Preparing for winter IV

DebtFree2012

Great list pigpen! Thank you for the inspiration.

We're going to start stocking up on coal and need more wood for the winter. Also we have a blind to put up before the colder nights and I'd like to see about getting a curtain over the back door as I really need to keep the gas bill down.

mac2008

Don't usually post here, but thought some of you might be interested in these:

http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/universal-ice-and-snow-shoes-for-shoe-size-4-7-n45kf

Other sizes available too. Never worth £20, but not bad for £2!

[Deleted User]

I'm going to be looking for warmer curtains for all the bedrooms this year in the sales, preferably with blackout thermal linings. We've replaced an old curtain rail in our bedroom with a pole and rings from the lounge and hopefully that will let me hang a heavier set of curtains than I'm able to do at the moment. I'm also on the look out for a couple of heavy throws to go on top of the duvets when it's really cold, again in the sales or boot fairs/charity shops.

For myself I'm looking for a pair of waterproof flat shoes for walking the lurcher in the damp weather, without success so far I have to say, but I'll keep my eyes open as all I have at them moment is walking boots which are not really needed in the wet or a pair of mountain approach shoes which are giving up the ghost!!!

fuddle

I'm planning on using up all my summer tops as vests until they give up the ghost and then invest in thermal vests. I have long sleeve thermals but they are no good for under my work tunic.

Speaking of which I will need a cardigan for work. I would like 100% wool and know that will be expensive so will investigate whether I should knit one myself... at the risk of the younger carers giving me a ribbing! (pun intended but only as I typed it )

suzybloo

Anyone looking for blankets, the one kittie mentioned has a £10 off pop up come up when you visit the site, makes it an even better price!

Fruball

I find that men's vest tops are better to use as underclothes as they tend to be longer so you don't get a breezy gap on your back.

Primarni's ones are perfect for that purpose

alice-mary

Hi Peeps,
Having checked the balance on my account for coal and logs (I pay monthly by DD), I was able today to place an order for enough of each to last through ALL of next winter, AT THE REDUCED SUMMER PRICES :j and still not have to pay another penny!
It will be delivered at some point in the next 3 weeks and means that for once I am ahead of the game in this respect! I just need to collect a couple of sacks of twigs for the kindling and I will be warm and toasty!

Keep prepping and posting everyone, all the tips help!

Alice
xx

Rummer

This thread always makes me smile, I love to get organised for winter

As the last winter was not too bad we are reasonably well prepared so there is not much to organise other than:

• Update car kit
• Top up medical kit
• Extra prescription items
• Fill up food cupboards
• Additional pet food and baby milk

My winter boots are not in great condition and if they can't be re-heeled then they will need to be replaced which will be expensive I have been crafting loads recently so we will have plenty of scarfs, shawls, quilts and blankets to keep us snuggly warm.

One thing that I have been considering is getting a cat flap fitted on the kitchen door as they currently use a pantry window and it makes the downstairs very cold. The cost though I am imagining will be really high to fit the cat flap and seal up the window. Hmmm decisions to be made.

moments_of_sanity

I have a question which I hope you don't mind me asking. How do you stop the house from getting damp and mildewie? I had terrible problems last winter with the damp, even if I opened the windows for a couple of hours it didn't make any difference.

I found items in the wardrobe that had mould on them including shirts, tops and shoes. How do you all prevent this from happening?

I do like our room to sit at about 10-12 degrees

hoglet121

moments_of_sanity wrote: »

I have a question which I hope you don't mind me asking. How do you stop the house from getting damp and mildewie? I had terrible problems last winter with the damp, even if I opened the windows for a couple of hours it didn't make any difference.

I use damp absorbing crystals in the wardrobe and bedrooms and whilst they don't get rid of all the damp they do certainly help protect clothes. I'm not sure what brands would be available in the UK but here in NZ we buy a brand called Damp Rid, and they have ones especially for hanging in wardrobes. The amount of water they collect is staggering.

We also run a small dehumidifier at night. I know this isn't the most MSE approach, but it does a good job of keeping on top of the damp in our bedroom at least. We have struggled on in the damp in the past and wound up with lots of coughs and colds. We are fortunate that we are able to afford the small increase in our electricity bill, I know this isn't an option for everyone.