And now we go again...

EssexHebridean

Theoretically we could if needed - generally speaking though we find as long as you have sufficient insulation from the ground that solves the issue of "cold from below". Currently our setup involves some small picnic blankets from the Land of Pounds bought years ago spread out as a first layer, then an ancient sleeping bag of mine which is in theory waterproof on the outside as the next layer - "waterproof" side down to help with any dampness (although with modern tents this isn't really an issue). Sleeping mats go on top of that, then sleeping bags, with as said fleece blankets always available as a "topper" just in case - I frequently start with one of those over the foot end of my sleeping bag but nearly always kick it off mid-night! If it's really cold I shove a pair of fleecey socks on too! 

Anyway I have ordered a camping mat which appears to be reasonably thick, have some sort of built-in pump, and get good reviews, so we'll see what that's like. The standard single width inflatable mattresses get really mixed reviews and it looks very much as though it's pot luck whether you get one that is good, or not,  and I'm not willing to go with something which seems to be almost "disposable"! If the one I've ordered is no good (I'll be trial-inflating it tonight, to check) then it can go back and I'll try something else. 

There are discussions happening here around allotments. We've been saying for a while it would be nice to have more growing space, and as it now appears that we also have more time, it's come to the forefront of our minds again. We'd definitely continue growing stuff in our actual garden, BUT having proper space for things like potatoes for example would be superb - and realistically, we could then be self-sufficient in those for much of the year too. I'd love to be able to grow onions and leeks as well.  We would appreciate more space for soft fruit, and some small fruit trees even, perhaps. Just the simple thing of being able to "hedge our bets" on some crops to mean that if a crop fails in one location it could yet succeed in the other...  Needs thought, and as yet we don't even know how long it might take to get a plot - it seems to dramatically depend on where you want to be in our area. MrEH is making enquiries... 

Frittata style omelette last night used up some of the mushrooms and a couple of rashers of posh bacon we bought at Ludlow which turned out to be painfully salty - it feels as though the sides weren't rinsed after curing, but just sent straight to the air drying process. I'd already decided that it was going to be used essentially as a seasoning (as we have been talking about elsewhere) and thankfully although the mushrooms were ready to throw in the pan I'd not got them going or salted them yet. In the end we got away with it by not using any added salt at all, although I've made a mental note to rinse the remaining rashers before they're used!

Couscous for tonight - the protein will be halloumi but I'm undecided about the veg yet - and I may just opt to make up a bean salad to go alongside as we have home grown toms and cucumber to use, and quite a lot of shop-bought peppers. Tins of beans are plentiful in the cupboard, so that could be a good win as a "use what we have" and "energy saving" meal.