Preparing for winter II

THIRZAH

GreyQueen wrote: »

Ahem, if I can lower the tone slightly, if you were snowed into your car for many hours, a receptacle of some kind to relieve yourself in might be crucial for your comfort.:o

I shall slope off now that I've over-shared........

We always keep a plastic ice cream box -known in the family as "the sick-box" in the car (DD suffers from travel sickness) so suppose we could use that if the worst happens.

I keep a couple of old car rugs on the back seat in the winter but last winter insisted that DH put a sleeping bag in the car if snow was forecast.
I also gave him a couple of those free samples of instant coffee for in the car and would fill a flask with boiling water in the mornings.

Confuzzled

rising_from_the_ashes wrote: »

Has anyone tried these?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Paper-Briquette-Maker-Perfect-Waste/dp/B003WF4JHU/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1314198387&sr=8-6

I know they're fairly expensive but if you go through a lot of papers (or your neighbours do) it may help cut down on coal/wood costs a bit.....

there are a few other types out there, one is round and you fill it with dry paper,twigs,dryer lint etc and it compresses them, those might be better for kindling though not sure, i've heard fairly good results on the type you gave a link for though i've not used one myself

i seem to recall googling and finding instructions on how to make them without the gadget, sounded time consuming but nice to know it can be done.... maybe a google search will turn up some more possibilities for you to choose from i know there are several different styles available.

squeaky

rosieben wrote: »

there's a car survival list on the old thread I've asked squeaky to add it to the front page list

I like GQ's suggestion too

Have you? Not seen that yet.... I'll get it though


EDIT:- Done!

rising_from_the_ashes

Can I ask a really stupid question .... as soon as someone answers, I'm sure I'll be very :embarasse and a bit :doh:how did you not know that!:o

I've just been looking at the car survival list (thankfully, most of the bits already in my car kit) ......

Why do you keep the blanket, coat, gloves etc in the car & not the boot?


(slinking off to hide ....)

Fruball

rising_from_the_ashes wrote: »

Can I ask a really stupid question .... as soon as someone answers, I'm sure I'll be very :embarasse and a bit :doh:how did you not know that!:o

I've just been looking at the car survival list (thankfully, most of the bits already in my car kit) ......

Why do you keep the blanket, coat, gloves etc in the car & not the boot?


(slinking off to hide ....)

I think its because if you were unfortunate enough to land yourself in a ditch or some other horrible scenario, you wouldn't have to get out of your car to get them... You might not be able to get out of the car...

Oh, and there is no such thing as a stupid question

MrsCrafty

seafarers_wife wrote: »

boiler service has been done and considering its a back boiler its in pretty good nick, just really bad energy efficiency wise compared to a combi boiler. i did ask for an idea of prices for a combi being put in, and would be looking around 2K which i dont think is to bad, so will need to see how this winter and the gas bills go before making a decision on that as theres nothing wrong with it apart from it being a back boiler.

list of stuff still to do

buy wind up torch/phone charger - not escential really
curtains for bathroom windows? - not sure, will discuss with mum when she is up
sort out car kit (de-icer, washer fluid, phone, charger, blanket, shovel & brush)
tomato soup (i go through buckets of the stuff)
uht milk - buy in bulk from costco, but only had stuff dated dec 11 so will wait another month or 2
diluting juice
rice

extras that ive thought of after reading more of other peoples prep
more cat litter
de-icer in bulk
screenwash in bulk

Can I recommend that you phone round gas safe plumbers and say you will source your own boiler. We did this and saved about £500. I ended up talking to a local plumber and asking what boiler he recommended and googled that boiler and got it from a local supplier. Much much cheaper. Get a price for installation only.

He charged £450 and my boiler is a potterton gold which I ended up getting for £638.00

sparrer

I do love Summer but all these plans for Winter are getting me quite excited . It'll be my first time on my own (no lodgers after years of letting a room) so I can spend my evenings snuggled up on the sofa keeping warm in my jimmies and old but oh, so cosy robe, ever so elegant fluffy slipper-sox, fleeces, my new hottie* and 3 fluffy pets, a side lamp on plus a few candles for added atmosphere, a bleddy big bowl of hot chocolate and some croissants for dipping . I've a feeling though I'll come out of my hibernation in Spring at least three sizes bigger than when I went in :rotfl:

*hot water bottle, not a human one. Shame

butterfly72

Hi everyone,
great thread. I've got the week off work so I thought I'd do some prep for the winter. I haven't done much to be honest but its a start.

1. had the faulty boiler repaired (I rent so didn't cost anything!)
2. Made rhubarb and date chutneys - for us and for gifts at christmas
3. Repotted all the baby aloe veras into individual pots. They should be a nice size come xmas and I can trawl the charity shops for nice pots. Hey presto more gifts!!
4. Am gathering material to make draught excluders for the doors.
5. Have ordered this: http://www.lakeland.co.uk/21736/Dry-Soon-Heated-Tower-Dryer
6. Had the de-humidifier fixed (for the 4th time in one year - its still under warrenty until the middle of september. Wish I'd just taken it back to John lewis the first time it broke instead of sending to Delongi everytime. I've obviously got a dog of a machine)
7. thinking about those lovely fur lined boots I saw in the shoe shop...Obviously I need them....:rotfl:

CH27

My MIL has just given me loads of plums from her tree.
Next job is plum jam, plum pies & plum puree for the freezer.

Justamum

Frugal wrote: »

I think its because if you were unfortunate enough to land yourself in a ditch or some other horrible scenario, you wouldn't have to get out of your car to get them... You might not be able to get out of the car...

Oh, and there is no such thing as a stupid question

I agree it's not a stupid question. We are lucky with our car because the middle seat at the back pulls down so we can reach into the boot.