Loving the commute | Jenny Baker

What things did you enjoy the most about your experience this week?

Feeling better!  And my commute is awesome along Swansea Bay – I had missed it so much being ill last week.  Also, bike repair stations along the way allowed me to pump my tires up – something I can do at home but I am always in a rush.  Also, this pump is of better quality than the one I have.

Finally meeting the 2.5-tonne target – the consumer purchase on day 1 has averaged out since I am in a standard day below target.

What were the main challenges you faced during the week?

Met the target most days – but going out did increase it – but it is so nice to be out with friends again after COVID restrictions.

As the solar output is reducing our household electricity consumption has increased to 10 kwh a day.  With UK electricity emissions not to high this is still within budget when shared between 4.  By midwinter, heating will increase this to 40kwh so I am reminded that meeting the target now doesn’t mean it will be so easy all the time.  Also, I suspect holidays will hit the target.

What were your main lessons learned of the week?

Had a week getting things fixed.  I bought new brush motors to fix my 13 year old vacuum cleaner for £9.  I also took my 10 year old TV to be repaired – it will cost £90.  The TV actually worked but the connection to the computer had failed – complicating technology does mean there is more to go wrong (our previous TV lasted 35 years – having been inherited).  Finally our lawnmower cost £250 to be fixed, new would have been £350 but for a saving of £100 it had a new chassis and is as good as new in my opinion. 

What would have made it easier for you to achieve or surpass your target this week?

I did surpass the target but not having the lawnmower and TV fixed would have helped.  These were discretionary – could I share or hire a lawnmower – should I cut the lawn at all?  Although transporting the lawnmower would also add emissions.  TV was definitely luxury since we have 2 TVs in our household.