So close, we can smell mortgage freedom!

try_harder

Our pond is full to the brim with frogs ,they come every year but this is the most ive ever seen and so very noisy too ..

Suffolk_lass

You could check out local stables too - they often let you collect from their muck heap (and if it still smells, keep it to spread in the autumn so the worms deal with it over winter) - digging it over a bit often reveals the well rotted stuff. If you cut your bags open carefully they are usually happy to let you fill them. Or a mushroom farm - bit niche but there is one in the next but one village

themadvix

Morning all,

A busy morning so far with cat sitting, Olio collecting and distributing. Unfortunately work has been quiet, although I've chased about the expected project and been asked to quote for a project for April (suspect it will be too much, but so it goes).

@try_harder , I seem to have loads of frogs too, but the others are hiding under the tarps covering the beds and have not been caught in flagrante! I'm pleased they are there as natural pest control, but slightly worried that the slug population is supporting such a number of frogs!

@Suffolk_lass, yes, I'd thought of a stables - and am keeping the bags (for leaf mulch come autumn, if nothing else). Given my previous phobia of mushrooms, I think a mushroom farm may be a step too far! Another allotmenteer mentioned yesterday that the council used to provide compost/manure, but hadn't done so this year (but do leave a pile of woodchippings - which I noticed after I'd bought two bags of the stuff for paths!). 

Mum and I made good progress yesterday - I now have two small beds set up and ready for planting. I need to check what seeds I've got and plan what I'm going to grow... the problem is it's all very complicated! (Or seems that way!). The allotment shop is open at the weekend and I'm going to go and have a look there - they have very reasonably priced seeds judging by the price list on their website.

MS things:
* Have ordered new walking boots from Revivo, rather than Vivobarefoot - saving £50 on brand new price for virtually brand new shoes. Have been waiting ages for these to come into stock in the right size and not the same colour as Mr MV's!
* Dinner last night used up several bits that needed using (and no oven)
* Dinner tonight may involve the past-its-use-by-so-can't-give-away garlic and herb pizza dipping sauce from Tesco, of which I have quite a few - am thinking roasted BNS and pasta with a garlic and herb sauce.
* Free food from Olio - mainly bread, but also some hot x scones.... intriguing!
* Clicks done
* PA surveys done
* Heating remains off, although I may boost it later as it's chilly here!
* Cats sat (they still regard me as an interloper!)
* Washing was put on overnight on our cheap rate (not the spin) and next load is prepped ready for tonight

Gratitudes:
* Mum's help yesterday - just having someone to help/bounce ideas off etc. is really useful
* More friendly allotmenteers - one offered me some roofing felt (but I already have some) for my ailing shed!
* Gorgeous sunshine yesterday! (Cold and grey today!)

Aimingforthegoodlife

Oh you are doing amazing, love the idea of the allotment! Best of luck!

themadvix

Thanks @Aimingforthegoodlife!

There's an epidemic of Covid as a result of the wedding... SIL (the bride), FIL and other SIL all have it.... I'm still testing negative (and feeling rather smug, it has to be said - I may live to regret that!) and obviously Mr MV is temporarily immune (and was entirely negative before attending the wedding, so it wasn't him!).

Just realised that my switch to V1rgin completed yesterday, so I should receive my voucher code from them soon.

Have picked up a couple of platform jobs for this afternoon.

There's a weird light here but I've just realised it will be Saharan dush that's doing it - everything is a slightly odd golden colour (including the rain... which is annoying - not been out for a walk yet and wanted to pop to the allotment).

Karmacat

themadvix said:

There's an epidemic of Covid as a result of the wedding... SIL (the bride), FIL and other SIL all have it.... I'm still testing negative (and feeling rather smug, it has to be said - I may live to regret that!) and obviously Mr MV is temporarily immune (and was entirely negative before attending the wedding, so it wasn't him!).
I hope your strong immune system continues to carry you through  

Just realised that my switch to V1rgin completed yesterday, so I should receive my voucher code from them soon.
Excellent - switch bonuses really add up, don't they.  And I'd never have got mine if TalkTalk hadn't pushed me off by upping my broadband bill by 30%.

Have picked up a couple of platform jobs for this afternoon.
Also excellent.

There's a weird light here but I've just realised it will be Saharan dush that's doing it - everything is a slightly odd golden colour (including the rain... which is annoying - not been out for a walk yet and wanted to pop to the allotment).

Very much so - it's not quite golden here, but its very weird, very blank, and also not windy at all, which is a bit odd seeing as it's come from the Sahara

themadvix

Switch bonuses do indeed add up Karma, but you've definitely got to be in the right frame of mind to faff on with them (in this case anyway). 

It's less golden and more yellowy here today (and for a really random aside probably only KC may get, it's kind of the colour I imagine Thread to be, if you've ever read Anne McCaffrey) - and no wind, but lots of rain.... pretty miserable then! I've popped the heating on for half an hour as it was down to 15.5 degrees and I'm now sitting working - was fine earlier when I was moving around more. It'll help the washing dry, in any case.

Have had confirmation from the market research co about the thing I'm doing next week (for £70) and also a response to a freelance application I put in on LinkedIn, suggesting I sign up to their platform - so I'll take a look at that too shortly.

Karmacat

themadvix said:

It's less golden and more yellowy here today (and for a really random aside probably only KC may get, it's kind of the colour I imagine Thread to be, if you've ever read Anne McCaffrey) - and no wind, but lots of rain.... pretty miserable then! 

Ooh yes!  That's a great connection!  I'm going to go out into my back yard now and admire it!

themadvix

Good job it's not really Thread then, unless you're expecting to see dragons in the sky! (I must reread those books, I love them but it's been a few years now.)

Karmacat

Yeah, I'd be snookered if it was really Thread  and wow, the colour of the sky is absolutely crazy right now!  I bet medieval peasants got really scared by this - I'm so glad we can just admire it for the pretty