Preparing for Winter V

[Deleted User]

We had the sweep in yesterday so the chimney is now ready to use and we're going to try and see if we can get a delivery of wood to top up what's left from last winter if it's available.  I'm going to see if I can find some lightweight fleece tops too so I can layer up in the cold weather, I might need one on today, it's really grey cold and miserable this morning.

jamanda

Thanks for the reminder.  I usually have my chimneys swept about now.  I'll have to see if he is working yet.

Jellytotts

25 degrees and sunny here on the coast today but winter plans have been popping into my head.  

I need jars, I had to clear out everything at the beginning of the year whilst the kitchen got ripped out but I'm looking forward to pickled/jammed/chutneyed stuff come those dark winter days.

We've built 2 wood stores so far this year, have some crates to make more but lacking time at the moment, we've felled a lot of trees in the garden (around 9 so far and at least the same again to come down over the winter) so we'll be ok for wood in a few years but need to order some in for this year.

Coats/hats etc all still ok, plenty of blankets, we both had new winter boots last year and no  winter clothes required, just new slippers I think.

Going to have the garage roof replaced before autumn and will rig up some drying lines in there so I can at least hang the washing if it's raining and it can partially dry before it hits the tumble dried to finish.

Ive got a birthday soon and always get cash from one relative that I use to fill the larder - I think this year it will be more important than ever to keep that well stocked.

[Deleted User]

We have just delivered some stair gates to DD as baby is crawling and she has given some beetroot seedlings of which she had very much too many so these will be planted in the garden for winter pickles if they grow.

Have now been planted in the garden at the edge of a border, 7 in all.

boultdj

We've had our porch roof done this week, should have been done the first week in April, but got put back, no more rain coming in and a lot warmer, plus other half was scared it was going to come off in high wind's.
Downside is trying to get the cat out of there, last week it was the shower, this week the porch.
I'm also looking out for jars, my apple and plum tree are looking heavy laden at the moment, the pear tree not so much fruit on, but looking forward to being able to eat fresh as posable.

smeeth

I did a happy dance when I saw this thread had revived, especially as just yesterday I was getting that itch over getting cold-weather ready. Of course, this year it's likely to be other factors that cause the strain as well.

VintageHistorian

This chimney sweep talk has reminded me that I need to book the gas engineer to service the boiler in September. He normally gets booked up quite quickly when the weather starts to turn so if I book it over the summer then all we need to do is remember what day he's coming.

suki1964

We do our own chimney, its a doubled lined stove flu and we have the right attachment for the rods. It doesn't get very sooted tbh as we don't burn wet wood and use smokeless briquettes 

What we do need is a new grate for it. Over the years it has buckled, so a couple of years ago we turned it upside down to get a bit more wear from it. Its worked, only now the cinders don't fall through to the ashtray which means its a pita to clean out. Its one of those things you know you need to get, but because during the summer you aren't using it you forget about it, so thanks for this thread reminding me

shoei

Husband has been rehanging the back door today. It is original and as drafty as it is I don't want to get rid of it, but it had dropped and was sticking.  It is access to the utility with a good solid door inbetween the rest of the house, so the draft isn't too bad. It will need new draft excludes though.

[Deleted User]

The first batch of broad beans from the garden will be going into the freezer today for use in the winter.