We like to support our local businesses. If you don't sometimes buy stuff from the local corner shop or fishmonger, etc. then you might miss it when it's gone. We also try to buy British as far as possible in the supermarkets, without getting silly about it. But, from necessity, I buy a lot of stuff...

I mentioned before that we're having some building work done in the house. One thing that no one mentioned to us VAT (not even B&Q who you think might be geared up to mention it when someone is spending a substantial sum on an accessible shower room). I just happened to find out about this whils...

Many thanks, RetroPants. That's helpul. As it happens, we've already bought nearly all the materials, eg cabinets, sinks, etc. So the guys won't have to buy any of that on our behalf. I suppose most people don't get their kitchens done up if they're not planning to pay for it but people who don't pa...

I wonder if you can help with some advice, please. We're having our kitchen done up. This is a necessity from taking on this house, not a whim. Anyway, our first plumber did a runner and the work he'd repeatedly promised by the end of the year hasn't even started yet. (Fortunately he didn't have any...

Thanks, Geoff I've never heard of a bokashi bin before. There's a good explanation here about the what, why and how of them https://www.rhs.org.uk/garden-inspiration/get-gardening/bokashi I checked out a famous online retailer and you can get 2 x 20 litre bins for about £55. And bokashi bran is abou...

Thanks, Snooky. That's what I thought as I've not seen or heard of a 'Pig Bin' for donkey's years. I'm still reluctant to chuck stuff in the bin, though. I wonder if birds/squirrels, etc might eat crushed up biscuits - as long as I check they're not overloaded with salt, sugar, fat. Hmm. We have a p...

When I was younger I remember that every communal kitchen, eg school, army, care homes, etc had a 'pig bin' where all the leftovers were chucked. I expect commercial kitchens had these too. Then every day, or whatever, the 'pig man' would come along and collect the stuff. I'm not sure that this stil...

Hiya, Welcome back from me too, Peter. I've not been around for a while either and I've missed coming on here for the friendly chat and banter. So, here I am back at last. Good to see some familiar names still posting. A lot has happened... and I have a few things where I'm hoping for your advice bu...

peter wrote: ↑Fri Oct 04, 2024 6:56 pm Claim you tripped and ask if he's insured for injuries caused by his plants?

Yeah! That's the sort of thing I would do. No idea if you might be successful with the guy.

I've never tried to make my own cocoa drink. But I have made Hot Chocolate from scratch. I can tell you it's a hundred times better than the usual stuff you buy in a canister. :D You're worth a bit of luxury, better to spend the money on better products, though. And they might even cost less that th...

Thanks, Westi. Desserts are not really my forte but I'll have a go and say what I would do in the same situation. I hope you have some freezer space available. Bramley apples are a very British thing, often called 'cooking apples'. (I've never seen Bramleys outside the UK.) A lot of chefs, myself in...

I'm really sorry to read this. Very best wishes to you and your doggie. I don't know much about the subject but it seems to me that, given the problems, you did darned well to keep his life going for all these years. Hats off to you.

Thanks, Westi. I'm not really back on form. Just able to get to the laptop in my home office instead of being glued to the bed. Oh well, it's a step in the right direction

Sorry for disappearing again. Been ill - the usual, anxiety, stress, vomiting. Of course when you're chucking up every 15-20 mins and can't even keep water down, there's no chance of eating or sleeping, which makes matters worse. Anyway, husband noticed Coquilles St Jaques in M&S. You just have ...

This is not a cheap book. The RRP is £40 although I got it new from Amazon for £26. It's a large tome. Perhaps I'll need a wheelbarrow to move it around. I only got it about half an hour ago so I've only had time so far to just flick through and dip into it. I think there's every chance that this co...