Preparing for winter IV

2tonsils

Just got this forecast for us...we were saying yesterday we can feel a change coming in the weather...

Wet and wintry conditions to set in Thursday


The unseasonably good weather of the past few weeks is set to deteriorate radically from Thursday with heavy rain, thunderstorms, strong winds and a sharp drop in temperatures forecast for many parts of the country and even a chance of snow in mountainous parts.

The change in weather started on Wednesday night in northern Greece, with rain in parts of the capital, and spread southward with the islands of the Aegean set to be affected on Thursday.


I think the electric blanket is going back on the bed tomorrow!

mineallmine

Three layers on

Extra pet food bought in so we have a stock of it now.

nicki_2

I bought a new letterbox draft excluder today. Someone pushing a takeaway menu or charity bag through the other week SNAPPED mine :mad: How they managed it I don't know, but I wasn't able to reattach the flap so had to buy new. Just the brushes is letting through a lot of draft through.

Also managed to get the rusty padlocks off my backgate today using a junior hacksaw. Snapped the blade (so bought more while I was in the DIY shop) but replaced the padlocks with weather proof ones I went to open the back gate and found its jammed shut some how. :mad: I think its expanded, so I went out and round into the alleyway to try shouldering it and the whole gate bent :eek: Decided to leave it for now and try again when we've had a few dry days in a row. I need it to open as I have a huge pile of rubbish I want to hire a skip for which can't be carried through the house and I have fencing around the top of the 7ft+ walls (the yard slopes away from the house) so can't even chuck it over the wall to get it out.

Next thing is to get a few bits I need for decorating and get on with those jobs with my friends help

MarilynMonroe_2

unixgirluk wrote: »

We did let them know and they were quite interested as the person is supposedly 'a reformed character' and they'd heard a few murmurings regarding them. Someone's had a quiet word with him, and as in our street we take in each others parcels it was pointed out to him that for him to suddenly open the garage door and disappear in there for a few minutes isn't on. We were advised by the police that these 'courier' companies can take on anyone regardless of their past. I won't be using that company again, I've also advised the seller I got the item from what happened and I've sent a letter to the courier head office as their attitude stank.

I'm shocked they were interested as no crime was commited really. Or if that is a crime then delivery guys/gals across the land are commiting crimes, same as postmen.
I also find it hard to believe they told you he was a reformed character, inferring he had a criminal record.
He was only doing his job at the end of the day and never stole anything and left you your item.

Sorry to sound harsh, but I just find this hard to believe, and if i were the delivery guy I'd be having words with the police myself about what they are telling strangers about him.

twiglet98

I wonder if anyone has a great idea for blocking the draught through the front door keyhole when the door furniture isn't the right metal for a fridge magnet? I thought about Blutak but worry it would clog up the keyhole, it's already hard to unlock the door as it's swollen from the rain.. Maybe sticking a flap of bubble wrap or similar above it would work?

I have taped a cushion cover above the inside of the letterbox, it has a cheap brush-type draught excluder from Wilkinsons and although it's better than nothing, a fair bit of cold air still gets through.

Also got a wonderful heavy, lined door curtain last weekend, in yellow cotton sateen which will work better at the front door than the floral print there at present - the door and window curtains are different Sanderson prints, both cheap from charity shops, but the print at the window has a lot of the same shade of yellow as the 'new' curtain. It was just £3 in a recently opened charity shop, along with two perfect double flannellette sheets for £1.50 each. Both my grown-up DDs refuse to use clothes or bedlinen from a CS but I point out that neither hotels nor hospitals provide new bedding for every occupant of their beds, they just wash it between guests. These sheets went straight into a hot wash and are as new, spotless, and so WARM! Along with a gorgeous toffee colour thick fleecy blanket by Dunelm Mill, from yet another CS, my bed is now blissfully cosy for less than £5. My 13.5 tog duvet was from Sainsbugs a couple of years ago, paid for with Nectar points, and it won't need replacing for a while, and my DD treated me to a lovely white cotton duvet set from John Lewis last year. The cats like my bed too, three of them are sharing the hot water bottles at each end of the bed!

MarilynMonroe_2

You could just blu tak a bit of cardboard over, making sure you dont get any blu tak in the hole x

mineallmine

With the keyhole - could you replace that bit of metal/cover of the lock? With something like this - there's probably different shape ones you could buy around a fiver http://www.homebase.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?langId=110&storeId=10151&partNumber=312236

I found other supplies on a google search too. I know it's a couple of quid but a good investment. http://www.handles4doors.co.uk/ironmongery_door_fittings/keyhole_covers_escutcheons
http://www.blackcountrymetalworks.co.uk/Escutcheons.htm

Have you got a weighty door curtain in place too?

hummingfridge

I don't want a tumble drier and have managed okay without one so far. I give everything an extra spin after the wash cycle ends, which means it comes out of the washing machine a little less wet. I have stopped buying fabric conditioner and use white vinegar.
I find that having the dehumidifier on also helps to dry the washing.

Weatherwise I have started looking at Netweather but whatever Kittie is allowed to post is always welcome!

bajangal

twiglet98 wrote: »

Both my grown-up DDs refuse to use clothes or bedlinen from a CS!

Do your DDs wash all the clothing that they buy from shops. You could also enlighten them that when they buy clothes from a shop - that there are not always new. Quite a few people may have tried on the tops, skirts, shoes etc that they bought. Not to mention items returned to store and put back on racks for sale. Your CS items are cleaner - because you have washed them before use.

MarilynMonroe_2

My ex neighbours kids would have been mortified had they known all the stuff the got was from charity shops. Their mam just used to sneak stuff intheir wardrobes and say nothing!
I used to stand a few doors down from charity shops when my mam used to go in when I was a teenager LOL, funny cos I am there all the time these days!

* Anyhoo have made a bit progress on the front garden. Had to borrow a broom but gave it a good sweep. Have got a bit of moss to go and scrape off the wall and ground - a few bits to get taken to the tip - trim a bit of th ehedge, few stragglers, get weeding and a general tidy up.

Its not as cold today and dry for a change!