Preparing for winter II

Caterina

Does it work with roman blinds too (just tacking to the top) or do I need to tack the fleece to every dowel line?

Meanwhile another preparation I have done is I bought myself a storm kettle, this will be very useful in case of power shortages or just if the day is not too bad I can make a large flask of tea first thing in the morning and then use it through the day instead of boiling the electric kettle. I can also cook with the storm kettle if the fancy (or need) takes me!

Confuzzled

rising_from_the_ashes wrote: »

Having a bit of a panic (for no reason in particular) as just counted my loo rolls (thought I was fine as have a month's worth put away and have a month's supply apart from that) - until I realised that in a month I won't be able to drive for around 2-3 months so will need to head off to Home B's this morning and get around another 4 packs!:eek:

I am a "worrier" by nature but think the op / post op no driving being so close to when the weather will turn is getting to me a bit .

we have 5 12packs stackedup in the bathroom plus the opened one... i don't like worrying about not having loo roll either, don't worry you're in good if not a little odd company :rotfl: and yes it's a long standing joke here if we get down to less than 2 twelve packs we may have to panic buy

Prudent

Mazzawa wrote: »

Quick question - where has everyone bought their snow shovels from at this time of year? Moving house soon and will have a drive to clear if it snows

I got mine from ebay and it came very promptly.

Prudent

Confuzzled wrote: »

we have 5 12packs stackedup in the bathroom plus the opened one... i don't like worrying about not having loo roll either, don't worry you're in good if not a little odd company :rotfl: and yes it's a long standing joke here if we get down to less than 2 twelve packs we may have to panic buy

I am thinking of putting a stock in the loft. I live quite a bit from the shops and the walk was taking an hour each way (usually 20 mins) in the very deep snow last year. These are very bulky to carry. I think I will stock up on the 9 roll packs from Farmfoods. They should make good loft insulation in storage too

pineapple

I don't think last winter was that bad but it did come in November!
That said, living in a rural spot with difficult access, I've learnt to stock up on EVERYTHING. I've even got snow tyres ready to swap (my insurance company made me take them off in the spring).
The big difference for me is that this year I am retired. I don't have to go anywhere or spend the day at work watching the weather worried if I will get home safely. :beer:

nataz

Snow shovel arrived :j with a laughing postie, needless to say, they hadnt tried to hide it in packaging...

Think Im gonna try the fleece at DDs window. Her windows huge and even though the curtains are blackout thermal ones, the rooms always cold. Only prob is the size... where can I get extra large fleeces from?

Found a new job to do today. We have an open fire, but its not used and at the mo, to keep little ones out of it, we've covered it with one of those fake marble backs from wickes but the draughts will be awful. We cant fill in the fire (rented house) so what do you all suggest to make it draught free? Ideally something behind the cover thats there already.

Its still freezing up north today, jumpers and long sleeved tops have been back out, but so far I havent had to put the heating on. Trying to hang on till at least Oct/Nov

My winter/xmas prep is gonna start soon with the xmas cake prep.. my favourite time of year when we start to soak the fruit.... yum yum

VJsmum

Do you mean the chimney, nataz? You can get chimney balloons that you inflate inside the chimney to stop the draughts, or just stuff it with newspaper for a cheaper option?

Confuzzled

Prudent wrote: »

I think I will stock up on the 9 roll packs from Farmfoods. They should make good loft insulation in storage too

now there's someone after my own heart, practical AND clever

Confuzzled

pineapple wrote: »

I don't think last winter was that bad but it did come in November!
That said, living in a rural spot with difficult access, I've learnt to stock up on EVERYTHING. I've even got snow tyres ready to swap (my insurance company made me take them off in the spring).
The big difference for me is that this year I am retired. I don't have to go anywhere or spend the day at work watching the weather worried if I will get home safely. :beer:

one of the things i love most about being self employed working from home AND home educating is that we don't have to go out in bad weather either as long as i'm prepared... i love the battening down the hatches feeling anyway so it's not a burden for me to prepare in advance anyway

i do feel terribly for those that don't have the same luxury. the last two winters our holiday trip to the other side of scotland has been fraught with major complications and very cold and long delays dueto the severe weather, that's enough of a taste for me...and remembering those trips helps keep up the motivation to be ready!

Confuzzled

nataz wrote: »

Think Im gonna try the fleece at DDs window. Her windows huge and even though the curtains are blackout thermal ones, the rooms always cold. Only prob is the size... where can I get extra large fleeces from?

Found a new job to do today. We have an open fire, but its not used and at the mo, to keep little ones out of it, we've covered it with one of those fake marble backs from wickes but the draughts will be awful. We cant fill in the fire (rented house) so what do you all suggest to make it draught free? Ideally something behind the cover thats there already.

regarding the fleeces... buy two and sew them together then trim to the size needed. fleece doesn't unravel and it's a doddle to do a few quick stitches to fix them to each other!

i've heard some people take an old pillow, wrap it in a bin bag and tape it up with a string hanging down (maybe something brightly coloured to catch your attention) they shove this up the chimney and leave the string dangling down in sight so that if they ever do want to light a fire they'll remember to pull the pillow out first! i've read comments from several people doing this and they say it's fairly effective. you obviously don't want it packed super tight you do need some ventilation but that would block out most of the draught.