So close, we can smell mortgage freedom!

Suffolk_lass

Yes, I know it would leave a bit every day (and we haven't seen a day where we generated anything like enough to charge it in the day yet). And we were originally going to have three batteries but despite assurances, the quote persisted in saying one so we left it. We agreed that we didn't want to spend £5k per battery if we are going to move house - so it will subsidise our very high winter use (but at least they won't be sitting charged up doing diddly squat in the summer!)

themadvix

Yes, the difference between summer and winter is tricky to balance, I agree! We would have charged ours three times over yesterday - the first time it's been anywhere near that good. But then you must have been doing well powering the Aga yesterday. But definitely, if you might move, you don't want to spend a fortune on the system now. And batteries are a) expected to come down in price in the next 18 months (my sister used to work for a solar company) and b) are easier to fit than additional panels, so not so expensive or so much of a hassle to add more at a later point.

themadvix

Morning all,

So all is quiet on the work front this morning. HW done and very ungiving today! I am collecting some bananas at 10 from an Olioer a short walk away. I will continue the walk to the bike shop to see what they have in the way of bungee and also to two charity shops (I need a lightweight waterproof coat for cycling in and a birthday present for nephew).

I may also cycle down to B&Q to buy some citric acid - the only place to get it locally apparently. Will see what the weather is doing though as forecast is for rain. I don't mind getting a bit damp, but it's not so urgent that I need to get soaked.

Depending on work, I may then get the sewing machine out. Dinner tonight will be BNS risotto, using pre-roasted and frozen squash, so nice and easy. Olio collection this evening - although our store has started marking things down earlier in the day, so we're expecting a lot less stuff (which is a good thing if it saves waste, but potentially less good for my purse!).

MS things:
* YG survey
* 1P surveys
* Clicks and HW done
* Dinner last night involved Olio potatoes and broccoli

Gratitudes:
* Lovely chat with Dad yesterday hearing about their holiday to Costa Rica
* Despite the horrible weather, I managed to get in a decent walk
* Seedlings are doing OK and I'm beginning to see the chillis and peppers coming up too

Have a good day all!

Suffolk_lass

Wilko (wilkinsons), Boots if they sell beer-making stuff and health food shops have Citric acid too

themadvix

Not in the quantities I need SL! I’m looking for it for cleaning purposes, not food grade stuff - it’s the best thing for descaling the toilet. And I dilute as a spray too. 

Out of curiosity, do Boots still sell home brew stuff? I’ve never managed to find it - think that was a long time ago.

Karmacat

Good luck with the sewing machine - I have several projects lined up, I may actually need to try to use the machine: learning to thread, oiling, cleaning it, using practice piece .... argh.  I'll try to stay positive - my first seedlings are through too, yay.

Good luck with the citric acid.

EssexHebridean

Pretty sure our Boots stopped their homebrew section a long while ago - the only stuff they do now are the occasional basic "make your own beer!" sets they do at Christmas as presents. 

themadvix

Karmacat said:

Good luck with the sewing machine - I have several projects lined up, I may actually need to try to use the machine: learning to thread, oiling, cleaning it, using practice piece .... argh.  I'll try to stay positive - my first seedlings are through too, yay.

Good luck with the citric acid.

Thanks KC. You can do it! Youtube is your friend, but sewing machines are pretty straightforward really. I may not get it out yet as a potentially large piece of work may be in the pipeline, but I'm waiting on budget confirmation.

themadvix

EssexHebridean said:

Pretty sure our Boots stopped their homebrew section a long while ago - the only stuff they do now are the occasional basic "make your own beer!" sets they do at Christmas as presents. 

That was what I thought EH. I do have some very elderly Boots branded homebrew stuff - inherited from the in-laws and even my granddad (who died when I was 1, so definitely getting to be antique!).

I've collected nanas and spent £5 on a bungee cord from local bike shop (who I'm hoping will be able to service my bike in future). No luck in the CS. Am trying to summon the energy to go down to town to B&Q among others.

Still waiting on £8+ of PA money to clear - most of it has been sat there for days now. I won't be impressed if it doesn't clear by month end.

Scrap that, just had email confirmation of the piece of work, so I'm not going anywhere!

Forgot to say that someone is coming to look at my old bike this evening, so fingers crossed it sells and that £40 in, plus bike out of the way!

Suffolk_lass

We used cheap full fat cola to descale the toilet at DS's where limescale had built up. 2L bottlle; tip half in the bowl, half in the cistern, leave it overnight then flush twice