Preparedness for when

mardatha

The back road here has no radio/phone signal at all for 15 miles. Not even BBC radio stations, nothing.

Frugalsod

I have discovered this little trick to hide those sweets that some might want to save for a SHTF situation. I think this might work for jelly babies.

ivyleaf

That's brilliant, Frugalsod :rotfl:

[Deleted User]

MAR would find 'em in a jiffy, she has a nose for jelly babies, even in the freezer!!! bit like a truffle hound but tuned to jelly babies!

GreyQueen

:question: I have some recollection that our fellow forumite elona is in Tadcaster? Or was I misremebering that?

Hoping all is as well as it can be with those in the affected areas.

ivyleaf

elona is in Tadcaster GQ, but she posted on the daily thread a couple of days ago , saying she was fine as she's on a hill. I hope the bungalow she's hoping to buy is as well!

Frugalsod

MrsLurcherwalker wrote: »

MAR would find 'em in a jiffy, she has a nose for jelly babies, even in the freezer!!! bit like a truffle hound but tuned to jelly babies!

Yes but she would be able to find them, home invaders may not be so talented at searching and discovering her stash of jelly babies. She only has to hide them from jelly baby snatchers for a short period of time. Burglars would probably try to get out very rapidly.

elona

I posted on the daily os thread about the bridge being closed to cars and pedestrians. This morning a trip that should have taken half an hour took two and a half hours using a shuttle bus to bypass the bridge. I managed to get my prescription from the medical centre even though it had been flooded then got it made up from the chemist at the other end of the bridge. I also returned two parcels for DDs to the post office and faced the long trip home.

Local biggish supermarket is flooded and closed for a few weeks so I popped onto the other much smaller one and got a few bits and bobs. Fortunately I have stuff in freezer and cupboards as well and dd will drive me for more at the weekend.

Three dds phoned me saying what has happened with the bridge collapsing and was I all right. Just after posting on the daily thread the lights went out.

I used the light from the laptop to find my way to the circuit boards and they seemed all right so I looked outside and all the neighbours houses were dark so looked like a power cut.

Got upstairs to my bedroom and got changed and found a lantern/torch that worked . Also looked out tealights and safety matches but the matches would not light. Note - get ordinary matches. The phones did not work - note look out the landline old fashioned phone and plug it in,

When power came back on a half hour or so later DD and sil said they had heard we were being evacuated so were coming to collect me and take me to their spare room so I did not have to spend the night in the grammar school.

They were a little disconcerted when they arrived to be offered a hot drink etc and me being quite calm. They went out to find out what areas were being evacuated and discovered I should be outside that zone and safe. I offered them a home made frozen meal to take home which seemed to startle them as they were in rescue mode bless them.

I did discover that due to possible fractured gas pipes that the gas hob and oven did not work but I do have a microwave and a remoska/ Strange that I always though it would be the electricity that would be the main problem.

I will look out the old landline phone tomorrow and get a few more boxes of matches etc.

Should be interesting if I move house at the end of January as the bridge will still be out and the bungalow I am interested in is at the other side. EA selling the house I like is flooded and solicitor is also flooded!!! Oh Joy!

At least I am safe and warm and have food etc and feel dreadful for those being evacuated.

GreyQueen

:T Very glad to hear that you're well and snug at home, elona. I read something on a newspaper website about there being a smell of gas down by the broken bridge, they thought there were fractured gas pipes involved there. Perhaps they've turned off the mains whilst effecting a repair?

Just goes to show the importance of versatile domestic set-ups.

Heading off to bed, very thankful that I have a warm, dry home. Keep safe, lovely peeps. GQ xx

Frugalsod

GreyQueen wrote: »

Just goes to show the importance of versatile domestic set-ups.

Yes it gives you more scope to adapt. Last year I had no major alternatives to mains energy, this year I have a solar kettles, two Kelly kettles and a small gas stove and camping pots to cook with. Next year I will be getting a solar oven, that is already ordered, and am looking at a dual hob camping gas stove. So will be pretty well set.

For lighting I have a few quality rechargeable torches and lanterns as well. Next stage is to get a solar pack to recharge the batteries from for long term SHTF. I also have a large number of candles as well.

Heating I have 5 designer tea light heaters and hundreds of tea lights so really have several years supplies of fuel for them.

Overall I am prepared far better than I was last year and things are still being added. It takes time and people need to work out what their needs are, and where they may be lacking. Not impossible and does not have to be expensive.