Preparing for winter II

NualaBuala

dreaming wrote: »

Reading about the bottled water storage - how long can it be stored for? I don't buy it so not sure if it is worth starting to buy a bottle each week for the next few weeks, or to wait a while. I have a nice dark shed to hide it in (it can go next to the wine - lol), but I don't know how long the use by dates etc. are.

Thanks

You don't need to buy bottled water according to the website I've linked to below. You just need to freshen the water once a month by replacing a third of it.

The Value bottled water I got last winter had quite a short date on it but can't remember what the shelf life was.

NualaBuala wrote: »

Someone (sorry I forget who it wa) posted some really helpful links to this website http://sharonastyk.com/2008/10/17/friday-food-storage-not-quite-so-quickie-5-week-beginner-food-storage/

It's got tonnes of info on what food to store and how. This article also discusses water. She suggests filling up old plastic bottles with tap water, store them well and replacing a third of the stored water every month. She seems to know what she's talking about - it's well worth a read.

cmazza

twiz21 wrote: »

I had one of these and so did my brother. It actually took longer to boil a small pan of water when I tried it out several times. There is an online review I read recently which says the same thing. I'll try to find that review.

Thanks Twiz21 - I thought it might be too good to be true.

bluebag

nippyone wrote: »

Hi SpaceMonkey

Please let me know if you find walking boots that will 'definitely' keep you on your feet in the weather we had last year.

I have 2 or 3 pairs of walking boots, one pair that have multi-directional tread (I think that's what it's called) and they didn't even work!

Don't think shops would thank us for going in with spiked soles - I even thought about getting them:rotfl:

I would welcome any suggestions.

Last year in all that awful ice I barely went out as I was too scared of falling. I popped out one night in my cheapie crocs just to empty the bin, I didn't bother changing out of them as I had the fence to hang on to.
I was amazed at how well they 'gripped' the ice. I was all ready to have a go at actually walking in them (fortified with the OH's wooly sox as insulation) but the ice melted before I could do a proper test run.

carriebradshaw

Primrose wrote: »

I think any kind of bread or bread substitute like crumpets, crackers, etc, as well as some bottled water are essential emergency store cupboard items. Never underestimate the lack of morale factor if one is forced to eat just fruit or vegetables in a freezing cold house where you couldn't get out to restock for several days because of bad weather. Granted you will not die of starvation but some good solid food inside you undoubtedly enables you to face your difficulties in a more cheerful frame of mind.

great idea, I try to keep bread in the freezer,part baked rolls/baguettes and some bread mixes in the storecupboard. I'm not good at homemade bread,so this is my solution

on the subject of cars, don't forget to make sure you've got your anti- freeze in and have a shovel in the boot ready for when it snows in case you get stuck and have to dig yourself out :eek:

maryb

SpaceMonkey wrote: »

I am looking on ebay for some walking boots, the ice last winter was really bad and I lost count of the near misses I had!
I am making a door curtain and had the car serviced.
Started on making christmas presents, making my friend a rag rug at the moment,

Funnily enough, I found my wellies gave me better grip than my walking boots - I think the sole of the boots was quite rigid and because it had a curve to it, it meant that the sole wasn't all in contact with the ground at one time, although it is great when you are walking up an uneven bit of ground with a slope to it

Margaret54

Hi Minxy Bella Just noticed your post there about thermals. I was in Primark yesterday and there were lots of thermal wear for women this year. Vests leggings and pants all thermal. I bought several thermal vests and vests for my dh last year from another firm online and they were not too dear can't remember the name of the company sorry but they are fab and keep you so toasty. My dh is up very early in the mornings for work and last winter he was so warm he said wearing the thermal vests under his uniform, which made all the difference to him. I will be getting mine out again when the weather gets colder. They washed very well too. If i can remember the name I will post it. Margaret

Margaret54

Hi newyearnewme Just read your post a while back. I dry all my washing on a clothes horse in winter. I do have a washer drier but have very rarely used the drier. I also put the like of jeans over the top door of the airing cupboard and underwear on a radiator, tea towels too. I got a great clothes horse a while ago the Minky brand very sturdy indeed and you can fold it down so easily. It is the best clothes horse I have ever had. It was about £19 and well worth it.

Minxy_Bella

Margaret54 wrote: »

Hi Minxy Bella Just noticed your post there about thermals. I was in Primark yesterday and there were lots of thermal wear for women this year. Vests leggings and pants all thermal. I bought several thermal vests and vests for my dh last year from another firm online and they were not too dear can't remember the name of the company sorry but they are fab and keep you so toasty. My dh is up very early in the mornings for work and last winter he was so warm he said wearing the thermal vests under his uniform, which made all the difference to him. I will be getting mine out again when the weather gets colder. They washed very well too. If i can remember the name I will post it. Margaret

Thanks for that - I'll pop into our local Primarni at the weekend

mineallmine

HI all,

It's getting colder here!

Shame to see the thread lost track for a little bit - I've lived in a number of places including the valleys of wales to the urban areas - and wherever you are there are things outside of your control. If the council don't grit and the lorries don't deliver food we'll all in the same snowy icy situation. So let's continue to help one another to make sure we're not one of the panic buying group (and while we're at it perhaps mention what we're doing to our friends and neighbours - so a bit of Dunkirk spirit - perhaps make a sausage dog draft excluder thing for them?).

So on my list of things to do....quite a lot! I really need to defrost the freezer to make it less artic ice and more space.
I like the idea of a car bag - you know a blanket, shovel, food/sweets etc. I already have a high visiblity jacket.

On another thread a poster has a winter bag - a bag full of things like puzzle books, warm socks, hot water bottles, anything and everything to make it cosey for winter. Good idea to have that all to hand. :A

Jo.G

Hi I've just found this thread but am already making a list on my phone of things to buy in case we end up with another very bad winter.
I live in a 1970's semi that is only heated by storage heaters so any tips are welcome.
I think I may put a curtain up over my front door, although there is another solid wooden door from the porch into the dining room and I have a draught excluder on that door. Will it make a big difference?
I bought a fleecy blanket from Ikea a few weeks ago just for the kids to snuggle under whilst watching TV in the conservatory (which will be freezing in winter - only have an electric heater in there). I was thinking about buying another one for the front door and testing my skills with wonder webb:rotfl:
Whilst searching on the Ikea website I found a Lusy Blanket (sorry, dont know how to do links) which are more expensive than the fleeces but bigger and also come with holes along one edge so they can also be used as curtains. I may replace the curtains in my boys bedrooms with these over the cold months.

Anyway, I'm off to read up on all your tips.