From Frugal Foundations to Fortified Family Future

themadvix

Oh that’s good then - it sounds like it probably is good for your gut. (I’m not a kimchi expert, prefer sauerkraut!) Sauerkraut is very simple to make. There’s a fb group that’s really helpful and has lots of resources (recipes and videos), but I suspect you don’t do fb? If I get a minute I’ll see if I can find the video on sauerkraut r from it on YT - it’s all about weighing the cabbage and adding the right amount of salt (and reallypacking it into the jar).

Greying_Pilgrim

Although the grocery budget has taken a hammering already this month, and we've paid for a meal out (which was a modest cost, by prevailing standards), I am glad that self-catering still gives us the option to come away on holiday (there is no way DH will do camping anymore). The site we're on is rural and very quiet (no clubhouse or adventure playground), but I got woken up this morning by the insistent tweet, tweet, tweet of a blue t1t, we have just been watching a flock of goldfinches bob about in front of the van, along with a couple of greenfinches - I mean greenfinches, I can't remember the last time I saw one, and this was clearly a pair. And whilst we were watching all that, a heron flew over!

I'm not sure what we'll do today, but I'll grab the map in a minute and see what NT/EH options there may be.

Update on the cereal. Thus far LG has had a box everyday we've been here - they did have a porridge pot when we were in the purpley hotel. They have enjoyed corn flakes and pops cocoa, and r1ce crispy multigrain shapes this morning. Thus far they've been enjoyed, and every scrap eaten, which I'm surprised about, as much because LG isn't a huge fan of milk. I might be imagining it, but I don't think cereal is as filling for LG as porridge. It's difficult as it's holidays, and we've had easter, but I'm sure there is additional 'snacking' - mind once the chocolate is gone, it's gone.

Right, I can't think of anything else MSE to report, so I'll push orf.

Greying X

Watty1

I went to a workshop on making things like kimchi and kefir and so on. Many years ago -it was a freebie as I had met someone who wanted to try doing them pre covid to earn money and wanted to try it out. It was fabulous, we made lots of different things including preserving carrots and garlic and so on but tbh if I wanted to do it now I would have to watch some videos as it is a complete mind blank.

It did however make me think that you are so good at finding the boxes of veggies that it might be a nice addition to your kitchen. Also I've served sauerkraut as a burger addition (just a small amount) and friends loved it having previously said they would not eat it - I wonder if something like that might help LG try it more?

Greying_Pilgrim

Watty - I love kimchi or sauerkraut on a veggie burger. With kimchi, it is the chilli that LG doesn't like. The trouble is, most (not all) veggies that are fermented, are not particularly on LG's list of favourites. But the world is your oyster, I agree. I was listening to an episode of the food chain on beebeecee world service and the guy - who's a really famous author in the world of fermenting (I think it was Sandor Katz) - had jars and bottles of all sorts, fermenting in his house.

I think today is going to be another slow one. DH now has a sore foot 🙄 So I don't suppose we will be going anywhere than involves walking. I just need to re-set my head I think, and absorb that it is OK to be on hols and not do anything/go anywhere. It's my head that is the problem. There aren't many NT/EH places locally - certainly not your 'stately homes' variety or huge castles. So we're not missing out on anything. I think I equate a 'chillaxing' holiday with not travelling very far, whereas if you've travelled quite a distance, I suppose I'm thinking you should be 'doing and seeing' all there is to see. But I'm not on a bucket list, probably won't ever be here again, trip to Australia, so I need to adjust my thinking.

I forgot to say, that I like (when possible) to buy a locally produced foodstuff when on hols - sometimes it is just about a box of garden gate eggs. But I saw some (first of the season) locally grown asparagus yesterday. It was a bundle - approx 200g, like you get in supermarkets. But it was £6.50 (it didn't say it was organic). In MrW, they didn't have any UK asparagus (I bet they will in the next few weeks), and they were selling bundles for £2.95, produce of Mexico. I know asparagus is hand harvested, and it's a short season, but I did kind of think that I probably can't afford to consider asparagus now. Which is a shame, as DH and I both like it - although we usually only ever get UK grown stuff. First of the season in anything is premium, but £6.50 is a bit steep.

Greying X

Aylesbeare

Don’t know if it would help, but MnS have UK grown asparagus in now and it’s under £3 per pack. Not a huge bundle, but enough as an accompaniment with a meal for two.

Hope the holiday is going well and Mr GP’s foot heals quickly. Xx

kayannie

We both love asparagus. Before we moved home 5 years ago, we were close to an asparagus growing farm. They used to sell what they called 'soup bags', a huge bag of asparagus that was a mix of different sizes & shapes & cost about £2. I do miss that farm at this time of year!

We have never bought imported asparagus, but then had 4 bundles from Mexico in a recent L!dl vege box. We ate & enjoyed those, but are still waiting for the home grown to appear in the shops. The season is so short that I don't mind spending a bit more for something so enjoyable!

Enjoy the rest of your holiday. I used to take those little cartons of cereal away when we went on holiday with our children. At one time, you could buy them individually which meant you could choose the ones they liked the best. You probably can't do that now, but it was over 50 years ago!

KA x

Watty1

I only ever buy UK asparagus. It is one of the treats of the year. Early for it to be about now! (Will start looking)

greenbee

Here in asparagus-growing country there are huge issues getting pickers post-Brexit. So a lot of places have been giving up.

Greying_Pilgrim

I agree, that the asparagus was early - I can only assume that the good weather has brought it on, and perhaps it was under plastic. I did actually think that there was an "official" Asparagus season start date, I thought it was in April, but say like the 21st, or the 28th or something, I'm probably talking utter rubbish.

If asparagus was significantly YS'd or in a green box, then I would eat it - on account of it's here, and it's better to get eaten than tossed in the dumpster, but otherwise I only purchase British stuff.

Well, we made it out for a walk at a local point of interest. DH accompanied us, and we had a nice time. A couple approached us, and asked a place was, and as it happened, I knew, so I was pointing out how you'd get there (you could see the route clearly where we were), and the people who asked then started saying, but if "we just go here", and "well, that's it quite clearly there" (completely different direction), and I began to think to myself, why bother asking if you're intent on doing your own thing? Never mind, nae bother, I just wouldn't dream of asking someone where somewhere was, and then spend the next few minutes talking over them, and claiming I knew where I was going…… At least one of them was listening to me, and followed what I suggested 🙄

We called into the market town on the way back. For some reason, LG wanted a can of pop. I got tea from MrW, I went with veggie burgers, wholemeal baps and some tomato ketchup, I have the potatoes already. I will have to get over my fear of using the gas oven, and try and make it work. The cans of pop in MrW were even dearer than the local farm shop, so we left and carried on up the street, when LG went flying on the pavement 😬 They graized their hands and scuffed their clothing, but it could have been worse. As much as anything, I think they were shaken and shocked. They eventually settled for a can of v1mt0 from the spAr, at an eye-watering £1.19 a can 😱 And yes, I realise that a six pack is massively cheaper proportionately, but actually, if you have 6, there is the incentive to drink them. DH (and I to a certain extent), don't want LG to get into drinking soda wully-nully. And to be fair, they paid for it, and could see that they were paying much more for an individual can. Personally, I can't believe how expensive pop has got. Surely it pushes you to buy the big bottles and the multipacks.

We came back to the van for lunch, and DH has had a phone call from the ENT dept trying to set up a scan. Anyway, that's now set for Saturday - at the hospital in the metropolitan town across the way. DH has accepted it, as it won't involve taking time off work, and it hasn't been a huge wait - so you have to gratefully accept the appointment offered, don't you.

It was cloudy as we were walking, which was fine. The sun has come out now, and a breeze has got up. We just had a quick sandwich lunch when we got back. We found a picnic site when we were out, but with how DH was feeling, it was better to get going, and get out, rather than taking time to make snap and have DH change his mind. I hate to be defeatist, but the holiday is more or less over now. DH will be getting wound up about Saturday's appt, and is still moithering about his foot. Thank goodness we're not on a bucket list trip of a lifetime. Although yes, I agree - we are so blessed to be here on this holiday, and should be grateful for every moment. But I also know my husband, and how he is 🙄

Edit - I spent £6 in MrW on LM veggie burgers, wholemeal baps and a small own brand bottle of tommie ketchup. £2 a head for veggie burgers and wedges (I brought tatties with us) isn't too bad - and we could get them for that in a fast food restaurant.

Greying X

Blackcats

my favourite seasonal veg are Jersey royals - not long to wait for them now.

Perhaps a slow, close to the van day will serve to re-charge batteries and eek out the relaxing part of your holiday even for MrGP