Making Spare Cash In A Pandemic

 Making spare cash is never easy especially a pandemic but I have to say I have tried various different places over the years and always seem to come back to Ebay . I did try Etsy and Sphook but I honestly find Ebay the easiest place to sell as it is a quick upload and write of a description and boom you're all done. The trick is with Ebay to to list when they have special listing offers as that is when I tend to to plonk on all my stuff that I don't need any more.

Currently I am selling some stuff on behalf of my Father in law as he has now gone into a nursing home and every penny helps towards the items he needs in a nursing home.Sorting out a relatives items can be a very emotional thing to do and you might turn to a house clearance place if you've a small family.So the top tips for when clearing out a home are to divide everything into categories from vinyl to dvds. Now dvds on ebay don't tend to go for much and you might then have a go at Music Magpie but you're going to have to zap quite a few dvd to get to the £5 pound minimum they do also take other tech so you will have to weigh your options up against ebay.

If you're clearing out a property and find videos you might think go no one wants them anymore but it is worth look through what you've got for example I came across a "Song of the South " video and this a a now deleted video as it not seen as a acceptable in todays society but there are still collectors for such items. I have now put the "Song of the South "on Ebay so fingers crossed it makes cash for my Father in law.

Now the Pandemic restrictions have started to lift my husband bought himself a new camera off Ebay and so he has put his old camera on ebay to pay for this one .My husband loves his photography but during the restrictions that has been little opportunity on and off but hopefully now he can get out there will all guns blazing.

Normanton On Soar

Normanton On Soar ( meaning Norwegian village on the Soar )is a delightful village . I was there with my husband looking at gravestones tracing his ancestors. And I was taken back what a pretty area it was with a whole hosts of walks to go on another time.

As we sat in the pub Plough Inn garden watching the swift’s dip and turn over the river , we also saw barges tootle by and what a grand life it looks waving to people and a much calmer pace of life . Also there was wild swimmers and a rower. Buzzard and a Heron flew by it was a lovely time even thought it was a tad grey . But that’s the trick to make the best of even a grey day .

The Plough inn has a great sized garden and a comprehensive well priced menu , I shared a Beef baguette and chips with my husband and there was the customary salad on the side .

An interesting feature of that village is the chain link ferry which is one of the last in the country.

How Are You Feeling A Year And A Bit on From The Start Of The Pandemic

 How I am feeling a year and a bit on from the Pandemic start ?

At the beforePandemic my world did crash down so very much as I had thrown myself into volunteering at a school and I was getting myself out and about . I did the socialising of people when I choose to and I was very much in control of my own life and then the Pandemic felled the playing field for us all.

I remember going shopping in advance of all the Cobra meeting s and then there was the toilet roll chaos , it all seemed so very feral and surreal. As I lugged tins of beans home I thought this will linger on and it has lingered on. I think now I am in a place of we are going to have to live with this virus and masks will be there always now though maybe through choice when the last bit of the restrictions are lifted.Life can be a bit of a pick and mix at times all bit it with a bit of a fluff attached to a sticky sweet , I try and remain positive but it can be tricky at times especially when life throws challenges at us .

Today I have popped into town for a mooch round the charity shops as I love and adore a vintage ramble and I don't half mind quirky stuff.It is a joy to be able to able round still seeing people is a novelty and there is still much leaping out the way as if you're doing the time warp ! 

So how are you feeling a year and a bit on from the start of the Pandemic ?

Be More Bill

Be more Bill I say . Met an 88 year old gentleman on the bus the other today who is just getting out there and living and waking . Bill has lost virtually every friend ( he’s only got one left ) he’s even lost his wife . But Bill still has a smile.

Be more Bill

I decided to take myself on the bus to have a little wonder round Asbhourne which is in the Peak District and it is wonderful to live in such a beautiful county .The freedom that now comes with the roadmap to near normality is wonderful and of course I remain cautious .But I am so so happy to be out and about harmed with my feed and whatever bus or train I choose , I don't drive !

Time is my own now and that is a good thing and it is nice so nice to be able to meet people and the impression they leave will last a lifetime. And that little encounter with Bill has enabled me to tell you about that beautiful human encounter , human encounter however fleeting can be so important. Communication greases the wheel of life and communication does not always have to be verbal , as much as I like people ( at times ) I do also like to be able to get far far away from them.

Getting Back to Socialising Without breaking the Bank

 I know you will be be spending your pennies socialising but hold on and keep those pennies in the piggy bank just a little bit longer . I am sure that you will have picked up some great baking skills over the various lockdowns we have had and are a dab hand at baking the infamous banana bread.We can all agree we have had a jolly challenging year and hopefully the end is it site. So we the current restrictions in mind why don't you :

1. Use up those Spirits with your friends at an indoor / outdoor cocktail party as well all have those odds and ends of spirits tucked away at the top of the fridge that you can't reach without fetching a step ladder.

2. Start a combined hobby with friends what about hiking and walking with friends as it mostly free apart from a good pair of walking boots and sensible clothing.And of course a good rain coat is essential and honestly you will be amazed what is on your doorstep.

3. Garden party and make it a working one , help each other with the gardening tasks that make have mounted up and then at the end celebrate your hard work with that cocktail party you have been promising yourself.

4. Check what you can sell to fund a special meal out or drinks with friends , you will be amazed at what is kicking 

5 Pick a location where you can either park for free or a small cost , we did this the other day at Holy Island where the parking cost £7 but no other cost was involved except a cup of tea soup and a shared cake .