I heard of Jack through BBC news when I watched one morning and become an avid follower of this marvellous, ingenious and hard working woman. The others through a BBC Radio 4, listen to it if you can spare half an hour.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b037gnxk
http://www.theskintfoodie.com/index.html
http://www.northsouthfood.com/
http://agirlcalledjack.com/
Sunday 28 July 2013
The truth about living in Aberdeen
Aberdeen it's not a cheap city. it brings in money through the oil and gas industry, with public transport being less subsidised that the central belt everything just feels expensive. In 2008 I took a job in Aberdeen after living in a much more rural part of North-East Scotland. In Elgin we had a lovely mid-terrace house and my wages generally stretched to cover our monthly expenses.
Moving to Aberdeen I was shocked at the prices - I couldn't even get a one bed flat for what I had paid in Elgin. I had lived in Glasgow and managed to find flats at the same price....! Our first flat fell through (literally) on the day of our move when the vacant flat above had a serious leak. We moved all our stuff to storage and lived with my other half's sister for about a month whilst we searched for something suitable.
Prior to our move my fiancée (the other half) had managed to get some work or had JSA. He had however also been referred to the ARi by his doctor. His long term prognosis is unfortunately not great as he has Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis. Whilst the test where still happening he applied for JSA in Aberdeen and started looking for work with Temp agencies - handing out CV after CV....
Once we found a small (and I mean small) top floor flat just outside the city centre it meant I could get the train rather than the bus to school. Both of which where not cheap and only came in weekly or four weekly option - which meant I had to budget carefully to make sure I could get to school on months I had more than four weeks in...
The flat affect my health too - I have asthma that truly never bothered me for years. It was constantly cold and chewed through over a hundred pound a month in electricity (I'm sure when storage heaters where invented they where a brilliant idea). There where big old sash window in the living room (they where replaced by the landlord). Plus all the windows where big tall things with the handles well out of both of our reaches (neither of us is more than 5ft 7) - making it hard to shut and close them. We moved to Aberdeen in a cold snap. The roof leaked too - It snowed at Easter and water just poured in during the thaw.
We lived there because we had no choice, no real savings as they where gobbled up in the two major moves we had made - one to Elgin and one to Aberdeen. We lived on very little probably less than £30 a week for food for two of us. We walked where ever we could - which was difficult for my other half. Then disaster hit - my contract was terminated.
The council decided they where over staffed and I did not get my renewal. I was let go in October. I was gutted and felt let down. I looked for work and took any temping job I could get - I ended up working in Kitchens and as a 'Girl Friday' just to put food on the table. We struggled on as best we could. I register for Supply Work. I applied for JSA, for housing and council tax benefits. I'd informed my landlord about the situation. I started tutoring as the money was good but it meant working evenings and weekend. I still do this today - as I have a passion for education (hence the fact I teach).
I got rejection, after rejection, after rejection. Temp jobs covered the basics (tutoring ended up covering the rent most months). Our food budget dropped even lower. I relished the Girl Friday work and the kitchen jobs as they meant I got fed. My other half did what he could - taking temp jobs which where totally unsuitable due to his condition. He took a Christmas job to help out in a warehouse and barely managed a four hour shift due to the agony - he lost his balance and fell off a ladder.
When I finally got offered work in December (January Start) I had been turned down for JSA and council tax and housing benefits. My other half did get JSA and we finally got on top of the rent as I started doing my career job again. I had to plan my route and money carefully with an £80+ four-weekly bus ticked to travel the 16 miles to work everyday. I had to get up early to manage this as my bus was so early.
I was desperate to move closer and still had a storage locker full of stuff. My landlord refused to renew our lease and I had already tried and failed to secure a property closer to work. We even went to Citizen's Advice Bureau but they where little to no help in the end. We'd just left it all to late for them to do anything. For over a year we had slept on a mattress on the floor of a room barely big enough to be a bedroom. We'd sold stuff we'd owned and worked hard to pay for just so we could eat or I could get a bus fare to work.
My other half's sister stepped in and we did have a roof over our heads but over time it became fraught. We saved, we helped them with their bills whilst we lived with them, we put food on the table but their flat was simply to small for all of us.
We finally got where we are today, with no storage locker! About a year and a half ago. Since then we've been careful with our money and think first. We now have a reasonable food budget and I managed to get my driving license and a car (with a little help from my family). Due to bad transport links and high public transport costs it does actually work out better to have a car!
I swapped to a job back in town when the opportunity came up, then applied elsewhere when it was clear I was just temporary - they where due to get in probationer teachers (one bailed and another school took the other one). I left one department which was going to be understaffed to join one which was understaffed, and required a fair bit more drving.
A teacher's salary is not enough for two people to live off. Especially when 2/5ths of that salary don't even make it into your bank. I pay my NI and PAYE, plus my pension fund and whatever else they can justify taking off my salary....About 40% of what's left on my actual pay check is rent money. And on a normal week a tank of fuel is about the £50 mark, admittedly I now do at least 70 miles a day. Plus I still tutor - our second income I suppose.
The council, my employer, let me down, short term teaching contracts leave jobs vacant up north, allowing people like me to work not knowing of how long it will last. There is no security until I land a 'permanent' post. It now turns out the school I was made surplus at has now a one person department (when I was there it was 2.5 person department) - the surplus from another school(s) never made the transfer.......School all around the north are struggling for staff.
Moving to Aberdeen I was shocked at the prices - I couldn't even get a one bed flat for what I had paid in Elgin. I had lived in Glasgow and managed to find flats at the same price....! Our first flat fell through (literally) on the day of our move when the vacant flat above had a serious leak. We moved all our stuff to storage and lived with my other half's sister for about a month whilst we searched for something suitable.
Prior to our move my fiancée (the other half) had managed to get some work or had JSA. He had however also been referred to the ARi by his doctor. His long term prognosis is unfortunately not great as he has Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis. Whilst the test where still happening he applied for JSA in Aberdeen and started looking for work with Temp agencies - handing out CV after CV....
Once we found a small (and I mean small) top floor flat just outside the city centre it meant I could get the train rather than the bus to school. Both of which where not cheap and only came in weekly or four weekly option - which meant I had to budget carefully to make sure I could get to school on months I had more than four weeks in...
The flat affect my health too - I have asthma that truly never bothered me for years. It was constantly cold and chewed through over a hundred pound a month in electricity (I'm sure when storage heaters where invented they where a brilliant idea). There where big old sash window in the living room (they where replaced by the landlord). Plus all the windows where big tall things with the handles well out of both of our reaches (neither of us is more than 5ft 7) - making it hard to shut and close them. We moved to Aberdeen in a cold snap. The roof leaked too - It snowed at Easter and water just poured in during the thaw.
We lived there because we had no choice, no real savings as they where gobbled up in the two major moves we had made - one to Elgin and one to Aberdeen. We lived on very little probably less than £30 a week for food for two of us. We walked where ever we could - which was difficult for my other half. Then disaster hit - my contract was terminated.
The council decided they where over staffed and I did not get my renewal. I was let go in October. I was gutted and felt let down. I looked for work and took any temping job I could get - I ended up working in Kitchens and as a 'Girl Friday' just to put food on the table. We struggled on as best we could. I register for Supply Work. I applied for JSA, for housing and council tax benefits. I'd informed my landlord about the situation. I started tutoring as the money was good but it meant working evenings and weekend. I still do this today - as I have a passion for education (hence the fact I teach).
I got rejection, after rejection, after rejection. Temp jobs covered the basics (tutoring ended up covering the rent most months). Our food budget dropped even lower. I relished the Girl Friday work and the kitchen jobs as they meant I got fed. My other half did what he could - taking temp jobs which where totally unsuitable due to his condition. He took a Christmas job to help out in a warehouse and barely managed a four hour shift due to the agony - he lost his balance and fell off a ladder.
When I finally got offered work in December (January Start) I had been turned down for JSA and council tax and housing benefits. My other half did get JSA and we finally got on top of the rent as I started doing my career job again. I had to plan my route and money carefully with an £80+ four-weekly bus ticked to travel the 16 miles to work everyday. I had to get up early to manage this as my bus was so early.
I was desperate to move closer and still had a storage locker full of stuff. My landlord refused to renew our lease and I had already tried and failed to secure a property closer to work. We even went to Citizen's Advice Bureau but they where little to no help in the end. We'd just left it all to late for them to do anything. For over a year we had slept on a mattress on the floor of a room barely big enough to be a bedroom. We'd sold stuff we'd owned and worked hard to pay for just so we could eat or I could get a bus fare to work.
My other half's sister stepped in and we did have a roof over our heads but over time it became fraught. We saved, we helped them with their bills whilst we lived with them, we put food on the table but their flat was simply to small for all of us.
We finally got where we are today, with no storage locker! About a year and a half ago. Since then we've been careful with our money and think first. We now have a reasonable food budget and I managed to get my driving license and a car (with a little help from my family). Due to bad transport links and high public transport costs it does actually work out better to have a car!
I swapped to a job back in town when the opportunity came up, then applied elsewhere when it was clear I was just temporary - they where due to get in probationer teachers (one bailed and another school took the other one). I left one department which was going to be understaffed to join one which was understaffed, and required a fair bit more drving.
A teacher's salary is not enough for two people to live off. Especially when 2/5ths of that salary don't even make it into your bank. I pay my NI and PAYE, plus my pension fund and whatever else they can justify taking off my salary....About 40% of what's left on my actual pay check is rent money. And on a normal week a tank of fuel is about the £50 mark, admittedly I now do at least 70 miles a day. Plus I still tutor - our second income I suppose.
The council, my employer, let me down, short term teaching contracts leave jobs vacant up north, allowing people like me to work not knowing of how long it will last. There is no security until I land a 'permanent' post. It now turns out the school I was made surplus at has now a one person department (when I was there it was 2.5 person department) - the surplus from another school(s) never made the transfer.......School all around the north are struggling for staff.
Tuesday 31 July 2012
Not just about Aberdeen this time
Okay so it has been a while - funny how work gets in the way of doing anything else.
So we've been to Mango Pickle on Union Street - went there the night we went to see Barry and Stuart at the Music Hall. Barry and Stuart were great but Mango Pickle was EXPENSIVE we settled for a bowl each of their Dal - it was good but not truly worth the money charged.
In other news I've been hitting the coffee shop - mainly due to working my summer holidays. So Belmont Street seems to be my current favourite with two nice places: The Coffee House and Books and Beans. The Coffee House has longer opening hours and does a few good deals on (including free stuff on your birthday) - the soup is usually great and the staff are really friendly. Books and Beans doesn't stay open late on a Thursday (which I think is a shame) - The downstairs coffee shop is small but vibrant and it's easy to disappear amongst the books upstairs - plus they have internet upstairs. The Coffee House also has free wi-fi. I've also found myself hiding away in the bar at Jury's Inn - it has a temperamental coffee machine but the staff are nice and the soup is good too.
We have been away a few days and had some amazing food. Down in Blairgowrie we found two good restaurants - Cargill's Bistro and The Dalmore Inn. The first night we where down we went to Cargills and both had the steak and sticky toffee pudding from the bistro menu. The food and atmosphere were good, the bistro specials were nice and by going for the menu we saved a few quid too. However the second night we went down to the Dalmore and had the most AMAZING food I think we've ever had. We ended up splitting both our mains - my other half isn't the biggest fan of fish but he demolished his half of mine, and his special burger (chicken breast with chill mayonnaise and schezwan pepper sauce was stunning).
We also stopped off at several small cafés and enjoyed good tea and cakes. Including Palmerstons in Dunkeld - so much so we went twice. There were some really good local shops as well - Blairgowrie Farm Shop being just one of them. There were numerous gift shops and arts and craft places too. We also went to The Watermill in Blair Atholl and had bagles and tea...Fab.
So we've been to Mango Pickle on Union Street - went there the night we went to see Barry and Stuart at the Music Hall. Barry and Stuart were great but Mango Pickle was EXPENSIVE we settled for a bowl each of their Dal - it was good but not truly worth the money charged.
In other news I've been hitting the coffee shop - mainly due to working my summer holidays. So Belmont Street seems to be my current favourite with two nice places: The Coffee House and Books and Beans. The Coffee House has longer opening hours and does a few good deals on (including free stuff on your birthday) - the soup is usually great and the staff are really friendly. Books and Beans doesn't stay open late on a Thursday (which I think is a shame) - The downstairs coffee shop is small but vibrant and it's easy to disappear amongst the books upstairs - plus they have internet upstairs. The Coffee House also has free wi-fi. I've also found myself hiding away in the bar at Jury's Inn - it has a temperamental coffee machine but the staff are nice and the soup is good too.
We have been away a few days and had some amazing food. Down in Blairgowrie we found two good restaurants - Cargill's Bistro and The Dalmore Inn. The first night we where down we went to Cargills and both had the steak and sticky toffee pudding from the bistro menu. The food and atmosphere were good, the bistro specials were nice and by going for the menu we saved a few quid too. However the second night we went down to the Dalmore and had the most AMAZING food I think we've ever had. We ended up splitting both our mains - my other half isn't the biggest fan of fish but he demolished his half of mine, and his special burger (chicken breast with chill mayonnaise and schezwan pepper sauce was stunning).
We also stopped off at several small cafés and enjoyed good tea and cakes. Including Palmerstons in Dunkeld - so much so we went twice. There were some really good local shops as well - Blairgowrie Farm Shop being just one of them. There were numerous gift shops and arts and craft places too. We also went to The Watermill in Blair Atholl and had bagles and tea...Fab.
Sunday 1 April 2012
Pizza and Pasta Galore
Again it's been a little while since I posted.
We had a friend up in January and proceeded to eat at the M&S Cafe down in the Union Square Branch, Rishis, Three Lums and the Subway in Union Square - Not bad for a two day visit. Overall good food and good company.
February was a quiet month. Think we went to the Filling Station and that was about it. Tried their 2 for a £10 menu. It was okay but it's a very limited choice. Went to Pizza Express on Union Street at the end of the month. It was cold and the service was slow - staff seemed very disorganised. We where sharing a pizza and they forgot the plates - had the extra thin base which was a disappointment as the pizza got cold very quickly.
March has been a bit busier. We did go to ASK Italian with my Mum and Dad, the weekend I got my car. And we've now tried both Pizza Express's in Aberdeen, as we went to the Belmont Branch this weekend and had a much better meal in a very nice and well staffed restaurant.
Also hit both the international market and the farmers market on Saturday. Surprisingly busy considering the weather was much colder than the week before. Managed to get some really nice vegetables and belts with buckles. Picked up the P&J restaurant guide and think there is only one place mentioned in it I actually want to go to and I few I may consider - Cock and Bull, Jewel in the Crown, La Lombarda and Pavarotti's. Places that I have been recommended recently include Amicus Apple. Little bit pricey but apparently very nice, plus they seem to do deals every now and then.
We had a friend up in January and proceeded to eat at the M&S Cafe down in the Union Square Branch, Rishis, Three Lums and the Subway in Union Square - Not bad for a two day visit. Overall good food and good company.
February was a quiet month. Think we went to the Filling Station and that was about it. Tried their 2 for a £10 menu. It was okay but it's a very limited choice. Went to Pizza Express on Union Street at the end of the month. It was cold and the service was slow - staff seemed very disorganised. We where sharing a pizza and they forgot the plates - had the extra thin base which was a disappointment as the pizza got cold very quickly.
March has been a bit busier. We did go to ASK Italian with my Mum and Dad, the weekend I got my car. And we've now tried both Pizza Express's in Aberdeen, as we went to the Belmont Branch this weekend and had a much better meal in a very nice and well staffed restaurant.
Also hit both the international market and the farmers market on Saturday. Surprisingly busy considering the weather was much colder than the week before. Managed to get some really nice vegetables and belts with buckles. Picked up the P&J restaurant guide and think there is only one place mentioned in it I actually want to go to and I few I may consider - Cock and Bull, Jewel in the Crown, La Lombarda and Pavarotti's. Places that I have been recommended recently include Amicus Apple. Little bit pricey but apparently very nice, plus they seem to do deals every now and then.
Wednesday 28 December 2011
Pre and Post Christmas Grub, and observations hence forth
So we finally made it into Blue Moon on the 23rd December. I have to admit it was quiet but quite nice. And pretty reasonably priced considering the time of year. We managed popadums, two veg pakora starters and our mains (one with rice, one with Naan Bread - which is what we normally do).
Decided not to have pudding, but we did have a drink each. Before we left I went to the loo. There was only one toilet. Whilst on the loo, there was the sound of high heels then knocking on the loo door. Then heard foot steps leaving bathroom and going round to the mens' - oh dear.....The lass must have been very drunk and desperate for the loo but she was bragging about it to her fellow workers (who had only just ordered food and where on several bottles of wine by this point).
An we hit the sales on boxing day - with a meal at Ask Italian (2 for 1 on Mains). There was a Christmas menu but we decided this deal was too good to pass up. Especially when the offer included our favourite - CALZONE CON CARNE PICCANTE, which basically is a folded pizza stuffed with meats, amazing tomato sauce, herbs and chilli...and cheese!
We where bad later and ended up in the Starbuck at Union Square. Not my most favourite coffee house because of the price and the queue! But the other half had been dragged round shop after shop and needed a break. So I finally got the the front of the queue - drinking tea so got served it straight away and proceed to sip my way through about a third of a regular mug before the hot chocolate for the other half.
I did have a bit of a roll the eyes in the queue at the two quines (lassies to those of us that don't know Doric) in-front of me. One had to ask the other what Vegan was....which the others reply was laughable then about two minutes later she asked the first quine why it was more expensive to eat in. Now they looked about eighteen, this conversation made me drop their age down to about fifteen....
Incidentally there was also a loo incident at Union Square. A poor bloke on a phone wandered into the ladies (probably following the missus). Proceed to stand in the doorway, still talking on the phone for a good minute or so before finally walking out. Think the pink wall with the giant ladies sign wasn't a big enough clue?
Decided not to have pudding, but we did have a drink each. Before we left I went to the loo. There was only one toilet. Whilst on the loo, there was the sound of high heels then knocking on the loo door. Then heard foot steps leaving bathroom and going round to the mens' - oh dear.....The lass must have been very drunk and desperate for the loo but she was bragging about it to her fellow workers (who had only just ordered food and where on several bottles of wine by this point).
An we hit the sales on boxing day - with a meal at Ask Italian (2 for 1 on Mains). There was a Christmas menu but we decided this deal was too good to pass up. Especially when the offer included our favourite - CALZONE CON CARNE PICCANTE, which basically is a folded pizza stuffed with meats, amazing tomato sauce, herbs and chilli...and cheese!
We where bad later and ended up in the Starbuck at Union Square. Not my most favourite coffee house because of the price and the queue! But the other half had been dragged round shop after shop and needed a break. So I finally got the the front of the queue - drinking tea so got served it straight away and proceed to sip my way through about a third of a regular mug before the hot chocolate for the other half.
I did have a bit of a roll the eyes in the queue at the two quines (lassies to those of us that don't know Doric) in-front of me. One had to ask the other what Vegan was....which the others reply was laughable then about two minutes later she asked the first quine why it was more expensive to eat in. Now they looked about eighteen, this conversation made me drop their age down to about fifteen....
Incidentally there was also a loo incident at Union Square. A poor bloke on a phone wandered into the ladies (probably following the missus). Proceed to stand in the doorway, still talking on the phone for a good minute or so before finally walking out. Think the pink wall with the giant ladies sign wasn't a big enough clue?
Sunday 18 December 2011
Moved - AGAIN
So moved house recently to the Sheddocksley end of Aberdeen.
Went to the Three Lumbs. Have to admit it was mixed impressions for our first visit. Had pretty much our standard taste test - other half love bbq chicken and they do a Levi Roots Sauce....which is good but he wasn't impressed when he got green peppers (mind you I did only say no red peppers - as that's what the menu said). I had the fish and chips - batter was good, as was the chips, fish was on the under-cooked side.
Drinks are pretty well priced (Budweiser and Large Rose for under £6), and the pudding was pretty impressive. We shared the MEGA SUPERCURLYCRUNCHIELISTIC - CHOCCABERRY SUNDAE!!!!!! Which was a good sharing desert and not bad at £4.99.
On to the two local takeaways' we've tried.
Went to the Three Lumbs. Have to admit it was mixed impressions for our first visit. Had pretty much our standard taste test - other half love bbq chicken and they do a Levi Roots Sauce....which is good but he wasn't impressed when he got green peppers (mind you I did only say no red peppers - as that's what the menu said). I had the fish and chips - batter was good, as was the chips, fish was on the under-cooked side.
Drinks are pretty well priced (Budweiser and Large Rose for under £6), and the pudding was pretty impressive. We shared the MEGA SUPERCURLYCRUNCHIELISTIC - CHOCCABERRY SUNDAE!!!!!! Which was a good sharing desert and not bad at £4.99.
On to the two local takeaways' we've tried.
First Fusion - The one on Rousay Drive. Not bad - probably would have had quicker service if I'd ordered on-line or by phone. Overall though food was good, no crackers though (£2)!
Secondly was The Woodend Fish Bar. Again Good chippy, as long as you don't want curry sauce..... I tend to go in later so everything is done fresh. Although normally stuff is sitting on the warming plates.
Sunday 16 October 2011
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