Mike and Jenny 4

Of the 22 days of Lent son t far we have between the two of us achieved 8 days when we did not use the car at all! Because we used the car for two journeys on 2 days we have contributed £ 16 so far towards the solar panels for Malawi.

As far as our attendance at the Lent Group focussing on Wilberforce and the Abolition of the slave trade Mike has been able to attend on 3 occasions but Jenny was tempted and succumbed to a meeting at the Black Lion ( food was included!)

It has been good to meet and make new friends from other denominations.

Mark 4

The takeaway came in a plastic bag. Is there anyway of walking a chinese home without plastic bags? They seem reluctant to give boxes unless you have ordered a lot/is delivered to door.

plastic bag count to date: 4

need to keep these 4 with me to use for the rest of the month...

Becky 3

I have been perusing the pages of vogue and have decided on my essential purchases for spring 2007. However, the idea is to think on them in order to make wise long lasting decisions and not short term impulse buys (once the lenten fast is over). Anyway, I stupidly looked in the shops on saturday morning and found an item that ticked two of my spring boxes (silver and converse - not remotely ethical - I know) and was very excited. I grabbed mark and dragged him to see - he was all wisdom and truthsaying and reminded me of my lenten promise. I was torn. I held the shoe in my hand for five minutes and just stared at it whilst internally my good and bad side battled it out. I may have even stroked the said shoe. Mark said it was a bit weird and he was a bit embarrassed as I looked like I was about to abduct the said shoe. However, I managed to put said shoe down and back out of shop. This is hardcore, people.

Mark 3

the problem i have realised that i have is three-fold:
1) my wild assumption that it is the shops responsbility to provide a means for me to get my goods home.
2) my general transportation methods are very varied - usually walking, bus, train or car (in that order)
3) spontantious purchases that catch me out - (last minute puchases for dinner on the walk home from work etc.)

i like the suggestion from jenny of keeping carrier bags in the boot of the car and i think i will start doing that. When not in the car i need to be conscious of having some form of bag with me before leaving the house.

I do believe in recycling carrier bags but I also want to try and stop needing them at all as it takes needless energy to make them and energy to recyle them too. becky says there's some kind of fold down long-lasting shopping bag that you can buy and keep with you when you go out. I will experiment with this option too.

Plastic carrier bag count: 3

Mike and Jenny 3

Today I,(Jenny) walked over to Stanford Avenue and back for the Women's World Day of Prayer service so saved a trip in the car. The big dilemma is if I don't use the car am I depriving our project of money? I did use the car tonight to go to my singing group so the fund is growing unlike Mike who cadged a lift with someone else.

We went to the first of our Ecumenical Lent groups on Monday evening. Had to drive there but fulfilled our commitment to attend the study.

PS We carry plastic bags in the boot of the car for our shopping trips so perhaps Mark could carry one in his back pocket for emergencies?

Lisa 2

Oh dear. Drove to work today. I was on call last night and didn't get any sleep (darn this weather). I slept in and drove in at lunch. The thought of the train was just too much today - shall I add a pound to the drive tax pot? Dare I say it was lovely to be in my car again? But I did miss the crazy people on the train.

Mark 2

Reduction in plastic carrier bag waste has so far been generally successfull. This is mainly due to staying away from shops completely, although that approach is not going to be sustainable...

Main downfall to date was popping out for emergency supplies when Becky was ill - she had requested medicine and a numer of lemons (what is a collection of Lemons - is it a bunch or herd?) and when i got to the co-op i realised i wasn't going to be able to carry everything including 8 lemons in my pockets/hands (although i did consider it), so i succumbed to a plastic bag. Felt bad as this was only day 1. What i needed was to have taken a bag with me, a trick i need to master.

Plastic bag count to date: 2