Preparing for winter II

MrsRogers

vodkawitch1 wrote: »

Just bought snow/moon boots for myself and daughter £10 a pair on sportsdirect might stop my toes freezing this winter

Wish they did them in my size been looking for some at a decent price for agers

Below is a post re the predictions I posted earlier on in the thread!!

MrsRogers wrote: »

Hello All

I was very active on last years thread... After a number of family and friends mocking me for my preperations they soon changed their tune when the terrible winter turned up.... I was of course left feeling VERY SMUG

Couple of people have asked about the long range forecast for Winter 2011. I came across this site in Aug last year and although all the main stream weather stations were predicting one thing these guys was bang on the money so I will be preparing inline with their predictions!

Here is the website link (Lot is quite technical)
(http://www.exactaweather.com/UK_Long_Range_Forecast.html

Summary from above link

'Based on the natural factors that I have covered and in terms of how I calculate solar activity into my forecasts, it would be adequate to suggest prolonged periods of well below average temperatures and widespread heavy snowfall throughout this winter. This will result in the fourth bad winter in succession for the UK, and will prove to be the worst of them all. I now fully expect records to be broken, with the Highlands of Scotland being once again particularly hard hit. It is therefore vital to start preparing now in terms of high energy bills, and raised awareness amongst the elderly and most vulnerable people.'

Like all MSE recommendations preperation is key

Rainy-Days

That is one of the ones I looked at Mrs Rogers, which has kind of resolved me to get started early this year. I have washed all of my scarves ready to go. I spent Tuesday afternoon spray protecting my suede boots and gloves. My leather boots are all polished and re-heeled ready. In September we shall clean out the freezer, mark down what we need and go to the butchers - we buy in bulk in 10lb quantities and what we have literally last us for about four months. I have marked the calendar for October to get a sack of potatoes in from the farm. We wrapped our potatoes up last year as we kept them out in the garage so as they were protected from frost. The veggies we put in the conservatory as some of the parsnips went frozen! I might see if Aldi do those dehumidifiers soon as our bedroom window suffered from condensation what with having the window kept closed.

I am not looking forward to having to go back to drying the washing indoors, but I shall resolve here to only do the towels in the tumble dryer :mad:, the rest will dry on the clothes airers.

Our neighbour has already ordered in 40 sacks of coal. They have a big brick built shed so they are storing it in there. On summer prices they have saved £180.00 straight off!

I shall also mark on the list to stock up on cold and cough mixtures and I shall zip to Poundland for throat lozenges and Anadin so if we come down with anything we are not having to make any journey out unless we absolutely have to and not getting ripped off silly amounts buying from garages as a convenient stop. It has worked the last seven years doing it this way.

I have marked it down on my list to go through my jumpers and cardigans de-bobble them with my fuzzaway machine. I have already washed my dog walking jackets - I have three old Next ones that are about 16 years old - one is a really warm jacket and it did me a pearler last winter, I like to get them washed in the summer and dry ready to go for the winter when I need them.

I shall get some extra salt in just in case - although we managed without it last year good enough. Boiler will be serviced in September - it will be only 11 months old but we always had the old one serviced in September and that lasted for 32 years from brand new! I shall also have to make sure we ave plenty of screen wash in and the anti freeze is topped up in the cars as well. My car never came out of the garage last year when we had the snow, we just managed with the one car! If it is bad again we shall probably do the same.

Heating wise last year we kept the heat on constant for a whole month when the weather was bad. I took meter readings every Sunday morning and there was little difference in the amount used when it was on timer so we shall probably do the same this time around if it kicks in. Living in a bungalow also helps as the heat is kept at one level and we have double insulation in the loft as well.

Lost all of my cordylines last year from the garden so seriously thinking about putting the new ones in the shed and covering them over this year, just will need to make sure they are watered though with a trough underneath to catch the run throughs so it doesn't rot the shed floor! I might just put the garden table and chairs away the end of September this year. We usually do it around October every year, but I think if we do it sooner then it's another job done and out of the way, its a wood table and chairs set that we have had for about seven years. Our neighbours have had their the same time and they have had to throw their table and two chairs away this year because they were rotten through from not protecting them and putting them away before winter. Yes the garden does look bare, but I would rather have it that way and look after my stuff!

Finally I might bite the bullet and get some flannette sheets :cool:

annie123

Rainy-Days wrote: »

I really did forget to tell you all that the early indications for this winter 2011/2012 are that we could be in for another bad winter again possibly on a par with 2009 and 2010. Last two years the old sage in me kept saying to OH that the hedges were laden with berries and that is a sure sign (grandfather taught me this) and this year the damsons on the trees are laden in the orchard next door. We have pine cones on the old Christmas tree already and someone mentioned that the El Nino effect (yes it's still going apparently) is suggesting that the trend is on a par with winter 2010 but that this year could break all records in terms of temperature drops! I also noted that just before the bad weather set it the moon at half was sitting on it's back as well (another one of grandfathers pointers) and sure enough we had within two weeks that dumping of snow! I really think at the very least we should all be prepared.

One place that I have used recently to gleen info accurately predicted the last two bad winters and they say we are on a course for a third one now as well!

Did you know that the Met Office knew one month before hand that the UK was going to be hit by horrendous snow and they gave no advanced warning? They claimed that because of previous predications of berbeque summers and being laughed at the didn't tell anyone!

We read the same weather forums! So far only one that I know of has said that, with another saying it could be.

Met office did give notice to the government, but as it's impossible for any one to really know that far in advance (except that it will be cold,wet and windy where Mardatha lives!) so they don't go public with it due to the BBQ summer farce that didn't happen.
Can you imagine the complaints if everyone emptied the shop shelves only to have daytime highs of 12c!

But in true MSE style, everyone here will be ready whatever happens;)

SpikyHedgehog

Have finally made it to the end of the thread! You have all inspired me to start preparing for winter in our household.

I got lined curtains for my bedroom today from a charity shop (was planning them for the sitting room, but I went in without window measurements...) - I plan to take down the existing blackout blind that's outside the window alcove, shorten it & put it back in the alcove so I can put the curtains outside the alcove, so have double layers there.

Want to do the same in the sitting room and move the blind. My boys' rooms have unlined curtains so I want to line them - will also help with the light that comes into them! I've got blinds in the kitchen, but thin ones, so want to thicken them up.

Bathroom, downstairs loo & front door have no covering at the moment, so they're a priority. The hallway has no heating, till the radiator on the landing, so I think covering the door with a lined curtain should help. Was planning to replace the carpet in the (tiny) hallway with vinyl, but I think I might wait till next year! Then I can put the money into house warming plans, and have the warmth of the carpet...

Chillout5892

RedLass wrote: »

So this means I can now go and buy a couple of their large golf type umbrellas - I was eyeing them up on the net and wondering whether they'd make it to my door in one piece... Has anybody else bought these? Will they hold up against a little wind? They're reduced £7.99 to £2.99 and claim to be 2 for a fiver so it seems a bargain.

Yeah, they're OK. Not the strongest of umbrellas but they are big and large so keep lots of rain off and keep you dry down to your knees! By the way they seemed to have had them on the special offer for about 10 years in our local Bristol branch. So no need to panic, Over the years I've bought a few and for £2.99 I haven't gone into a panic if I lose one. If you look carefully in the stand you can usually find one that's totally plain so you're not advertising Dunlop or any other sports brands on a huge logo, but it's likely to be black or navy. I think the ones that include white or red are branded.

Money_maker

Rainy-Days wrote: »

Lost all of my cordylines last year from the garden

I thought mine was lost too (quite a big one) watched it for months then pulled away the rotten stem last month. Struggled with root and gave up as it was too deep for me to dig out.

Just noticed today I have shoots springing up from the roots - so glad I couldn't get it out!

Rainy-Days

Mine were completely dead Moneymaker. I saw Gardeners World and they said to just hang on in there and I did but everything just came away in my hand so I kind of knew that was it for them. I am going to protect them this year. Cordylines used to be quite cheap to buy but they have gone up in price this last couple of years and I suspect that the weather has played it's part in that!

MrsRogers

Wow Rainy-Days that was monster post. But thank you, you mentioned things in there that I had not thought of eg Getting the boiler serviced.:eek:

My list is nowvery long and getting even longer.. it also has sub-lists sprouting off too :rotfl:

I am starting to make headway though and feeling very organized.. no better way then to spend a Sunday afternoon while sitting in the conservatory listening to Thunder and Lightening & pelting rain in mid July !!!

MrsBunny

pattern is as follows... cast on 8 sts, knit 15 rows, cast off to last st. turn a quarter turn, pick up and knit 8 sts, knit 15 rows, cast off to last st, turn a quarter turn etc..
Keep doing this and you will find you will be knitting sts in multiples of 8 and it will go as big as you like, stop when big enough, great way to use up scraps of wool.

Thanks! I am a knitting nut at the moment! I take my knitting to work to knit on my lunch, my work mates think i'm mad but are very interested in what i do. I just do basic knitting at the mo, though i have dabbled with different stitches when i am feeling brave enough. I am totally self taught, though my mum and nan did teach me when i was about 7 years old - 20 years on i finially pick it up again with the help of you tube!

I have a great passion for it now, and yes, it does keep you warm when knitting though lately i have been abit hot!! It is great when you find a hobby that you truely enjoy.

Ok, back to preparing for winter....Got hubby on board, he came home from work yesterday via FOCUS with a door and letter box draft excluder...should be about £16 total but paid £5.37! Already fixed to our very cold door with our door curtain so, winter, please hurry up so i can see how warm my house is this year compare to last!!!! :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Next mission is the windows....single glazing...GGrrrrrr cold!

Have a lovely Sunday every one xx Mrs B :beer:

Desperate_Housewife_2-2

Just ordered some thermal curtain linings for small bedroom and DD1's bedroom. It is cold even though they are dbl glazed windows.

Looking around for a couple of rugs for the kids bedside as it is nice to put your feet onto a furry rug in the mornings, not seen any really cheap yet but will keep an eye open...

OH is getting into the swing of preparing for winter too, he informed me today that he has cleaned the outside drains ready for winter...bless!