Psssst, want to know a secret ;o))

'Ello 'ello 'ello, what's all this 'ere then? Food, that's what. A quick rundown of my meals over the last few days. I don't count calories, or add up points, or weigh portions, luckily I like the healthy stuff. I do have a bit of naughty stuff, but I limit myself. Naughty food is for now and again, not every day. 

Regular food for me is porridge, bran flakes, fruit juices, veg, salad, fruit, pulses, nuts, pasta, rice, cous cous, noodles, some dairy, cheese and yogurt. 

I bought a pack of fresh tagliatelle for around £1, I split this into three meals. Garlic mushrooms with grated cheese, love this. 

Salad - grated carrot, iceberg lettuce, spinach, grated cheese, and chopped celery.

A tasty stew made with carrots, celeriac, runner beans, and a tin of tomatoes. Just eaten a bowl of this with a chunk of wholemeal bread, one large pan makes four portions. Mostly I eat it over two or three days, sometimes I freeze it in margarine tubs.

Lunch today was a happy salad. same as above, with boiled eggs.  

Twas a nice day to take a walk in the park, a bit chilly but ok if you are wrapped up. As I walk around our village I see a lot of people just out for a walk. Some of them walk the mile to the park, then around it, and back again. I drive there, because Rocky can't walk that far. He loves it snuffling away in the grass, then his head comes up and he has a dead leaf stuck to his whiskers, it makes me laugh. Sometimes he spots a squirrel and makes a half hearted attempt to catch it, then stands at the bottom of a tree looking up, watching the squirrel make his escape. 

The ducks all came across the pond to see us, hoping for some food. I always feel guilty not having anything for them. There is a notice up saying only feed them with grain bought from the shop, I haven't seen anyone throw bread in for them. 

Here's an idea of what to do with an old suitcase. Two pets, both want a bed near the fire. I had an old wooden drawer here but it was a bit cumbersome, took up too much space. This is a much better arrangement. The favourite is the side where Mayze is, so if Rocky is first in he takes it. They swap about and will lie in either side. Good idea I thought.  

And now for a surprise, I like surprises, don't you. I was asked what I do with the bags I make, answer, I give them away. Up to 9pm tonight, 417 people viewed yesterdays post, and 17 people commented. I have had a draw and four people have each won a bag. So, please send me your postal address and I will send you one. You can send it in a comment, which I won't publish, or you can email me, address on the side.

Primroses Attic
Aussie Cheryl
Destemona
Quin 

I like doing secret giveaways. A lot more fun than loads of people trying to win something.
Toodle pip

Slaving over a hot sewing machine

Hello. I like to alternate between hand sewing and machine sewing so I don't get too bored. Today it was the turn of the machine, I fancied making some shopping bags. The fabric I have used all came from the Scrapstore, it has a backing on it so it's super thick and strong. I am trying to reduce the size of my stash, and use up some bits. There isn't enough of one colour to make a single bag, so I have mixed them up a bit.  

Previously I have made bags out of both these colours, there is just enough fabric left to make this last one. The handles on three of the bags are sewn onto the outside, because they were too thick to fold and tuck under the hem round the top.

The other side of this bag is the opposite way round, the patterned fabric panel is in the centre.

The red fabric came in strips, so I extended the width by adding a panel in the centre.

 The bag is blue, the handles are dusky pink, so what, they don't have to match.

Super strong bags, nice and cheerful to brighten up any shopping trip, and they will last a long long time. I'm very pleased with them. Now, what shall I make tomorrow, maybe some more hand stitching on the picture.
Toodle pip

Where to find free advice

Hello and Good Evening. Anyone who finds themselves in financial difficulties and are struggling to make ends meet must be totally confused as to where to get help. The MSE forum has a section called Debt Free Wannabe, a good place to start where help and support is offered from those in similar situations. Sadly though, there are an increasing amount of people who sign up with the first commercial debt management company they come across, then find that not all of their monthly payments are going towards reducing their debt. The company is keeping a large amount to pay for their services.

I've had an email from Paul Farnsworth who is running a campaign at Derbyshire Districts Citizens Advice Bureau, to promote free debt management services. I think most people know that the CAB offer a free advice service, but not many know that they can sort out the whole Debt Management Plan for you, and it won't cost you a penny.

Paul is keen to promote the CAB Fee Free campaign, and wants to get the message across that you NEVER have to pay for debt help. People can visit their blog here for more information on spreading the word. Derby District CAB is also on Twitter, you don't have to sign up to read it.  The National CAB website is also a good place to find out where your nearest office is. So if you are needing help don't fall for all the advertising hype you see from commercial companies, about helping you to get rid of your debt, they will charge you. Get free advice from the CAB.

While on the subject, read up on what Martin Lewis says about tackling your debt problem. There you will find lots of useful stuff to help you get started towards debt freedom. There are other free  charities which can help you to set up a plan.
Christians Against Poverty.
Step Change.
National Debtline 
Payplan.

So much free advice out there, never pay for help with sorting your debts out. Do not sign up with a commercial company, I can't emphasize that enough.

Thank you for the email, Paul, I hope I have got that message across loud and clear, best of luck with your campaign.

Thanks for popping in. Catch you tomorrow. Toodle pip.

Tales of a Tiller Girl by Irene Holland. Book review

Hello, Here is a blast from the past, does anyone remember The Tiller Girls? I remember them from Sunday Night at the London Palladium, mum would let us watch it, then it was straight off to bed afterwards, school in the morning.



I thought they were marvelous, and would often copy them doing the high kicks, I could never keep up though without losing my balance. I could see myself on the stage, but the nearest I ever got to a dancing career was three months with Mavis and the Silver Stars, but had to give up because mum couldn't afford the lessons, the shoes, and costumes.

I digress. I've just finished reading a smashing book written by Irene Holland, who started life as Irene Bott, but she was asked to change it when she became a Tiller Girl. She chose to dance under the name of Irene Starr. Her book, Tales of a Tiller Girl, is an amazing account of her early life in London, through to the the present day. She was born in 1930 near Wandsworth Commomn, but sadly her father died when she was two years old, so she grew up with her brother and mother. Dancing was always her passion from an early age, and her mother who was a musician went off touring with a band just so she could afford to send Irene to Italia Conti stage school. In three years she was trained in all types of dancing and singing.

Things didn't always go smoothly though, her height she wasn't tall enough for the Blueball Girls, she sustained back injuries, and the war got in the way, but at the age of eighteen she was accepted into the world famous high kick dancing troupe, the Tiller Girls.

Irene has so many incredible stories to tell, from the stars she performed with at the Palladium, Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, and Danny Kaye, to entertaining the soldiers and becoming their pin up. The book is also an interesting insight into war torn Britain, and how it affected ordinary working people.

Irene is now 84 and lives in Devon. I've found this short biography about her, if you are going to read the book you might not want to read this, as it gives away the ending of her story. I must say, from a tough start in war torn London, her story has a wonderful heartwarming ending.

I have found this ITV news report from July 2014, about her returning to The London Palladium. There is a short video to click on. All that dancing must have been good for her, she certainly doesn't look 84.

Give this book a try if you like autobiographies, it's an easy read, and entertaining.

Welcome to the new readers, I hope you enjoy your visits. We've had snow here, and I hear there's going to be more, so I won't be going far. Keep snug, wrap up, and watch tele.
Toodle pip

So many Great places to visit in Britain.

Hello. So many places to see and not enough time, the UK really does have a lot to offer. Here are a few more of Julia's Wonders of Britain. Pictures from the relevant web sites, and Wikipedia.

St Pauls Cathedral, London.  There has been a Cathedral here for 1,400 years, built and rebuilt five times. The present cathedral is the masterpiece of Britains most famous architect, Sir Christopher Wren. It's world famous dome is an iconic feature of the London Skyline. I have been here, but didn't go inside, must do that next time.

Manchester Town Hall is on Julia's list. It was five years ago when I was in Manchester for the day and went to see it. I can say it is a fabulous building, if you are there go inside and have a look round. It was designed by Architect Alfred Waterhouse and was completed in 1877. The Town Hall is open Monday to Saturday, check on the web site which rooms are available for viewing. Free entrance.

Julia chose The Watercress Line as her favourite steam train destination. The Mid Hants Railway runs between New Alresford and Alton. I love steam trains and was lucky enough to get a ride on one  here when my friend Carol who lives in Hampshire, took me for a visit. There are many special events planned for 2015, check the web site for details.

SS Great Britain is a museum ship and former passenger steamship, built in Bristol. She was the first steamer to cross the Atlantic between Bristol and New York, which she did in 1845 in a time of 14 days. She was designed by Brunel for the Great Western Steamship Company. Oh my, does she look magnificent or what. This has to go on my list, I need to go to Bristol. The picture and additional information can be found on Wikipedia. 

I went to visit the National Coal Mining Museum near Wakefield, and can report that it is fantastic place to visit. You can read about my trip here.  Julia also enjoyed it, taking the same underground trip as I did. It really brings it home to you just how hard the work of a miner was at the coal face. Entrance to this site is free, there is a small charge to go down to the coal face.. Here is the web site. 

Julia also visited The Leadenhall Building, a new skyscraper in the centre of London, which has been nicknamed The Cheesegrater. It looks a fascinating place, I've been reading up about it. I haven't any plans to revisit London any time soon, but if you are there, maybe this is a good place to visit. The picture and more information can be found at Wikipedia.

These are some of the places that Julia Bradbury visited on her Wonders of Britain tour, I am sure that there are many more that would be worthy of inclusion. Hope you have enjoyed this small selection.  Blimey, I've got a lot of travelling to do before I die, I need to get a move on.
Are you going travelling this year? Tell me where. Toodle pip.

Promoting our wonderful island

Hello Blogger Buddies. Sorry I didn't post yesterday, needed to catch up on a few things, and last night I decided to chill out and watch a bit of tele, which has given me the idea for this post.

So, this post is sponsored by the wonderful places visited by Julia Bradbury in her programmes, Wonders of Britain. I love finding out more about our beautiful island, reading travel books, looking up places on the internet, and reading maps. I think I have a pretty good knowledge about my country, then I learn something new and it makes me want to go there and see it for myself. The programmes about the Scilly Isles inspired me to go there, and numerous other places I have read about and visited have been ticked off my list. I like to pick up a book and read about places I have already been to as well, it  refreshes my memory of the trip and puts a smile on my face,  ahhh yes, been there.

My passport ran out a few months ago, I thought about renewing it, but won't bother at the moment. I like roaming around the UK, plenty of places I haven't seen yet. So, this is a shout out for good old Blighty, singing the praises of our wonderful homeland.

Julia is a very easy to listen to presenter, she injects enthusiasm for the subject matter with her body language and friendly disposition. I watched two programmes back to back last night, a wonderful couple of hours of free entertainment. I'll list a few of the places she visited here, with a few links, if you want to know more.

Wonders of Britain Series 1 episode 1   Beautiful Buildings
Wonders of Britain Series 1 episode 4  Industrial Revolution.
These links are on the ITV player and will not be available forever. 21 - 28 days. May be available on yoootooob (haven't checked) or may be repeated at a later date on the ITV site.

So where did she go.
Castle Howard, a stunningly beautiful stately building in North Yorkshire. The house is closed at the moment, due to open on the 21st of March. Visitors can walk around the grounds for a lower entrance fee during the winter months. Open every day except Christmas Day. I want to go there.

Eden Project in Cornwall. A brilliant place to visit, I have been twice, if I lived nearer I would go more often. It boasts the worlds largest rain forest in captivity, stunning gardens and world class sculptures. Always something going on, ice skating at the moment. Open most of the time, except a few dates in Jan - Feb. Check the web site.

Caernarfon Castle, a world heritage site, the most impressive castle in Wales. Check here for opening times and prices. I want to go there, it looks amazing.

Royal Crescent, Bath.  I have been here and I love it. There are thirty grade 1 listed houses arranged round a great lawn. It was built between 1767 and 1775. A must to see if you are in Bath.

Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. This has been called The stream in the Sky. The structure has 19 arches with the River Dee running below it. You can cross on a narrow boat, or if you are feeling brave you can walk across. The views are out of this world. On my list to visit.

All photo's taken from the relevant web sites.

I'll come back tomorrow with a few more places to visit. No need to travel anywhere else, we have it all here.
Toodle pip.

A good blow out

Hello. The things I do to take some photo's for my fab readers. Yes folks, this is me all wrapped up, stepping outside of my comfort zone, aka my living room, and forging my way through the countryside in a force nine gale. It looked a nice day when I looked out of the window this morning, it was a lovely warm car journey to Epworth, the start of the walk, but, chuffin heck, was it BLUSTERY when I set off, and it didn't let up all day. Definitely brass monkey weather. Like the scarf? Yep, I found it, been chucked.

On the outskirts of Epworth now, you can't see my trousers flapping like crazy, if I had one of those wing suits on I would take off. 

I've seen these Alpacas at Epworth Show, here they are on their home ground. There are six of them but the others were huddled inside their shed. They have such cute faces.

Here is John Wesley's house. Not open today.  Blue skys all day, but don't be fooled, it was bloomin cold.

What do you think of this black and yellow shed, oooops, sorry, it's a house. It doesn't look right on the main road, the owners of the bungalow next to it must have been a bit miffed when it went up, goodness knows how they got planning permission.

It's connected by a covered passage to the brick building next to it, which looks like a converted barn. Oh my, what a sight for sore eyes.

Across the road are the council offices. This sign made me smile, it's on the front of a planter against the wall next to the entrance.

 The Council Offices are also the entrance to the cemetery.

Off I went following footpaths along the field edges. This is an old bridge that the railway used to go over, which is long closed, no tracks left.

I climbed up on the bridge to have a look down.

Lots of horses around here, shredded wheat for lunch. I often wonder if horses get bored standing around all day. Doesn't look a very exciting life, waiting for breakfast, lunch, and dinner to be served up. 

The path was long and straight and came out on a tarmac road at Epworth Turbary. I wondered what a Turbary is. Here is a bit from Wiki.
Turbary is the ancient right to cut turf, or peat, for fuel on a particular area of bog.^[1] The word may also be used to describe the associated piece of bog or peatland and, by extension, the material extracted from the turbary. 

I was ready for a bite to eat but nowhere to stop and sit down, then I saw a farm and sat on a lump of concrete with a bit of shelter from the side of a barn. The wind was blowing all the plastic crates across the road, there didn't seem like there was anyone about to pick them up. Then I had a long walk down Greenholme Bank. It's a wide track used by farm machinery and was very muddy. The fields all around had recently been ploughed. Black clouds were up ahead and it started spotting with rain. I decided to take a short cut through Haxey Turbary to give me some shelter from the biting cold wind. This was a bit more pleasant, and low and behold the rain passed over and the sun came out again.

Past some farm buildings at Haxey Carr, then I came across a graveyard for Massey Fergusson farm machinery at Haslams Farm. There must have been a hundred or more, all crammed together in a big yard, and spilling out onto the track outside. I have tried googling but I can't find anything connected with MF. Some of these are really old, maybe they are butchered for spare parts, or exported whole, who knows. 

The track takes me across the fields towards Haxey. This is looking back at Haslams Farm.

Aaah, small ponies, aren't they cute, I want one, ha ha. 

The church gate at Haxey is a bit unusual, it pivots on a centre pole though doesn't go all the way round in a circle.

The church is massive for such a small village, there are several good views of it, but this one doesn't show the clock which is on right hand side of the tower. 

And I will finish off with some colour. Some people don't like artificial flowers on a grave, but I don't mind. It's too expensive to keep putting fresh flowers out. More colour I say. 

From Haxey I got onto the disused railway track again. It runs parallel to the A161 for a while, then there is a path further up which joins the road back to Epworth. It was 4.30pm when I got back to the car, just right, it was getting even colder once the sun had gone down. Ten miles walked, some of it hard going against the wind, but it was good to get out, I needed the exercise. Talk about a good blow out, constant runny nose, and watery eyes, the sinuses are now clear.
Toodle pip.

The cat sat on the sewing

Hello. If you want to get on with a sewing project, put the cat out of the room and close the door. Yesterday afternoon Mayze was in and out, and up and down, like a fiddlers elbow. I'd get a few stitches done and back she came again.

'Wadaya doin, you've missed a bit there. I want to sit on here, stop sewing.' 

Last night it was Heidi's turn. 'This sewing lark is so boring, I'm falling asleep.'

No wonder I'm not getting on very well with it, all the interruptions. Here's a little bit so far, shades of green. Strips of fabric twisted and put through the machine on a zigzag stitch. Sewn on the fabric with a couching stitch. It will be a long while until it's anywhere near finished at this rate.

The parsnips were turned into a big pan of parsnip curry. That's my dinner for three days. I fancy going for a walk tomorrow, but the forecast is gales and rain, I'll see what it's like in the morning, might have to resort to plan B.

A short one tonight, sees ya tomorrow. Toodle pip.

Swings and roundabouts

Hello, I renewed my insurance cover for my car this morning, it took about two minutes flat. The letter came last week from my broker, as it always does, two weeks before the current policy is due to run out. I did what I always do, pick up the phone and pay with my credit card.

You may ask, WHAT! You didn't go online and scour the comparison sites to find a better deal? You didn't play one off against the other, you didn't ask for a discount, you just coughed up your dosh and paid without question? Yep, that's exactly what I did.

I have been with the same broker for 40 years, every year I get the letter advising me of the cost of renewal, and every year I ring them and ask them to look for a better deal. They always come up with a cheaper policy. Now they don't wait for the phone call, they search before they send the letter, and tell me of a new company which will cut a few quid off.

Over the years this has saved me hours of my time, frustrating and confusing hours because I don't understand all the ins and outs of car insurance. It has saved me tearing my hair out, swearing at the computer, and mistakenly choosing the wrong policy. Yes, I know the broker is going to add their cut, but I think it's worth it, because two minutes on the phone and the job's done.

This is a family firm I deal with, they have been in business for 43 years, they know me, and I know I can speak to a real person any time about insurance matters. It's only like going into your local butcher or greengrocer, I am supporting a local business in my home town.

So, the twenty quid or so extra I pay will come out of my money saving in other areas. I could easily spend an extra £20 on my food bill, or go boozing for £20, or have a meal out for £20, or buy some bathroom smellies for £20. But I don't. It's swings and roundabouts, save a few bob here, and pay it out there. Shuffling money around and making sure I put it to it's best use to suit me.

Being frugal and living within your means is all about identifying what matters. I can easily trawl around the different shops to get the best deals for me, it suits me to do that. I get fresh air, I am getting exercise walking about, I meet people and chat, and I get the cheapest food. Some people prefer to do their supermarket shopping online, because they have neither the time or inclination to do it my way. It would do my head in to go to the Tesco or whatever web site, spend time searching for what I need, ticking boxes, arranging delivery times, and paying online. No no, chuffin no thank you. Pay more for your online shop, and claw the money back from spending another couple of hours or so on the computer trying to get your car insurance cheaper. Swings and roundabouts.

Some good comments on the last post, thank you for your input. Debbie makes a good point, spend a bit save a bit. When funds are low live on next to nothing, have a splurge when things are looking up.  Sue G's hubby bought some camera equipment, because they budget their finances well and can afford the odd treat. Pam has it sussed, channel any spare money saved from elsewhere, and buy a sewing machine. All swings and roundabouts.

I think a lot of my readers are as savvy as me, so please excuse me if this is all old hat to you. But as Anonymous (ha ha) mentioned, the people she used to work with were constantly complaining that they couldn't afford holidays, yet can afford phone contracts. No point in moaning people, you makes your choices, if there isn't enough dosh to pay for everything you want, you cut back on some things to pay for others. Simple as that, swings and roundabouts. By the way, my mobile phone is on PAYG £5 a month. Not a priority to have an all bells and whistles phone.
Thank you for visiting Tightwad Towers. Toodle pip.

All it takes is practice

Hiya peeps. I was reading somewhere that it is hard being frugal, I read a lot and can't remember where I saw it and who said it. It made me think, what is hardship? Is it having no money to spare, or not sure what to buy with the little you have, or is it a hardship because other people seem to be spending and you can't?

I have been frugal for a long time, even before I had even heard of the word frugal. It was not in my vocabulary, but being careful with my spending was, so I have never viewed it as a hardship. For me, having less money makes life easier, because you have fewer choices on what to spend it on.

People who are trying to cut down on their spending are going to find the transition to frugaldom quite daunting, because they are not used to it. Walking past a shop when they normally pop in for a paper or a chocolate bar takes an enormous amount of will power, such is the  embedded habit of buying anything you want.

It's all about changing a habit, and spending is like any other habit, a hard one to break, but not impossible. You have to start somewhere. Frugal living is a learned behaviour, just as over spending, over eating, and over indulging in most things is. Making any changes is hard, you have got to want to do it. You cannot wake up one day and say that's it, I am frugal from this moment on. You could if you are very strong willed, which would be the exception rather than the rule, but like a lot of diets that start on January the 1st, most will fall by the wayside before the 31st. Yes, being frugal is hard, if you haven't been that way inclined before.

But as time goes on, and you make a little progress each day, week, or month, like anything, the more you practice, the easier it gets and the better at it you become. The journey is long it won't happen overnight. Eventually it will be second nature, you will automatically check your bank account before you make a big purchase, rather than say, sod it I'll put it on the card.

Not many of my friends understand me, but they are my friends because they accept me as I am. My lifestyle is different to theirs. They can go to the shops and buy whatever they like. They can surround themselves with nice things, have nice cars, go on holiday. Fine, they have no need to be frugal. But ask them to step into my shoes, or ask me to step into their shoes, and we both would be floundering. They would find it very difficult to cut back on their spending, just as I would struggle to splash the cash.

Frugality is not hard at all for me, because I am used to it, and you can get used to anything if you practice it often enough. People used to ask me, is it hard driving a lorry, quick answer, no it's easy. I would find it hard to learn German, or learn to play the piano, but if I really wanted to do it and practiced it enough, I could probably do it.

If you either want to or need to live a frugal lifestyle, start practicing today. I love it.
Toodle pip