Living the Good Life - mortgage free and living in line with our values

EssexHebridean

I have to admit that although I love the 8 legged ones for energy supply, we weren't impressed with them when we were looking at going with them for the solar installation - and had we gone with it, I suspect they would have had problems as they completely glossed over our concerns about the state (age!) of the roof during the process. We wouldn't go back to them again for anything like that, sadly. 

greenbee

My electrician does Octopus solar installations locally, and much prefers the jobs where he's done the survey himself. He's also able to offer more choice of components so can optimise the system, and often provide a better price. I also know where to find him if there's a problem He's recently been working with someone on heat pump installations who seems to actually know what they are doing, so I'm planning on using an independent for that too.

And my squash refused to climb up too. They've been rampaging across the garden instead.

themadvix

Afternoon all,

Well, guess what, there was a misunderstanding - no, the flue pipe isn't attached to our boiler! 🙄 Our boiler is two stories away and has the world's shortest flue, directly through brickwork to the outside world, not a 5m one in the loft. I need to supply a couple of photos to that effect and hopefully we'll be winning. I have no intention of using their asbestos removal co. now though for the bit that does need removing, so will be following up with quotes from various recommendations we've had.

EH, I think we'd be inclined to agree with you - they can be quite vague about stuff (not providing itemised quotes for example, to indicate the difference between the two types of install). But they have the Cosy 6, which is by far a cheaper heat pump, so we're kind of stuck with them. Mr MV would have been happier with a Heatgeek engineer, but then no Cosy 6. Agree that the state of the roof is an important factor with solar - but our (Eon) surveyor wasn't interested in that either - it was only that a roofer had already made a comment about some work being needed that meant we knew we needed it sorted before the panels were installed.

themadvix

Afternoon all,

Still waiting to hear back from 🐙 and I'm certainly not holding my breath about an updated quote from their asbestos co. (not that I intend to take them up on it either), but I have heard back from one company. Unfortunately, even without the flue pipe, because of the nature of the board that needs removing, the lady thinks it'll be £1000+VAT 🙄 (she would send someone out to give us a proper quote, so I am really impressed that she was able to give us an estimate and explanation - that's been what's missing with 🐙). Have emailed another company (which my mum has used previously) to see what they say. And have details for a couple more too, who I'll contact at some point. At this price point, we would go for it, but it's still a lot of extra money (I was thinking we'd be looking at less than £1k, not over it - what did I know though?), which is very frustrating when trying to make big savings progress this year.

Had a couple of smaller bits of work to deal with (for Americans - don't get much US work these days) this morning and a call with Cambridge boss, so didn't sit down to big project until midday. There's progress but I am flagging and there's still a lot to get done if I'm to finish it tomorrow (which I definitely intend to). So I'm likely to be working late (again) today. We've got stir fry for dinner (had gigantes plaki last night in the end, which was going to be tonight's dinner) - I picked the ingredients yesterday, so if I don't get to the allotment (in the rain?) it's not the end of the world. 

MS things:
* Clicks and HW
* 1P surveys
* Bottled three more jars of plums last night (and got the kitchen the tidiest it's been in ages - was lovely to come down to this morning - Mr MV was watching the Man United vs Grimsby match - what a game! (For those who don't know, Grimsby won on penalties - 12-11! I've never watched the penalty takers go around again!)

Gratitudes:
* Nice to have a bit of US work - makes a change and diversifies income slightly
* Mr MV is not away with work
* Plums - while they are a lot of work to deal with, they are also delicious!

Have a good afternoon/evening all!

rtandon27

Sending endurance vibes over the airwaves - hope you reach the end of your project soon!

themadvix

Morning all,

Still (obviously) awaiting amended quote from 🐙's asbestos removers, but the best 'estimate' (because they'd have to come and look for a quote) so far is £1000+ VAT (we've had one 'can't do it because it's licenced material, and one £1800+ VAT come back; the only other company recommended don't look like they do domestic stuff). So, although I really don't want to give them the work, if the 🐙 company come back with a lower quote (this side of Christmas), it may yet have to be them. 😏

I am nearly there with the big project - another couple of hours? I will be so glad to have finished it. I have also finished cat sitting for now, which is quite nice too. I've pencilled in a booking to the ginger terror over Christmas too - she's the only one I'll take on if I can avoid it (if regulars ask, I'll see how I feel) - I can be in and out in less than 10 mins and I only visit once a day (and there's no expectation that I play with her, given I might lose a finger!).

Dinner last night was homegrown stir fry. Mr MV was a bit stingy with the courgette and the greens (my perennial kale - it's really taken off), so a 'diet' portion! We did have plums and cream afterwards (as, indeed, we've had for several days). He declined to take lunch to work today 🙄 - they have a nice salad bar there and I think he fancied that. It is at least subsidised. I have just made some hummus (cooked the chickpeas in a batch earlier in the week when we had bean curry) and have got a couple of rolls out of the freezer for lunch. Was out of fresh blackberries or blueberries for my porridge this morning, so got the mixed bag of currants and blackberries from last year out of the freezer and stewed about half of the remains for the rest of the week's breakfasts. I intend to make mattar paneer for dinner (cooked before we go to the pub) - but with green beans (I need to pick them) instead of the mattar (peas), the OOD paneer I've discovered in the back of the fridge (it's sealed, long-dated anyway and looks fine) and the remains of the cream. 

I think Mr MV is wanting to crack on with the teardrop this weekend - I would like to enjoy at least some of the last weekend of August by doing something more exciting, but it does need doing. Since he's set on this, I've volunteered to help at the allotment shop tomorrow morning. I will go to a WR in the afternoon as Mr MV's organic weetabix are on offer - either I'll meet Mum in her town (and enjoy the freebie JL hot drinks voucher I've got in the app) or I'll pop to the refill-shop town and make my monthly visit there as well (in either case I'll be starting on September's food budget). No plans for Sunday (but probably more teardrop building...).

MS things:
* Clicks and HW
* Homegrown food - can't remember the last time we had a R'ford delivery, although I may get one next week (my carrots are not sufficient to keep us in carrots!)
* £4 over-allocation to V cc pot, so this has been reallocated to the food budget (and will therefore replenish grocery savings fund if it isn't spent by Sunday - we don't have any butter/spread though, and only 3 eggs, so I may yet spend some of this)
* Small inflation-related pay rise from Cambridge - it's not a lot, but it's something (and there's the novelty of a pay rise I've not instigated myself!)

Gratitudes:
* We at least have an idea of what the asbestos removal is likely to cost now
* Quick chat with allotment/cat friend who picked up some plums
* End of this piece of work is in sight (if I stop getting side-tracked) and no more cat sitting

Have a good afternoon all! 

themadvix

Just reporting back that I have finished the work, been to the allotment (and did 20 mins weeding, as well as picking - the sun is back with a vengeance here, I've just put my shorts back on) and cooked dinner. Have even emailed client asking for info needed for invoice... not sure if I can really be bothered with doing any invoicing/accounts though.... even though it'll probably be busy on Monday. Think I might take my book and head out to the garden with the cats (who are appreciating the sun and have stop giving me accusatory looks for ruining the weather).

greenbee

Still damp here TMV, and the cats are on my bed, having given up on checking all the doors for different weather. 

themadvix

It has since absolutely chucked it down and is still raining and thundering. Cats are back to moping about inside, as are we, being disinclined to walk to the pub until it dries up a bit!

Jessy103

Calling the cat 'the ginger terror' made me giggle 🤣