Dusty's Frugal Fortnights Return!

Katiehound

slm6002 said:

   I have also recently had solar panels installed and through the summer which has bought my usage from the grid down a lot when the sun is out.  I have no idea how it will be in the winter months though

A lot less in winter! Much shorter days and often grey murk!!
You don't need sunny days but you do need bright light so when bright winter days come along really take advantage. I have a small dimplex electric radiator so when it's chilly but bright and the washing machine/ microwave/kettle are resting I put the rad on for half an hour or so. Solar panels make you think 'outside the box.' I see the price of them has increased lots- think mine was about £30

tooldle

Are you ok @dustydigger?

dustydigger

tooldle said:

Are you ok @dustydigger?

Hi tooldle! Not been too well last 2 days,bad back made sitting at computer a bit uncomfortable yesterday,I am hobbling around a bit,shambling really! Not too bad today.

But added to that today has been my eye. Not the one like frosted glass,but the myopic one I depend on for seeing. The lids are a bit swollen,eye watering a bit,a little tender to the touch,though only a little bit pain. Not chancing anything,so have only read 10 pages today,enlarged print on phone,in one page sections before resting the eye,but even that has been a little fraught. So spent the day watching gormless TV,didnt continue with the Walter Presents swedish drama I was enjoying,subtitled of course,so as to avoid eyestrain. STILL got eyestrain Off to bed now hoping eye will be improved tomorrow.

How kind that after only 2 days hiatus someone has been wondering where I was :)Thanks.

Katiehound

Take care

wishing you well

retiredinfrance

Take it easy, there’s no rush and look after yourself. 
And keep safe!

dustydigger

Morning all! I saw film of William and Kate walking their kids to school ,no coats,brilliant sunshine. We in northeast have thick fog,can hardly see the pub or houses across the way. drizzled on and off for days.

Back slightly improved today,but the eye is still a bit off,was crusted up with gunk when I woke up. Yuck.But swelling is down a little,and only hurts if I touch it. But vision isnt top notch so reading still a little problematic. Looks like I'll be spending time with  golden oldies music,apart from getting the gen from Truss about her energy plans. Not sure what will happen with the various handouts we were supposed to be getting.If the £2500 figure is accurate,my bills would be around £2700 since I am slightly above average consumption,but with the £400 and the other half of the £650 (we never did find that £326 that got lost somehow!) I would only (!) have to find an extra £700 this coming year. £3800,my expected bill from October would have been a real nightmare,so I can cope,I think,quite well. Good job I gave up alcohol,not buying Famous Grouse will supply quite a nice slice of that money

Wow,the eyesight isnt too good,so I'll end now,and play some nice folk music,and folk rock and country. Irish music,scots,Simon and Garfunkel,Everley Brothers,Don Williams,Joan Baez. Timeless,beautiful,soothing.......

tooldle

Things are going in a better direction this morning, hurrah! 

Wet again here today. Some very heavy downpours through the night. 

dustydigger

What a day,up and down. I started with bad eyes. Then we heard from Mr Dusty's daughter,undergoing cancer treatment. She never complains or says anything about her condition,but today she admitted she was suffering badly with mouth ulcers. Chemo just damaged the whole body. that upset Mr D ,then midmornibng a message came that his cousin died yesterday,which upset him even more. For me the price cap news was a bit of a lift. Wasnt looking forward to £5000plus prices next year.

Hearing the Queen was ill was very worrying. Only yesterday I had commented to Mr D about the weight the Queen has lost,that she was frail. I spent the rest of the day waiting and dreading the news.

The Queen had her coronation in 1953,when I was 5. I still have strong memories of a lovely book I had for years detailing her accession and coronation. I still have vivid pictures in mind of the orb and sceptre,that magnificent crown,her long train,and the golden coach.She has always been there throughout my life.End of an era.

The news of her death was the final straw for Mr Dusty today. He belonged to a commonwealth country,was brought up to respect the Queen,and he has been a British citizen now for 40 years. He has refused supper and went to bed at 8 o'clock. I think I will be off to bed early too.

End of an era,end of a remarkable woman.

weenancyinAmerica

Hugs to you and Mr. Dusty for everything that is happening. 

beanielou

End of an era indeed.
Back with her beloved.
We won't see her like again.