My Off-grid and need to be frugal diary

AnimalTribe

Teapot2 thanks.

Whatever was wrong with my stomach seems to be very close to resolving itself and I feel like a human being again - so no visit to the GP needed. I’ve been once this year when I broke my wrist, but other than that I haven’t needed a GP in years, maybe even a decade. My back still hurts but I don’t think it will take long to heal. I’m still taking it easy, so I’m just fixing/making some jewellery today and reading the new book that’s just been delivered. DH has sold something on eBay so he’ll be going to the post office and taking one of the dogs in the car with him and then going on a long walk.

foxgloves

It's surprising how just a minor tweak in the wrong direction can set off a nuisance back muscle, isn't it? And it can be ridiculously painful. That & a gastric bug simultaneously sounds like a particularly horrid combination. Glad at least one thing seems to be on the mend.

F

AnimalTribe

Foxgloves I think I could have dealt with one problem but both at the same time really took a toll on me.

DH had to go to the city today for some specialist bits and pieces and to return an item, so I went with him. It gave me a chance to buy cards for all the birthdays until the end of the year.

We went to Tesco for fruit and veg. The bill came to £25.78 and I still had the Microsoft Rewards voucher for £25, so all in all we spent 78p on groceries. I’ll put the £25 on my spreadsheet as a saving. I’ve not really kept my extra savings and extra earnings spreadsheet up to date but I’m going to give it another go.

DH finished a large jar of shop bought pickles, so I have decanted the spiced vinegar through a coffee filter and I’ll use this to make sweet pepper, onion and herb pickle. Basically just chopping up the veg and putting it in a jar with the vinegar.

The wind is howling here this evening but at least it’s topping up the battery bank. Tonight, I’m just relaxing and I’ve started to watch ‘Ludwig’ on BBC iPlayer.

My back is almost sorted so I’ll be able to do stuff tomorrow, but I won't push it too far.

AnimalTribe

It’s been extremely windy here the last two days so I’ve not been able to do anything outside. I was hoping to collect some seeds from various plants to sow next year. Hopefully, the wind hasn’t blown away too many and I still get a decent amount.

I have managed to do a couple of loads of laundry and put away a huge pile of clean laundry that’s been lying around for a week. The washing machine filter is now cleaned and I used a washing machine cleaner as a previous load of laundry smelled a bit fusty.

AnimalTribe

It was very windy again yesterday. The batteries were full, so couldn’t store any more energy. When this happens DH and I try to do the jobs that need electricity. As the electricity is used the batteries drop charge and the wind tops the batteries up again. So, all the vacuuming was done and the dog beds were washed. These are also the types of days that DH charges the portable power packs. Today was windy again so more laundry was done. Of course, there is a constant pull on the batteries for the freezers and fridge, but when there is extra energy we make sure we put it to good use.

Today DH has listed a few more things on eBay and I’ve just done the normal household stuff plus a bit of crafting.

AnimalTribe

DH went into town today to do a number of jobs. He posted a small eBay sale (£2.50 profit) but it was something we no longer used, he did a recycling drop, picked up some small DIY pieces to finish a job, and did a grocery shop as we needed milk, bread, tomatoes and margarine. He picked up a few reduced priced items that will pad out some stuff already in the larder.

In the garden I have an eating apple tree and a cooking apple tree. They are both still young, but for the first time they have a reasonable amount of fruit on them. In previous years they both gave about 6 apples. This year they each have 30-40 so that’s a fair few things for the fruit bowl and a decent amount of apple pies when the apples are ready to pick. Although, DH and I will have to clear the freezer down a bit more if I want to fit any pies in.

AnimalTribe

The weather has been calm but overcast for the last couple of days so the generator has been needed. I'm not looking forward to buying diesel to top up the tank for the generator before winter. The price is so high at the moment, but It's needed so it will have to be bought.

At least the calm weather has meant I've been able to go out on walks. Normally this is the time of year that I'd pick a few mushrooms. There are lots of them about, but the only ones I'm certain of are the boletus family and there don't appear to be any this year - maybe they're just late or the heat brought them out early and I missed them. On the plus side I still have lots of lettuce and herbs growing so that helps out with salads which DH and I eat every day.

peb

Lovely new on the apples.

And of course best to be sure with mushrooms

AnimalTribe

Peb I'm delighted with the fruit harvest this year. It's taken the trees a while to grow, but given the harsh conditions here they are doing really well. I lost the first lot of trees I planted because my pet sheep got into the area. The second lot of trees were eaten as well, but I never figured out what got them - either deer or the shepherd’s sheep.

Today has been wet and windy, but there was a brief break in the weather and I managed to nip out and harvest some blackberries from a thornless bush I planted two years ago. I do plan to collect more from the local hedgerows when I get a chance. The berries have been cleaned and are now open freezing.

DH went to the last car boot sale of the year and got a good deal on a saw, so he is happy.

teapot2

I picked some brambles last week but lots were already shrivelled and 'over', they were very early here this year due to the weather. I managed to get enough but not nearly as many as I usually would around this point.