Preparedness for when

GreyQueen

Rosemary_Jane wrote: »

Those who enjoyed 'On the Beach' might well enjoy 'In the Wet', another of his books, where he describes Britian as he imagines it in the future (to him), (these books were written in the 50s).

A very typical Shute book, he tells about the rationing and the time when everyone lost all their money, how emigration led to vast numbers of empty houses, and the Ministry had to nationalise them and took the roofs off to try and maintain the value of the others; how everyone moved gradually closer to the centres of the towns to the empty properties.
R

This isn't dissimilar to what is happening in some very large American cities which have lost substantial population due to industrial decline. You might like to look at this article for starters: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/jul/11/detroit-urban-renewal-city-farms-paul-harris

I've read several more since. Once-huge cities are contracting inwards and people are even farming inside them.

MrsLurcherwalker wrote: »

Interesting suggestion that the H7N9 flu virus (although it is not showing up in animals tested) might be linked to thousands of dead pigs found floating in a river close to Shanghai in the last month. I cannot remember any mention of this on our news programmes in the last month, anyone else picked up on it?

I read about it, prolly on Guardian online. And before the pigs I think there was a myterious mass floating kill of something else; ducks/ chickens?

pineapple wrote: »

I always used to think of the Triiffids when I saw the road sign ' Plant crossing' :rotfl:

I do that too!

Well, have been a busy little bee after w*rk today, scouring the charity shops for preptastic matters and am well-pleased with the day; 2 huge pillar candles at 50p each, a bag of cotton wool balls for 50p (add vaseline and call them firestarters), a handsome hardcover on herbs for 50p and another books of tips and wrinkles, from whence I share this gem:

When opening a shallow tin such as tuna or salmon, leave about a quarter of the lid still attached, remove fish and consume, then wash and dry can carefully with lid still semi-attached. You can stand a short stubby candle in the tin and the raised lid functions as a reflector, magnifying the light back to you.

You could also (my variation) actually make a candle inside such a tin, bend the lid down and secure with a laccy band and have a travelling candle. Hours of fun for all the family.........

Well, off to have a wander around the rest of the interwebulator; see you in a wee whiley.

Butterfly_Brain

mardatha wrote: »

He could scare people into fleeing with his hairstyle alone, he doesn't need missiles.
I love John Wyndham, have all his books and also the Dr.Palfrey ones - I forget who wrote them.

John Creasy, he wrote the Gideon of Scotland Yard books as well

grandma247

Does anyone else find this chilling? You need to read it right to the end. It asks what would happen if you disagreed with their ideas. Ask people in ru$$ia and chin@ what happens when they disagree with anything. They are forcibly "re-educated"

pineapple

grandma247 wrote: »

Does anyone else find this chilling? You need to read it right to the end. It asks what would happen if you disagreed with their ideas. Ask people in ru$$ia and chin@ what happens when they disagree with anything. They are forcibly "re-educated"

Anything with the tag 'global' has me worried. All these initiatives are like a jigsaw being completed. Get one piece in, it's easier to put in the next piece. And suddenly you are a couple of pieces away from completion. By the time you see the big picture..... It's the old boiling frog analogy.
Don't get me wrong. The ultimate ideal is for humanity to recognise it's 'oneness' and abandon borders and nationalism.
But in practice no one can guarantee that a single entity would be always be altruistic or have our best interests at heart. And there is nowhere to run to when there is just one player in town.

BessieBooBoo

Hello all (waves to newbies)

PV - interesting scenario on the 3 things. I'd take:

1. Fishing hook and line (could improvise a pole)
2. Bivvi bag (not sure of weight, for warmth at night, can fold and conceal)
3. Condom - water carrier, which I could support with a sock I was wearing.

Hoping that I don't need minimum kit. Could replace hook & line with credit card tool.

BBB

BessieBooBoo

pineapple wrote: »

Anything with the tag 'global' has me worried. All these initiatives are like a jigsaw being completed. Get one piece in, it's easier to put in the next piece. And suddenly you are a couple of pieces away from completion. By the time you see the big picture..... It's the old boiling frog analogy.
Don't get me wrong. The ultimate ideal is for humanity to recognise it's 'oneness' and abandon borders and nationalism.
But in practice no one can guarantee that a single entity would be always be altruistic or have our best interests at heart. And there is nowhere to go to when there is just one player on the block.

Hello Pineapple

I agree.

I think back to English Colonialists who felt they were 'educating' or 'bettering' the natives whilst in reality invading, pillaging resources, and forcing their culture onto them, 'for their own good'....

Justifying it along the way with incorporating 'Values', 'Morality', 'Christianity', and westernised ways... Look at what happened by those examples in history where one country sought to build an Empire, considering itself to be right/eous. Might is right and all that.

I know this example sounds extreme, but, EFA seems to be saying their way should be adopted above all others.

Same motivations, different tactics. Or different people, same $h1t.

But maybe I'm just paranoid.

BBB

BessieBooBoo

MrsLurcherwalker wrote: »

If you haven't read it 'On The Beach' by Neville Shute is the ultimate disaster read but be prepared to get emotional.

Hello Mrs LW (wave's Bessie's paw at her and Docky)

Thank you.

It's on the list now....:)

BBB

BessieBooBoo

Rosemary_Jane wrote: »

Those who enjoyed 'On the Beach' might well enjoy 'In the Wet', another of his books, where he describes Britian as he imagines it in the future (to him), (these books were written in the 50s).

A very typical Shute book, he tells about the rationing and the time when everyone lost all their money, how emigration led to vast numbers of empty houses, and the Ministry had to nationalise them and took the roofs off to try and maintain the value of the others; how everyone moved gradually closer to the centres of the towns to the empty properties.

A really good read.

Another great author for those who enjoy reading books written so long ago is John Wyndham. Especially 'The Kraken Wakes' - where the aliens raise the sealevel, and how it alters the climate and the starving hordes migrating to higher ground.
'Day of the Triffids' is good too, about how the risks of infection from the bodies affect collecting supplies, and the isolation of living under seige from the triffids.

R

Hello RJ

Thanks for that, on the list too!

Have to start reading some of it before it gets much longer...:D

BBB

BessieBooBoo

GreyQueen wrote: »

When opening a shallow tin such as tuna or salmon, leave about a quarter of the lid still attached, remove fish and consume, then wash and dry can carefully with lid still semi-attached. You can stand a short stubby candle in the tin and the raised lid functions as a reflector, magnifying the light back to you.

You could also (my variation) actually make a candle inside such a tin, bend the lid down and secure with a laccy band and have a travelling candle. Hours of fun for all the family.........

Well, off to have a wander around the rest of the interwebulator; see you in a wee whiley.

Hello GQ

I do enjoy your posts. Love that idea for a tinned candle or three. A bit safer as well for a naked flame, as long as DDog doesn't decide to go for it thinking there is still tuna in it....

I will have to bleach it first!

BBB

dandy-candy

If we turn on the news and find North Korea has launched it's missile and kicked off a war, how will the UK public react?
Whenever there's talk of a petrol strike the queues form at the pumps and they run dry.
Mention of severe weather and the supermarket shelves empty.
War? That is something far bigger. Even though its not on our doorstep, the public will surely panic! What do you think will sell out fast - regardless whether or not its necessary? People fearing shortages seem to end up creating them!