[Snapper]

Hi Sandy,
 Do you think perhaps you're working too much, perhaps you do need some 'downtime' as they call it.

 I guess from your other Posts that money is a bit 'tight ' at present but you seem to be taking a lot on at the moment, especially if the B& B is busy too.

How about giving yourself a bit of 'me' or 'us' time. Nice meal, DVD  or even just a lazy afternoon window shopping in Stirling with Coffee and Cakes to finish.

You usually come over a such a happy person I'm sad to hear that you're feeling in the 'dumps'.
Chin up, tomorrows another day and enjoy the BBQ tomorrow.
Anne

[doganjo]

I think we can manage a camper thats not to expensive, it should pay for itself. I am working sooooo much next week and busy in the B&B....I refuse a lot of work, I could do 24/7 shifts, they are not bad but hard to do this and work!!!!!!! We can save a few quid for a camper I am sure!

I'm puzzled.  How could the camper pay for itself?  Mine never did.

[Sandy]

Holiday!!! Break!!!! See Scotland!!!!

In our VW we were off most weekends, went all over Devon and Cornwall, it was brill, we used to take our dog but now with 4 we need a coach built one. People spend a lot more then we do on normal cars just for running around and we have seen loads for sale under £4000 that should suit. I could also pop off to my daughters with the dogs etc and have some where to stay or take up one of the job offers on the boarders for 2 weeks or highlands!!!

[OhLaLa]

A campervan it is then, go for it Sandy. It sounds just the thing you need, then you can nip off for the odd week away or even for an overnighter on the spur of the moment.

 

[SallyintNorth]

What are those things 'they' always say?

"Life isn't a dress rehearsal"

"It's the things you don't do you regret the most"

and my favourite,

"Life should NOT be a  journey to the grave with the intention of  arriving safely in an attractive and well  preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways,  chocolate in one hand, wine in the other,  totally worn out and screaming 'WOOO HOOOOO what  a ride!'  "

[Sandy]

Thanks Sally, I sooo agree.... we are doing what we wanted but did not realise we would be short of cash but that is easily sorted now as I have joined an agency who send me offers of work 24/7

[SallyintNorth]

Good to hear you sounding more positive Sandy.   

[MelRice]

Hi Sandy sorry to hear your struggling with B&B upkeep have you tried "helpx"? Ive got some young people helping me in exchange for food and accom. I know it would use some of your sleeping space but perhaps another body is what you need (then you could get some more animals too!)

[doganjo]

That's not a bad idea, but it wouldn't help with animals as Sandy and I both live in built up areas.  Even with my acre I wouldn't have anything other than my dogs,cat, chooks and dooks in case they got pinched - mine is in grass but Sandy and Steve's garden is hard landscaped.

[Sandy]

I thought about a local cleaner but not with local politics, I am not keen on being that close to locals as it could cause BIG fall outs if things went wrong, eg, something went missing of one of our guests or broken!!!! Also, I can never pin down times when I am in or out, I am nearly always in but lately have to pop out a lot and the front door can pose a problem. IF, we get too busy and my hubby gets full time work again, I may look at Help X, they could give us a hand with decorating etc, the only problem is we need to fill our rooms ready for the winter lull.....The best senario for me would be family near by.....don't get me wrong, I love cleaning etc and can manage but when its forced on a daily basis, the novilty wears thin.....back to my mate the hooover

[calamityjane]

sandy you sound really fun but us newbies to hens need your experience lol like why arn't my hens laying is it my stupid ponies lol prob chasing them lol nice to know someone local is here to help us newbies hopewfully my hubby doesn't buy hens and then find out they are crowing if anyone fancy a cockeral got one or two extra whats thew best mix to give them noticed they arn't eating the layers pellets got wheat n bruised barley and maizie? yellow stuff she said they would love it hmm heard a local farmer outside coalsnaughton sales feed for hens  been told tinned sweet corn is good for them too they get veg and love bread anything else i could be doing

[Sandy]

My hens have slowed right down re laying, I think its the start of the malt, be prepared for some funny looking oven ready hens as some realy go to town on thier malt!!! My first lot did not like layers pellets but that was because there was other stuff for them to eat, they soon eat it if there is no corn etc around....(I also give mine a few scraps and I know thats not allowed but I do not sell the eggs) I did have too many eggs but I have frozen some by breaking them into a box and mixing them up and as there are 6 in each box, ideal for cakes or other egg products. I also know that they can be funny about laying when you keep removing the eggs, although DUcks are more sensitive than hens and they will lay else where if thier eggs are taken, again, chickens get used to them going!!!! Do have  a search around you never know, they could be hidden.

I am no expert at anything, I have lots of people skill knowledge and its funny how similar people and animals are....animals are a little less complex!!!!!

Work tomorrow to bring some pennies in so we CAN have some fun!!!! THANKS EVERYONE!!!!!!

[doganjo]

I am getting 6 eggs every day from 8 hens,  a few weeks ago it was 7.  They tend to slow down a little as winter approaches.  I've never had any bother at all about taking the eggs away - they are far more interested in trying to get food out of my pockets.  My ducks aren't bothered either.  Both my hens and my ducks lay in the same place every day.   Even when I let them out to roam the front paddock, although the ducks do tend to just drop them where they are if they are out too early.  I keep them in till 10 am normally but sometimes if I'm going away for the day they are out sooner.  Mine eat layers pellets, or lump it!    They DO get treats too - fruit, veg, bread - that is all allowed so long as it hasn't been in your kitchen!  I 'sell' to neighbours and friends - but very cheaply - just as a donation towards their food.

[morri2]

Hi all!  Chickens, hmmmm, mine have almost stopped laying too. Was wondering whether there were clutches in the wood somewhere, but nothing could be found.  We have 15 layers and some days only 4 eggs, that's down from 10 or 11 (some chickies are a bit old, so not all of them lay every day).  Having read the above posts it seems its not just mine then.

Secondly, Sandy, if you've not done so already, the end of the summer season is a good time to buy camper vans.  We bought one on eBay for under a grand a couple of years ago.  Sold it for a profit last year - its was the old 'J' reg.  But very tidy.  Great for weekends away and the like.

[feldar]

A campervan it is then, go for it Sandy. It sounds just the thing you need, then you can nip off for the odd week away or even for an overnighter on the spur of the moment.

 

If you make it all the way down to The New Forest come and see us and i willl show you our flock, and chickens and pigs and dogs and guinea-pigs.........etc etc