Preparedness for when

The_Dragon

Blimey! All our nettles have already flowered

GreyQueen

The_Dragon wrote: »

Blimey! All our nettles have already flowered

Are they stinging nettles (these have inconspicious green flowers, or the non-stinging kind, with big white conspicious flowers? The so-called white dead nettles?

The white and the red dead nettles are in flower here (bees love 'em) but the stinging nettles aren't.

I can make twine from nettles. Best done about midsummer when they're at their tallest. If we have to revert to the Stone Age and run out of string and paracord, I'll be ahead of the pack.

Just been combing thru the library cataglogue online and have checked which of my Preptastic Booklist is available there and the answer is...........not nearly enough. Going to get James Kunstler's The Long Emergency and eventually Dmitry Orlov's Reinventing Collapse.

:pGosh, this working for a living malarkey really cuts into my reading time, y'know?

The_Dragon

GreyQueen wrote: »

Are they stinging nettles (these have inconspicious green flowers, or the non-stinging kind, with big white conspicious flowers? The so-called white dead nettles?

The white and the red dead nettles are in flower here (bees love 'em) but the stinging nettles aren't.

I can make twine from nettles. Best done about midsummer when they're at their tallest. If we have to revert to the Stone Age and run out of string and paracord, I'll be ahead of the pack.

Just been combing thru the library cataglogue online and have checked which of my Preptastic Booklist is available there and the answer is...........not nearly enough. Going to get James Kunstler's The Long Emergency and eventually Dmitry Orlov's Reinventing Collapse.

:pGosh, this working for a living malarkey really cuts into my reading time, y'know?

Hmm white flowers - so dead nettles then (but a fair crop AND overnight all the dandelions went from yellow flowers to "clocks"!)

RosiePuddingPaws

Lovefullshelves

Amish rhubarb pie recipe please. I'm not that keen on rhubarb, but it needs using and custard in the pie might make it bearable.

RPP

siegemode

So chuffed, just got back from mountain warehouse with my bargains.

2 x wind up head torches buy one get one free
http://www.mountainwarehouse.com/camping/equipment/head-torches/dynamo-head-torch-p2114.aspx?ism=0&cl=BLACK

They were still priced at £14.99 bogof but went through the till at £5.99

And in a separate transaction,
1 mini folding shovel marked down from £9.99 to £2.99
same as this, http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gelert-Mini-Shovel-Trowel-Silver/dp/B0010AA4MS/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1368203383&sr=8-11&keywords=mini+folding+shovel

1 x 2pk can opener £2.99
http://www.mountainwarehouse.com/camping/eating-outdoors/utensils-crockery/can-opener-p5684.aspx?ism=0&cl=SILVER
2 x karabiner with strap £2.99
http://www.mountainwarehouse.com/walking/equipment/carabiners/karabiner---with-strap-p7043.aspx?ism=0&cl=SILVER

All 4 items on bogof so total spend £11.97 :j:j:j

And got a rucksack from argos with more nectar points so another freebie :j However now wondering if 65ltrs is too big maybe. not that I'll have a problem filling it but I might not be able to lift/carry it.

RAS

siegemode

That size would allow you to carry a sleeping bag inside if necessary.

I find that the best way to wrangle a large sack is to lift it onto a seat/table/bench/wall as near waist height as possible and then back into it and put my arms in the straps. Once the waist strap is fastened most of the weight is transferred onto the legs rather than shoulders.

[Deleted User]

GQ I can make nettle cordage too!!!!!! and from flax, we did that when we went flint knapping and I have my own hand axe that I made and a flint drill mounted in a wooden handle fixed in place with cord I made, it was such a fun weekend. We had John and Val Lord as instructors and they actually live the life of stoneage people, they have a modern house, but live stoneage lives in it, and I worry about what my neighbours think!!!!! Cheers Lyn xxx.

RAS

Anyone been to the Ice Age Art exhibition by the way? Amazing.

pineapple

According to this source white dead nettle can be used for, amongst other things, vaginal discharge.
http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-344-WHITE%20DEAD%20NETTLE%20FLOWER.aspx?activeIngredientId=344&activeIngredientName=WHITE%20DEAD%20NETTLE%20FLOWER
It warns not to confuse with stinging nettle.
:eek::eek::eek:

herbily

Siegemode, thanks for the links, that's a good price for a head-torch - am very tempted, but I've just had a splurge at lunchtime. I went into our local branch of The Works and found a book called "Abundance - How to store and preserve your garden produce" by Alys Fowler for 5.99 - got home and checked price on Amazon and it isn't even technically out yet! (Someone's obviously already got cold feet about the quantities they think they'll sell at full price.... but it looks really useful.) Lots of weird pickling recipes - and kale alert, it tells you how to make kale chips.