Isn't it nice to be given money from the "government". (Government in inverted commas as they don't seem to be doing much governing, just getting themselves and the country into one hell of a mess)
Anyway, Scottish power sent me a text message to tell me that they would be giving me £66 worth of free electric for October - part 1 of £400 that everyone is getting to help with the frightening cost of living crisis. I read my meter and pay the bill toward the end of each month so will find out what it's crept up to then.
'They' keep talking about the few people who are not supplied by the national gas grid but of course it's the majority in many rural villages and this week a local oil tank change company have been sorting out a new heating oil tank for me, in a place that conforms with new regulations and so I can have a door from the back garden into the old en-suite, to turn it into an easily accessed freezer room and store.
Old small 1,000 litre oil tank - too close to the house and on a base that isn't level with a built in lock that didn't lock.
(And actually it wasn't even very old but hadn't been installed to regulations and the slabs it was sitting on were just on a sand base)
New 1,400 litre oil tank, now level, more than 1.8 metres from walls, eaves and the soon-to-be door and on a level base. Just need to find the padlock that I know is here somewhere.
They changed over the remaining oil and there was more left than I thought so I'll wait a few weeks and then order 1,000 litres of heating oil - that will shock the bank balance as oil prices haven't been capped like unit prices of electric and gas. Although it should last me ages now that I have the wood-burner to back it up. I understand that us oil or LPG users are to be handed another £100 from the government to help with rising prices - but no one has worked out how to give it out yet.
In between making coffees and teas for whichever guys were working here I made a start on cutting the horrible Yew hedge out the front. I'm doing it a bit at a time as the portaloo is parked in the way and need to do next-doors side when T is at home as he'll help clear up.
I managed a swim this week, haven't been for 3 weeks for various reasons including the schools being back using the pool so there are fewer lane swimming sessions. It was surprisingly quiet with only 2 people in the slow half. I was able to do lots of lengths although I lost count after about 22- as I always do. It's only 20 metres long so nowhere near the 32 x 25m I used to do in the 90's when I was much younger and fitter. And talking about fitter I came across details of a 6 week basic exercise class for over 50's being held for free in the next village, so I've signed up.....there's free refreshments at the end of each session!
Thank you for the suggestions of making my own envelopes to fit cards - I do actually have envelopes for the big cards - although they are business sort and if I remembered I could save the wrapper from the RT and turn it inside out to use. I'm slowly using up my card making stash, trying not to buy more.
This week I'm grateful for
- A good swimming session
- Building work progressing well
- Fine weather for garden clearing
Hope you have a good weekend.
I'm looking forward to seeing the two nearest Grandchildren this weekend, as I've not seen them for a few weeks.
Back Monday
Sue
Lots happening in your life. It sounds like you have your winter all organized too.
ReplyDeleteCathy
Hope I can keep warm this winter
DeleteWe have perfect weather for fall cleanup, too!
ReplyDeleteIt's going to take me a bit longer to do the rest of the hedge but I'll get there in the end
DeleteNice new set up. Looks so much cleaner and safer.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
The new tank should last me out now!
DeleteI am dreading the winter fuel bills here. It is so cold that there really is no option but to use the heat. I'm sure you've heard me complain about it!
ReplyDeleteOn the envelope side - I make my own for cards, but I 'cheat' as I have an Envelope Punch board that makes it really easy. They are available on Amazon, but I did not pay that much for it! Not even a fraction of that lol.
I hope you have a lovely visit with the Grandchildren. I am sure they will make you smile!
I just can't be cold in my own house, so will have to pay the cost whatever it is
DeleteYour new heating oil tank is a big improvement. Heating costs will be high this winter for sure. Here in California the government says it will "give" taxpayers about $250 in an energy program, but really they are not giving it, they are returning a bit of my money to me. Enjoy your time with the grandchildren.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure where the money is coming from for all the payouts here. The country will be bankrupt I think soon!
DeleteGlad you got the oil tank sorted, far too close to house, mine is bottom of garden so a trek for the tanker driver. I’m well into my 70’s and have lived in Dorset all my life and never anywhere with mains gas, always solid fuel, calor or oil, no gas in our village at all. 1000 litres lasts me almost 12 months and so lucky this year as it has remained mild. Enjoy your g.children, mine are close by but disappear at half term. Sarah Browne.
ReplyDeleteThis is only my second place with oil boiler central heating. We always had wood fired heating for years. I don't like oil much but no choice now
DeleteSame here, gas-free village, and large oil tank (which is not too close to house, but apparently is too near to the old garage. No plans to move it yet) No word yet from OUR electric company about handouts....
ReplyDeleteI thought some new houses in the village had been connected to gas grid but apparently they are on some sort of joint owned LPG system.
DeleteWe seem to have turned to electricity, the gas aga switched off, a great shame as it was the 'heart' of the home. Glad your building work is going to plan.
ReplyDeleteWe had night storage electric in a couple of houses in the past, not to bad but still needed an alternative to boost things sometimes
DeleteI have not purchased card stock for a couple of years, but still have too much. I am hoping as the grand children grow they will want to use what I have.
ReplyDeleteI hope I can pass some to grandchildren too
DeleteNo gas in this village either. We had storage heaters for years, then invested in new intelligent electric heaters a few years ago, not really wanting a large oil tank close to our house and believing that electric was the future. Our kilowatt use is less than 'average', but our bills are always higher since gas is (relatively speaking) 'cheap' compared to electricity. I have lost count of the number of cold call boiler salespeople who have telephoned and cannot seem to get their heads around the fact that many rural areas do not have a gas supply!
ReplyDeleteThe newest sort of storage heaters sound quite efficient but I'm stuck with oil - will be glad of the woodburner to save on oil if it's really cold
DeleteReally hoping we won't need oil for quite some time...but not sure how they are going to decide who is entitled to the £100. Perhaps we will all be required to photograph our tanks?! x
ReplyDeleteI hope someone knows where there is gas and where there isn't!
DeleteOne of the gas pipelines from the North sea crosses the fields and roads just a mile out of the village, the village could have been connected years ago - it would have been cheaper back then too.
There was some mention of giving the £100 via the electric company we shall see.
Well, it's good to get something. Interesting about the "governing." Seems to be a worldwide problem these days but from what I read about the UK, especially challenging there. We have gas heat here, which is, I think, a bit less pricey but I'm not sure. I'm so glad you got a nice new (level, too!) oil tank. And thanks for coming by!
ReplyDeleteSeems world leaders are either weak, mad or dictators!
DeleteHome heating is a big challenge. Just recently the Saudi's have reduced their output which again will impact supply. Like you, I have an oil burning furnace. My backup is heat pumps and a wood (& coal) burning stove. Currently, oil suppliers are trying to lock in customers at a set price of $5+. I will not contract with one supplier and prefer to go out for bid when I need to top off my 2 oil tanks. I like making this competitive and will go with the best price. One friend converted from an oil burning furnace to propane gas and he says propane gas is more costly than oil. A second friend has installed solar panels with battery storage. This works well as long as the sun is shining and we do not get long stretches of no sun. He also has an oil burning furnace. It seems there is no "one" solution. We are all in the same boat with this problem. Enjoy your grandchildren today.
ReplyDeleteI really liked the thermal solar things we had on the roof - they heated the water in the tank for many months of the year. Can't have them here as the boiler is a combi-boiler so no separate hot water tank.
DeleteThe £400 will appear as a credit on bills in instalments so beware of any scams asking for bank details. In theory it should not be necessary for text messages to be sent out as the government £400 help will just happen. There will be lots of scam messages and emails doing the rounds. Beware.
ReplyDeleteI don't get a bill so wouldn't know how the £400 was to be given to me except for the text message telling me how it was divided up. I don't pay a set amount by D/D but pay for what I've used each month.
DeleteYes me too. Except I pay quarterly.
DeleteOh a little relief on the utility bills is a nice bit of governing. Glad you got the oil tank replaced properly and a good store room is always a blessing. So things are good there, I'd say!!
ReplyDelete