A decision, a cheap fix, a disaster, and two more winners

Thanks for all your comments on yesterdays post about BG and Smart Meters. I think most are in agreement that the best course of action would be to do nothing. After reading the bumph they sent me, and perusing the Smart Meter frequently asked questions and answers web page, I hereby declare that I will do nothing. My decision is based on these points.

From their web site.

Do I have to have a smart meter?

No. Smart meters are progressively replacing traditional analogue meters, which means that from 2014 to 2019 they will be rolled out as standard across the country. There is no legal obligation on individuals to have one, but anyone refusing would miss out on the benefits. Suppliers are required to install smart meters, and in fact at British Gas we are committed to upgrading all our customers by taking steps to reach everyone. (miss out on what benefits exactly? I can't see any for me at all)

Will the upgrade to smart metering make meter readers redundant?
Smart technology transforms the way we take meter reads and will mean an end to pedestrian meter reading. However, our dedicated Smart Team are hiring around 2,100 people to install our customers meters and we will continue to conduct periodic safety inspections of all meters. (of course they will be made redundant, eventually, when all houses have the meters. Also, meter readers retiring or leaving to go to another job, will not be replaced, so jobs will be lost)

A bit taken from their leaflet.
Once you've got a Smart Meter you can still change supplier, your rights haven't changed. Not all suppliers use Smart Meters yet so your new supplier may not be able to support some aspects of it. You won't need a new meter, it would automatically change back to a 'standard' meter and work in the same way they do today. (I think this is going to create a great deal of confusion if all suppliers are not moving forward with new technology at the same time. I can see this making it even more difficult to change suppliers, and creating more problems)

We're committed to giving you more choice and control.
If you don't want to have a Smart Meter installed yet, just tell us. (thanks I will, when you ring and ask me)

Right, moving swiftly on, I have no more time for this topic. Noodles, what do you think of them? I used to like Super Noodles, I think they were a well known brand, but they went up in price so I stopped buying them. Also, they are not a particularly healthy type of food, so consumption should be limited. I popped into Aldi the other day for some fresh veg, and picked up a packet of their super cheap Instant Noodles, 18p I believe, thrown the till receipt away.

I had them for lunch yesterday, took a photo of the meal, but I seem to have deleted it  :o( Anyway, I had them with watercress and raw mushrooms. I must say, they weren't too bad, as a cheap and quick to prepare filler. The seasoning wasn't very tasty though, a bit wishywashy, so I added some of my own to perk it up a bit. I will get them again, just as a standby in case I come in late and want something to eat quickly without too much messing about in the kitchen.

Here's what happens when I multi task, ha ha. I zip around the house like something demented sometime, six jobs going at the same time. Half a tin of rice pudding in a mug, zapped in the microwave. I never set the timer, always just guess how long it needs. Got distracted, oooops, scrape half of it off the glass plate, ha ha.

Now what have we got here? Yep, two more shopping bags made. So if you thought you missed out on the first lot, you were in with a chance for these. No need to comment again to win them, I used the names still in the basket and pulled out two more.

I will not put you through the same agonies as before, so drum roll please, here are the winners.

 

Congratulations. Please send me your postal address and I will get them off to you. You can email me, or put it in a comment which I will not publish.

I sent two bags off yesterday to Jess and Markdebby, but I have not been able to send the third, because I don't have an address. So, Elaine near Philly, you requested yours to go to your friend in Lincolnshire. I have sent you two emails, but not had a reply. Perhaps you could put the address in a comment for me. Thank you so much. A note about postage. If I say I will post anywhere in the world, I mean it, at my expense, I budget for it. It's very kind that people offer to pay for postage, but, don't send me anything, not a bean. Too much hassle, I don't do Paypal, and I don't need it. I just enjoy giving.
Toodle pip.