Preparedness for when

GreyQueen

Hollyberry wrote: »

Pollyjuice - You're going to fit in so well!

I am wondering if I should really admit on this thread that we currently have only *3* loo rolls in stock until OH goes big shops tomorrow. So if gastric TEOTWAWKI strikes overnight, I shall have only myself to blame... :rotfl:

GQ - more power to your (archery) elbow with the grocery shopping! It's inspirational to try and cut down a bit here. Although I'm with WCS on the branded detergent - psoriasis here, and too many bad cases of the itchies to make it worthwhile trying a load of cheaper stuff at random. Although I could ward off anyone trying to steal my stash by scratching lots when they came anywhere near - after all, I *might* be contagious...

Yeah, I'm a bit particular about laundry detergents, too, although blessed not to have skin probs, bar a tiny touch of excema on the back of my hands which breaks out when I'm stressed.

I do like to have good quality laundry detergents and as I use one large box a year, it would be a false economy to go cheap there. I did once try something called Daisy (not sure if this was T or Sains) but it was rubbish. I use F0rmil from Liddly. Currently working my way thru the stashette of Moaning Fresh w.u.l under the sink but will restock with that one from Aldee which wins all the prizes and whose name always escapes me..............and has indeed escaped once more. Magnum? Magnet? Magpie?

In awe of the distances which WCS has to travel to get to a big store but she's in a beautiful part of the world and I expect gets to sleep thru the nights without numpties trampling around just above her head.

I tend to go into stores when passing, and my route to archery takes me close by Sainsbugs so can nip in there without putting any extra mileage on the old trainers. Got Liddly accessible but Aldee is a goodly haul away, lots of pesky small Tosspots stores but the big T is miles away, runs of other cheapy stores. Provincial City has its wealthy types and does support some high-end retail and a Wa*trose, but the discounters are vastly outnumbering the premium shops.

Mark you, you can hear some cut-glass accents in Liddly sometimes, as they crow with delight over the baraginous things. My experience is that old money is rather skintflintudious* and likes nothing better than a bargain. That's how you get to have wealth over multiple generations, I guess.

* I just invented that word and I quite like it. Please call the OED right now and lobby for its inclusion............

Hollyberry, I had 48 unopened rolls of TP and one just-opened 9-pack on top of the WC cistern, but I took the 4 x 12 packs off and hid them behind the bed before my pals came around. In case they thought I was odd or something. Not to mention the other 48 in the bike shed.

Dunno why I cared; one of the pals has known me nearly a quarter of a century and the other about five years and I guess they've probably worked out that I am odd already. And I haven't been cast into the outer darkness yet...........

ginnyknit

Hi polly, welcome aboard the crazy train, you definately qualify due to having the stamina to read all the waffle from the beginning

Was there discussion re - helicopters over head a page or so ago only my back garden is beautifully illuminated by one as I write - who needs solar garden lights :rotfl:

Just eating leftovers cunningly transformed into a pasta bake, in future am going to boil the pasta for a short while as it doesnt seem to cook well from scratch in the sauce.

Mum sent me some cooking chocolate from ( I presume ) Lidl tiddle diddle, as we call it cos she forgets its name otherwise. Usually it is detestable inedible yuk but this was gorgeous and 50% cocoa solids ! Mary Berry only uses low grade chocolate for her baking not the posh stuff so whats good enough for the queen of cakes its good enough for me. Note to newbies though chocolate is not considered essential in most prepping books we here consider it very important and one of your 5 a day thus giving permission to stock up...again ...and again.....

Wyre

Evening all and welcome new folks!

We have had a couple of powercuts over night recently but, due in no small part to you guys and this thread, we have come through unscathed. I knew exactly where my windup lantern was - easily accessible in the lounge where I was at the time, so could make my way up stairs in one piece. Gave it some extra winds and left it on in the hall for others. Had it happened while I was in bed, I have torch next to the bed so could have reversed the scenario to get downstairs to the lantern. Each cut only lasted about an hour, but that is annoying enough when it means your alarm clock is reset! Time to invest in a battery operated one I guess.

I did buy some extra bread flour and yeast in the supermarket yesterday as well 24 more loo rolls so the stocking up is coming along.

I do have a question for folks - where would one buy wellington boots that are actually suitable for walking up a hill in the snow? Does anyone have any reccomendations on makes etc? We live on a very steep hill, and not even the road is gritted let alone the path (although we do our bit for the neighbours and across the street). This year I would like to be able to leave the house without worrying that I am going to end up at the bottom of the hill in the busy main road! Thanks in advance!

Hollyberry

I always consider the term "odd" a compliment.

Mrs L - will consider a diversion to the Big M when we're next headed westwards. After all, I don't want to be persona non grata in these educational but often brilliantly funny halls...

westcoastscot

ooh err!! wondering how bonkers I might sound if you read my posts in a oner!! Welcome to the thread though - no doubt vanoo will be along to induct you - or whatever it is she does!!!

GQ no issues here - take my hat off to your grocery budget, and no I wouldn't trade you your neighbours for all the chocolate in liddly - although we have new neighbours who've been having a lot of falling outs lately - heard yelling at the top of a voice yesterday "it's your fault we landed in this hell-hole!!" with various expletives that i'm too ladylike to mention. Wonder if they've realised yet that sound travels in our terrace and they've likely offended us all???? Odd folks some eh?

It's only occasionally that I get outraged by prices here - remember my £1.70something loaf of bread??? muttered about that for weeks!!

Well back to work tomorrow after a lovely week off - I love my job but would love to be able to stay at home again.

Enjoy your week, WCS

GreyQueen

Ginny, when a certain discount supermarket advertised on TV, Mum insisted on correcting my pronounciation to LEEEE-dle. As I don't have a gogglebox, y'see, so I knew no better.

I told her if they want to set up shop-keeping in Provincial City, they can darn put up with being called Liddle, to rhyme with P*ddle, and that's what we say here.

Neighbours are quite amazing creatures, aren't they? So delightfully uninhibited. Sometimes I feel as if I've wandered onto the set of Jeremy Ky*e, it's so very colourful.

It's a shame I'm out for several hours each workday as I'm sure I miss plenty. And I'd catch more if I could understand Bengali and Polish, but not I'm sufficiently fussed to learn another language. Heck, I already speak English, schoolgirl French and can freely converse in both Gibberish and B*ll**t and that's enough accomplishments for one lady.

And I've embroidered antimacassars for my Nan back in the day. She still has them, y'know. If only I could master the pianoforte and look winsome in a bonnet and entrap my very own Mr Darcy..........:p

nuatha

Wyre wrote: »

I do have a question for folks - where would one buy wellington boots that are actually suitable for walking up a hill in the snow? Does anyone have any reccomendations on makes etc? We live on a very steep hill, and not even the road is gritted let alone the path (although we do our bit for the neighbours and across the street). This year I would like to be able to leave the house without worrying that I am going to end up at the bottom of the hill in the busy main road! Thanks in advance!

I wouldn't buy wellies for this. My preference would be walking boots and a pair of gaiters. Although gaiters won't be waterproof to knee level (I miss the old yeti rand gaiters which were) they will keep your feet dry in snow

Its quite a few years since I've seen wellies with decent soles (the vibram type) round these parts and I've heard quite a few complaints that modern wellies "just don't last"

HTH

katep23

MrsLurcherwalker wrote: »

HOLLYBERRY we had a trip to Mak*o with a friend last week and they had an offer on 40 rolls of Vel*et Loo Rolls for £7.99 so we got two packs and we only had two 36 roll packs in store and I was feeling a little gap on the shelves, all fine now though!!! Lyn xxx.

How random, we were talking about Makro earlier and saying we must get membership whilst OH's company is still going. Costco is great but on offer their velvet loo rolls are £10.78 for 40 which I thought was a good price until I saw this

OH has just told me I'm obsessed :rotfl:

westcoastscot

GQ our newbies are quite entertaining, we're not used to it here (except at work of course) but I do worry about the language in front of the little ones. It's still quite traditional here - guys don't swear in front of women, and women just don't by and large - although that's changing with the younger ones (strains of "when I was a lad" I know!!) - ooh which reminds me - wonder if monty python will ressurect the hole in the road sketch????

I know we haven't met, but I just cannot picture you looking winsome in a bonnet - did you not say you're near 6 ft??? I don't think you can look winsome and downwards at the same time!! Reminds me that I had some photos taken at a conference recently and they sent them to me for approval - hadn't realised how old I look now! Rarely look in a mirror since my face and hair are where they've always been and I can find them by myself now :rotfl:
WCS

edited to add: meant to say I agree with Nuatha - boots and gaitors for grip and waterproofness - wellies are rubbish these days grip-wise. Nuatha hope you and your missus are well - first married christmas eh? any special plans??

Pollyjuice

Thank you so much for your warm welcome.

Just thought I'd let you know that as I read this thread I started to copy and paste all the good ideas/tips and recipies. I have now got 60 pages of A4 to re-read and organise. Found a few of the links are no longer available.

We have a multi fuel stove which we had installed about 5 years ago. I would recommend anyone to do this. We chose one with a back boiler and so heats the hot water tank when lit. During the colder months we usually light it when I get home from work and we regularly have jacket potatoes, but you have to remember to turn them occasionally during the cooking as they can burn quickly. The first time I did this they came out like coal nuggets, lol. We just wrap them in foil and bung them in the stove. We chose a flat top stove so we could keep a kettle on top which we use for drinks and cooking. We have also tried cooking on it but find it's best to heat the food on the gas hob then let if simmer on the stove. I'm continually trying to find new ideas to use my stove. Currently stove is surrounded by 3 dogs and 2 cats. On cold nights like tonight it's a fight to get near the stove!

I have learnt so much since I found you lot. It like coming home to a warm house and comfy slippers. Big Smile (can't work out how to put smiley faces on yet, this is the first forum I have ever been on.)