Preparing for winter II

maryb

Surely the whole point of preparing is because when you need it you can't get it for love nor money so get it before you need it.

That reminds me, last December when we had about 18 inches of snow in our part of London (just on the edge of Kent) I lent my spare snow shovel to the chaps who were trying to clear the entrance to the block of flats over the road and they broke it. They were supposed to replace it and get one of their own for the residents' association. They've obviously forgotten. Hope they remember before the snow comes 'cos if they can't get one (and the chances are zero if they wait until it is actually snowing) I ain't gonna lend them my remaining one

rising_from_the_ashes

maryb wrote: »

That reminds me, last December when we had about 18 inches of snow in our part of London (just on the edge of Kent) I lent my spare snow shovel to the chaps who were trying to clear the entrance to the block of flats over the road and they broke it. They were supposed to replace it and get one of their own for the residents' association. They've obviously forgotten. Hope they remember before the snow comes 'cos if they can't get one (and the chances are zero if they wait until it is actually snowing) I ain't gonna lend them my remaining one

Maybe time for a gentle reminder?

maryb

I keep meaning to but they were young chaps and they're never in. Part of the problem was they were so young and strong they were able to lift a huge amount of snow - and plastic snow shovels aren't meant to be used like spades, they're more like pushers.

Ida_Notion

My situation is 100% 'Townie' on the face of it. I live in a large 25 year old housing estate on the edge of town where there are still plenty of berried hedges and bits of field etc, but Asda is just 10 minutes walk from here (you can see their light pollution from the back of our house) and just behind it is a huge leisure centre with swimming pool, cinema, bowling alley, pubs, eateries etc. Asda has pretty much killed off most of the little independents up on the high street, but I am not exactly cut off from civilization here. However, electricity-wise there is not the infrastructure in place to sufficiently support all this, and it does not look like there is ever going to be. The slightest little blip from the weather (even thunderstorms in the summer) which might cause a lightbulb to flicker anywhere else I've lived will result in a power cut here, often for several hours at a time. Asda's light pollution will fade, and even they are forced to switch to their emergency generators which only illuminate half the store, badly. It also regularly results in me dementedly trying to work from home once the power is back on to the sound of burglar alarms going off because the owners are out at work and won't be back to reset them for hours (aarggh!!). This is why I worry about winter and stockpile candles and stuff, and make sure my teenage daughter always carries a small torch - if all the street lights went out on her on her way home, it would not be for the first time.

Furthermore, because we're in a rental here there is a limit to what I can do to the house physically to keep the cold out. But we have managed with the archaic central heating here so far and without drilling holes for door curtains etc and will continue to do. This thread has seen to it that we will be as snuggly as possible this year, and I can content myself with the knowledge that I was too busy buying Quishions and replacing hot water bottles to be passing uninformed judgement on what other people are spending their money on. Because you can't judge a book by it's cover, not ever.

Red Doe and the truly horrendous way she is forced to spend winters in temperatures of -24 because she can 'only' pay for fuel in instalments has not been far from the back of my mind ever since I read of the situation. I am so, so crossing my fingers for you, Red Doe. I do hope you get good news today.

cheerfulness4

lizzyb1812 wrote: »

I'm pretty much done with the prep for the cold winter weather and am now moving on to sorting out things to keep me motivated and entertained. This will include:

Replacing my light box with a bigger, stronger one and setting myself a schedule for using it

Start taking vitamin D from the beginning of October

Stocking up on cheap DVDs - mostly funny films

Sending off for garden catalogues so I can plan next year's fruit & veg

Getting stocked up with knitting/crochet stuff

Sorting out my cheap paperbacks - most to cs to be replaced with ones I haven't read yet

I find it is best for me if I acknowledge that I find the gloomy days of January/February hard going and put in place things to keep me cheerful rather than letting the gloom overwhelm me.

I absolutely love your winter prep list and fully intend to pinch it.

SuziQ

Asda had the spray teak oil reduced to £1 a bottle yesterday (normally £4), so I lightly rubbed down all my garden furniture and oiled it. I am going to oil it again today and then put all the waterproof covers over it . I am going to cut the grass and put some grass seed on some of the patchier parts-and respray the *********** brambles that keep growing through the fence from next door! I am enjoying this weather!

mennie

Hi all, I am an avid reader but havent posted yet this year, never had time, but day off today:j

This is my winter list
Charge all rechargable batteries
Check all other batteries work
Get the draught excluders down from the loft
Get halogen heaters down from loft
Buy Flannelette Sheets DONE
Buy Flannelette Pillowcases
Buy Flannelete duvet Cover
4 x pairs of thermal socks each
Thermal undies x 2 each
3 Big jumpers
Sew buttons on my winter coat
flat warm boots DONE
3 x dishwasher dalt for paths
4 x tinned steamed puds
3 x tinned mixed beans for chillis
4 x baked beans
1 bag rice - DONE
2 bags pasta - DONE
1 packet spaghetti
3 cartons passata
4 tins tomato
1 pack noodles
1 jar coffee
2 tubs hot choc
1 box of porridge sachets
1 kg oats - for making twinks
6 loo rolls stashed away - 1 have 36 dont worry:p DONE
1 bottle shampoo each - DONE
1 bar soap - DONE
1 bag dogfood
1 deodrant each
2 bags sugar
2 bags of flour
1 moisturiser - DONE
1 handcream - DONE
1 big tub vaseline - DONE
30 individual packs of tissues
3 boxes of tissues
3 packs of lemsip - DONE
3 packs of flu tablets - DONE
3 packets of throat sweets - DONE
1 vicks vapour rub - DONE
1 vicks inhalator - DONE
3 bottles of cough medecine - DONE
1 obas oil - DONE
300 tea lights
2 boxes of matches - DONE
1 hot water bottle and cover - DONE
1 veg oil
6 bags of table salt for path
1 thermal mug - DONE
1 flask - DONE
5 bags of bird food
3 suet slices for birds
36 fat balls - DONE
1 pack yeast
2 bags bread flour
1 pack dried milk - DONE
1 clothes airer - DONE
1 bleach
1 washing powder
1 bottle fairy
Snow shovel - DONE
1 pack cous cous
1 bag soda crystals
1 matress protector - DONE
1 toothpaste - DONE
blinds for Kitchen and Living room
1 face wash
2 pairs wellie socks
1 jam
1 peanut butter
1 lemon curd
4 tins soup
5 dehumidifyer sachets
curtain lining
header tape
check gutters
Stain garden Furniure and put away - DONE
Whistling kettle - DONE

All the food/toiletries and cleaning items are stored separately to my usual stuff and will not be used unless we are snow in. I also always have 4-5 weeks of meals in my freezer so we will be ok

We both still have winter coats, hats, scarves, gloves, slippers from last year and I bought torches and lined the curatins with fleece last year and make draught exluders.

I still have a fair way to go but will just by extra couple of bits with the shopping each week.

I saw the geese leave at the end of august this year and my winter flowering jasmine was flowering in August. But the swallows havent gone yet

I am semi rural and we were snowed in for 3 weeks last year.

Just a little reminder that I havent seen mentioned, contraception! Check when your prescription, injection etc runs out or check your condom supply

I will get back in my box now, ha ha

Stay warm everyone

abwsco

I'm back from Dunelm with a double thermal underblanket for DD. It was £13.99. Was hoping to spend less but the ones in B & M's I saw on Saturday were £19.99.

SuziQ

- Draught excluders for the back and front door. Back door is actually on the lounge so this could make a big difference to us. As always, looking for a bargain here.

Redlass,after reading on here, I made my own draught excluders from a pair of my son's outgrown pyjamas. Cut in half, turn inside out and put a line of pins up to straighten the shape. Measure the size it needs to be-you will need to check this as you stuff it as it can get shorter as it gets fatter. Sew the foot end closed-I used a sewing machine but it would be easy enough by hand (I was bought a lovely new Singer sewing machine last week-am so excited!) then sew the new side seam and turn inside out, I filled with old clothes of the kids' that were too worn for the charity shop. Measure against your door until it's right length-I then just folded over the end like a parcel and put a few slip stitches through to hold the flap. Unbelievably easy and no cost.

tugrin

RedDoe Any news yet?