Preparing for Winter V

Greenglockenspiel

I went into Tresp@ss today as I had some time to kill whilst waiting for a prescription and saw they had a sale on. I got an extra set of click-together camping cutlery, an extra dynamo torch and a new camping lantern as ours didn't survive our last camping trip, all in the sale. The dynamo torch and lantern will come in handy over winter in case of power cuts. We are moving from a flat to a house so I am conscious that we will want torches upstairs and downstairs!

I am thinking about dragging OH back in there tomorrow as well to get him a thick sleeping bag as his is rubbish, and I'd quite like a new camping stove as well (also useful in case of power cuts) - one of those flat ones that looks like a ring on a hob. Ours is just a little trivet type one you screw into the top of a gas canister and on said previous camping trip it took us 45 mins to cook that boil-in-2-minutes gnocchi because it was too windy and the flame was so exposed it kept going out!
They also had a lot of coats, base layers, waterproof trousers etc in the sale so might be worth a look for people who are in the market for such items.

pattypan4

oh well, I am preparing for the worst and hoping for the best. Was snowed in for weeks, 9 years ago. I would like a bit of snow but not so much. The worst thing was the boredom and running out of chocolate. Reminds me to put hiking boots in the house if snow is forecast, no good in a garage that cannot be reached because of slippy ground. Ok, this madden man is often wrong but its more than one paper saying it for this winter

Primrose

Especially in winter we try to check the weather forecast before going to bed and if snow is forecast (thankfully fairly rare in our neck of the woods) we bring in the snow shovel and wellington boots from the garage. As you say, little point in having them out there if the route out to the garage door is blocked or dangerous with snow.

mardatha

We once had a snowdrift against the front door that blocked the whole door, my son had to go round and dig it out. Our 5ft high coalhouse was nearly covered. So yes always keep a shovel or snow shovel in the house
And remember to keep a vent open for air, don't make a room airtight.

shoei

Well my winter prep has been scuppered last week.

I was away with one of the horses last weekend and decided to empty the barn of all the old hay and straw with a pitchfork rather than asking husband to do it with a digger following a grumpy comment that he 'has to do everything' for me.

I thought I had just strained my wrist so carried on as normal but it turns out I have De Quervains Tenosynovitis and have had my wrist in a splint all week.

I have loads to do too, so I am hoping it recovers quickly. It is already a lot better.

We had the new sofas delivered Friday - any tips on keeping fixed cushions plump? And we have ordered a new rug as a treat to keep us nice and toasty.

I need to get the bedroom decorated in the next few weeks as we have new bedroom furniture on order and it needs carpeting before then.

And I'm still hoping to get our snug done for Christmas

pattypan4

shoei.I hope your wrist mends quickly, very frustrating when you need to get jobs done


Winter prep this afternoon, while the weather is reasonable, at least dry. I am covering things today, all of a sudden these jobs can be so difficult with winds and wet. One bench is done and both bistro sets, water feature is wiped and waiting for it to dry. I have a cover ready to go on it, bad winters can be bad for outdoor furniture and water features. I think I might also stop the waterdiverter from putting more rainwater into my tanks. I want them half 3/4 empty to cope with freezing conditions.



And I have ordered insulated tap covers, including for the brass taps on the tanks. Preparing for the worst. One tank is emptying nicely, down a drain, leaving enough at the bottom for stability in wind.

pattypan4

yuk. Horrible grey cool and wet all day, maybe it feels cooler because it is so grim. I bet we get colder weather in a few weeks, upside is that suddenly the trees turn red, it is beautiful if that happens. I suppose it takes one overnight frost

My new energy account is with octopus, 2 year fix. I have had 4 bills and am already £225 in credit. I am tempted to reduce the monthly dd but its not a good time I suppose, better to start winter with an excess balance
I think I`ll do a bit of internal winter prep, a food cupboard, see what I haven`t got

fuddle

That's my flu jab, jabbed. More logs ordered and I'm just about to put a wool order in so I can finish my hat and start two teenager hats (to their specification but at least they'll wear my hand knits and that brings about nice feelings).

My food stocks are up but I've realised I'll never actually be finished with stocking foo d and with a family of food it sometimes feels like a never ending hamster wheel!

Toilet rolls have their own cupboard and never fall below 27,always aimong for full capacity of 36.

I'm keeping an eye on the weather model chat and can't really come to any conclusion when the cold stuff will arrive but I need salt.

[Deleted User]

HWK has harvested the grapes from the allotment this morning so I shall make a batch of grape jelly this afternoon, it's my background note in winter casseroles and makes even the cheapest cuts of meat taste good.

phoebe1989seb

More winter prep in the garden here - got to make the most of it whilst it's dry We've what seems like miles of gravel paths to lay throughout the garden area (thankfully not the wooded areas or the leat!) so I've been busy pegging out membrane and barrowing loads of gravel into place. This will make such a difference to the hideous muddiness we inherited when we bought the cottage

Need to get more logs chopped - especially as we're expecting a visit from DS at the weekend so want it lovely and toasty - but DH is also making the most of the dry weather by getting some landscaping jobs for clients finished.......

Stocked up the new (and massive) larder at the weekend, so lots of winter warming meals being planned!