Simple living in the country - back to basics

Cheery_Daff

Morning all, 

The sun is trying to peek through and I'm hoping to get outside at some point soon. Not before I've done my admin though! 

I slept well (in the spare room - Mr Cheery was at the dental hospital yesterday and had an uncomfortable night) but I woke with a headache, that would probably go away more quickly if I'd got round to taking some painkillers... 

I've tackled my first dragon - emailed the insurance company answering its questions about animals and outbuildings. I imagine that will lead to them cancelling the policy and me having to find somewhere else, but if so, it is what it is - I've never had a problem before so will likely just go to another one of the big ones as usual. YAWN. But let's not anticipate that before it's happened!

Now tackled my second one too - rang the car insurance to pay. Bizarrely this had renewed, but said I needed to ring for payment. I was anticipating them wanting to go through the entire policy but they didn't, I just paid and that was that. Slightly annoying that I couldn't use Amex (I wanted £600 worth of points!) but it's done now. 

While I was in my email I noticed an unhelpful message from the LPG company - your fixed price deal runs out soon (which I knew, although I thought it was a couple of weeks later) - reply to this email to redeem your exclusive offer! What exclusive offer -you haven't told me what it is!! Nothing in the online account either, very mysterious. Have emailed and asked for details, although in reality I have very little choice - there are only two companies who will deliver with a small tanker, which is all they can get down our drive. Might be able to haggle a little between the two though, but that's not a job for today. 

So, next on the list - painkillers, and another cuppa. Then on to bank switching shenanigans... 

Definitely going to deserve a treat after all this. Is being out in the fields raking a treat or a chore??  

Might give myself a proper treat later - a daytime bath perhaps, or a sneaky lonesome cafe trip with my book... 

Banks first though! 

Cheery_Daff

Ok, automatic response from LPG people. 

2 year agreement (standard)
55p per litre + 5% VAT (we've just had a 2 year fix at 50ppl + VAT)

This one's fixed for the first year, then 'reflective of the LPG market' after that, no more than 5ppl increase in each 6 month period. 
Standing charge £66 per year + VAT
Standard, but rubbish.

Have submitted a query to LPG Save (what passes for a comparison site in the LPG world) but won't hold my breath...

Right - painkillers have been taken but not kicked in. Tea has been drunk, but I still haven't done the bank switching. Sun is coming out too. I'll give myself half an hour, then I want to be outside!

rtandon27

Anything outside is definitely a treat for us desk workers!  Becomes less if a treat when the sun hides behind the clouds, but it is movement and fresh air which is good for the body and the soul! 

Cheery_Daff

Ha - 1.5 hours later and I'm STILL inside 🙈 But I have now met all the relevant conditions for my last bank switch (except spending on the actual debit card - but I have the pin and have transferred some money in, so I'll do that over the weekend).

Now on to do the same for Mr Cheery's account, which should be a lot quicker now I've got a full list of everything. 

Headache still hasn't gone, mind you 🙄

EssexHebridean

Step away from the screens and get outside for a bit and see if that clears the headache! 

Cheery_Daff

EssexHebridean said:

Step away from the screens and get outside for a bit and see if that clears the headache! 

Yes, that's the sensible option, isn't it? 😂😂 We're off out on a little adventure now 😊

Done switching conditions for both of us for the current switch. Not set up the new switch yet, but might be a job for tomorrow/later - if they haven't already pulled it 🙄

Had two LPG quotes now - both better than renewal offer. One is fixed for 2 years so I'll likely go with that - the other can increase to whatever they want in the second year, with the only caveat that of they increase over a set amount, you can leave the contract. Not good enough, as they themselves said on the phone 😂

Cheery_Daff

A productive day in the end, although I never did get round to any grass-wrangling 😂

Had all 4 LPG quotes now though and one is a clear winner. They want photos of the tank, so I'll send those tomorrow, and if they're happy, check the contract for nasties (eg delivery charges). If they turn out to be no good, I'll go with the local firm. Slightly more expensive, and no price fix - but they're also the ONLY ones who don't tie you into a 2 year contract. We'll see.

Also parcelled up my books ready for Ziffit - slightly annoyed as I'd left it too long and my basket had emptied, and it was slightly less when I scanned them in again. But it's several books I don't have to give house room to, and about £4.86 in the bank when it arrives.

Pre-ordered a book I've been looking forward to. I very, very rarely buy new books, hardly ever, but this is an author I like very much, listen to his podcast, read his blog etc. The pre-order comes with some extra resources, plus I got free delivery, and I used TCB to get both cashback on buying a book token, and extra cashback on some TCB promotion a few weeks ago, so double winning 😊 A nice treat for myself 😊 

We're heading out for breakfast tomorrow, so I'll drop these Ziffit books off and remember the things we forgot to buy today 😂 Lots on the list tomorrow!

Cheery_Daff

Evening MSE chums 😊

Books dropped off for Ziffit - bit of a faff as the only in post lockers were past a set of 3 way traffic lights with a massive tailback, so it took a little while but it's done now.

I've also taken pictures of the LPG tank and sent them to the potential new supplier. 

Spent a small amount twice on both of our new debit cards to satisfy TCB requirements as part of the last switch. Have put in my diary to do this at the start of both March & April, and that should be the conditions met - everything else is automated with standing orders etc.

Finally texted neighbour re a date for meeting up - that's now in the diary 😊 And sent friends in Ireland some potential dates for a trip over there 😊😊 Very excited about this. They were our first local friends here, just 6 miles up the road, and about 18 months ago the fiends moved to Ireland to set up a smallholding. Delighted for them, devastated for us 😂 So I al very excited about visiting 😊😊

Spent a good 2 hours in the field this afternoon, wielding a pitchfork and shifting the last of the soggy cut grass. I've now shifted everything I've cut so far - hooray!! 

Also spent a bit of time hanging around in the hammock. First time this year, and extremely cheerful wafting gentle in the slight breeze 😊😊



Went to check on the state of the greenhouse - hadn't realised the fig bush was right under the broken window, and it was sitting in what can only be described as a bog 😱 It's got buds, but is clearly not happy. Stage 1 of the rescue is complete, but it's going to take a while to dry it out enough to properly repot. 

Washing dried, then got slightly damp again while I was occupied in fig rescue. Now on radiators.

Mr Cheery wants a bath later, but I think I am in high need of one right now, so I'm going to sneak in before him 😁

Freezer tea tonight, a Joe Wicks recipe - I think I have both mac & cheese, and a sausage pasta thing, so will have a rummage...

Still for this evening:
* next bank switch - putting this off as I confess off the top of my head I can't remember who still has what account available for switching 🙈 But I DO have records, so I just need to consult them - I'll do that if nothing else tonight
* take the blinking Christmas tree down! 🙈
* ring mum
* bit of flute playing

Then I think we'll curl up with a nice film 😊

Hope you all have a cheerful evening planned 😊

themadvix

Lovely photo Cheery - I can imagine sitting there wafting in the hammock was very restorative!

Your trip to Ireland sounds very exciting

We are going to curl up with Back to Future 3 - until a couple of weeks ago neither of us had actually seen the BttF films all the way through, so we are in the process of remedying it. Enjoy your evening too!

Elisheba

Sounds like a productive day, and lovely to have things to look forward to 😁. Hope you enjoy your film.