Preparing for Winter V

lil_me

Anyone got any tips or links for caravan living ? It’s only weekends but we would like to use ours over the winter time as the sites only closed for a few months. It’s not posh so we have a gas fire and electric heaters. Gas I’ve got a full bottle pre paid etc

cuddlymarm

Hi Lil_me
Putting a duvet underneath the sheet will keep you snuggly in winter in a caravan. Also thick slippers and socks will help because the cold comes up under the floor. A dehumidifier will help if you have one because caravans can get quite damp in winter too.
Hope this helps a bit

FrankieM

I spent yesterday reading all the 2018 posts. So much wonderful information.

I'm currently in a rented 2 bedroom house, with no double glazing and last year I didn't get around to getting any curtains.

I feel like I'm leaving it all a bit late and there's not many pennies in the pot but I need to take a look at getting some thick curtains up before the cold weather really hits.

I was looking at some thermal curtains but I'm wondering if I just need to go for some kind of second hand ones...any idea what kind of budget I should be setting, money wise?

Primrose

Charity shops, especially the bigger ones if you have any nearby can sometimes be good for curtains. Look for heavy lined ones if possible and if they're a bit long, that's often useful as you can stitch up the hems to shorten them and perhaps use them again elsewhere if you need to move.


Keep the door shut if you have an unused bedroom to prevent heat from the rest of the house heating a room you don't use but on dry days, ventilate it a little with an open window to prevent damp forming.

Working_Mum

Are you on Freecycle FrankieM?
You can post for items "wanted" or respond to items which have been offered.
It works on the basis that one man's trash is a other man's treasure
Have you got a stuffed sausage to place at the bottom your doors?
I got loads of tips from the Old Style threads on here
Good luck

FrankieM

I'd completely forgotten about charity shops and especially freecycle so thank you.

I'll see what there is around. I have a few weeks before it starts getting really cold and if I've not found anything by then, I'll have to bite the bullet and buy something new.

Eenymeeny

FrankieM, I know that it's been mentioned before but cheap fleece throws sandwiched between curtain and lining are very good. Judicious use of a few safety pins can be useful if you don't sew or just want a temporary fix
Cheap fleeces are also available at charity shops or Ikea for a couple of pound each. (I also lay them under the mattress protectors for extra warmth in winter.) Quick and cheap, my kind of fix

Wednesday2000

I'm really feeling the chill in the air today. I'm in my winter pyjamas as I'm not bothering to get dressed as it is a lazy Sunday. I've just had a hot bath and might need a flannel shirt to wear over my pyjamas.

The heating shouldn't be going on until October usually, but I will put it on early if I need to.:)

Primrose

Cheap fleecy lined track suit type bottoms and tops are ideal for lazy lounging Sundays I have one of those wristband step counter gadgets which buzzes every hour if I,ve been sitting immobile for an hour reading. It,s a reminder to get up and move around for a bit. Good for the circulation and helps prevent one start feeling too chilly. But a cheap kitchen timer or mobile phone alarm set for 60 minutes would serve the same purpose.

VintageHistorian

I'm another resisting the call of the central heating. Primarily because I really want to get the boiler serviced first. The guy who did it last time has a great reputation in our local area, but DH has tried calling several times with no luck. He left a message last time but heard nothing back, no idea if the guy is on holiday, off sick, or is overwhelmed with work. Managed to find another recommended company on a local Facebook group so hopefully DH will try to get in contact with them this week.

I feel like a need a week to do some batch cooking but my next week off work is in November, and I'm going to be too busy in the next few weeks to be able to take any time off. I'm really craving as lasagne but I always struggle with getting the ratios right, I either make too much cheese sauce, or not enough! Really do need to get off my bum and make a couple though, shop-bought just doesn't cut it.

I also must, must, must! get the slow cooker out and give it a try. Got a bunch of recipes tagged in my slow cooker recipe book, just need to start testing them, and freezing the leftovers for future use. Also need to restock the tinned soups as I've just been buying one tin a week and then eating it within two days. DH is a fan of beans on toast so we've got plenty of beans in, just missing the soup!

Tonight's dinner is going to be a very warming toad in the hole, with lashing of gravy and some crispy spuds. I'm already looking forward to it. In the meantime - better put on some thick socks!