Preparing for Winter V

erin_transport

Oops, typo - but hey - that would take my prepping to a whole new enthusiasm level

shoei

I have had quite a good prepping weekend.

1000 litres of oil ordered to fill up the tank - Now we no longer have the Aga, hopefully this will last us the winter.

Cut up a Pickup be full of logs and logged them.

Sorted log shed and managed to gather a builders 1 ton bag of small logs that were strewn around.

Hay and straw delivered for horses to see them through the winter.

Throws washed and dried.

We still need to repair some guttering - the corner piece broke of and its original cast so I'm going to have to try and fix it somehow?!

shoei

Oooo and firelighters - we use pine cones or toilet rolls stuffed with the lint out of the tumble drier!!!

southantrim3

Laura_Elsewhere wrote: »

Golly, we used to pay £150 for one chimney!

In fact my parents still do. That's the normal kind of rate, I had thought!

Good grief, in my area, last year I paid £35 for one chimney! £150 sounds a bit much...:eek:

cornishchick

hi all. not posted for a while.
due to health and finances I realised I needed to come back to MS ways.
I've been reading the preparing for winter threads, checking I have done all that I can to prepare and one thing struck me. I have a kelly kettle which I love and use a lot in the summer, and know its there for winter power cuts, but what if its stormy and wet ,:j then I read about the candle stove. And I had a brain wave, I combined the pot stand part with some tealights, and the small camping kettle and now I have a useful and safe candle stove. that works , It takes a while to boil. but it works :A

berries

shoei wrote: »

Oooo and firelighters - we use pine cones or toilet rolls stuffed with the lint out of the tumble drier!!!

What a great tips!!! Will remember to collect pine cones for my fire thanks

mardatha

Cornishchick, you can make a decent indoor stove with 3 bits of wood, one of those mesh thingies that come supplied with grills, and a circle of tealights. Form the bits of wood (2" x 1" is fine) into a triangle, plonk the grill thing on top, and light 5/6/7 tealights under it. Perfect.

flubberyzing

I'm currently quite lucky with my actual home staying quite warm in winter. I'm a mid-floor flat, modern build (2008) with only 2 external sides.

For me, my winter prep more involves making sure I have good food stores in. I am always reluctant to go outside when it is icy or snowy underfoot, and if I'm going to need a week of staying indoors, I need reasonable food stores to do so.

Lucy5781

Have checked, I did already have a 6-9mth pram suit put aside for DD and DS is already in his size 6 wellies so I'll look out for some size 7s, need to check Asda again, some great bargains in the George sale, (already got him some £2 shoes for when he starts preschool next month. )

Have got myself some new wintry tops and jeggings all second-hand or half price.

I recently got rid of my really thick wintry jumpers as they're too hot now I have kids and don't stay sat still at work all day in the winter anymore!! Thinner jumpers and layers are much better for me these days!

MandM90

Starting to think about winter now the drizzly weather is here

Things I would like to achieve before winter is upon us:

House
- Get curtains up in the living room. Need to paint it first!
- Have chimney swept, get firewood delivery and firelighters
- Buy scented candles
- Plug Nest thermostat back in when heating comes on again
- Guttering repaired/clean
- Boiler service
- Re-silicone shower and bath
- Scrub tiles and get rid of icky stuff
- Put electric blankets and throws on beds
- Ideally, decorate dining room so we can enjoy it for the winter!!
- Wash curtains

Car
- Look into winter tyres
- Check fluids
- Clean (just because it desperately needs it!)

Self/Family
- Box up Summer/Autumn capsule wardrobe and choose items from what I already own.
- Buy extra tights (only have two pairs)
- Buy cheapo cold/flu meds (otherwise DH will get sniffles and panic buy a load of branded stuff in London!)
- Get out winter coats and wash. Put light ones away (I barely wore my lovely mac this summer as was too warm for coats!)
- Mend any things that need mending, replenish moth repellent thingies
- Sock inventory (DH and DD)
- Polish shoes and boots, send any to be repaired that need it
- Reorganise Cupboard Of Shame

Garden - Autumn
- Do one huuuuge weed before winter
- Move plants we want to move
- Cut back/prune plants that need it then
- Plant spring bulbs
- Turn off outdoor tap
- Cover up/put away furniture
- Change over window box plants to winter flowers
- Tidy shed