My Off-grid and need to be frugal diary

AnimalTribe

DH and I have been hosting family for the last couple of days. It was a last-minute thing for the Bank holiday. It was great to see them. They just wanted to go on walks and eat in, as one of them is a picky eater (I can’t fault them on that as I probably am too). We did visit the local village Italian on Tuesday though.

Ellenvan The heather stretches for miles. Sadly, the purple only lasts for a couple of weeks.

China37 I hope I manage to save some money too. DH was a bit embarrassed when he told me he’d had a bit of a splurge, so I think he will do better going forward. I’ve probably said it before, but walkers who pass by think we are very lucky or incredibly mad to live so far out.

Dakota_Rose it was really windy when I took the pictures but I’m glad that you think they came out well.

KajiKita It’s great when it’s sunny, but it is deliciously earthy when it’s wet. We won’t get the stumps ground down. According to the tree surgeon the stumps won’t regrow and it would have taken the work over to the next day which didn’t justify the cost.

BrimfulofSascha thank you. When I go walking my thoughts do wander and always to good things. On some days when the weather is cool and still, it’s like walking through another world or an earlier time.

I don’t know if I mentioned my great news. The solar panel\wind turbine\generator engineer has been in touch and told DH what settings to use on the control panel, and it worked. The generator now turns on automatically and off automatically. It’s only been needed twice so far, as the battery bank has been getting sufficient power from the sun and wind. It means DH doesn’t have to go out to manually turn the generator on and off when the battery bank is low. No more going out in the rain, and most importantly if it snows, he can stay indoors cosy and warm (apart from having to take out the dogs).

I’ve also cashed in another £5 in Microsoft Rewards for Tesco vouchers. I think they are valid for 5 years, so that’s £35 waiting to spend next time I’m in the city (which is rarely).

AnimalTribe

DH went into the city for his scheduled dental checkup today. Fortunately, everything was good. On the way back he stopped to buy dog food. He also managed to get a few reduced-price grocery items. The groceries will get eaten but we are supposed to be trying to eat stuff already in the house. He also, apparently, couldn’t resist a reduced-price lawn rake – he claims the old one is past its best – I’m not sure about that. The rake didn’t cost much though so there isn’t much damage done.

I’ve been making brooches and rings from single earrings. They are relatively easy to make, but DH has to grind off any earring posts or clip on pieces. I’m quite pleased with how they are turning out.

The wind has been vicious today but at least it’s come from the right direction for the wind turbine and the battery bank is full. I thought the swallows had left as I haven’t noticed them for a few days, but I saw a couple this morning swooping in the wind.

AnimalTribe

It's Sunday so I did my usual catch up with people on the phone and by e-mail, and I did my daily Microsoft Rewards clicks.

I baked a Victoria sponge cake and made a buttercream filling for the middle. Rather than just plain buttercream I decided to add ground raspberries to the mix. I'd dried a load of raspberries from the garden in August, and it took seconds to grind them in the coffee grinder. It's the first time I've tried that but I will be doing it again - it is delicious.

Here's photos of some of the brooches and rings I made out of single earrings.

AnimalTribe

It’s been very windy again today and the power bank is full. DH decided to brave the wind and mow the lawn. I’ve just been doing a general tidy up so nothing exciting.

Tonight, I’ve finished the last of a 14-book series about a werewolf called Kitty, by Carrie Vaughan. It’s sad when a series I’ve enjoyed comes to an end. I still have a collection of Kitty short stories to read though, and I’ve ordered the next book in another series that I enjoy reading.

DH and I finished the last of a cake today so I’ll make some rocky road tomorrow as it’s one of DH’s favourites.

AnimalTribe

DH took apart an old sofa today – it had been relegated to dog use. As much as the dogs loved it, it had to go as the stuffing was beginning to leak. There is a sofa in the dining room that I can use to replace it. DH took it to the skip and did the grocery shop while he was out. He stuck to the list, and managed to get a few reduced priced loaves and bread buns. His reward was a big chunk of rocky road that I made yesterday.

The rose hips are ripe so I’ll probably pick some in the next few days to make some syrup, as long as the weather is decent.

AnimalTribe

I’ve been ill for the last two days; an awful stomach bug and I’ve pulled a muscle in my back. Either one I could deal with, but both at once is awful and I'm feeling sorry for myself. I haven’t done anything productive in the last two days, and I doubt I will be up to much tomorrow. DH has been looking after me – hot water bottles rule.

Dakota_Rose

Sorry to hear you’re poorly. Feel better soon!

peb

Gentle hugs. And I agree hot water bottles rule

AnimalTribe

Dakota_Rose & Peb thanks for the good wishes. I think I might have to try to get a GP appointment tomorrow as nothing seems to be improving. I rarely go to the GP, so I must be feeling bad. Fortunately, this surgery is pretty good at giving appointments – you can usually get in the day you call (except Mondays), so I might have to wait until Tuesday at the latest or get a telephone appointment for the evening.

teapot2

Hope you can get an appointment and you feel better soon 💐