My Quiet Life in Suffolk: Half Way Through October

 Is not it good to be given cash from the “authorities”. (Authorities in inverted commas as they aren’t doing a lot governing, simply getting themselves and the nation into one hell of a multitude)

Anyway, Scottish energy despatched me a textual content message to inform me that they might be giving me £66 price of free electrical for October – half 1 of £400 that everybody is getting to assist with the scary value of residing disaster. I learn my meter and pay the invoice towards the tip of every month so will discover out what it is crept as much as then. 

‘They’ preserve speaking in regards to the few people who find themselves not equipped by the nationwide gasoline grid however in fact it is the bulk in lots of rural villages and this week a neighborhood oil tank change firm have been checking out a brand new heating oil tank for me, in a spot that conforms with new laws and so I can have a door from the again backyard into the previous en-suite, to show it into an simply accessed freezer room and retailer.

Outdated small 1,000 litre oil tank – too near the home and on a base that is not degree with a inbuilt lock that did not lock.

(And really it wasn’t even very previous however hadn’t been put in to laws and the slabs it was sitting on had been simply on a sand base)

New 1,400 litre oil tank, now degree, greater than 1.8 metres from partitions, eaves and the soon-to-be door and on a degree base. Simply want to seek out the padlock that I do know is right here someplace.

They modified over the remaining oil and there was extra left than I assumed so I will wait just a few weeks after which order 1,000 litres of heating oil – that may shock the financial institution stability as oil costs have not been capped like unit costs of electrical and gasoline. Though it ought to final me ages now that I’ve the wood-burner to again it up. I perceive that us oil or LPG customers are to be handed one other £100 from the federal government to assist with rising costs – however nobody has labored out the way to give it out but.

In between making coffees and teas for whichever guys had been working right here I made a begin on reducing the horrible Yew hedge out the entrance. I am doing it a bit at a time because the portaloo is parked in the best way and  must do next-doors facet when T is at dwelling as he’ll assist clear up.

I managed a swim this week, have not been for 3 weeks for numerous causes together with  the faculties being again utilizing the pool so there are fewer lane swimming periods. It was surprisingly quiet with solely 2 individuals within the sluggish half. I used to be in a position to do a number of lengths though I misplaced rely after about 22- as I all the time do. It is solely 20 metres lengthy so nowhere close to the 32 x 25m I used to do within the 90’s after I was a lot youthful and fitter. And speaking about fitter I got here throughout particulars of a 6 week primary train class for over 50’s being held without spending a dime within the subsequent village, so I’ve signed up…..there’s free refreshments on the finish of every session!

Thanks for the options of constructing my very own envelopes to suit playing cards – I do even have envelopes for the large playing cards – though they’re enterprise type and if I remembered I may save the wrapper from the RT and switch it inside out to make use of. I am slowly utilizing up my card making stash, making an attempt to not purchase extra.

This week I am grateful for