So close, we can smell mortgage freedom!

themadvix

Thanks NG!

Have been out this afternoon (still have plenty of work to do, mind you) - went to the dump so garden is now looking tidier (there was a pile of rubble that we'd been using as ballast for the old solar panel), and utility room is emptier too. Next stop Tesco where I offloaded a huge bag of soft plastics and bought some eggs. Then to Boots (which is really why I'm sharing here): 3 x 90 vitamin tablets bought - on 342 offer, SEL said £10 each - at till rang up at £10.40 each, so lady adjusted the price (after checking). Double points for my birthday, 200 points when you spend £20 on vitamins, 100 points when you spend £10 on vitamins (why both??) - in total I got 460 points and saved £10.80 cash. Then B&Q to finally get some compost - they have 10% off this weekend for B&Q clubcard holders, so naturally I downloaded the app and signed up in the car park. 200l of compost bought for £22.50 after the 10% discount, and I had all bar £8.75 of the balance left on the S&S gift cards we got a while ago. The lady asked if I'd like a hand with it to the car (2 x 100l bags) - said yes, lovely gent loaded it into the car and took the trolley away - bliss! I feel I really got good value for money!

Hadn't had lunch before I went out (breakfast at 12 though), so came home and have had two slices of toast (Olio) with hm marmalade.

Definitely need to get back to work for a little bit longer now, but it's Friday so not too much longer. Looking forward to our pizzas tonight.

Suffolk_lass

I don't know if you saw my compost bargain from the ag merchant's - 75L bags of good MP compost for £7 each (normal price) - I think their nearest branch to you is Stevenage - the female deer people - so if you need a top up - 75L bags are a bit easier to handle

themadvix

Thanks SL, I’m hoping that I’ve got enough for the time being - should only need a 1-2cm coating on the allotment this year. But the only name for a female deer I can think of is Doe…. Which isn’t an answer 🧐

Suffolk_lass

It is, with the Premium bonds computer forename in front of it...

themadvix

I’m still not getting it SL! Ernie doe??

Well our roof is fixed… but the boiler is broken! 🙄 It’s a fault code that’s definitely a plumber job, so will be calling him tomorrow. Boiler is under warranty, so hopefully we won’t have to pay… but of course that will no doubt require lots of toing and froing…. Joy!

 Did I mention that my Trustpilot review caused Hypn0s to get in touch - we have a second opinion booked for mid month. 

In other news, we’ve tidied garden, cut grass, tidied utility room, freegled a whole bunch of stuff - it’s been a very productive day. Also sowed peppers, chillis, cukes (took your advice and got the Mini Munch SL) and toms and they are snuggled up in my heated propagator.

 Yesterday I spent a couple of hours at the allotment - pruned blackcurrant and pink currant, topped up compost and sowed some broad beans. Also went for a run.

 Have just requested some bits from Olio, so hoping I can collect them shortly. Roast for dinner - retrieved meat for Mr MV from freezer earlier and bought some veggie sausages yesterday for me.

SusieT

Try Ernest, no shortening names please  

themadvix

Thanks Susie! Not a name I know, although bizarrely we past the place last weekend, having never seen it before!! (It is not far from us).

Karmacat

No idea what all this secrecy is about  

Suffolk_lass

Ernest Doe is the merchant. Some of them have Country stores. The compost is part of the country store. It was click and collect with 2x75l for £12 if you need more. Here is a link to the store and the link to the compost is here.

themadvix

Morning all,

Thanks SL. That is a good deal, but it doesn't look like it's peat-free, so it's a no-no for me. 

Had a free bet with one of the bookies yesterday, which I won, and then a nice (for that bookie) win on HW this morning, so have cashed out another £5.

Am currently trying to get through to plumber, but no answer.... will have to try another one soon. It's pretty chilly here this morning (and a hard frost outside), but we've got the oil-filled radiator and the heated airer to keep us warm.

Lunch is going to be soup (must get it out of freezer) and baton from Olio yesterday. I collected a ready meal type  thing that I thought I could have on Thursday when Mr MV is out only to discover it's not suitable for freezing, so I think we'll bulk that up with some extra rice and veg and have it between us tonight. 

MS things:
* HW - £5
* Saving on gas (going to have to put immersion on shortly though as the hot water is definitely running out)
* Milk didn't turn up on Friday, so have requested a refund
* Sent Eon complaint email off last night
* Strained my kefir yesterday - looks and smells like kefir, tastes like kefir, hasn't killed us yet (we are taking it slowly though as it can upset the stomach if you introduce too many new bacteria at once - and it's obviously going to be slightly different to shop bought)
* Crumble last night was apple and plum, from jars put away in the summer. Also hasn't killed us yet, so must have done it right - thanks SL for teaching me a new skill

Gratitudes:
* Lovely crumble and a new skill
* A Freegler is coming for most of the bits listed yesterday, meaning our utility will remain clearer than it was
* Roof fixed, despite roofer being super busy 

Have a good day all!