From Frugal Foundations to Fortified Family Future

badmemory

Yes I am sure it is.  The prices are on both their websites.  Last time I bought though it was much cheaper on Aldi but they don't stock it all the time & no website to check on.

Greying_Pilgrim

Phew, back from a nice trip out.  

We went to somewhere I've wanted to visit for all time.  It's kind of a industrial archaeological site, and it's something you can see as you pass on the road, but we went for a look-see up close today.  Then we went for a walk around the village. I had an OS map, and was following the trail published by the local parish council online.  Now granted I was following the map, not the written instructions, and I started from where we were, not where the instructions had you start from.  So we didn't go wrong per se, although there was a bit of footpath, that probably was originally a footpath that went through a stack yard (but no fingerpost at this point).  Well, of course, years have passed, and the stack yard has been developed into housing rather than farm buildings,  so it didn't look like the path still went through there, so we carried on along the green lane/drovers lane (we legitimately could be on that), and turned when we came to a field opening, and walked across a harvested field (the straw bales were still in situ).  As we walked across the stubble field, I could see a footpath finger post, so assumed we were in the right area.  We came out at the tip of a housing estate.  Needless to say, we then got pounced upon by a resident, who was wondering what we were doing?  There's a public footpath through their estate - what do they think we were doing?  

Anyhoo, we wandered off and walked around the church - no complaints from anyone about that, and then went to see another unusual feature (a historic sheep dip), and wandered back to our original start point and jumped in the car.  We then pootled off to another site, and walked along a footpath until we came to a bench and sat and ate our picnic lunch.  

Surprisingly, LG loved today's adventure.  They're not usually that enamoured with walking, but there was plenty to see - none of it 'run of the mill' I guess.  I don't think we'll bother with that particular village again, but it was nice to have crossed another idea off the list for the hols. We've probably walked the best part of 5 miles today.   

I contacted my Aunt and a stop-by at theirs is on for tomorrow, so we'll have a nice time at the museum, and get to see the rellies on the way back.  

I have no idea what to make for tea.  

Greying X

rtandon27

@Greying_Pilgrim - any chance of an international food store near you?  Our local, run by a Nepali couple stocks every type of rice imaginable and has by far the best prices I've seen anywhere.  We don't eat a lot of basmati but do eat a lot of jasmine - MrT has a 5kg bag for a really good price.  If it's only basmati you are after MrM sells a 10kg Dawatt brand for about 13gbp.  Other than jasmine rice, I only buy 500g to 1KG worth at a time as we just don't eat enough of it regularly to keep the stocks in-house!

Greying_Pilgrim

rt - a sort of yes to that question.  There is one in a nearish town.  I don't go diligently - although I should go soon as I've run out of quite a few of my whole spices, and they do those for good prices.  But I have never got good prices on rice there - and similarly when I went occasionally to the medium size metropolis along the way - there were several world food stores, but never got bargains on rice.  They just can't compete with the supermercados.  I shall bear MrM in mind, I have to go to different stores to our local one, as that just does not do world foods.........Neither does our biggish MrT.  But I can access stores that do have world food sections.

Thanks rt.

Greying X

rtandon27

If you need to stock up on other things, would you consider an online delivery?  There are several world stores online that stock the E@stend brand - a collegue at work uses a middle eastern one for all of his family's bulk purchases (Mom & Dad & 5 children).  If 0cad0 delivers to you, they have really good prices on world foods - I can send you a referral code which I think gives you free delivery last time I checked!

Greying_Pilgrim

Yes, I think 0cad0 do rt - but I admit, I've never thought about a delivery.  Let me think on it some more - I've never used 0cad0, so I am not sure what their offerings are.  Let me investigate!  Thanks for the prompt - was off my radar.

Greying X

rtandon27

ooo - just checked the latest link they sent me for referrals - you get 20gbp off!  - there are also free slots at odd times and cheap slots at more normal times - so you could end up with about 17gbp towards your shop after paying for a cheap delivery slot!

Greying_Pilgrim

Good Morning MFW'rs

Goodness my diary seems so 'lightweight' given the issues so many of you are all facing.  

We ended up having a lovely day out yesterday.  It was relatively low cost - I suspect the fuel for the car was the biggest expense, so yet again, I'm entirely grateful for having a car and the ability to purchase petrol  For sure this summer will see an increased credit card bill for stops at the petrol pump, but to a certain extent that would be true if we'd driven to the airport, port or direct to Grayside-by-the-sea-across-t'moor for a holiday in the static.

We parked up in a country park, car park.  The charge wasn't too excessive - £3 for 6 hrs, which covered the time we'd be away from the car.  I could have paid for less time, but didn't want to be stressing about rushing back.  We then walked a very pleasant mile countryside route (no roads) to a museum which was free entry.  LG did the trail they set up for kiddies.  It was quite well thought out - finding letters to make a mystery word combined with activities which were appropriate for kids of all ages.  We then went to one of the outside picnic spots and ate our lunch.  As well as a cafe, there were at least 3 picnic spots, and it was all so tidy and nice.  I'm pleased to report that the cafe was very busy - which is good, because no doubt it helps keep the place afloat.  In contrast the gift shop was a ghost shop.  I did put a donation in the box before we left the museum building.  We then spent a good amount of time outside looking and watching things that were going on, before eventually setting back to the car.  

We called in on my Aunt & Uncle, and had a really nice couple of hours nattering.  We had a cold drink and a slice of cake and LG was nattering away about what we'd seen and done in the holidays.  The rellies felt we'd done quite a bit, and perhaps LG was having a bit of a spiffy holiday.  They are still keen gardeners, and we were furnished with some lovely HG produce before we set off for home.  

LG was asleep in the car before we got home.  We hadn't been home long before DH arrived.  Tea was fish fingers, chips and beans.  I hadn't got any mushy peas - erroneously picked up marrowfat last time I was in MrL - I could have nipped in yesterday but it was getting late, and I just thought we'd have beans for the second day on the trot.  It's not like its a bad thing anyway.  I'm just grateful we have food to eat with a bit of choice now and again, or some 'convenience' when we need it.

This is the second day on the trot LG has been quite enthusiastic about our visits.  Their behaviour - and more importantly, engagement levels - were mostly good, and they had a positive attitude to where we were going and what we were seeing.  I was secretly delighted at their willingness to walk places.  I know that sounds incredibly daft, and it's not like we hiked the Pennine way or anything.  But we've covered a fair few miles in the past couple of days, and I can't think of any of LG's peers who would do similar, so there is no..... endorsement? recognition? acknowledgement? from peers, that LG has walked quite a few miles.  I don't suppose it's important to kiddos of that generation.  We saw quite a lot of things too; nature, and people working or enjoying leisure activities.  LG spotted a huge heron on Monday, well before I saw it, and they are getting good now at distinguishing between buzzards and red-kites.

Today we need to get some more 'pedestrian' stuff done, in and around the outskirts of Greying Town.  I must check if one of the satellite libraries is open today, we could print off some more pics to stick in LG's diary.  I need to have a think if we could take our lunch for a quick pootle too.  I also need to upload the pics from yesterday into our photo library of the hols. 

I think time is speeding up now we are reaching the end of the holiday.  We're at 'hump-day' of the week already.  

I haven't got a real plan for today (not always a bad thing), so I had better go away and see if I need to get some structure going.  It's no biggie to have a relaxed day, but I'm just wondering if we could do somethings today, which I had sort of pencilled in for tomorrow, freeing up tomorrow to 'go out'.  I'm pretty sure it is mizzling here - no word of it on the beebeecee weather site - bone dry according to them.  Precisely the same thing happened yesterday morning too 🙄 I need to wash yesterday's clothes - as much as anything the bone dry land meant we kicked up lots of dust as we walked.  Plus there were plenty of opportunities for LG to use play equipment that was dotted about, but again, it was covered in dust.  This summer has definitely been the one where LG's balance, and dexterity and ability has bloomed, and they are now scrambling up climbing walls, and trotting along balance beams - not always elegantly, but they're achieving it.  

Ta for popping by.  Appreciated.  Greying X

peb

Ooh . Yesterday sounds excellent.   

I really think you've managed lovely mix of things for LG to do these holidays.   Much more things that most have - those going away will have that week or two and very little else.  

With you on the weather, washing done but mizzle so can't hang out quite yet.

Greying_Pilgrim

Meter readings submitted to the energy company, and bill updated almost immediately.  It never ceases to amaze me that this is done, as at the rental - with smartypants meters - this was never achieved, not once by BG.  Thank goodness we were able to ditch them (BG).   Anyhoo, this billing period was the least costly so far this year (hurrah), and if we could achieve another low cost month into September, then I would be pleased.  We're still in credit, but I'm sure its not enough for the company.  Does anyone know if there's a slight 'rule of thumb' - I mean do companies like 1 month's DD in 'hand', three months?   Perhaps it depends on the type of useage, no of people in the household etc. Actually, it probably is 'individually' deduced, by a money-hungry 'pooter.

At least the mizzle has stopped.  So I best get the wash pegged out.

Greying X