Preparing for Winter V

fuddle

I haven't heard why elona but Asthma UK were running a scarf and warm air to breathe campaign last year and now do it as a precaution. It plays havoc with my glasses though - they fog up :cool: that's one problem in life I just can't find a solution for :rotfl:

mardatha

Kittie I think a chimney is a must, that's a priority in your new house. It's very flexible, you can use peat or logs or coal, according to the temp. And coal might be considered by some to be filthy but its helluva warm and cosy for heating a house. My £35 a week coal bill sounds high but that also gives me unlimited very hot water and dries washing overnight if left in the livingroom. Plus no damp or mould or condensation at all.
My layers consist only of a handknitted cardi in pure wool that hangs on the back of the kitchen door. The kitchen faces north and can be very cold until the cooker gets going. I've not been out much at all apart from the 5 minute walk to the Post Van.

GreyQueen

I agree with you about the glasses, fuddle, I have that problem with a scarf over my nose and mouth, too. Still do it, though, I once got a splitting headache right up my forehead and even onto my scalp (despite a hat and a scarf) on a walk on a cold day caused by the cold air going up the sinuses in my brow. Extremely painful and started within minutes of breathing the cold air.

It's always worth remembering that heavy exertion in cold weather is potentially fatal; in every really cold snap you'll read of someone having a fatal heart attack shovelling snow or similar. Treat yourself gently, allow extra time for walking commutes and consider if a journey is really necessary or can be postponed until a better day.

Re paying for coal, when we used to use if for heating, my parents would buy it during all months of the year as, if it was left to the winter quarter when it was being burned, there wouldn't be enough money in the pot to pay for it.

I'm blessed that my tiny and well-insulated flat, which is benefitting from the heat island effect of being in the centre of a city, is on a communal heating system covered by my service charge. Galling to be paying the same for heating in all months of the year, particularly those months where the temps are 20+ day and night, but it comes into its own now.

I know it's baltic because these past 48 hours are the first times in the past 10+ years that I've left the heating on overnight and needed it.

Hope everyone stays warm and well, we've no snow as yet, but there was some slushy sleet falling yestereve about 10.30 pm as I wended my way back from a gig two streets away.

We haven't has snow yet but I've put my yax-trax into my workbag in case some arrives when I'm at the office; city streets are well-trodden and can quickly turn into skating rinks. Keep warm and well, everyone.

Eenymeeny

Regarding glasses steaming up when breathing through a scarf, I find those fleece neck warmers work well. They are just a bit looser than a scarf and have an elastic pull cord to tighten if you really need it!
Just a simple reminder that men's dressing gowns are usually a lot thicker than ladies versions. I've 'borrowed' one of OH's spares during this cold weather and it really is a lot warmer. Handy to pop on as an extra layer during the day if you need it too

Nargleblast

fuddle wrote: »

I haven't heard why elona but Asthma UK were running a scarf and warm air to breathe campaign last year and now do it as a precaution. It plays havoc with my glasses though - they fog up :cool: that's one problem in life I just can't find a solution for :rotfl:

Treat yourself to some contact lenses, Fuddle, they don’t get misted up.

[Deleted User]

How on earth, are those of you with children, managing to get clothes washed and dried? In the days when we had five of us at home, I remember trying to get a bit of dry on the outside line and then having a massive clothes horse on the large landing. There was no-where else, I do remember that we did have a white knight tumbler drier but I didn`t use it so often because of the big bills. We lived in an energy money-pit house then and getting big bills was scary when we didn`t have much money to start with

Its relatively easy for me now as the master rad in the utility gets very hot when the stove is on and there is a humidity sensor ventilator in the ceiling but I still put washing on the line first for the freshness. I could have done with a utility room in the past. Still it isn`t like my mother, washing for 9, on the backyard lines and brought in, stiff as a board, then draped all over a pull up rack in our living room, the only room with a fire. No wonder we wore one dress the whole week and pinnies to keep clean

Primrose

Kittie, I remember those days when the clothes would freeze up like stiff scarecrows on the washing line. They would be brought in, hung over the clothes horse in front of the coal fire, when the moisture would drip out of them onto newspapers and condensation would steam off them. Any heat from the fire would be blocked out from the rest of the room and it was just miserable.

We are fortunate to have a main bathroom as well as our ensuite so I have a 2 Line rollaway TidyDry device over the bath as well as a radiator for draping the thicker damp clothes over. I just open a small window slightly for ventilation, close the door and leave stuff until it,s dried. I!d be lost without this facility but remember earlier days of married life in an upstairs flat with no central heating where getting laundry dry was a nightmare.

Wednesday2000

Eenymeeny wrote: »

Just a simple reminder that men's dressing gowns are usually a lot thicker than ladies versions. I've 'borrowed' one of OH's spares during this cold weather and it really is a lot warmer. Handy to pop on as an extra layer during the day if you need it too

Yes, they are much better. I bought a super soft men's (extra large) one from George a few years ago and I wear it over my PJs when I'm in bed at night. I wore it last night and I was really warm.:)

SamuelWilkins

Some tips to winter proof my property? I had to replaster an entire wall a couple of years back. The reason was deep water damage from heavy rain and snow melting... Never again! :d

WeegieWumman

fuddle wrote: »

I haven't heard why elona but Asthma UK were running a scarf and warm air to breathe campaign last year and now do it as a precaution. It plays havoc with my glasses though - they fog up :cool: that's one problem in life I just can't find a solution for :rotfl:

Breathing in cold air can raise your blood pressure and lead to a heart attack. Also, if possible, try INHALING through your nose to help warm the air which goes into your lungs and EXHALING through you mouth.