Preparedness for when

the_cake

Update on the large police convoy I saw on Wednesday... apparently it was 'part of ongoing national emergency planning procedure testing' and was 'carried out in accordance with the Civil Contingencies Act'. So that's OK then, isn't it?! (anxious smiley)

[Deleted User]

I really, really wonder what or who was in that lorry???

the_cake

Me too .... if they had been going in the opposite direction I would have guessed it was a lorry load of slugs, heading for our garden! Seriously, it was a horrible sight, extremely sinister.

jk0

MrsLurcherwalker wrote: »

I really, really wonder what or who was in that lorry???

Fingers crossed, it was Blair & Campbell being taken to that secret terrorism trial we heard about last week.

[Deleted User]

Wouldn't even begin to hazard a guess but if it's something linked to civil defense and aiming at keeping the peace and the population safe in times of uncertainty it's got my vote every time!!!

ALIBOBSY

the_cake wrote: »

Thanks MrsLW - we also have loads of red ants, and I am SO tired of getting bitten by them every time I garden, I have just ordered a 5kg tub of diatomaceous earth. I have never used it before, so would love to hear from anyone who has. I figured it would do the slugs, ants, and as the cats are keen hunters might also tackle their inevitable worms and fleas too!

We have the big tub to use on the chickens and use it on the cats, its great for fleas, then they lick it off their fur and it seems to stop the worms-not seen any sign since we started using it. Never tried it for ants though, but touch wood, the chickens have stayed lice and mite free whilst using it as preventative, we sprinkle it around the coop when cleaning and over the bedding, plus the birds once or twice over the summer and we stick some in the dust bath we have for them. Fab stuff, thinking about it maybe something worth stocking up on as a prepping staple.

Ali x

lobbyludd

ALIBOBSY wrote: »

We have the big tub to use on the chickens and use it on the cats, its great for fleas, then they lick it off their fur and it seems to stop the worms-not seen any sign since we started using it. Never tried it for ants though, but touch wood, the chickens have stayed lice and mite free whilst using it as preventative, we sprinkle it around the coop when cleaning and over the bedding, plus the birds once or twice over the summer and we stick some in the dust bath we have for them. Fab stuff, thinking about it maybe something worth stocking up on as a prepping staple.

Ali x

I've never heard of diatomaceous (sp?) earth - but it sounds great, can you give more info?

and can I suggest for EOTWAWKI or even SCOMISFTWIBAT (slight changing of my immediate surroundings from that which I've become accustomed to) storing of the nitty-gritty comb, and as much proprietary lice or thread-worm-killer as you can lay your hands on. I have school age children - and am waging a constant (and barely successful) war against headlice and threadworm in an age of medicine, order and civil rest. Whilst neither of these infestations will directly kill you, they can make life bloody uncomfortable and deplete your personal reserves against serious infection.

Jazee

MrsLW - not pure wool but I've bought several teddy soft throws from dun-elm. They do lots of colours, are great as throws or bed covers, wash and dry really easily.

Lobbyludd, what a great tip about the nit comb.

elaine241

Hello all
I haven't posted for ages as real life has completely taken over!!!! I have invested in a flat to rent out as money in the bank made me nervous! I have been cleaning out and peeling 50 layers of wood chip plus other lovely layers for what seems like forever. This will be our second buy to let, the first one is going well so we took another risk.
RL also involves trying to sort the veg patch and fruit , adding to the poultry population and keeping our ewes and lambs healthy and maggot free, ewhhh! Oh and going to work !!.
My local "city" seems totally on a downward spiral, there are many closed shops and the "undesirables" seem to have trebled, you walk through town on the way to work and there are beggars,drunks and very dodgy individuals at every turn! I have taken to keeping my keys through my fingers ready to defend myself and carrying a penknife and small bodyspray ( stings like hell if it gets in your eyes!) Walking home I have to keep a sharp eye out for any potential trouble as people have been attacked in broad daylight in the town centre by people who are totally off their heads on something. At my office the manager had to remove a drugged and drunken woman( in her 50's ) from the foyer ,she then started hitting him and slapping his head. Being a gentleman he wouldn't hit her back but deflected her blows as best he could, I decided enough was enough and gave her my best left hook, the look on her face when she landed on her backside was priceless , she then started bleating about an assault!!!

Prepping wise I haven't been that busy although gathering preps seems part of everyday life rather than a special activity. I bought the SAS survival handbook in the CS along with many candles I have collected when spotted. I took advantage of an Aldi sale of end of lines etc and bought enough firelighters to last at least a year!! We are starting to split and stack logs ready for the winter, we have been given several tonnes of oak so are set for the winter once we have sorted them. I still light a fire most evenings as it heats our hot water.
We now have our gun cabinet secured and we are fully legal with licences etc, prior to this we shot on my FIL's licence not strictly legal.
I have continued to learn sewing and bought a hand sewing machine in one of local CS, apparently it is unusual and German made and has a beautiful sewing mechanism.
I have been downloading as many free ebooks I can find on useful topics plus post apocalyptic novels, zombie fests etc just cos I can!
Keeping up with this thread is hard enough! With new and old members popping
up. Its good to read how everyone is prepping in their own way. I still have three freezers full of YS deals, home produce and meat. My cupboards groan with tins and dry goods that could keep us for several months plus teabags and loo rolls of course! I have collected "useful " things and have them stashed throughout the house. I have also bought a shipping container that was converted to an on site office, the result is a fully lined and floored room with power and solid security doors and a window that can be totally covered and sealed with a metal cover. Essentially we have bought it to put saddlery and some tools in but it has another potential use .
Anyway I seem to have rambled on about nothing in particular! I'm still reading this thread even when RL threatens to take me away! Its good to see new and old members joining in the discussions, keep prepping!!!! Elaine

jk0

I'm pleased to hear I may have inspired you regarding the BTL's Elaine.

Can I make a suggestion if you are in a hard water area? I install a block salt water softener in all mine, and regularly deliver salt.

People are notoriously lazy about cleaning shower tiles. The hard water seals the dirt onto the grout, and often makes regrouting an easier option than trying to get the grout clean when you get the flat back.

A water softener mitigates this quite well, and also stops your combi boiler or immersion heater from getting scaled up.