Preparedness for when

ginnyknit

We have battened down the hatches here as I have a bug and Oh is out of sorts too. Candle lit in storm lantern to bring the temp up in the living room where Hubby is ensconced in many layers of clothes. I have several casseroles and cooked meat in the freezer for emergencies and ease of cooking. Wind up lanterns spread round the house after the other nights power cuts. Still haven't found out what it was all about. Hot water bottles will be going in beds early along with my achy body armed with tissues and a notebook.

Have a big pan of porridge cooking on low ready for weekend breakfasts. I havent got a non stick pan yet and so hate cleaning the pan out everyday that I decided doing a big pot would work. As the porridge is just oats and water I think it will be ok in the fridge for a couple of days -seems to work anyway. Just popped some rice and powdered milk in the sc for a big pud too. As I am the lurgy seems to be stopping me from standing over the cooker I thought I would get the weekend sorted tonight and do everything at once.

The things going on in Cyprus are criminal, my heart goes out for the people, there must be a lot of people going without food and warmth. It also sharpens our prepping up as it could so easily be us. I seem to have a good larder of foods to keep us going but not much in the meat line but I have beans of many colours so we will be fine.

pineapple

The latest is that the tax is back on the table for higher depositors - possibly 15%. :eek:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2013/mar/22/eurozone-crisis-cyprus-bailout-russia-vote
This presumably would p* off Russia as well as wealthier retirees, business people etc. Plus I can't imagine any sort of deal without capital controls. Because otherwise there will be a run on the banks. It's one big mess.
Throughout all this it sounds as though the EU has been saying, 'it's our way or the highway'. I wish Cyprus would 'do an Iceland' but think that ultimately they will knuckle down. The former would involve terrible pain in the shorter term but the alternative is to be forever under the yoke.
We'll see. I don't think either the Cyprus government or the EU have come out of this well. As ever it's the ordinary people who will suffer.

pineapple

thriftwizard wrote: »

It's all very odd, this gas business; last night & tonight we haven't had enough pressure to operate the two smaller rings on my hob. They won't light, there's nothing coming through. Aha, we thought, when we heard about the 3rd pipeline being "down" BUT on reflection, that doesn't explain the fact that this has been happening on & off for weeks now;

Several households in our little community had similar problems for two successive winters. Eventually the gas suppliers traced the problem to water getting into the gas supply pipe. The second year we reported it they said they thought it had been fixed! So finally they sent men and diggers and were here for months replacing all the external pipework. After they had finished a lorry turned up. The driver asked me for directions saying they were here to do the job. Should have seen his face when I told him it was done. You couldn't make it up.... :rotfl:

suzybloo

I read this thread constantly but never post often, And everything that is happening at the moment is just making more sense to be more prepared and aware of what's going on. Between the bad weather, the gas supply from Belgium being switched off, and yesterday's warning also from the Scottish and southern energy chairman saying that we could run out of electricity in the next few years, and rolling power cuts may make a comeback along with the cost of living increasing, the more prepping we do can only be a good thing. Cash is something I don't keep, but possibly now that might change as treading 2T's post we would be up the creek without a paddle if the banks closed suddenly here. Stay safe, warm and positive, a strong community with much experience to share in here will be a god send to many :-)

pineapple

westcoastscot wrote: »

- it's a bit tight with the stove doors open and pans etc on the hearth - shall look out for a suitable bit of stone.
WCS

Are you OK operating the stove with it's doors open? Some models say specifically not to. I used to do that with mine till I got a carbon monoxide detector and discovered the carbon monoxide levels in the room. Then I read the instruction manual properly.... :eek:

mardatha

Staying warm in this lot is impossible - unless you go to bed and set the blanket to "sizzle". We've got hellish weather - terrible winds and blowing snow, like a sandstorm and it hasn't let up all day. God please let me die and wake up in Arizona..

alltrustgone

pineapple wrote: »

Meanwhile - for those who can get Sky HD (which I can't), Revolution is due to start on 29th March. It's about post apocalyptic USA after the lights go out.
Great depressing stuff!
http://sky1.sky.com/sky1hd-shows/revolution

According to the programme guide it's also on plain old Sky1, 9pm 29th March if that's available to you.

westcoastscot

pineapple wrote: »

Are you OK operating the stove with it's doors open? Some models say specifically not to. I used to do that with mine till I got a carbon monoxide detector and discovered the carbon monoxide levels in the room. Then I read the instruction manual properly.... :eek:

Hi Pineapple thanks for your concern - yes we're fine, ours is a multi-fuel stove and we mostly burn wood when we're cooking. I have a carbon monoxide detector and take every precaution, however I think our house is so "well ventilated" i'd be surprised if it ever went off! I think you have to be very careful when burning anthracite.

GreyQueen

mardatha wrote: »

Staying warm in this lot is impossible - unless you go to bed and set the blanket to "sizzle". We've got hellish weather - terrible winds and blowing snow, like a sandstorm and it hasn't let up all day. God please let me die and wake up in Arizona..

Yer wouldnae like it Mar; too hot and Phoenix is the kidnap capital of America. Imagine what would happen if someone snatched you off the street and the RV wouldn't ransom you back?:rotfl:

It's blowing a hoolie down sarf too, don't know where that wind is coming from but it seems like Siberia to me. Seriously wondering what I'll see when I wake up tomorrow.

Have checked in with SuperGran but she's ahead of me there and had been to the supermarche and stocked up her library books so she's toasty warm. Have told her if she wants for aught she's just to ask; I've probably got it - in triplicate.

Blimming heck, I've just been doorknocked by a chugger! And I wrapped a call to Mum in a hurry to be disturbed by him. NSPCC. I dunno, there's always someone after yer money, isn't there?

Right. wandering off to attend to the Dark Arts of Domesticity(the washing up is such a boring thing to be doing, isn't it?) And I shall boil some eggs. You know where you are with a dish of boiled eggs ready in the fridge.*

Laters, GQ xx

* Constipated, probably.

Cheapskate

Evening peeps, it's STILL snowing here, been fine stuff but all day, and the wind's absolutely biting now! Everything's locked down, old towels stopping the draughts at external doors, curtains tucked down behind radiators, etc. Supposed to get colder tonight and the easterly will pick up. Going for a bath when the littlies in bed, then fleeces and HWB in bed later. Hoping I can drive to SM tomorrow, despite a mini stock up yesterday, there are things we're running short on and, after today's posts, I lust after couscous and "potato perls"! :rotfl: If not, I've a bit of cash and could wade up to the village for a couple of things. May put out a note for extra from the milkman.

If I do get to the SM, I'm drawing some more cash from the ATM, just in case, you understand! :eek: I'm so sickened for the ordinary folks on Cyprus, it's hard enough already without the risk of losing big chunks of their hard-earned.

I remember the power shortages in the 70s and fully expect them to make a comeback sooner rather than later. Up until recently, you could buy hurricane lamps, old candlesticks, etc., in our CS, but I've not seen any for ages - think there must be some MSE-type people in my town after all!

A xo