Selfsufficientish.com

It was supposed to be light rain yesterday here up north which could explain why we were using our hose pipes on the allotments. It managed two ineffective outbreaks. Today it seems to be doing a proper job! So I'm having a whole day off - every time I say I will have one I have still ended up at th...

The power bill was on-line on 24th May and when I had checked the meter readings and it had been updated it seems that I have paid less for using more gas central heating and about the same electricity against the same period last year. Yes I had changed the tariff for a lower one in the third week ...

Hah a day off cos of the thundery outbreaks of rain spaced out between the light wet stuff otherwise known as Cornish Mist which wets through you completely and properly without you noticing.

Oooooooooh I must have one of those letters.

That should make for an interesting meeting on site as there is no way I could plant trees in straight lines on my allotment.

It's very slow up here for everything and mine have just decided to make some sort of show after 6 weeks despite being in large tubs of good soil in a sheltered sunny position.

I'm not sure it's patience that is required so much as sheer cussedness in running an allotment.

I reckon a little plastic garden gnome with a big loaded shotgun might be efficient - oh heck but there are pigeon fanciers on both sides of allotment and I'd be thrown off for scaring their birds from landing at end of races.

I'm for ever picking up small change off the pavements - once found a tenner in a large shopping centre! It paid off the money that the grandson owed me even though he thought he was getting it to spend again.

Look it would be nice if a lot of you would push your rain north east please. I've been on the hose pipe for weeks on end on the allotment and will have to do it again today - bank holiday and it isn't raining

Good thought possum - will go and visit freecycle to see and visit charity shops if that fails.

Ssssssssssssh Big Al - would I be saying that in case they are reading here.

We usually get round things without too many problems - it's just that one of the neighbours has the motto "it's not the taking part but the winning that counts"

At least one person I know ate the first lot before the children got any and had to make a second lot.

Apparently there's a serious addiction in that house.

I've got no debts (no mortgage, rent up to date) - nice situation with the cost of everything rising.

I looked at this pile of wood going to the tip today and wished I had a wood burner for heating as I know that pile of wood will grow again in the future. They'd be quite happy to get delivery paid to drive it up the road to me. It suddenly reminded me of living for 10 years on wood from work and se...

You require 8 fl oz hot cooked mashed POTATOES 2 tsp butter, softened 36 fl oz icing sugar 20 fl oz dessicated coconut dash of salt 1 tsp vanilla 4 ounces dark chocolate Method You can use a measuring jug for this recipe. Line a baking tin with foil. In a bowl mix mashed spuds with sugar, butter, c...

I have a good wide variety of bee friendly items in flower and have only seen two bumble bees on the allotment this spring. This time last year the place was humming with bees. Only thing that I don't have this year is a plague of dandelions. Could it be my lack of dandelions? Doubt it - the huge sa...