March 2010

Further to our previous mention in a recent month, we are now a published case study on the Suffolk Green Building Network website. We're just chuffed to have received some recognition for our efforts, and if it shows just one person that savings can be made by simple solutions then that will do us. We won't however be able to participate in the Heritage Buildings weekend, as we're planning on being on honeymoon during that period, and the relief managers will probably have enough on their hands without lots of other people wanting to be shown around and everything being explained to them.

Now that the sun has decided to shine for more than the odd hour here and there (bye bye tumble dryer, yippee!!), we're revisiting our breakfast menu, with a view to adding a few 'lighter' options. We've already decided to start stocking yoghurt from Marybelle in Halesworth, but we're still mulling over the method by which we deliver it to the guest, bearing in mind we try very hard to minimise waste and packaging. We're also planning to start offering smoked salmon and scrambled egg as a regular menu item, and until something else comes onto our radar screen, we'll be getting the fish from our local Co-op, which has a responsible fish sourcing policy.

On the domestic front, we've been preparing the veg patch for the year ahead, so guests can expect some zero food mile tomatoes on their plates again in 2010. The leaf mould collected during the autumn of 2008 will be playing a big part in this years growing plans.

February 2010

Well, we've just received our gas bill for January 2010, which is rather high (no 5% VAT this month!). Which has prompted us to look back at last years usage (before we had the boiler management wizardry installed). We were quite surprised to find that in both December 09 and January 10 we have used slightly more gas than the previous year. After a little thought, we closed for a couple of weeks over Christmas and New Year 08, so that explains why we've used more this December. After a little more thinking, we've come to the conclusion that not only has this January been a little colder than last, but actually (insulation allowing) the boiler management system will save us most energy when the conditions are less extreme, i.e. during autumn and spring, because, well, when it's this cold, all it can really do is confirm that the system needs to be running most of the time.

We have just decided to stick with our existing toiletry supplier. The business recently changed hands and is now based in Lincolnshire, so we did some research, but simply cannot come up with anything of the quality we require (let alone cost - that didn't even feature!) closer to home.

We also received a rather interesting - and flattering - call this morning. No names at this stage, but a hotelier in a nearby town has started on the 'green' route, and as they also have an old building (much older than ours, and therefore probably much more of a challenge) the advisor from the Suffolk Climate Change Partnership has recommended that they come and pay us a visit. So they're coming round next week. Fingers crossed that at least some of the measures we take here will be of benefit to them. If not, at least it's an excuse for a nice sit down and a coffee...

Oh, and we're just putting the finishing touches to another room renovation. This one is now furnished with some of our old personal furniture from our previous dwelling, plus some lovely eBay purchases. Once again we've used eco friendly paints from Chris at Earth and Reed.

January 2010

Welcome to our new sustainability diary. The main reason for moving across to a proper platform is that we are now able to add images and links much more easily.

Crikey it's cold! The underfloor insulation in the office cum living room is clearly working, as it's lovely and warm in there.

Our current project is to go round all of the rooms and, where there are not already thermal linings on the curtains, we're adding them.

We just got our latest bill in, which was pretty horrific, but we take comfort in the fact that it's a lot less than it would be without the measures we've taken. Which reminds us, our October bill only had VAT charged at 5%, which we subsequently found out was because it's only once you reach a certain usage that you're deemed 'commercial'. Anything that legitimately keeps money from the tax man is good with us!

We also had the visit from the county council regarding our being a good example of managing an old building in an efficient manner. The result is that a case study is being done on us for publication to other interested parties, and also we may even be on the list of buildings included in the annual 'Heritage Open Days' in Ipswich. We think that's over egging the pudding a bit, but if it helps people understand that there are simple, practical and cost effective ways in which to save energy but still have the comfort, then we're game.