disabled we just couldn’t cope with it. I was so sad to have to give it up. 

Well done on putting the money towards the debt it will be such a boost to you to see it gone at the end of the year. 

I reckon your ex is trying to yank your chain and trying to get a rise out of you. Serene is the name of the game, don’t let him see he’s upset you. Just do everything with grace and politeness and it’ll drive him potty.