Preparedness for when

[Deleted User]

notjustlaura wrote: »

Do you not still have to pay the license fee to use iplayer?

It depends how you watch it.

If you watch it LIVE, ie. at a fixed time, as it is being shown to the general population, then you need a TV Licence.

If you watch it CATCHUP, ie. after it has been shown to the general population, then you do not need a TV Licence.

Be aware that, once you cease having a current TV Licence, you will receive monthly accusatory letters (commonly known as Threat-O-Grams), and occasional visits from (sometimes unpleasant/rude/aggressive/offensive) Capita employees, looking to make £20 commission by selling you a licence you don't need, and/or prosecuting you.

The fact you are innocent, is of no consequence to them, so the best advice is to ignore both the letters and the callers, never give your name, answer any questions, and NEVER EVER sign anything.

[Deleted User]

GreyQueen wrote: »

Such as me going pell-mell to the camping store for more butane cylinders if we get a protracted outage of gas

I have in store, enough butane cartridges for about 24 hours, for one burner, on full power.

Since much of my food is quick cook (Instant noodles, 5 min simmer packet soup, tinned beans and spaghetti etc.), I figure I've got cooking fuel for a good month and a half.

I also have a 500g Coleman cylinder (4-5 hours cooking time) for my Miniature backpacking stove, and 2l of bio-ethanol (about 80 fillings) for my spirit stoves, so I could probably stretch cooking time past 2 months.

If electricity still wasn't back on by then, It'd be time to light a cooking fire in the garden.

[Deleted User]

Perplexed_Pineapple wrote: »

I have done this a few times now and apart from a few threatening letters no major hassle.

Could I ask, what do you do with the letters?

Also, have you had any visits, and, if so, how did you deal with them?

[Deleted User]

ragz wrote: »

My hubby is in the process of rigging up a generator outfit involving his stationary engines and a generator he picked up cheap

A gas engine would be a good idea, so long as mains gas wasn't interrupted.

Of course, the tricky bit with AC generators, is maintaining the right frequency.

BugglyB

I don't have a TV and recieve so many threatening letters and have had a couple of visits.

I write back to all the letters saying

Dear TV Licensing

I don't have a television.

(I have a stack of letters printed out)

When they visit I let them in and show them round. I do have a tv but it doesnt have a digi box, I just plug the laptop/dvd player into it.

I know you're not supposed to let them in but I think its easier.

[Deleted User]

BugglyB wrote: »

I write back to all the letters saying <snip>

You are wasting your time and money, as they won't believe you.

Their default position is, all addresses require a TV Licence.

I know you're not supposed to let them in but I think its easier.

You do know, many of the TVL/Capita employees, who visit addresses, haven't been CRB checked?

mardatha

Also don't get so hungup on vast freezers that have to be filled with meat and fresh veg. There are other ways to go. I've got a big American stye f/f - but the bottom of the fridge is my larder. I keep a whole load of flour (well wrapped), packets of lentils and barley and fish dressing and even apple crumble mix, gravy mix.Because you don't get wee beasties inside a fridge
Also concentrate the stash on useful multi-functional food - porridge oats can be used in half a dozen ways. Lentils too, barley, and flour. Then you just need a handful of green stuff, veg or meat and you've got soup or stew, with bread to dunk in it.

alltrustgone

Oh absolutely Bob, that whole frequency issue, remember it well from the "How to Own, Operate and Maintain your AC Generator" lessons - NOT!:p:D

Please tell me I'm not the only one who feels an incompetant, ignorant fool, ill-equipped to handle daily life let alone TEOTWAWKI scenarios! - and I have an ex-OH who used generators in his business, the things were everywhere, but still clueless on how to use them. Anyone got any links to generator 101's, so at least I can pretend to some understanding?

A seriously over-whelmed ATG!

[Deleted User]

You do know, that sarcasm is the lowest form of wit?

Oh, and using them isn't the same as understanding how they operate, or how to set one up, to run on a separate engine.

hauxwell

I would also recommend the book 'Preserving food without freezing or canning: traditional techniques using salt, oil, sugar, alcohol, drying, cold storage and lactic fermentation' for different types of food preservation. Also Wild Fermentation by Sandor Katz. Both available from Amazon or the library but alas I still can't post links. (so annoying!)

I have been a busy bee the last few days as our allotment has gone into overdrive. I have been canning runner beans, chicken stock, pasta sauce and making courgette chutney. The dehydrator is in overdrive doing courgettes, kale, cabbage and potatoes. (great for making dauphinoise potatoes as the drying gives them the 'right' texture) Kitchen is also randomly bubbling with kimchi and sauerkraut. I am having a go at fermented runners tomorrow which I am looking forward to as I love lacto fermented foods.