Preparing for winter IV

GerryRose

I just thought I'd mention, whilst everyone is packing away their summer things, there's an article from the British weather service on what's happened to our summer which is quite good, just Google it.
Fingers crossed, we can have a late summer!

kboss2010

Got my second pair of heavy, fully lined 90" x 90" curtains from a charity shop for £10

Next step - de-mould outside-facing walls! The minute I can live in a property where I'm not constantly cold and facing mould problems I'm having a party! Not once in the 8 years I've been renting have I been able to find a place that I can afford that doesn't have damp, heating and mould problems. I'm so tired of dealing with crummy cheapskate landlords and their property issues!

Toomuchdebt

I found this thread 3 days ago and I've just now got to the last reply...It's been really really informative.I'm quite embarrassed to say I've never done any kind of winter prep and I'm 43 and have 6 kids LOL
I also am still paying off last winter's gas bill. So I now have a better idea of what I can do to stay warm and reduce heating bills.I live in 3 storey house and the top floor is cosy in winter even without heating so I think hot water bottles there will be enough.The middle floor needs some heating, especially the bathroom. The bottom floor is weird-the kitchen is always toasty warm, as is the hall.The living room is freezing!I think it's because it has 2 sets of patio doors(leading onto the same small garden-right next to each other) and a half bay window. The windows in this place are HUGE! Mostly floor to ceiling ones so all I have is thin curtains as there isn't any place to put proper curtain poles to support heavy curtains.I think I might be bubble wrapping some of them.
I've always been the type of person to just wear t-shirts and put the heat on but that's got to change this year-I simply can't afford it.

[Deleted User]

Even national grid has a plan A
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/energy/11070173/Emergency-measures-to-prevent-blackouts-this-winter-as-power-crunch-worsens.html

but what is plan B, ah that is a secret but no doubt that they have one ie rolling powercuts. We need to be on our toes in case we have another very hard winter.

National grid status, quite interesting as it does update. Will be especially interesting during cold weather
http://www.gridwatch.templar.co.uk/

BritishBibliophile

Took my coats to the dry cleaners after work, I can pick them up on Saturday afternoon, so that's one more thing crossed off!

New duvet is now on my bed after covering it in Febreeze to get rid of the manky feather smell. It appears I may not need it though as it week is due to warm up, especially Friday!

nannygladys

Toomuchdebt - I have backed the curtains of my biggest Windows with fleece for the winter months using safety pins to hold them in place. They don't weigh very much at all.

Nannyg

Toomuchdebt

Yep I have fleece on the shopping list of things I need.My shopping list is as follows
hot water bottles x6
blankets
new warm pj's x6
winter boots-need to check whose fit still
wellies-as above
coat for me
feather duvet(mum will bring one from Poland when she goes in October)
toilet paper
washing powder
dog food dry and wet(aiming to have 3 months supply)
cat food dry and wet(as above)
cat litter 2 sacks
hamster bedding 1 huge sack
toothpaste
shampoo
soap
de-icer
antifreeze
sugar
porridge oats
dried milk
baked beans
jam
peanut butter
batteries
candles
torch
hot chocolate

That's all I can think of so far

Things to do-
hang curtains on second patio door
line curtains in living room with fleece
line balcony curtain with fleece
bubblewrap on any windows that are draughty
hang curtain on small window in kitchen( I have a huge bay window in the kitchen but luckily the heavy curtains from the old house fitted perfectly)

If I've missed anything obvious please tell me-never done this before lol

Mimi_Arc_en_ciel

Hi everyone! been away so sorry for late replies!


Good news though - we may have central heating before the move!!


So far:
Bought fleece pyjamas
Fleece blankets
Defrosted the freezer
Bought thermal undersheets for LO's beds
Bought the girls some of the "microwave teddies" (Don't like them having hot water bottles)
Got myself a hot water bottle (Also have leccy blanket)
everyone has thermal socks


Duvets... wondering whether to put mine in washer but it is old and not very plump.... or do I buy a wool one instead Will I need 2 duvets (Summer / winter) if I buy a woollen one?


EDIT - Best place to buy a quilt?!

pollys

Hi

I bought our wool duvet from the wool room it's an all season one, part of a bedset. It was on offer at the time. So far we are loving it. At first we thought it felt a bit thin but it's an excellent weight. Delivery was super quick, you do need to sign for it on delivery.

DH has jet washed the path today, it can get a bit green and slippery. It feels much warmer this week the temperature in the house is 21c. I'm wearing short sleeved cotton tops again.

Happy prepping.

Polly

dandy-candy

Item on sky news this morning saying the two nuclear power plant which shut in August for 8 weeks of repairs might not be ready until the end of December, so there might be problems if it's a very cold winter! I'm going to buy the kids some proper winter pjs and extra vests.