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... the sky is baby blue, and the just-unfurling leaves ...
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cassandra



Joined: 27 Mar 2013
Posts: 1733
Location: Tasmania Australia
PostPosted: Wed Dec 11, 19 6:33 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Yes, the levy is a long shot. I have been adding numbers to Excel all day and seem to be establishing that each calendar year shows an increased loss over the previous one. I will double check my figures (simplify the chart) and convert it to financial years (ours are 1 Jul-30 Jun) and come at it with a fresh brain in the morning. I do have a tame engineer who will then convert the figures into charts to even the terminally thick can't miss the message. That we were in credit at the beginning of this financial year seems to simply reflect that we had not quite expended the reserves. I will take it back one more year to see if I can find out what was going on then.

Being a failed student of vege maths, this is all a bit challenging for me, but at least logic remains on my side.

I have also noted there is a possibility we have not paid our last fire levy either, so have chased that up with the Fire Service who will apparently phone me back (but not today as I doubt their accountants will still be at work).

Today was supposed to be sunny but it started to rain about an hour ago. It's stopped now, but I am rather hoping there's more to come. Next door has conned a farmer into securing her fences so he can graze his sheep there and thus reduce her fire hazard. I too could do with that sort of assistance, so will see if I can bail him up next time he's here. He dropped off an additional load today. I only noticed this as a) there are now two black sheep next door and b) these ones have been shorn,

They seem to be suffolk cross, so I doubt their fleece is any use, but worth asking anyway.

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Wed Dec 11, 19 8:18 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Excel is not one of my strong points. Sadly, several government organisations I have had to deal with love it, so I have had to do my best with their lovely spread sheets, but I seem to have entered the right things in the right boxes. It probably doesn't help that I am pretty well self taught on the computer, but son helps me if I get stuck, and as a last resort, husband. As he usually starts by saying ' you know how to do it' it is a last resort.

I would try to get someone else to check your figures if you can. As you say, logic is on your side, but maths isn't.

The besoms went yesterday, but I addled my brains doing accounts. The plus is that they are only about a month behind entering into the computer. All on paper though, which is where I prefer them to be as you know where you are with paper. I never trust computers as I worked in microelectronics too long.

gregotyn



Joined: 24 Jun 2010
Posts: 2201
Location: Llanfyllin area
PostPosted: Thu Dec 12, 19 2:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

If it weren't for computers, you, me and Cassandra would never have "met", MR. How much are you girls having to pay that price? I think you would have told me where to go by now if you didn't want me here! I have done excel, but only on the course, so had supervision to put my wrongs right. I was lucky at school, I had a really good maths teacher in my 4th form, who was seconded to teach at a level where he wouldn't normally-3rd set pre 'O' level. His enthusiasm for maths was so good, that he made it interesting for the 4th form delinquents, and for one test I got the answer and won a shilling-it was 60 years ago, when a shilling was more than my pocket money for a week. For any youngsters a shilling is 5p. I managed to pass accounts at college too, also surprising! Where I think maths misses out is they stopped teaching repetitive times tables for a while, critical to life in my opinion. Could you get an accountant on your committee, Cassandra, to check how far you have got, and how much more you need to do?

We have had rain most of today-some breaks but not for long. And it is pouring down now. I need to chop wood but it will be dark soon. I will have to give the pooter up in the week soon, as I am so far behind my normal level of kindling. And have less stock too-why? The local hardwear shop gave up and they were competitors, but there is nowhere else to go, but to the shop I supply, a real pain in the arm! I guess back home and cut some more, get it netted and down to the shop. A good weekend chopping will help.

cassandra



Joined: 27 Mar 2013
Posts: 1733
Location: Tasmania Australia
PostPosted: Fri Dec 13, 19 5:31 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Unfortunately the only retired accountant I know seems to have developed a close relationship with the bottle, so I am a bit stuck in that department. But while I revile my mathematical skills I do generally spot the right answer given a choice or three. It was intuitive approach to the subject that brought me undone at school as I would always get the right answer but couldn't show the workings, so the teacher assumed I was looking the answer up in the back of the book. Clearly she did not know that i never read the back of the book till I have worked my way up to it, but no matter.

Yesterday was patient tranportation to Hobart - a lovely old chap with macular degeneration going to the hearing specialist. All the way down he was admiring snowy landscapes while I was looking at parched farming country, so at least his brain is giving him nice views to play with. Since his wife was not with him, I took him right to the door, but when I went to collect him it was a bit of a circus as he shoved his wallet inside his trousers instead of in his pocket and so we nearly had to strip search him to find it. Fortunately he discovered it just before I led him off to the toilets, haha.

Today was coffee club day which I don't always get to attend but did this morning as my patient had cancelled her trip. Turned out they were having a 'turning of the sod' ceremony at the distillery across the road which they had forgotten to tell the locals about, so we all went over and gate-crashed. A good chance to catch up with what Council was doing about the Hall (not much), and an opportunity to sample the brew they will be making. It has an excellent nose and mouth, but the aftertaste is a little too reminiscent of the greener bits of the bog, so I will not be buying any soon (not that I can afford it).

It was nice to finally see the mysterious person who is developing it, and to get to trespass on private property though, haha.

tonight is the Christmas Pageant, so I am heading back into town to regale myself with food at the Pancake Parlour which is hosting a window onto the high street. Necessary as it is presently chilly and threatening rain.

Appalled by the predicted results of your election. It's not too late to emigrate you know!

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Fri Dec 13, 19 7:48 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Gregotyn, I agree computers have some uses, but trying to fight an accounts programme is not my idea of fun, no is filling in forms in Excel. Unlike you, I have never even done the course, so I am almost completely self taught apart from a 'keyboard skills' i.e. touch typing course I did when suffering from the start of chickenpox, and continuing with a course in a book while recovering. Glad we did 'meet' as it is nice to hear from you, Cassandra and others I have met online. Also useful for keeping up contact and passing news to family members in Aus and Canada.

Keep up the good work with the kindling. I am in the same position with log sacks. I have 125 plus 30 dumpy sacks to do before Christmas, and have so far managed 15. It poured with rain here yesterday too; husband and son had to do 3 log loads and got soaked. I worked in the log store, which at least was fairly dry.

Cassandra, you seem, apart from the disappearing keys to have had a good day. You do have some nice bits of your community it seems. You don't necessarily need an accountant for your books, just someone to check it all carefully with you. Good luck with them anyway.

I too am appalled at the election result and am rather worried. Husband says we are too old to emigrate, but am rather tempted, although not sure where to. New Zealand is about the only place that more or less appeals I am afraid. Tas sounds nice, but like you, I don't like your politicians. Canada I suppose is another possibility, but we may, as husband says, be too old.

gregotyn



Joined: 24 Jun 2010
Posts: 2201
Location: Llanfyllin area
PostPosted: Fri Dec 13, 19 2:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

You can, as I understand it, emigrate anywhere provided you meet the monetry needs! I would choose NZ, Aus, or Tasmania, probably going to stay with the friends in Brisbane whilst I have a look around, or go and camp in Cassandra's back garden.

I also loose loose keys so now kept on a long chain; this lives with me all day attached to my belt. I also loose my wallet a lot, so now a new policy is in place. I have it with me only when going to shop, the rest of the time it is under the car seat. Then when I get home it goes into the house for a night's rest! I say this as twice today I couldn't find it in the right spot. I have spare wallet too, where I keep other money -"in case". I will be putting a chain on the wallet next!

Tomorrow is a big day for me, I have to cut kindling most of the day after library, and chop all day on Sunday-my grandfather is turning in his grave at the thought. I realise now why I am so far behind. The local ironmongers used to sell firewood too, but they have retired and closed the shop but continuing to live there. So the town has the same number of people buying half the available firewood!-panic. I may have to use a bit of holiday. I have nearly 3 weeks at Christmas/New Year, so may make some ground up then. I am just hoping half the locals are going away too!

The election result isn't going to change my life too much I hope. I think Corbyn would have raised taxes too much to pay for his, and the current borrowings, Boris is a nutter and I can't remember who the lib-dem Lady was! I haven't read all about it yet!

See you tomorrow!

Shan



Joined: 13 Jan 2009
Posts: 9075
Location: South Wales
PostPosted: Fri Dec 13, 19 3:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

You're not missing anything Gregotyn.... no point in depressing yourself about it. The people voted for a party whose leader is a lying charlatan that hid in a fridge, to escape scrutiny.

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Sat Dec 14, 19 6:52 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

The problem with emigrating is that it has to be somewhere that the political regime is friendly and stands a good chance of remaining so, and somewhere that I would feel comfortable. Ideally English speaking, as my French is wobbly and German very poor, and husband only speaks English. Scotland has recently been mentioned by several friends, and although it is currently part of the UK, I don't know how much longer that will continue if things run their proposed course. Trouble is, for a pure bred southerner, it is rather chilly up there.

We managed to deliver one order of log sacks yesterday, so that at least is one out the way. Just have all the rest to do now.

gregotyn



Joined: 24 Jun 2010
Posts: 2201
Location: Llanfyllin area
PostPosted: Sat Dec 14, 19 10:32 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

My ancestry was Scottish many moons ago, my French is rusty but I could get by to begin with and get better as I had to! Alternative is Australia-go to a friends house and either stay in till the heat is all over and coming out in the autumn or going to see friends in the UK when the Aus. summer starts. My advantage over you, MR, is that I can cope with the cold, I just add another layer. It is the heat that does for me! They say Tasmania is more suited to the Brits. The three problems for me are the heat, age and I don't like flying. I would rather take a ship and get buried at sea if I didn't last the journey! And then I am such a fussy eater. I have never eaten a curry, bar the first taste of one and said not for me! When I played hockey the Indians who put on an annual meal for the team, did me a special-plain cooked uk food-'cos I scored the goals! I think this explains why I am on my own, I can sit both sides of my table and choose which side of the bed is mine! I enjoyed being married because I had 2acres-half an acre of veg. garden, an acre paddock, and the rest with about 100 fruit trees; And 2 sheds!! I never got under her feet, with her complaint that "she never saw me!" I was taken on shopping trips as a "haulier", and I got the compliment that I didn't complain about shopping. No point in complaining when shopping with a wife, they start to take longer the more you moan! We only met at night and occasionally in the office. What was not to like?

My Aus friend says that there the grass grows in the winter and burns in the summer!

Anyway, I need to go and cut wood for a day and chop for 2 days to get some order back to my kindling stock, which won't reach Christmas!

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Sun Dec 15, 19 7:47 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I cope with cold better than most, but I am just used to slightly warmer climes. I have had to go into my winter trousers, and usually I only wear them in very cold weather. Must be age, being ill or something.

Was doing demonstrations yesterday, so made 3 besom heads. Need to start cutting birch again after Christmas. Was talking to a lady who was brought up in rural Shroshire with well water, bucket toilet etc. and she said her mother used to use a besom for the path. She had never seen one made, and was very interested to both see and hear how they were made and the birch prepared. She had just assumed that there were a few sticks gathered together and a handle rammed into them. She had no idea where her mother got hers from, but there must have been a local broomsquire.

gregotyn



Joined: 24 Jun 2010
Posts: 2201
Location: Llanfyllin area
PostPosted: Tue Dec 17, 19 2:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Cool today, but lovely sunshine. I am so far behind with the kindling, but never mind, if I haven't got it I can't sell it. The other shop gave up and I was hoping for A. N. Other to take it on but to no avail. So I am lighting twice the number of fires in town than I was, and so no backup stock, which I always had before. I will be geared up next year for sure. I think you should be doing a demo. at the Victorian farm in Shropshire at Acton Scott, MR, and I could come and have a lesson! An idea when you have a break at home. They would no doubt put you up for a night or so.
My Uncle Dick had a farm of the old 'type' where we went for years to pick cowslips and primroses in spring, and collect apples and damsons in the autumn. He had good neighbours who did anything he needed mechanically, and his shopping. He had a bull and about 25 cows and that was it. He had no vehicle of any type not even a push bike! His sister used, when she was alive, to cook on an open fire with a box oven, outside no electricity there! Better than the Acton Scott where there are some early machines, Uncle had nothing of the sort there all his life.

I think retirement needs to come soon, I keep saying it, but the money.....we have had no snow yet and that may just swing the balance when it does come!

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Wed Dec 18, 19 7:45 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I saw Acton Scott on the TV, but we have never visited. Perhaps we might one day. Trouble is, I wouldn't be able to bring my equipment for besom making very easily, but we will see.

It has been wet here again the last couple of days. Monday was very wet in the afternoon and yesterday wasn't too good either. Have been making more log sacks up, but still have some to go. Have to phone one outlet today to see if they need any more before Christmas. Am hoping that they will be happy with just having them on call, then I only have 15 more to make. My achey bits are acheying rather after doing so many.

gz



Joined: 23 Jan 2009
Posts: 8577
Location: Ayrshire, Scotland
PostPosted: Wed Dec 18, 19 7:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Acton Scott is worth a visit

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Thu Dec 19, 19 7:13 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

It certainly looks it. If we holiday that way we will definitely visit, but it is a bit far for a day trip.

gregotyn



Joined: 24 Jun 2010
Posts: 2201
Location: Llanfyllin area
PostPosted: Thu Dec 19, 19 1:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I won't be around for the next couple of days-I have to chop wood full time to get the numbers up and ready for sale and stock in the shop "pdq". The annoying part is that I don't have the time in reality, but will have a go and flat out as soon as I get back from friends' house where I go.

Acton Scott is well worth a trip. I could spend 2 days there with friends, although a day should be enough if you have some basic agricultural knowledge. The old machines they have still get used as do the horses for field work.

Really wet today but no snow so happy about that, you could even say warm! See you when I have got up to speed!

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