What has this bad weather taught you?

Buddingblonde

I have learnt that I need to lose weight and get fit as just walking to the bus stop and using public transport has been knackering. I havent been well this month and I am fighting for breath even walking for a min or two in the snow.
I knew I was needing to get fitter as I cannot climb 2 flights of stairs in one go at work but this weather has seen me completely breathless with my heart racing at a million miles an hour.

raphanius

bring your spade / shovel in from the garden BEFORE it snows

always fill the kettle before you go to bed at night, the prospect of hairdrying frozen pipes always seems less grim after a cup of tea

Kimitatsu

fedupfreda wrote: »

What have I learnt?


That chickens can still lay eggs, even when its -6 outside (I really thought they would have gone off lay by now, but no, my 3 are still laying):j

I am so impressed Freda! Mine gave up laying early this year (which is usually a sign that the weather is about to be really bad) and understandably we havent had any eggs since. My ducks are turning a pale shade of yellow from all the maize they are eating but amazingly even in temperatures of -15 they are still out and about and seem to be keeping well.

allybee101

I learnt that concentrated screenwash turns to slush at -4 C and freezes nearly solid at -7 C. I shall be keeping a bottle of the stuff in the house next time.

I also learnt how to reset my boiler - the pilot light went out the day before the snow came!

That I will be asking St Nicholas for some flannelette blankets

fedupfreda

Kimitatsu wrote: »

I am so impressed Freda! Mine gave up laying early this year (which is usually a sign that the weather is about to be really bad) and understandably we havent had any eggs since. My ducks are turning a pale shade of yellow from all the maize they are eating but amazingly even in temperatures of -15 they are still out and about and seem to be keeping well.

Thank you. TBH I don't think it is anything I am doing (it's my first year with chickens, so don't know what the 'norm' is, IYSWIM) but they must be happy.:)

They are certainly puffed up against the cold - their little feathery bloomers look even bigger than normal. Come to think of it, I'd be warm if I wore a feather duvet all day. Must be their secret :rotfl:

v8monkeyboy

Me again

I've learned that when you have no central heating and have just had a tonne of logs delivered Mr. 'I'm always here for you, when the OH is away, just call' isn't there. And that the only person I can rely on when I have my parents and their elderly neighbour to look after, is me.

Oh, and that British Gas aren't worth the money you pay them to come out when you need them. They are coming tomorrow afternoon as I'm not an emergency.... It's only -13 daytime temp.

GetRealBabe

Hi

It's not mad to have 7 cartons of soya milk in the fridge. If the weather gets bad again I'll be able to have tea and porridge for breakfast for a while. Also glad that thanks to this forum I now bake all my own bread. :j:)

Ballymackeonan

On screenwash - the best thing to do is add some meths.... it's an OS tip from Germany. About ¼ bottle of meths will keep things from freezing (unless it's so cold you shouldn't really be outside!)

Having been caught last winter with logs that were too damp for the woodburner (they gave off a little heat, but a lot more smoke!) I ordered them in good time (September) to be ready for January... but they're already half finished. But last night it took over 4 hours to get back from work (23 miles) so there was no point in lighting the fire anyway!

Uniscots97

Tulip09 wrote: »

The roads were not cleared and taxis dont come here in really bad weather. I am in a tiny village - no buses or shops. (Definately have to think about moving now) Family is only 6/7 miles away, i asked them to bring me coal/logs as far as they could get and i would walk the rest to meet them dragging a sledge for the weight of stuff, and they said it was to cold and didnt want to go out :mad: Yep i know that it is minus degrees in the my house and the kids were crying with cold despite being wrapped up.

LOL sorry rant over; yep it has taught me to be prepared in future, and that despite being sick, that i can actually do things for myself, and i really dont 'need' other people except my kids in my life.

My parents lived in an old cottage out in the middle of nowhere and we frequently got snowed in. Do you have a blue recycling bin? Gather up as many empty loo roll tubes you have and stuff them with paper. Be ruthless, go round the house getting any old envelopes that are being kept because the contents are important..... keep contents and use the envelopes. We did this and it meant a few warmer nights. ....Oh and btw, old yellow pages burn very well....the things you do when you're desperate....and very cold!

Uniscots97

v8monkeyboy wrote: »

Me again

I've learned that when you have no central heating and have just had a tonne of logs delivered Mr. 'I'm always here for you, when the OH is away, just call' isn't there. And that the only person I can rely on when I have my parents and their elderly neighbour to look after, is me.

Oh, and that British Gas aren't worth the money you pay them to come out when you need them. They are coming tomorrow afternoon as I'm not an emergency.... It's only -13 daytime temp.

Pick one room in the house and draw the curtains, if I've been without heat I tend to pick the livingroom as I can bring the duvet down and watch tv. Pick a safe place and light as many candles as you can. Block all drafts with rolled up towels. Even a hairdryer on for 20 minutes will make a difference in warmth. Put as many thin layers on as feels comfortable and gloves. Have everything handy you need, i.e. your phone and any medication