Preparing for winter II

Red_Doe

I'm pretty isolated here..there's only an elderly couple nearby and they don't use gas. Does anyone else have to pay this deposit for gas or is it just here?

Red_Doe

fuddle wrote: »

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_nkw=calor+gas+bottle these are pretty much empty gas bottles. There might be something there that will save you money as all you do is refill them. That is why the price of your gas is so expensive because you're being charged for the bottle too (as far as I can understand)

Cripes! No wonder folks are buying them empty though if everyone gets charged thirty quid for a deposit.

Confuzzled

Rainy-Days wrote: »

Red Doe not sure if this is going to be of any help to you but our log store was built out of old pallets
....
It's just a thought - you know as we are able to store allot of wood especially fallen branches from over the field, they can dry out and then be used for burning.

when we only had the two open fires we used to call around and ask people if they wanted pallets removed for them (they usually have to pay to have them taken away) then we'd take them home, chop them into managable pieces and burn them. the nails fall out in the grate so you just leave them to cool then seperate them from the ash after burning. we got a fair few pallets this way.

we also had a few privately owned woods near us so we asked the landowners permission to collect deadfall wood. it makes a mess of the back of your car but when it's cold you don't care and an old sheet can catch the worst of it. we'd occassionally get really large branches so the (now) ex would bring along the hatchet just in case they needed chopping into more manageable pieces. sad to say but we'd be thrilled after a particularly strong gale knowing there would be more deadfall to collect

don't forget pinecones, drip a little wax on them and or stuff with any fuzz or lint from your knitting and they make good firelighters! also if you know anyone that is having any trees removed or know of any tree surgeons in your area give them a call, they will often give you the wood for free or really cheap!

Red_Doe

skintbint wrote: »

red doe - can you sew? how about making lots of little microwave cosy's - they hold the heat for ages and you could pop them in your gloves, down your boots, make ones with long ties on them for round your back/chest - make little channels in them that way the filling doesnt gather all at the bottom if you see what i mean and they would be less bulky - made a couple last year but top tip dont use rice you end up smelling like the local takeaway!!!!!!

These sound great, I can hand sew! What filling should I use?

goodgodthatonesevenbigger

Does anyone use wall hangings to help retain heat/stop drafts. Luckily i have a mum whos into quilting so i asked her to make me some wall hanging to match my bedroom decor, these are hung on the outside walls and i dont know if its just me think its making a difference but im sure it is. Im sure thats what the used to use the big tapestries for in castles and monestries and such like. Plus if you make a few you can change them as the seasons change, thus giving your room a fresh look every season.

Hobsons_Choice

Red Doe, I can understand you not wanting to accept donations, but I just KNOW you'll get lots of helpful ideas from the kind folk on this forum. It's like family on here ain't it?
(dabs eyes and makes a sloppy face - not difficult)

Red_Doe

Hobsons_Choice wrote: »

Red Doe, I can understand you not wanting to accept donations, but I just KNOW you'll get lots of helpful ideas from the kind folk on this forum. It's like family on here ain't it?
(dabs eyes and makes a sloppy face - not difficult)

It is and I'm picking up loads of ideas I wouldn't have thought of on my own.

ifonlyitwaseasier

goodgodthatonesevenbigger wrote: »

Does anyone use wall hangings to help retain heat/stop drafts. Luckily i have a mum whos into quilting so i asked her to make me some wall hanging to match my bedroom decor, these are hung on the outside walls and i dont know if its just me think its making a difference but im sure it is. Im sure thats what the used to use the big tapestries for in castles and monestries and such like. Plus if you make a few you can change them as the seasons change, thus giving your room a fresh look every season.

annie123 has made some for her son and has requests for more so i'm guessing they are sucessful!

kidcat

Red_Doe wrote: »

I'm pretty isolated here..there's only an elderly couple nearby and they don't use gas. Does anyone else have to pay this deposit for gas or is it just here?

There is a deposit here too, I remember buying a gas bbq and being horrified that the gas was costing four times the price of the bbq, at the time the firm that was best value were charging for orange gas bottles £30 deposit but no deposit for blue, so I changed the regulator for £10 and bought blue instead (my bbq was able to run on either). I now have two blue bottles one empty and one full - which brings to mind what type do you need and will a courier carry an empty gas canister? If so I am happy to send the empty one up to you its only gathering dust in my parents garden.

skintbint_2

Red_Doe wrote: »

These sound great, I can hand sew! What filling should I use?

have been trying to find the posts - think it was in the sewing thread - this is the only one i can find.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/1065865#Comment_1065865

you can also pick them up from the likes of home bargains, semi-chem but for the couple of pound they are you could make lots!