Mrs. P's Savings, Paying Off CC, being more organised diary

MrsPorridge

Lovely weather today - although we did have rain overnight which was welcome for the garden.

First thing I did a bit of studying for the OU course.  Then I completed the first assignment.  Some work done on the second assignment.

Then DH and I did some tidying up in the garden, cut some branches from a small tree and tidied up the pond area.  We have loads of wildlife in the pond, little "trogs" as I am calling them as we are not sure if they are frogs or toads, water beetles and newts.  We pulled a few bits of vegetation from the pond, but have left it on the side till tomorrow so anything living in it can crawl back into the water.

After that a walk down to the farm shop to get some flour and sugar.  On the way back we popped into the pub for a quick drink.  Was nice to chat with a few locals and one holidaymaker.

This afternoon quite a bit of sewing done for the dolls house.

Breakfast was porridge and berries, lunch was leftover veggie filling eaten like a soup and tonight its new potatoes, beans and yellow label pukka pies.

Makingabobor2

Hi Mrs P. just catching up after my holiday. Sounds like you've been busy. The OU courses sound interesting. Didn't know they did free ones. I might have a look. I would like to learn new things to keep the brain active as I am aging. Also it gives my day more structure if I know I have something to do. 

MrsPorridge

I am really enjoying the OU free course I am doing and have signed up for another one.  They say its 8 hours of studying.  But, it is what you put into it, so you could more (I have).  It will definitely be something I shall do more of in the winter.  There are loads of the free ones so I don't think you will have a problem finding something of interest.  I did print the materials out though as I find it easier to read than onscreen so if you do that you may find you need to invest in some ink cartridges - mine ran out half way through and I had to buy some more!

Makingabobor2

MrsPorridge said:

I am really enjoying the OU free course I am doing and have signed up for another one.  They say its 8 hours of studying.  But, it is what you put into it, so you could more (I have).  It will definitely be something I shall do more of in the winter.  There are loads of the free ones so I don't think you will have a problem finding something of interest.  I did print the materials out though as I find it easier to read than onscreen so if you do that you may find you need to invest in some ink cartridges - mine ran out half way through and I had to buy some more!

Ooh there is loads on there. Brilliant. I have started with one called Introducing Aging, which says its 11 hours.  Looks like there's so much more I could find of  interest as well. Thanks for mentioning it. A good MSE tip....learning for free. 

MrsPorridge

Another lovely day again. A load of washing done and line dried.

Some other little bitty jobs done.

A banana cake made to use up two old bananas and some fairy cakes for next door neighbour who bought me some fresh farm eggs last night.

I’ve also applied to join the Library – figure it will be useful for my OU free courses!

We decided a while back to stop taking for granted where we live – by the sea in Cornwall.  To that end we have been going to the beach a bit more, but its got very crowded this last week or two – goodness knows what it will be like when the schools break up.  So, we decided to go after 4pm today – also the car park is free after that time!  We took a packed tea with us and enjoyed a swim and dry off in the sun.

Breakfast was porridge, lunch scampi and chips and beach picnic of home made potato salad using up some beetroot, the rest of the jersey royals, some onion, mayo and some hard boiled eggs.

We are away tomorrow for one night – going to Devon to watch an Agatha Christie play at the theatre.  I booked it quite a while back, staying in a TL.  Also, the theatre now do pre theatre suppers at the cost of £13 so I’ve booked two of those.  DH is having a cold meats platter and me pie and mash (it was a few months back I booked them and didn’t realise it would be so hot)!  The good news is that its all prepaid. 

We will set off early and take a packed breakfast and flask with us of bacon scones I made last week, lunch will also be taken, cheese and tomato rolls which we will eat when we visit an NT house (while we have a cuppa there).  The following day we will buy breakfast.  Packing is done.

An NSD today.

MrsPorridge

Lovely weekend.  We watched an airshow from the water on a friend's boat and then had dinner together on Saturday.

Today did a bit of gardening, then some shopping, quick drink at the pub and afternoon of sewing.

Brunch was eggy bread and bacon and we have just had steak and chips for tea.

MrsPorridge

DH had a Dr's appointment early doors, so we got up had a cuppa and went straight there.  He needs to start taking BP meds.  I have been on them for at least 20 years.  No surprise that he has to do this.

After that we called in at the Library.  As a result of my OU course I decided to enrol at the libarary.  Went to collect my card and a chunk of books - varying from crime fiction to cookery books via crochet!  I went to the desk and asked to check these out - they told me that it is all self service and showed me how to work the scanner.  Couldn't believe it and shows how long it is since I was at a library.  Luckily you can print out a slip which says when your books are due otherwise I wouldn't remember!  Although I guess I could look it up online.

Then onto a local NT property where we had scones and coffee as a breakfast.

Back home we did a chunk of personal admin.

I made some pasta and we had lignuine carbonara with leftover mushrooms and onions as a late lunch/early tea.

Later I think we may have some cake as a late supper.

MrsPorridge

We had a day out on the motorbike today and went to Polperro.  I haven’t been for years and don’t think I’ll ever bother to go again!  The car park charges were £6 for 3 hours including motorbikes (which in the past have always been free to park as standard as long as you don’t take up a parking bay).  The attendant was a biker and let us park for free.

We spent a total of 1 hour there and that included eating our packed breakfast of bacon scone and flask of coffee.  We also visited the model village (reason for going) and that was tiny (no pun intended)!

After that we went to Charlestown which was free parking in the car park!  We had a coke each at a pub and sat outside which was lovely.  Then we had our packed lunch which was sausage rolls which I took out of the freezer this morning – they were defrosted by lunchtime.  We had them with a packet of crisps.  Then we had an ice cream.

We then made our way home after that.

Dinner was jacket potato with beans and cheese.

I’m still busy cross stitching carpets for the dolls house.

I'm pleased that we had a lovely day out with minimal costs:

£7 model village

£6 cokes x 2

£4.5 ice creams x 2

enthusiasticsaver

The parking charges at Polperro are just dreadful.  We have a bus which goes  there from my town so I use that or I park at Talland Bay or Looe for free and walk along the coastpath. During the  summer we tend to do the beach either very early or like you about 4pm to avoid the crowds.  

MrsPorridge

My friend who is practicing to set up a business giving facials, massage etc., called on me today as a test subject for a facial – how lovely was that!

Afternoon was spent doing some more study for my OU course.

Breakfast was waffles with berries, lunch cheese and crackers and tonight its pukka pie with some leftover swede and carrot mash I found in the freezer.

An NSD today.