Preparing for winter II

tiff

Changing the subject a little bit, with the forecast snow and arctic conditions forecast for this weekend I've just bought these fab double draught excluders for all the doors on our ground floor. They slide underneath the door so that the whole thing moves with the door, as opposed to those sausage dog things that you have to kick back with your foot! They only cost £3 each in a cheapy shop near us called Proper Job!

Going to get a wind up radio tomorrow, just concerned that with winds of 50mph and heavy snowfall that its possible we may get power cuts?? Tesco do a value one for £5.50 so will get that. Getting the shovel out of the shed and mine and DH's wellies out of the shed too.

saveabobortwo

when petrol prices shot up we got bikes out of the shed and washed them down with the idea to maybe use them during the week for short journeys our aim was to save on fuel costs at this time i had became more aware of the amount of people in our area now riding bikes all age groups , i do not mind warmer days but not in this cold weather getting too old but if vehicle costs keep rising possibility may have to forget the car invest in some quality thermals and get peddling , actually i could do with getting fit.Weather sounds a bit iffy for end of this week have been Christmas shopping today to get a few prezzies glad i have really as might not get to town again . wind up radios sound good idea as had nt really considered power cuts although got plenty of blankets , candles etc Does anyone else feel like we are living in very changeable and exciting times a bit like a roller coaster never know whats round the corner next ?:rotfl:Have a great evening everyone

Confuzzled

i got my food for new years a few days ago, just in case!

looks like tomorrow we'll def be going to edinburgh, might be a bit dodgy getting home but i think we'll be ok.

as for getting to dunoon.. hmmmm i am now planning to go on the 18th with my ex and daughter... you know it's bad when i willingly travel with my ex... something about the two of us combined, something bad always happens it seems lol but i don't dare risk going later as planned because i can't face not being able to get to dunoon for christmas, wouldn't miss that with my daughter for anything so i guess he won't get his 'just them' time afterall... oh well he'll live!

when i get back on the 16th i'm going to call the east coast trains and see what to do about my tickets... they're arranged for the 23rd and they won't let you leave earlier but they will let you leave a few days later. i'll just see if i can buy a new set and then get a refund on the ones for the 23rd, i think it's responsible of me to leave before the weather gets too bad so here's hoping they see it that way and don't give me a hard time about the refund... anyone else have any experience dealing with refunds on unused tickets?

wish me luck, i think we're gonna need it!

tiff

Can anyone tell me how likely are we to have power cuts in this coming snow? Just thinking that we have no alternative form of heating and cooker is electric too. I have a gas camping stove but would need to get a gas refill. We've never had a power cut due to bad weather but the weather coming could be bad.

shegar

tiff wrote: »

Can anyone tell me how likely are we to have power cuts in this coming snow? Just thinking that we have no alternative form of heating and cooker is electric too. I have a gas camping stove but would need to get a gas refill. We've never had a power cut due to bad weather but the weather coming could be bad.

It would be impossible for anyone to predict whether you will have a power cut or not......... for various reasons , no one knows do they ??

We are all in the same boat , you have to listen to local radio and TV reports to see how much snow we will get , if it will be bad then get your supplies in.............we have been warned once again that it will snow and be very cold so get prepared......thats all anyone can do....

Primrose

I think power cuts can be caused by several things, heavy snow or ice which brings down power lines in areas where there are lots of pylons rather than cables being underground, or continuing cold weather triggering such an unprecedented demand for electricity that the the Grid simply can't cope. I think the utility providers generally progressively reduce the voltage rather than taking power stations out completely. But often there's no warning at all. The lights just simply go out, which means you could be anywhere in your house when it happens, so best to have a few torches stragetically placed around the house so you don't break your neck falling downstairs in the pitch darkness to get that torch which you left in the kitchen!

Anybody living in a really vulnerable weather with no alternative heating or cooking facilities might be sensible to make up a hot water flask and a hot water bottle every morning, although I agree that's a bit of a fag, especially if you end up never having to need them.

tiff

Thanks primrose, I'm in my 40's and live in Bristol where we usually dont get too much snow and I've never had a power cut but I think this weather coming is something we've not seen before. I might go and get one of those suitcase type camping stoves that use canisters, saw it in a cheap shop today for £6. At least we could boil water or heat soup and use it camping if its not required!

Shegar, no point leaving it till the weather is here, NOW is the time to prepare. Supermarket deliveries may be disrupted next week.

saveabobortwo

had cold weather early this year so bet your cotton socks going to get worse before it gets better i m not taking any chances with christmas dinner in the freezer is a frozen turkey joint roast pots, brussells yorkshires veg etc and getting sorted for a month before this Thursday going to have a look around for some board games to play and good books on the bookshelf to read so dont get fed up with it as last year did get cheesed of with the cold if i am a bit prepared won t seem so bad make it a sort of cosy traditional winter wonderland christmas chestnuts and all try to imagine its like we are on a romantic holiday in the Alps skiing.not snowed in and frozen stiff with the hump :rotfl:maybe we should think up some things to do in the house incase we are snowed in for weeks so dont get bored.;) have fun

[Deleted User]

tiff we are also all electric and I have prepared a barbeque and have 2 bags of fuel and lots of scrap wood and firelighters. I hope we don`t need it but I like to be prepared. We also have a small gas canister and a backpacking cooking kit, enough to boil quite a few kettles of water. Also in a cupboard are some instant pasta meals to which I only need to add water. Wind up radios and lanterns will stave of boredom as wil our little ds`s with scrabble etc

tiff

Are you going to use the BBQ indoors? Sorry if thats a silly question lol.

We have never used hot water bottles in this house but I bought some in Primark ages ago for Christmas for my two and will get them out if it goes to -5 or so like last time.

It all makes me feel like this Christmas is going to be nice and cosy. Not nice for those who are vulnerable and those who have to travel etc.