So close, we can smell mortgage freedom!

themadvix

Morning all,

I have finally finished the large piece of work for main client. It wasn't a very cheery job at all, so rather glad it's off my desk for now (it'll be back). Have another small piece to do for  US client and a Cambridge meeting shortly. Other than that I have cleaned the fridge and assessed what needs using in it - it was all getting a bit out of hand. So, lunch will be a cheese and coleslaw sandwich to use up the coleslaw (I'll taste test it first, just in case), dinner will be courgette kuku with added chard, paneer and a sad onion. Tomorrow we need to eat the avocado that I cut last week and wasn't ripe enough - it's held shut with an elastic band and has ripened enough now. I'm out tomorrow and Mr MV is in the office, so dinner might be a bit some avocado toast, eggs and baked beans type affair. 

I've also found two lemongrass sticks that need using - bought to make thai curry paste for the freezer, so I'll get that done this afternoon. Hoping to get to the allotment too.

Picked two courgettes yesterday, plus blackberries (wild) and raspberries and a whole single French bean - we've now got about 6! 🙄 So much for having a bag of them in the freezer this year. 😔

MS things:

* Dinner last night turned out to be BOGOF on pizzas on a Tuesday, so that was good!

* Finally back on the RM survey and have had my first lot of stamps

* Signed up for RM CD survey

* Have had a call from the focus group company about the follow-up 90 minute call (an additional £100) - booked in for next Friday

* Boiler service booked for Tuesday

* RHS membership money had actually been taken already, so I had a bit more money for my savings pots.

Gratitudes

* Delicious pizza last night and a nice time with Mr MV

* A lovely sunset

* Free food - more blackberries in the freezer for my porridge later in the year (raspberries are also going in the freezer as they are only coming ripe a couple at a time (and I'm exercising immense self-control and not shoving them straight in my mouth!))

Have a good day all!

themadvix

Have had a productive afternoon so far. I didn't opt in for the free electricity - frankly it requires enormous effort to use more than battery discharge and solar generation but enough that we'd be getting it free. I have however, used power as I've baked some ginger nuts (having discovered a jar of stem ginger at the back of the fridge this morning) and made the Thai red curry paste. Most annoyingly though, the fitting for the mini food processor sheered when I was doing this - I'm hoping as it's a Braun we'll be able to buy a replacement as I use it a lot. Have also done two loads of washing which are nearly dry on the line. Might pop down to the allotment in a few minutes, just for a quick weed and tidy.

greenbee

I set a temporary 1p tariff for my battery between 1pm and 2pm in the app, and put it in stop mode from when it has about 60% in it until the 'free' period (I do the same with the diverter that feeds the immersion), and try to keep my usage pre-1pm below my generation level (not too difficult, even with today's overcast weather).

At 1pm the battery is set up to charge, as long as I can use/it can also consume the solar. I kicked off today turning the oven on to 220C, starting the TD to dry down jackets washed earlier on cool quick washes, starting a normal washload, turning on the induction hob to make curry, turning on the ice maker and slow cooker, and boiling the kettle for the slow cooker! That certainly kicked in the import, and where I'd normally move stuff off the hob into the thermal bag, I cooked it all on the hob this time. Having prepped all the ingredients beforehand, it was just a question of assembling things to go into the oven (tins for farinata and scarpaccia were heated as the oven heated).

Farinata first as that needs to be hottest, followed by scarpaccia on the shelf below it, and sliced aubergines on the bottom of the oven (I do miss my rangemaster with the tall narrow oven that could take lots of baking sheets!). While assembling those I sweated onions and spices - made the first curry, during which time I loaded and turned on the DW (45 min wash), then turned down the oven, got the second curry going and then took the farinata out and shoved some cookies in the oven.

WM and DW finished a few minutes after the session, but as the battery stopped charging and they'd done the hot bit, I think the solar coped. Battery was full again by the peak period (don't use much then as I'm working), so I discharged 40% which I know leaves me enough to get through to morning with plenty to spare (well, I hope it will as usual!).

So instead of my usual 1-1.5kWh import, I've imported 6.5kWh today, but I've exported 11.3kWh despite consuming 18kWh (only a couple more than usual to be fair) of my 23kWh generation. It's certainly an interesting challenge, and clearly only worth doing if you are load shifting rather than trying to find ways to use up power, as it probably only makes about 50p difference to the bill at the end of the month! But so far I've used all three sessions productively. And there's one more winter coat that needs washing and drying... 

themadvix

Morning all,

That was quite a lot of effort required there Greenbee! I had the results from the first one, which I did opt into and made quite an effort for - saved 13p! I've seen on your diary that you've saved more, but given it's also based on your 'normal' use and your panels/battery are quite new, I suspect this may be coming into play. If the car had been here and needed charging, it would be different, but for the tiny amounts/huge effort required, I'm not going to worry - the solar and battery save us so much anyway.

Had a lovely day out with ex-Brownie friends yesterday. We visited Chartwell - saw the gardens before the rain came, then into the house and a lovely cafe lunch. Grand total cost for me was £5 for Dart charge and £1 for lunch as I had an NT voucher that covered the rest, friend bought morning cuppa and Mr MV pays for the electricity (I am saving for the car insurance - I intend to contribute something to the running costs!). Also called into my uncle's on the way past to collect the FBMP Solo stove I'd bought (with him collecting). It was lovely to see him albeit briefly and he appreciated the couple of cans of beer I took as a thank you. Played with the stove when I got home - all as it should be and works beautifully - smoke free! It was a tiny fraction of the price for a new one (they are extortionately expensive, but Mr MV was keen on the idea as they are smoke free and the smoke from my old chiminea, which has died this summer, really used to annoy him)  and had only been used a few times.

Cambridge work this morning with meetings with both bosses. One done now and a few bits to action, but I'm mostly waiting on other people. The other one at 12. This afternoon I need to return the Jenga, pop to refill shop and collect cat sitting key for the Maine coons 😊

Have popped to allotment first thing this morning and harvested a handful of raspberries and picked some more wild blackberries. Am coming to the conclusion that next year will be make-or-break for the allotment - it has been such a disappointment this year. If I got rid of it, I'd turn the front garden into a veg plot, which would be a bit smaller, but I'd have eyes on it all the time and there'd be less wildlife (and there's no road past it, so it's not exposed to fumes). I don't really want to get rid of the allotment, but it's not been a joy this year, or successful.

MS things:

* Clicks and HW done

* Used voucher for day out yesterday

* Raspberries and blackberries - what there is available, I'm determined to stash away!

* It will only be a small top up at the refill shop later - but a few key things are needed (salt for bread making, seeds for loaves)

Gratitudes:

* A lovely day out with friends yesterday

* A delicious lunch (I do love an NT 'one pot')

* The M25 was very kind to us!

* A quick chat with uncle

Have a good day all!

TallGirl

You are so lucky I would love a SOLO stove but they are so expensive, I really want one for the smoke free bit please let us know how you get on sounds good so far. 

As for the allotment I do feel your pain this year with growing. I have 4 raised beds (pallet collars) and usually get loads of lovely stuff. This year nothing took from seed and when it did it got eaten my slugs despite nematodes. I did more seeds for flowers thinking that would be easier but failed again I think the soil was rubbish. My cucumber was doing great then collapsed and died same with the courgette. Just saying you are not alone this year has been rubbish and I have been growing for years and felt I was the failure but I think it was just this year. Hope you get a nice late harvest all I have got are a few green tomatoes but I am still hoping they will be ok.  

greenbee

It was quite a bit of effort TMV, but it did mean I got a lot of stuff done in one session that otherwise I might still be meaning to get round to. The last one was particularly good due to the lack of solar generation at the time. I think the novelty value is kicking in too. Oh, and the rest of my department are away this week, so I have very few meetings to work round! I think the answer is to make the most of them when you can, and not worry when you can't. I'm guessing that Octopus are working to get people into the mindset of load shifting. I'd really like to find some tech that would integrate with agile and my appliances to automate the load shift. Mind you, I also need to get rid of some of the billions (OK, 60+) LED downlighters in the house (actually, that's unfair, 14 of the LED bulbs are in two light fittings in the utility room. Replacing those (and the one in the loo that has 3) with bulb holders and shades would be a quick win. 

On the veg front, I was watching gardeners world on catch-up last night, and they were suggesting sowing dwarf beans now for a late crop. Might be worth while. 

themadvix

Thanks Tallgirl. I do know it’s not just me, but I look around at the allotment and it really feels like other people have had more success! As you say, just everything got eaten again and again. I bought cucumber plants as a last ditch attempt and because they’re in my garden, which is much safer from wildlife of all varieties, they are at last producing. Generally the stuff in the garden has been ok, although quite a bit still got eaten. I do really appreciate the sympathy though! Let’s hope next year is better!

 We paid £120 for the stove for nearly £400’s worth of kit. We might not have bought a lid, which was one of the bits we got, but we’d have wanted a stand for it at some point, so it was a great deal. They do come up on Facebook - definitely worth keeping an eye out. The stand works brilliantly - it only raises the stove a couple of inches off the ground, but because of the design there’s no heat at the bottom and so the grass was totally undamaged. We’ll definitely be able to use it on the decking as a result! Going to play again tonight, so will let you know how we get on.

themadvix

Morning all,

 Am just enjoying a quiet breakfast on the decking in the sunshine. Up early as I was awake anyway and am off out for the day with mum.

 Friday night was fun - we cooked sausages and marshmallows on the fire. Used our bbq grill for the sausages, which sat on top perfectly and then put the marshmallows on sticks, obviously. The stove burned very cleanly and the bottom is actually cold, so absolutely no damage to the grass (or in future the decking) when it’s on the stand.

 Saturday the weather was vile here, so we enjoyed a lazy morning reading and enjoying a hot chocolate, before tackling Mr MV’s office aka the dumping ground in the afternoon. Loads listed on Freegle, a box ready for Ziffit and more bits to recycling/sis. It looks much better now.

 Yesterday we went kayaking with BIL and SIL. ‘Twas good fun! Unfortunately we’re definitely not convinced about having their ‘spare’ kayak (it’s spare for a reason), but will be looking out for one for ourselves - either at auction or in the sales (not something I’m too inclined to buy second hand due to the puncture risk). We’ll be able to use it with them and with Sis (on her paddleboard) and it’s so relaxing being on the water (I’d have a boat if I had the money and a different husband - this one is liable to be ill on anything larger than a kayak!). Given it’s the end of the season now, there’s probably no rush to buy one - unless we decide to take it to France with us (but I’m not convinced we’d have time, given all the places we want to visit).

Mr MV is staying at home today for a rest (unlikely - think he’ll be finishing the pergola), while Mum and I visit RHS Hyde Hall (where there’s a craft show on).

MS things:
* baby HW
* surveys - cleared a few from my inbox this morning, inc a PC one where I gave them what for about individually wrapped, overpriced chocolate produced thanks to child labour! 

* Mr MV requested (and paid for) takeaway curry on Saturday night - I cooked my own plain rice in the IP (he has a biriyani) and naturally it did us two meals
* courgette, French bean (singular), raspberries and blackberries harvested

Gratitudes
 * Water fun - I’m very much of a mind with Ratty from Wind in the Willows - there’s nothing half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats!
* Fun times with friends and fire on Friday (invited SIL - BIL away - and other pub friend for fire)
* Breakfast on the deck in the sunshine 😊

 Have a good day all!

themadvix

Afternoon all,

September (and the insane amount of work it brings) came early, hence my quietness. I have a stack of emails (with projects attached) to work through in my inbox, plus a busy period for Cambridge.

Did my invoicing and paid myself on Saturday - have put aside the money for my power of attorney forms now as well as additional money to holiday fund, Mr MV's special birthday fund and the usual pots.

Did a follow-up solar interview on Friday, so that's an additional £100 in extra money (£220 in total from that project, which is great). Also reached payout from Y Live, so that should arrive this month too.

Am currently cat sitting for the Maine coons again - they finish tomorrow but then I have another job starting Friday. After them, I'll be having a cat-sitting break!

Have been enjoying our solo stove - definitely a good buy in terms of being smoke-free. Mum came for a BBQ on Saturday evening, which was lovely. Our hammock also arrived, so time not working has been spent in that!

Allotment is OK - lots of courgettes (about 7 in the fridge at the moment I think, including some big 'uns) so am going to try drying some. Raspberries are doing well too - and mostly making it into the freezer.

In not MS news (although it could have been a lot worse (and may still get worse)) - we snagged two tickets to see Oasis next summer at Wembley. Very restricted view but only £75 each. However, if more dates become available, we may try again as we were intending to buy 2 for Mr MV's dad and his friend too, so we'd transfer these to them and hopefully get better seats. We'll see... Just glad we're going at the moment! What a palaver it was though!

Today, aside from work, I want to get the courgettes drying, inventory the freezer and meal plan for the week. I also need to sort a card for the first of the 40th birthdays this (academic) year.

I'll be back with a bit more of a detailed plan for September/outline for rest of the year later.

Have a good afternoon all!

Greying_Pilgrim

tmv - I know I'm being a complete parsnip, but what makes the stove smokeless?  Do you have to buy/burn a certain type of fuel?

Greying X