So close, we can smell mortgage freedom!

Cheery_Daff

Oh, that's a nice idea! 

Mr Cheery is motivated by an event he has to attend tonight (which he's being paid for) so I definitely don't blame him! 

themadvix

Seems very sensible of Mr Cheery!

A digital photo frame had been one of those things we’d thought about on and off for years, so not an impulse buy. We looked at them but then Mr MV thought they’d be a faff to update with photos and would require too much thought. Getting an iPad has made it much easier as we just have a shared album that we can drop photos into from our phones. At the moment it’s just propped against the stereo but he’s assured me he’ll get a frame made for it (he needs to get some laser cutting done for a project, and this will help reach the minimum order). It is really good!

Karmacat

That's a great idea about the ipad - as the holder of family photos, and all family scans, I'd have plenty of material for that!

Otherwise, I'm glad you're getting some sleep, and feel able to walk to the allotment to direct Mr MV nice one  

themadvix

Thanks KC. Not been to the allotment yet - it's really hot again here so we're going to wait until later. If the plants have survived this long, hopefully they'll be ok for a few more hours.

So, the roofer has been. He's had a look. He reckons to fix the main issue is going to be £1700 (or potentially Mr MV could do it, but still scaffolding cost would be necessary). However, he also said that really the roof needs replacing - the structure not the tiles - as the battening is quite narrow, the roof is bowed and in places the felt has fallen down inside (all things we knew, and probably the reason our neighbour's council house was done a couple of years ago). He's given us an estimate of £7k for that.... The problem is, it certainly isn't urgent, but if we're going to stay put for a while and the solar is attached to the roof, getting it off at a later point to fix the roof would be even more expensive. Obviously we would be getting more quotes for the work before we agreed to it, but I doubt he's likely to be ripping us off (he is the husband of one of my aunt's colleagues, so there's a conection there, even if tenuous). So we've got some decisions to make, research to do and (potentially) money to find - in fairly short order given the solar situation (we won't discuss the fact that E0n came and did a technical survey and we've not heard anything back from them, let alone any thoughts that the roof needs work).

We do, technically have the money, but it's in S&S ISAs (and we all know how well they are doing at the moment), and can't take a loan out for it, given Mr MV has just applied for a loan (0%) for the solar itself. There's obviously my buffer fund, which is technically losing money at the moment given the poor interest rates (where isn't losing money though), but it's our EF so not inclined to dip into this too much.

So it looks like it might be belt-tightening time (if it wasn't already). I've also just seen that the SVR on our mortgage is currently standing at 4.5% - who knows what it'll be when our fix ends next June. So that will also be a priority. Once we've sorted this lot out though, things should be good (and we still appreciate that we're in a hugely better position off than most at the moment).

In the interests of MS things, lunch was toasted crust of an Olio loaf, a bendy carrot and the last bit of cucumber (from friend's allotment), followed by an apple (Olio). I've not yet had to nap today, so progress on that front. Maybe tomorrow I'll be able to get off my backside and do something!

savingholmes

Ouch to the roof bill but not something you can really afford to ignore from the sound of things. No point putting solar on an unsound roof either.

themadvix

Thanks SH. I had a look back at the quotes we got from 2020 and the company that quoted then (when all we wanted was a little repair done, which today's guy did for £150), had quoted for pretty much what he was saying would need doing and it was more like £3k. Even allowing for increased costs and labour, hopefully we'll be able to get it done for less than £7k. So quotes definitely needed.

Been to allotment... veeeery slowly (it was painful) and Mr MV watered and I picked some peas and these:


Slightly disappointed as I thought I'd bought a bush variety and these just appear to be dwarf, so only going to get 6 heads instead of lots, but they're still lovely. Everything had survived remarkably well down there - even the beans seemed to be thriving despite the heat. Absolutely knackered now though - back on the sofa for the evening. I have made a start on a dishcloth (inspired by EH's diary, which I will get round to commenting on soon!), so at least the sitting isn't entirely unproductive. I'm definitely better than yesterday as I couldn't have started on that then. Mr MV is cooking 'Chinese inspired' dinner - he's being secretive about what exactly - whilst also making beer (using up ingredients from the cupboard - yeast was in the fridge, so hopefully still OK!). Kitchen smells all worty, lovely  

Have a good evening all!

Cheery_Daff

Ooh, they're beautiful! I'm in awe of anyone who's managed to grow anything - this year (and last year) I have been utterly appalling. Managed to get about 50 each of turnips and beetroots in the ground but that's it. Couple of shrivelled squash plants that won't get big enough to produce a flower let alone a squash. And a load of blackcurrants that are currently being eaten by the birds cos I haven't had the energy to harvest them. Oh dear! Maybe that should be tomorrow's activity 🙄😂

themadvix

There’s still time for your squashes - mine have only just decided to do anything having been in the ground since May! Only be picking currants if Mr Cheery can put a chair out there for you!

newgirly

Beautiful flowers Vix and I’m glad you are feeling better now 🙂 

themadvix

Thanks NG!

 Just tested negative 😁 Still be taking it easy for a while, but might be less of a leper now.