Preparing for winter II

Mamzie

Just checking in for the Bio Hazard tale... but now really looking forward to Part 2 of the chemical bomb instead, lol...

I forget who asked, but our heating is normally 17/18 degrees, we also have the radiator thermostats upstairs in the bedrooms and these are kept lower still, as hot air rises. We always have a duvet handy for a chilly evening to pop over us while watching TV, and the kids love a nice snuggly hot water bottle when its bedtime.

Bibbitybob

The chemical bomb story made me chuckle

Still no heating on here, and since we took a radiator out yesterday and have no clue how to fill them all back up we might be without for a while longer yet. We did have the gas fire on for a little while last night - we pulled a wall down and had the doors and windows open all day to try and clear some of the dust out, so needed to take the chill off. We've got an open fire waiting to be installed and as the room is pretty small it will be a good, cheap heat source (we have loads of wood to burn from various renovation jobs).

We only moved into our house two months ago and haven't taken down the curtains that were here when we moved in yet. They're horrid and old fashioned, but very heavy and warm. There's also a huge set on the front door (a 1930's door with windows surrounding it, very draughty) which have made a HUGE difference.

I've been following this thread from afar and it's made me take stock. We don't need any emergency supplies as we have two corner shops within easy walking distance, but I'm going to get some bits together for the boot of my car as I work at different sites around the county (another Lincolnshire girl here :T).

If it's been chilly we've holed up in our 2nd bedroom/office where we have an oil filled radiator, a sofa and single duvet to snuggle under, and OH's giant computer which is great for watching films on. I've been using a hot water bottle in the evenings too, although not so much for the last couple of weeks. Just lots of slippers, blankets and dressing gowns!

Fruball

Bibbitybob wrote: »

I've been following this thread from afar and it's made me take stock. We don't need any emergency supplies as we have two corner shops within easy walking distance, but I'm going to get some bits together for the boot of my car as I work at different sites around the county (another Lincolnshire girl here :T).

I live near a few shops too but the problem is when the snow starts coming down heavily, everyone starts panic buying and the local shops run out quick - esp if they can't get their deliveries because of bad weather

So its still worth getting in a few bits and bobs just in case

NualaBuala

Looking forward to Part 2 of your antics Chillout!

I found hot water bottles in Penneys (same as Primark) for €5 and they have nice fluffy covers. But I'm holding off buying one cos my homemade wheatbag is serving me well these days. More for aches and pains thant heat but I did bring it to bed one night and it was lovely.

I've lit the fire this evening as it's been a grey, miserable, chilly day. That reminded me I need to add matches to my list.

Fruball

I've done a bit in the garden, getting it ready for winter. The kids have had great fun 'helping'

The new (to me) shredder has been a bit of a disappointment though It only takes thin sticks and even then struggles - It must have been well used by the previous owner so maybe blunt? Anyway, I have a wheelie bin for garden waste so I guess it will have to go in there rather than me compost it

Also, turned over my compost heap for the first time in years... Oh dear - it shows what I have learned over time... Amongst some really good compost are sticks which should never have been put in there so short of sifting the lot, its virtually useless, and my fear of spiders means that sifting is probably not an option anyway so I reckon its gonna be REALLY good compost in about 50 years when the sticks break down !

Can't decide where to grow my veg next year, and may do raised beds (but only 1 plank high) so really need to decide soon so I can make the beds, line them with newspaper and cardboard then fill with compost and topsoil... All sounds like hard work for me on my own esp that its getting to be S.A.D. season and I have started my meds so am tired and CBA to do a lot. Never mind, its been beautiful here today so I made sure I got a good dose of sunshine

House is a bombsite so before I can even think of getting the winter jobs done, I need to get on top of that!

NualaBuala

I got a brand new shredder Frugal, but I've only used it a few times, found it a bit of a faff. How much did you pay for yours? Am thinking of selling mine but not sure what to ask.

Gleek

jtz wrote: »

Is it just me or does anyone else get really excited about the thought of nights drawing in, its dark outside and you cuddle up on the couch with a blanket and hot choccie with a nice book/mag, with only a lamp as your friend and only light or evening strolls outside but your wrapped up so warm you can't feel the cold, only the wind....aaaahhh, pure bliss, can't wait!:D

Yum, yes And candle light too! Can't wait

Broomstick

Bibbitybob wrote: »

We only moved into our house two months ago and haven't taken down the curtains that were here when we moved in yet. They're horrid and old fashioned, but very heavy and warm. There's also a huge set on the front door (a 1930's door with windows surrounding it, very draughty) which have made a HUGE difference.

Bibbitybob,

Just in case you haven't already thought of this, if you are confident at using a sewing machine and are planning on replacing the curtains at any stage, save the existing ones since they are the right size and really warm, and reuse the existing curtain fabric/liners as lining material for your new curtains.

B x

(DS2 and I have just put up the front door curtain in our house and are waiting for the temperature to drop tonight to see how much effect it has had!)

CCP

nicki - I'm afraid I can't tell you what temperature my thermostat is set to - I've got a really daft one that has settings 1 to 5 rather than temperatures, and I haven't the faintest idea what any of the settings actually equate to. :huh: You have my sympathy over the mould problem, as it's something I had real problems with in my last flat. Could you look into getting a dehumidifier - either an electric one or some of the chemical-type stuff - to cut down the dampness without costing you a fortune in heating?


I'm not sure if this counts as preparing for winter or not, but I've oven-dried some of my HG tomatoes today, which will be a taste of sunshine when it's cold and damp outside.

Fruball

NualaBuala wrote: »

I got a brand new shredder Frugal, but I've only used it a few times, found it a bit of a faff. How much did you pay for yours? Am thinking of selling mine but not sure what to ask.

I got mine for a tenner so i will try to sell it on for the same.

If yours is brand new then obviously a tenner is not enough. I suppose it depends on what you paid for it.

Does yours take leaves? Because I am sure they should take leaves but when i put the sticks thru with leaves on, they just clogged and stopped the motor :mad: So i had to strip all the leaves off by hand It took ages and I haven't done half of what I wanted because of the length of time it took.