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Useful figures, thank you. I assume that you cannot use a wood burner.

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In common with many of our cottages - they where 'modernised' in the 1980s, removing fireplaces in favour of the 'contemporary' look. Many are regretting it now of course Greg. But as we don't plan to stay too long we will manage without.

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Greetings Greg, here is a short update for you since you and I appear to be the only ones who have much interest in this subject! Perhaps I should do a 'Special' on mortgages soon?

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Thanks Peter. I had missed this one. Had a long chat to our son yesterday who has had solar panels and battery back up installed. Seems to be working for him, so far. Might be a good investment.

On BBC World "Climate Catastrophe" Service this week, they were talking about possible collapse of the S.A. electricity grid. Hope that doesn't happen in your time.

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LOL - Greg. Nobody in SA relies on the Grid - we all have our own independent energy sources - think - the sun shines 9 months of the year!. Oh, BTW the Brits think their food comes from supermarkets - more laughter in SA. We go hunting in the Karoo for Kudu, enough to feed us for a year! They are BIG deer - I tell no lies. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rtzDiJmC1c

The thing that the cosseted Brits don't understand is that when we are forced to rely on our own resources - that's what we do. UK will get around to it in the end, but it will take a little time and a steep learning curve!

After 60 years of 'excess' - the time is coming when the Brits will understand that "less is more". Actually it's happening already when this week GB News was discussing how Brits were washing less frequently - saving on washing machines, electricity etc. They will be using mangles in due course just like my mum did in the 1940s. Welcome to the New World Order:

https://www.sarahwoodbury.com/how-did-medieval-people-keep-warm/

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UPDATE: June 2023. Now the summer is here everyone is enjoying the balmy, lazy days of unusual warm sunshine and praying that energy bills will continue to fall over the rest of H2. Here is a timely note from GB News today: https://www.gbnews.com/money/energy-bills-latest-ofgem-price-cap-july-2023

I will read my meter for Q2 at month end and review my budgets. As we plan to be out of UK and back to South Africa before year end we will look forward to another summer in Cape Town.

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