On Friday I had an e-mail from energyhelpline offering a fixed price for electricity for 2 years. It is not the first time they have contacted me as I have used them before.
About 6 months ago they promoted an offer but when I put my details in the Company informed me that as I was on a fixed tariff they could not beat the deal I was on and advised me to stay as I was.
This time I put my details in and sure enough the offer they gave me was a better deal than the one I was currently on. This deal ceases the last day of August anyway.
When all relevant details were inserted they confirmed that I could save around £50+ a year plus a £20 cash back. This would be credited to my account about 2 months after I have been with the new provider. Incidentally the provider is called First Utility. As I can only have one fuel as I unfortunately do not have access to Town Gas. Anyone who takes out both gas and electricity would receive £40 cash back.
Well I decided to proceed and signed up for the new deal, incidentally is only available until 12st. April and the fixed term is from April 16th. 2014 until April 16th. 2016.
On Saturday morning I rung my mate up and told him to go on to that site as I was sure it was a good deal and would probably save him about £200 a year.
Yesterday afternoon he rung me and informed me that he had checked all online and agreed that this was a good deal and he had signed up for the 2 year fixed deal and then told me he would save around £140 a year plus the £40 cash back. I told him I was thrilled to bits that he had done the deal. I then told him to immediately go to his Partner and get her to sign up for this deal. I know I don't care much for her but I would never do anything to stop her from saving money.
What my mate's Partner doesn't know is that it was me who told my mate about the great deal that was going around on Solar installation. I insisted that he told her that it was a cracking deal and that she would earn around the same amount of money as I get each year for about 1/2 the cost of mine.
My mate told me he explained all to her and it was up to her to make her mind up.
Thank goodness she made the correct decision, probably with a little help from my mate. I am sure she will investigate this offer further and if it is advantageous then I am sure she will also proceed.
Anyone who reads this blog is welcome to go to energyhelpline and check what is on offer, before the 21st. April this year and I am sure that they will not be disappointed. I think the offer is called First Utility Isave Fixed v16th. April 2016. More soon.
Monday, 31 March 2014
Wednesday, 26 March 2014
Losing it?
Oh Dear, today I went to Grantham to see my Sisters. before I went to see them I called at Morrison's. Amongst things I needed fresh yeast. I looked all over the place but could find nothing. Anyway I saw this woman in overalls and asked if she worked there. She told me that she did but worked in the kitchen but would help me. We both looked for a few minutes and I told her I would go to the bakery and ask for some fresh yeast there. The lady in the overalls went away and I asked this young assistant if she could help me as I was after some fresh yeast. She told me she would ask the Manager and within a few seconds the manager came out with a new 1kilo of yeast and asked me how much I would like. I showed her and she cut it there and then, off she went to weigh and package it. It is sods law but as she came back with the yeast the lady in the overalls came and handed me a packet of foil wrapped fresh yeast. The Manager reacted brilliantly and just told me that hers was much fresher so the overcalled lady took the foil wrapped yeast back. I was interested to see where she had got them from. I couldn't believe my eyes. They were on a shelf below where we both had been looking and there would be at least 15 packets of the stuff. I hurriedly shrunk away hoping no one would notice me.
Earlier I went to the fish counter and bought a couple of small herrings and there also was a nice piece of smoked haddock. Like a fool I decided to get that as well. The herring cost 95p and the haddock £2.17. To think when we were children Saturday was fish and chip day. 4 pieces of cod and 6d of chips all for less than 5/- or those of a tender age 25p.
I also filled up with diesel. Locally the price is 1.39 a litre at ASDA in Grantham it was 1.32.7 a big difference.
I forgot to mention it but on Friday my best Pal called, yes it is that time of year again, the Camp Sites are once more open for the season.
I just mentioned to him that in early April I may be a day without electricity. He told me that on April 1st he was going to be interviewed by an Historian at the National Trust. It was a lady and she informed my Pal that his name had been forwarded because he had lived at Hardwick Hall during the war.
My Pal told me he was born there in what was the old stables which had been converted into the workers cottages. He told me he could remember all who lived there from when he was a young boy. So it seems as if his voice will be there for many years. It couldn't happen to a nicer guy. He told me that he also was a local Councillor in the days when it was voluntary and meetings were only in the evenings. He was so Chairman of the Allotment Society. Also for a time he was a School Governor and told me that some weeks he hardly saw his children.
It will be interesting to know just how he got on when he calls next time. More soon.
Earlier I went to the fish counter and bought a couple of small herrings and there also was a nice piece of smoked haddock. Like a fool I decided to get that as well. The herring cost 95p and the haddock £2.17. To think when we were children Saturday was fish and chip day. 4 pieces of cod and 6d of chips all for less than 5/- or those of a tender age 25p.
I also filled up with diesel. Locally the price is 1.39 a litre at ASDA in Grantham it was 1.32.7 a big difference.
I forgot to mention it but on Friday my best Pal called, yes it is that time of year again, the Camp Sites are once more open for the season.
I just mentioned to him that in early April I may be a day without electricity. He told me that on April 1st he was going to be interviewed by an Historian at the National Trust. It was a lady and she informed my Pal that his name had been forwarded because he had lived at Hardwick Hall during the war.
My Pal told me he was born there in what was the old stables which had been converted into the workers cottages. He told me he could remember all who lived there from when he was a young boy. So it seems as if his voice will be there for many years. It couldn't happen to a nicer guy. He told me that he also was a local Councillor in the days when it was voluntary and meetings were only in the evenings. He was so Chairman of the Allotment Society. Also for a time he was a School Governor and told me that some weeks he hardly saw his children.
It will be interesting to know just how he got on when he calls next time. More soon.
Monday, 24 March 2014
Sleet
Yesterday when I rose early it was cold and a little frosty but it soon clouded over. In the afternoon it got as dark as night. We had heavy rain and as it hit the windows you could see a little sleet in it. The rain continued until early evening then started to clear up. Typical I thought as the forecast was a cold night, probably the coldest night od the winter so far.
Sure enough this morning there was a sharp frost with ice all over the place. I did manage to cover up my plants up, those which needed to be covered and to be honest it looks as if I have got away with it.
I noticed as I got up that the wind had changed to an easterly , I hope that old saying doesn't hold true, if so then the easterlies will be the dominant direction for the next quarter, that is until the summer quarter.
I saw my Postman friend this morning and he commented on the sharp frost and that we had just over 5mm of rain. I told him that there was some sleet in the rain. He then told me that a friend of his had told him that while he was out yesterday he noticed quite a few roads with slush on them.
Today was nice and sunny for most of the day but also a very cold wind, the forecast for the coming few days is not great, cold easterly winds, mainly dull with some rain. Still nothing we can do about that.
I noticed this morning when I went in the greenhouse, my grape vine was beginning to grow. Must keep a keen eye on that because it would soon take over the area if I let it. More soon.
Sure enough this morning there was a sharp frost with ice all over the place. I did manage to cover up my plants up, those which needed to be covered and to be honest it looks as if I have got away with it.
I noticed as I got up that the wind had changed to an easterly , I hope that old saying doesn't hold true, if so then the easterlies will be the dominant direction for the next quarter, that is until the summer quarter.
I saw my Postman friend this morning and he commented on the sharp frost and that we had just over 5mm of rain. I told him that there was some sleet in the rain. He then told me that a friend of his had told him that while he was out yesterday he noticed quite a few roads with slush on them.
Today was nice and sunny for most of the day but also a very cold wind, the forecast for the coming few days is not great, cold easterly winds, mainly dull with some rain. Still nothing we can do about that.
I noticed this morning when I went in the greenhouse, my grape vine was beginning to grow. Must keep a keen eye on that because it would soon take over the area if I let it. More soon.
Tuesday, 18 March 2014
Probably google
I have had some trouble yesterday not only with having access to my blog but also my mail. It must have been Google as later on last night things went back to normal. I managed to get on my blog with no trouble at all. Anyway I am pleased that things are hopefully as I like them.
Today we had some rain, not a lot but enough to stop me from working in the garden. Not that I can do too much at the moment as it is still early in the year and many frosts can still happen.
There is an old saying which goes like this.
"As many fogs there are in March as many frosts there be in May". I hope this doesn't occur this year because we had a few foggy mornings recently.
I saw my postman friend today, I have been looking out for him for the last few days. He sets Foremost first early potato seeds. As I grow Arran Pilot I thought I would try a Foremost to see if they are worth growing. First I asked him if he had set his new potatoes, he told me he had just set one row, also some Spinach, incidentally I do not care for the taste. He also told me he had yet to rotovate the rest of his garden, which is huge. I guess well over an acre, mine is a little less than 1/5 of an acre. He agreed with me that the ground is still not quite dry enough just yet. He is off work tomorrow so with the windy weather he hoped to dig in his manure. With the rain we had, I still think he will be able to do that.
My mate is calling tomorrow, first time in ages, I have some tomato seedlings for him. I wouldn't normally give them to him just yet as they are so small but it will be at least 3 weeks before he will be here again. Still they will be alright in his conservatory for a couple of weeks. More soon.
Today we had some rain, not a lot but enough to stop me from working in the garden. Not that I can do too much at the moment as it is still early in the year and many frosts can still happen.
There is an old saying which goes like this.
"As many fogs there are in March as many frosts there be in May". I hope this doesn't occur this year because we had a few foggy mornings recently.
I saw my postman friend today, I have been looking out for him for the last few days. He sets Foremost first early potato seeds. As I grow Arran Pilot I thought I would try a Foremost to see if they are worth growing. First I asked him if he had set his new potatoes, he told me he had just set one row, also some Spinach, incidentally I do not care for the taste. He also told me he had yet to rotovate the rest of his garden, which is huge. I guess well over an acre, mine is a little less than 1/5 of an acre. He agreed with me that the ground is still not quite dry enough just yet. He is off work tomorrow so with the windy weather he hoped to dig in his manure. With the rain we had, I still think he will be able to do that.
My mate is calling tomorrow, first time in ages, I have some tomato seedlings for him. I wouldn't normally give them to him just yet as they are so small but it will be at least 3 weeks before he will be here again. Still they will be alright in his conservatory for a couple of weeks. More soon.
Monday, 17 March 2014
What trouble I have
Heaven alone knows what is going on but first my e-mail contacts have just disappeared. I have found a way round this so there is no problem.
I tried to access my blog. What a lot of trouble this has been. I bet I have spent 30 minutes going round and round in circles. Thank goodness I think I now have the correct page to write my latest blog.
What has normally happened is that I get a request to sign in or it says New Post. Today however just nothing at all.
Anyway here goes.
Theses last few days have been pleasantly warm for mid March. So much so that over the last few days I have been preparing the ground for the Spring sowing of vegetables.
On Friday I set two small beds of Little Marvel peas. I also planted out my broad beans I set in pots several weeks ago. On Saturday I set the last of me early potatoes, the other ones I set in the greenhouse. I also sowed some broad bean seeds. Probably the last ones I will sow this year. I have sown a few carrot seeds in the polytunnel. I don't think I will sow any seeds outdoors for a week or more because it says the weather will turn cold later in the week. Today I did a little more of the block paving. I am trying to do a little now and again so it doesn't get out of hand. I also trimmed the leylandi hedge most of it is dead, that suits me as it is a pain. More soon.
I tried to access my blog. What a lot of trouble this has been. I bet I have spent 30 minutes going round and round in circles. Thank goodness I think I now have the correct page to write my latest blog.
What has normally happened is that I get a request to sign in or it says New Post. Today however just nothing at all.
Anyway here goes.
Theses last few days have been pleasantly warm for mid March. So much so that over the last few days I have been preparing the ground for the Spring sowing of vegetables.
On Friday I set two small beds of Little Marvel peas. I also planted out my broad beans I set in pots several weeks ago. On Saturday I set the last of me early potatoes, the other ones I set in the greenhouse. I also sowed some broad bean seeds. Probably the last ones I will sow this year. I have sown a few carrot seeds in the polytunnel. I don't think I will sow any seeds outdoors for a week or more because it says the weather will turn cold later in the week. Today I did a little more of the block paving. I am trying to do a little now and again so it doesn't get out of hand. I also trimmed the leylandi hedge most of it is dead, that suits me as it is a pain. More soon.
Wednesday, 12 March 2014
Dentist
This morning I went to see my Dental Surgeon. It is a nice place to go and the Dentist is fantastic and English too. I had a telephone call yesterday reminding me that I had an appointment today. Can't think of any other service that reminds you of an appointment.
Over the last few days I have finally had some joy with workmen. On Sunday the man who did some of my fencing came to give me a price for some work but he told me it would be mid May before he could do the job.
The other work was to find an electrician I have had a job finding one who was willing to do the work.
The other Saturday morning I went to the local pages and found an electrician who lived local just 5 miles away. When |I rang him he told me he couldn't visit me until the following Tuesday morning. I thought that was fantastic. The good news though finished there. He duly arrived early Tuesday morning only to inform me on inspecting what I wished to have done, that he could not do the job. The work in mind was to re-site my inverter from the loft to a cupboard.
Last summer as it got hotter my inverter became less efficient, so much so that I thought perhaps it was my inverter. However I am not one to just sit and do nothing I went online and found that my inverter was German made and the 2nd. most popular inverter in production. Anyway I decided to investigate further. I found more by luck than judgement an American Professor who stated that most installers of solar panels site the inverter in the loft, the most convenient place to site them. This he commented was the worst place possible as the loft is the hottest room in the property in the summer was the loft and it would affect the performance the hotter the inverter became.
Anyway I have decided to invest in moving my inverter just to see if it really will make a difference. Mind you it will not be moved into a cupboard until April I do hope it makes a difference. More soon.
Over the last few days I have finally had some joy with workmen. On Sunday the man who did some of my fencing came to give me a price for some work but he told me it would be mid May before he could do the job.
The other work was to find an electrician I have had a job finding one who was willing to do the work.
The other Saturday morning I went to the local pages and found an electrician who lived local just 5 miles away. When |I rang him he told me he couldn't visit me until the following Tuesday morning. I thought that was fantastic. The good news though finished there. He duly arrived early Tuesday morning only to inform me on inspecting what I wished to have done, that he could not do the job. The work in mind was to re-site my inverter from the loft to a cupboard.
Last summer as it got hotter my inverter became less efficient, so much so that I thought perhaps it was my inverter. However I am not one to just sit and do nothing I went online and found that my inverter was German made and the 2nd. most popular inverter in production. Anyway I decided to investigate further. I found more by luck than judgement an American Professor who stated that most installers of solar panels site the inverter in the loft, the most convenient place to site them. This he commented was the worst place possible as the loft is the hottest room in the property in the summer was the loft and it would affect the performance the hotter the inverter became.
Anyway I have decided to invest in moving my inverter just to see if it really will make a difference. Mind you it will not be moved into a cupboard until April I do hope it makes a difference. More soon.
Tuesday, 11 March 2014
No electric
On Friday evening about 7.00pm. the electric was cut off. I hurriedly found a candle and lit that. I also put the battery radio on so it wasn't too bad. About 40 minutes later the phone rang. I immediately thought that this should not happen as when there is no power you can not use the telephone. Anyway I lifted up the receiver and it was an automated message informing me that that this was an automated message and told me how to access it. The message came from Western Power informing me that there was a power interruption and that the estimated time for reconnection would be 8.30pm. As it turned out it was just after 8.00pm.
On Sunday the fence man called to give me an estimate for some fencing. He is very busy and it will be in May before he can fit me in.
I have also been trying to get an electrician for a few weeks, this guy told me he would call yesterday afternoon. I decided to go out in the front driveway and do a little cleaning of the block paving. The east wind was though cold and I kept going inside to get warm.
On one of my outings I saw this Woman walking her dog so I spoke to her. It turned out that she lived 3 doors down and she remarked that she had lived here for 3 years and this was the first time she had seen anyone at my property. I told her I keep myself to myself. We talked for about 20 minutes then off she went with her dog. Soon after the electrician came and did a survey. He told me he would do the job but it would be in April. Still I have a date when the work will be done. More soon.
On Sunday the fence man called to give me an estimate for some fencing. He is very busy and it will be in May before he can fit me in.
I have also been trying to get an electrician for a few weeks, this guy told me he would call yesterday afternoon. I decided to go out in the front driveway and do a little cleaning of the block paving. The east wind was though cold and I kept going inside to get warm.
On one of my outings I saw this Woman walking her dog so I spoke to her. It turned out that she lived 3 doors down and she remarked that she had lived here for 3 years and this was the first time she had seen anyone at my property. I told her I keep myself to myself. We talked for about 20 minutes then off she went with her dog. Soon after the electrician came and did a survey. He told me he would do the job but it would be in April. Still I have a date when the work will be done. More soon.
Friday, 7 March 2014
Tomato
I went this morning for further tests at the Surgery. Unfortunately for me things were not as straight forward as I had hoped. My B.P. was very very high and another Doctor was involved. So now I am on a monitored watch. I think it is because I did too much work over the last few days. I think I am still a young guy and this is not so. Anyway I will now take it easy for some time.
I was watching the local News on T.V and a photo of J. Arthur Rank came on screen. It bought back to mind when I was in my twenties around the early 60s. I used to frequent a Road House a few miles out of town and there were a mixed bunch there. One guy I became friendly with was someone who worked as a personal Valet to a landowner and his Wife was J. Arthur Rank's Daughter. Her name, he told me was Urkie. I told him I had never heard of such a name. He laughed and told me her name was Ursula and that was her nick name. She could be a bit sharp he told me.
As I worked on the railway at the time the land which the Landowner owned had a railway running through it. It was a small Branch Line which went to a local Ironstone drift mine. I had heard from a few Drivers that if the Lady was on her horse and the gates were closed. Severe swear words would be uttered from her. I guess this was Ursula.
I now intend to have a restful week end. More soon.
Wednesday, 5 March 2014
Painting done
I have in total 35 fencing panels.10 out in front of my Property. Each one is 6' wide and 3' high. In the rear of my Property I have 25 each panel is again 6' wide but this time 5' high. As you will see I have a large area around 210' in length and about 48' wide. You will notice that I painted some panels that I had originally erected on the opposite side. Unfortunately I ran out of my creosote mixture. So I do have some Ronseal Fence Life 5 litres in all. I hope to have erected 8 panels in total along the border at the bottom of my garden so I hope this will be sufficient.
To be honest, I am buggered having worked these last few days but I am very pleased with the outcome. You will notice how black looking the mixture is. I originally bought what was called Golden Creosote but it was the sump oil that changed the colour. I expect that this is the last time I will ever paint the fence panels.
Today I tried to do a little digging of my raised beds, well one of them anyway. The ground is still sodden and my shoes had to be scraped and then washed, they were so clogged up in muddy soil. I did though set a few shallots. All I did was dig a hole and drop them in, making sure I protected them from the destructive Blackbirds, they pull them out if they are not protected. More soon.
Tuesday, 4 March 2014
Money
Today as usual I went to the Post Office to collect my State pension. What was unusual though was that when I entered the place was almost empty and nobody was waiting to collect their money.
I went to the counter and when the cashier gave me the money, she placed all of the notes in the correct way. I told her that it was years since that had happened and then proceeded to tell her this tale.
It would be in 1969 0r 1970 when I first went to the Midland Bank to deposit some money. I had about £5 of pennies and I think £200 in £1 notes. The main notes in those days were 10/- and £1 notes. The Banks issued paper wrappers which had stamped £100 on the wrapper.
Anyway I handed the bag with the money. The coppers were weighed and ticked off. When he came to the notes the teller asked me if this was the first time I had banked. I answered that it was. He then informed me that for this time only he would accept my money and proceeded to give me a little lecture. He told me that whenever I deposited notes, I must make sure that all the noted faced the correct way. He then took the wrapper off and placed the notes in the correct position. He then had a damp sponge which all tellers had. He then dipped his finger on the sponge and quickly counted the notes. To be honest I was a little embarrassed as I could understand the time it took to sort out my money and just how quickly he then counted the notes.
To be honest though he was very nice to me, always correct in those days. He called me Mr. as I did to him. This was how it was in those days. The cashier told me that things in those days were very strict. Much different to today. I call the cashiers by their Christian names and they also call me by my Christian name. She went on to tell me that when it was quiet the cashiers sorted out the notes and put them in the correct way. They are not sorted out this way these days. Mind you at my Bank although I call them by their Christian name they address me as Mr. More soon.
I went to the counter and when the cashier gave me the money, she placed all of the notes in the correct way. I told her that it was years since that had happened and then proceeded to tell her this tale.
It would be in 1969 0r 1970 when I first went to the Midland Bank to deposit some money. I had about £5 of pennies and I think £200 in £1 notes. The main notes in those days were 10/- and £1 notes. The Banks issued paper wrappers which had stamped £100 on the wrapper.
Anyway I handed the bag with the money. The coppers were weighed and ticked off. When he came to the notes the teller asked me if this was the first time I had banked. I answered that it was. He then informed me that for this time only he would accept my money and proceeded to give me a little lecture. He told me that whenever I deposited notes, I must make sure that all the noted faced the correct way. He then took the wrapper off and placed the notes in the correct position. He then had a damp sponge which all tellers had. He then dipped his finger on the sponge and quickly counted the notes. To be honest I was a little embarrassed as I could understand the time it took to sort out my money and just how quickly he then counted the notes.
To be honest though he was very nice to me, always correct in those days. He called me Mr. as I did to him. This was how it was in those days. The cashier told me that things in those days were very strict. Much different to today. I call the cashiers by their Christian names and they also call me by my Christian name. She went on to tell me that when it was quiet the cashiers sorted out the notes and put them in the correct way. They are not sorted out this way these days. Mind you at my Bank although I call them by their Christian name they address me as Mr. More soon.
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