Pansyface,we didn't have central heating or double glazed windows in our last house until 2006, then not everywhere. There was a gas fire in the living room, with a back boiler. Although it was just a little 1930s cottage,it wasn't big enough to put radiators everywhere. We had to have an air vent in that room because of the fire,it was freezing.No rads in kitchen, bathroom, smallest bedroom,we had a little electric skirting board heater, which is now in the green house.
Exactly. And clothes used to be so time consuming to keep clean and dry compared to modern fabrics. Hand knitted woollen jerseys. Woollen skirts.
Dry cleaners were unknown. Everything had to be dealt with at home in the kitchen sink or the twin tub.
In the fifties and sixties my father’s office suit, made of wool, took absolutely ages to dry out if it got wet. And the smell! Old cigarette smoke, wet wool and the accumulated odour of a body that had never been introduced to an as yet uninvented roll-on deodorant. My father was diligent in his appearance and personal hygiene but the clothes of that time were nothing like as easy to maintain as they are now.
Reminded of student accommodation - one bath night per week (Tuesday between 7 and 8 pm) in a house in multiple occupation. Broken window just above the bath. Edinburgh. Anybody who has lived in Edinburgh will know about the constant “fresh breeze”. Lovely.
Apophthegm - a big word for a small thought. If you live in Derbyshire, as I do.
I didn’t post this to annoy anyone so sorry if I have I’m just genuinely interested to hear other opinions, I don’t have a huge circle of friends or work colleagues I can discuss this with, and thank you all of those who have posted kind words, it’s been so interesting reading how everyone will cope and that you are all already working out ways to deal with the upcoming situation.
I too grew up in a home with no central heating and ice on the inside of the windows, so I’m hoping I can still cope!
I suppose I just had plans for the garden next year and I’m so tempted by the many flowers I’m discovering😁 I just want to grow everything but may have to reduce my flower excitement next year!
I have been collecting seeds this year but I’m going to concentrate on trying to grow veg next, I did manage some French beans in a pot this summer & got enough for 2 meals so although not a lot it’s a start! I was interested watching monty growing in containers this year on GW as that’s what I’ll need to do. I'm a bit daunted by veg growing but I’ve managed not to kill flowers too much the last couple of years so hopefully I can make a go of veg! I got some carrot & bean seeds in Wilko in the sale and would like a go at potatoes in big pots, it’s just learning when to start it all off.
I do live pretty frugally already so yes it is a worry when I look at the news. But it’s great to read all your hints and tips on how to save the pennies!
I’m sending my best wishes to you all and thank you for being so supportive on gardening topics and this topic too it’s nice to know there are kind people out there who are so thoughtful and willing to give their time to answer my beginner questions even when they may be slightly off the topic of gardening.
I don’t grow potatoes, they are cheap through the summer, they take up space in the garden and we don’t eat many, better for me to sow something that’s expensive in the shops, 8 runner beans are costing a pound in Tesco and that’s on special offer. French beans similar. I’m sure we’ll cope, we’ll have to won’t we, younger generation will learn how to do the washing at the sink, in a bowl. Same with washing up. All you need is a bowl and a pair of rubber gloves.
Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor.
The most impressive return on investment that I have had this year has been the crop of blueberries. A small punnet in the shops is about £4. I have been picking them for over a month now at a rate of about £8 worth a day. Two bushes in two large planters filled with acidic compost.
Of course, it helps that we like blueberries. 🙂
Apophthegm - a big word for a small thought. If you live in Derbyshire, as I do.
Crikey @pansyface, is that typical of prices in rural areas? I eat quite a lot of blueberries and I don't pay that price for them. Recently, Tesco (Rosedene Farms budget range) 89p for 125g, Aldi 99p for 150g, and Sainsbury's, the small branch in town so maybe more than they'd be in the big branch, £1.40 for 150g but I was in town anyway so paid for the convenience.
Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
Not worrying at the moment. Last June I did a 2 year fix with 🐙,my neighbour (who is an electronic engineer, working mainly on railways) thought we were barking,he was paying 16p pkw with Outfoxthemarket, variable tarrif. I fixed at just over 21p day, little over 12p night. Kept the economy 7, enrolled in Council scheme, paid deposit,had solar panels fitted March....he didn't like that idea either... now wishes he had. He has a Nissan leaf, his electricity is now 40p kw, costing him £40 a week just to charge the car. They're both out at work all day We have been using our emersion heater with the solar,20 minutes heats up the tank. Washing is mostly done on cold cycle. It is estimated it will now take 3 years for the solar to pay for itself. Obviously, I realize it won't make as much in winter.
Posts
Dry cleaners were unknown. Everything had to be dealt with at home in the kitchen sink or the twin tub.
In the fifties and sixties my father’s office suit, made of wool, took absolutely ages to dry out if it got wet. And the smell! Old cigarette smoke, wet wool and the accumulated odour of a body that had never been introduced to an as yet uninvented roll-on deodorant. My father was diligent in his appearance and personal hygiene but the clothes of that time were nothing like as easy to maintain as they are now.
Reminded of student accommodation - one bath night per week (Tuesday between 7 and 8 pm) in a house in multiple occupation. Broken window just above the bath. Edinburgh. Anybody who has lived in Edinburgh will know about the constant “fresh breeze”. Lovely.
If you live in Derbyshire, as I do.
I have been collecting seeds this year but I’m going to concentrate on trying to grow veg next, I did manage some French beans in a pot this summer & got enough for 2 meals so although not a lot it’s a start! I was interested watching monty growing in containers this year on GW as that’s what I’ll need to do. I'm a bit daunted by veg growing but I’ve managed not to kill flowers too much the last couple of years so hopefully I can make a go of veg!
I got some carrot & bean seeds in Wilko in the sale and would like a go at potatoes in big pots, it’s just learning when to start it all off.
I do live pretty frugally already so yes it is a worry when I look at the news. But it’s great to read all your hints and tips on how to save the pennies!
I’m sending my best wishes to you all and thank you for being so supportive on gardening topics and this topic too it’s nice to know there are kind people out there who are so thoughtful and willing to give their time to answer my beginner questions even when they may be slightly off the topic of gardening.
I’m sure we’ll cope, we’ll have to won’t we, younger generation will learn how to do the washing at the sink, in a bowl. Same with washing up. All you need is a bowl and a pair of rubber gloves.
Of course, it helps that we like blueberries. 🙂
If you live in Derbyshire, as I do.
We have been using our emersion heater with the solar,20 minutes heats up the tank. Washing is mostly done on cold cycle. It is estimated it will now take 3 years for the solar to pay for itself. Obviously, I realize it won't make as much in winter.