It's getting tough out there. Feeling the pinch?

Woolsery

y

ladyholly said:

Woolsery said:

ladyholly said:

A family member has a piece of land which a developer wants to buy but as it is designated for agriculture they are having to go through hoops to get the supposed nitrates sorted, offset or whatever.
Sensible you might think but this land has never had artificial fertilizers on (it has been in the family for well over 100 years) and has not been used in the last 40years at all except for grazing a donkey who died over 20 years ago. Even more to the point they have been trying to sort this for over 5 years and as far as we can see are no further on. How many parcels of land are there like this?

 It's likely the nitates are low and the planners want to offset the loss of this unsullied land in some way. However, as I said before, the people who control high finance are not intending future development to be so easy in the countryside, whether it's here, in France, or Timbuktu. Their vision has been laid out clearly and it revolves around achieving Carbon zero, with people mostly in cities within 15 minutes walking distance of the main services they'll require. It's no good at all if they're like me and need a car to reach anything resembling a service!

I'm in favour of looking after our wildflower meadows, having just spent more than 10 years creating one with a sustainable agricultural output, but you can bet I'm pressing on in haste with plans to convert a redundant barn before it's too late. That's my pension!

I am all in favour of rewilding when done properly. Our council,not the same as relatives, has just planted loads of trees too close together and has stopped cutting the grass around them and all round the edge of the field. The trees are disappearing into the grass and the only interesting wildlife is ticks. This is a field that is used by children and young people people of all ages and dog walkers. I am waiting to hear of the first child with lyme disease. 

Maybe the trees were planted at close intervals with the intention of harvesting some as they grew, but then the budget was cut instead! Ours are planted at 2mx 2m and we're just starting to take firewood now after 9 years.

 I won't walk in our fields without wellies until our hay goes. We're very aware of the dangers of Lyme, having a younger family member who caught it and who hasn't been right since.

Wild edges to recreation areas aren't new. I remember renting in a village in 1981 and having the ability to pick wild raspberries on the fringes. We weren't very conscious of ticks then; they were just something the dog got!

weenancyinAmerica

I read a lot on here of people eating quorn and other meat substitutes and using a lot of soy products. I have been warned by my doctor and have seen studies online warning about using too much soy if you are taking thyroid products. The doctor told me to have at least a four hour window from when I take my thyroid pills and eating soy and to limit the amount that I use. If you are taking thyroid, maybe you can speak with your doctor about it. 

euronorris

Noticed the price of morrisons own bread has jumped up to 75p a loaf. Last time I bought some (earlier this year), it was only 55p a loaf, so a huge jump.

DH has been baking bread at home, but taken a break this week so we don't have to put the oven on in this hot weather (over 28C in our place this week!).

In other news, I noticed the first tiny tomato forming today 😍 can't wait for fresh tomatoes.

sammyjammy

euronorris said:

Noticed the price of morrisons own bread has jumped up to 75p a loaf. Last time I bought some (earlier this year), it was only 55p a loaf, so a huge jump.

DH has been baking bread at home, but taken a break this week so we don't have to put the oven on in this hot weather (over 28C in our place this week!).

In other news, I noticed the first tiny tomato forming today 😍 can't wait for fresh tomatoes.

Me too, nothing beats the sight of your own homegrown veg (fruit!) I also have a teeny courgette but think I need to transplant them into bigger pots if I want a good harvest.

Nothing beats that wonderful tomato plant smell either!

pelirocco

Spendless said:

On the subject of food budgets, I found DD becoming Vegetarian MORE expensive! Let me explain, when she came home from school one day aged 13 saying she was now vegetarian - she was a meat eater when she'd set off, it was a few days before payday, I'd lost my job (yes again!) a few months before and we had little in. Suddenly the large pepperoni pizza we had in for us to share wasn't sufficient because we also needed a smaller vegetarian one and going forward 2 x medium pizzas, (2 veggie, 2 not), cost more than when it was when one large suited everyone. Add in that DD has never been a fan of the veg chilli/curry/stew etc and prefers meat substitute stuff. Has changed her mind on numerous occasions about which veggie sausage she prefers and that DH thinks all meals should contain some meat on it and you can see why. I have had some success with using lentils and the veg she does like to make bolognaise and then I'll eat it too as I can't abide most  meat substitutes

I'm a veggie and would have just taken the pepperoni off

Florenceem

I have been to Canterbury by bus today - lots of building happening there. A lot of student accommodation is being built which is let out in the summer to tourists - so hits local B&B and hotels. The houses being built are £400K +. 

ellenvan

Just an idea on haircuts - see if your local hairdressing college has student cuts.
I went to one last week - £7 for a decent haircut - 2nd year student so almost finished course, fully supervised.
Admit it did take a little bit longer than a normal hairdresser, but worth it if you have time.

ladyholly

Woolsery said:

Maybe the trees were planted at close intervals with the intention of harvesting some as they grew, but then the budget was cut instead! Ours are planted at 2mx 2m and we're just starting to take firewood now after 9 years.

 I won't walk in our fields without wellies until our hay goes. We're very aware of the dangers of Lyme, having a younger family member who caught it and who hasn't been right since.

Wild edges to recreation areas aren't new. I remember renting in a village in 1981 and having the ability to pick wild raspberries on the fringes. We weren't very conscious of ticks then; they were just something the dog got!

I doubt if harvesting was the reason was close planting or budget cuts stopping it as it was all done by volunteers. Most of these are much closer than 2m x 2m and the only reason some are a bit more distant now is the work of the local vandals. I have no idea what the trees are and as I said you cant even see them now (planted 2019) as the grass is so long. The lovely big blackeberry bush is now in the middle of the uncut area so wellies will be needed for picking them.

MovingForwards

I used to do a roast on a Sunday, I'd just have all the veg and meatless stuffing, with a veg gravy, my then husband would get the meat, roast and a meat gravy. Each time I cooked there'd be a meat or veg version with a side of whatever.

My now OH will do something similar or even cook two totally different meals. I'll happily make a pot of something and eat it for several days in a row.

Being veggie or vegan doesn't have to work out more expensive. I've stocked up on staples of beans, lentils, herbs and spices, with egg replacement and other things for under £41, they'll easily last the two of us a month.

I've harvested my garlic, onions will be next, and then it will be regular picking of greens, root veg and bits of fruit. Even if I didn't, buying it from the supermarket wouldn't cost lots and I don't shop at Aldi or Lidl.

Spendless

pelirocco said:

Spendless said:

On the subject of food budgets, I found DD becoming Vegetarian MORE expensive! Let me explain, when she came home from school one day aged 13 saying she was now vegetarian - she was a meat eater when she'd set off, it was a few days before payday, I'd lost my job (yes again!) a few months before and we had little in. Suddenly the large pepperoni pizza we had in for us to share wasn't sufficient because we also needed a smaller vegetarian one and going forward 2 x medium pizzas, (2 veggie, 2 not), cost more than when it was when one large suited everyone. Add in that DD has never been a fan of the veg chilli/curry/stew etc and prefers meat substitute stuff. Has changed her mind on numerous occasions about which veggie sausage she prefers and that DH thinks all meals should contain some meat on it and you can see why. I have had some success with using lentils and the veg she does like to make bolognaise and then I'll eat it too as I can't abide most  meat substitutes

I'm a veggie and would have just taken the pepperoni off

Yeah she won't do that. There's no set rules for what vegetarians consume whatever you're comfortable with but mine won't eat anything that has had meat/fish  touching it. At a buffet style place for example she would ask the server to use separate tongs. I don't cook in the same trays either at home, eg chicken nuggets/veggie nuggets would be in separate baking trays, but I don't keep set ones, once washed up she's ok with one that was previously used for meat