Preparedness for when

[Deleted User]

GreyQueen wrote: »

BTW, Tosspots Basics toothbrushes are 18p for a twin pack and are very good.

Asda do 4 for 35p.

Also, their Smartprice toothpaste is 25p for 75ml.

mardatha

I dono about the Syrians but I think maybe the Martians have landed up here...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mard_soap/9615079830/

ArthriticOldThing

Good morning. I'm doing a lot of back reading on this thread and am learning LOTS.:T Its also taking a long time as I just have to make notes. When have caught up the next job will be organising the notes.:eek:

Today I was going out to recce various things like wind-up torches etc for purchase when money supplies are replenished.:rotfl::rotfl:
However my legs are refusing to work properly so its more of a research day. Never mind - at least the day won't be wasted.

I make bread but have always used a breadmaker. Probably need to learn to make it by hand in case electric goes. Trouble will be arthritic hands, they are probably no use at kneading. Good idea about the flatbreads MrsLW. You reminded me of HM chapatti type things my two boy used to love so will have to dig out the recipe and give them another go.

Thriftwizard and GreyQueen you have given me an idea for a storage cupboard as I have an old, very battered wardrobe that was going to throw out when some one came to move it for me but now I think I could reuse it. Thanks.:j

ALIBOBSY

I think food stocks are the way to go at the moment, as long oil and therefore fuel prices rise, the food will creep (or jump) up as well.

Like many on here I try to grow my own as much as possible-just sown a mix of oriental leaf seeds and spring cabbages to keep going through winter. But I am also freezing chopped veggies for winter stews as well. Only wish I could afford a pressure canner so I could avoid relying so much on the freezer, but that's not to be at the moment. Also even though we have some homegrown veggies I still watch for offers in the stores on stuff I can freeze now that will go up in price later-e.g. carrots at only 39p a bag in aldi.

Something that historically always commanded a high price and has a number of uses, that I haven't seen mentioned much on here is salt. Even bland food can be helped by salt, not to mention in bread or as a stand by to sprinkle on icy garden slabs during winter-although we tend to stock up on a bag of grit this time of year ready for any ice as once the freeze starts they run out. Defo something to keep a good store of.

In fact on that theme sometimes prepping is a state of mind really, we picked up some vastly reduced suncream on sale last jan in asda-some sniggers in the checkout queue. But no one laughing when they are paying over a £5 for stuff we paid 50p-£1 for.

I think growing stuff links you in to that kind of thinking as well, as you tune into the changing seasons and have to think ahead with planning and sowing.

OH has been told by "Bill" (who used to be a countryside ranger) that the local wildlife park/area are looking for volunteers and its a great way to learn new woodcrafting and similar skills, he really fancies this and as he is self employed can fit some time in during the week-often his work can be in the evenings and at weekend. So application sent off. Bill says if you really enjoy it and are good at it, if any paid vacancies turn up they will offer them to the volunteers first. OH looks at it as doing something he loves and learning skills that could be very useful down the line.

Now if we could just get the money to get ourselves some land we would be happy as pigs in muck .

I love this thread as I know you lot will understand having such simple dreams, where in RL we are supposed to want wodges of cash, the big fancy house and shiny new car, with holidays abroad et al.

Ali x

pineapple

ArthriticOldThing wrote: »

You reminded me of HM chapatti type things my two boy used to love so will have to dig out the recipe and give them another go.

You can consider soda bread which does not need kneading.

Also sometimes I make a dough by simply mixing either SR or plain flour with enough water to get it to stick together - ie not so dry that it is bitty and crumbly and not so wet that it is sticky.
I roll out the plain mix quite thinly and fry then cut into wedges - nice and crispy for dipping. With the SR mix I just manually shape (punch) the dough into a piece up to about 1/2 inch thick and lightly fry on a low heat. This makes a softer puffed up 'bread'.
I add a bit of salt to both but of course you can add spices like cumin.
No recipe needed.

homesteadchick

taurusgb wrote: »

I have a small broken chest freezer that is beyond repair. DH all for carting down to recycling depot, before he does, is there anything I could use it for in the garden for storage? No room in house, but there is a space by the shed where it will be out of sight if I could find a use for it.

I have one dug into the ground. The lid sits just about ground level for water drainage.

It stores apples/potatoes and such brilliantly over the winter.

homesteadchick

MrsLurcherwalker wrote: »

TAURUSGB do you remember the TV gardener Bob Flowerdew? he of the long plaited hair? He used broken freezers and fridges as root cellars to store potatoes and carrots etc as they are an airtight seal , completely light proof and completely vermin proof. You apparently stand them on thier backs so the door is at the top if they are an upright and insulate them with earth and straw up the sides, I assume polystyrene sheets covered in earth would do the job ok as well, and they will store your crops just the same way as an old fashioned clamp!

Yep. I've got one.

I've made some ventilation pipes that come out the sides, to ensure airflow.

Pictures here:

http://eenvoudigerleven.wordpress.com/2013/06/30/de-aardappel-kelder/

metherer

Can't remember if I've already said this, but I picked up a hexamine stove with 24 fuel tablets for £2.99 at Yorkshire Trading in town. Also, a spare pack of 24 fuel tabs for £1.99. It is the same as this one:

http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/gelert-solid-style-camping-stove-p118570

If they have any left after next pay day I'll be getting more.

Also picked up an 18 piece plastic cutlery set for a quid, though I'm on the look out for one of those 3 piece metal camping sets that click together.

[Deleted User]

Love the photo MAR, thanks say Hi to the martians from me!!! Lyn xxx.

[Deleted User]

I've got one of those Hexamine stoves (with the square tablets - 8 fit in the stove), and also one of these extra small stoves.

As for the cutlery set, £land is your friend.

http://www.poundland.co.uk/camping-cutlery-set-3-piece

I'd throw in a Cocktail Spoon (also in £land) if I were you, as the desert spoon tends to be too short for stirring brews in large cups.