Preparing for Winter V

PipneyJane

nannygladys said:

boazu I have been thinking of buying an electric sofa blanket for the winter, but I reckon one of those fuzzy one side blankets would do the same job as the electric one, so thanks for that because they are a fraction of the price of an electric one. 
For winter I have knitted 8 pairs of socks since the new year as I find them much warmer than normal ones and when I feel confident going into Prim@ I will be getting a couple of pairs of fleecy lined leggings. Im knitting a aran jumper at the moment so that will be thick and warm, I hate being cold. When my kids were young I used to comment on the little old men and women wearing coats/jumpers in summer to them, but I think Im slowly turning into one, ha ha!!!
Nannyg

If you have  a L!dl near you, look out for their thermal leggings and tights.  Having spent three of the last four winters working in an uninsulated portacabin, I can tell you that the L!dl thermals are very warm if you are out of the wind, hard-wearing and not expensive. 

I have highlighted the phrase "if you are out of the wind" because something in their construction means that if you're in the wind, it will strip all the warmth from your legs in an instant and make them feel like they're being lashed with cold.  Sitting in a portacabin for work, under a pair of trousers, they were fine.

- Pip

missychrissy

I think the Best Buy for Prepping for Winter is an electric blanket. I retired 6 years ago but prior to that I was a night nurse. I used to get home about 8 30 in the morning and switch on the CH when I got in. It automatically (on a timer) went off at 9am. I would then go to bed for the day with an electric blanket. I had a choice of heat settings from 1 to 9 and I used to set it for 75 mins after which it would switch off. That was me cosy for the day, fast asleep most of the time, and the CH used to kick back in at 4pm around the time I used to get up. I used to then switch CH off when I went to work at about 7. 30. I was using about 4 hrs a day CH but I was really comfortable.
These days I still use my electric blanket. I can switch off the CH, go to bed early, read, use my I pad, watch tv and I’m comfortable and cosy. My present electric blanket has independent heating on each side of the bed so I only heat my side.

Greenglockenspiel

Thanks all for your experiences of cavity wall insulation. Having heard now that the government might be giving grants to help towards that sort of thing I think we will go for it if we can.

Those with/considering electric blankets, please make sure you use them safely as they are responsible for thousands of house fires every year: https://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/guidance/product-safety/electric-blankets/
In the past, I think my local fire service has offered testing services to make sure they are safe, so it’s worth looking into this is on offer in your area (coronavirus notwithstanding).

littlegreenparrot

Greenglockenspiel said:

Thanks all for your experiences of cavity wall insulation. Having heard now that the government might be giving grants to help towards that sort of thing I think we will go for it if we can.

Those with/considering electric blankets, please make sure you use them safely as they are responsible for thousands of house fires every year: https://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/guidance/product-safety/electric-blankets/
In the past, I think my local fire service has offered testing services to make sure they are safe, so it’s worth looking into this is on offer in your area (coronavirus notwithstanding).

Exactly this, electric blankets have always made me nervous. 

I have a big fleecy blanket and a hot water bottle. Works a treat with none of the worry. 

dreaming

Greenglockenspiel said:

Thanks all for your experiences of cavity wall insulation. Having heard now that the government might be giving grants to help towards that sort of thing I think we will go for it if we can.

Those with/considering electric blankets, please make sure you use them safely as they are responsible for thousands of house fires every year: https://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/guidance/product-safety/electric-blankets/
In the past, I think my local fire service has offered testing services to make sure they are safe, so it’s worth looking into this is on offer in your area (coronavirus notwithstanding).

When I had my cavity wall done I took advantage of a government grant and only had to pay a small percentage of the cost.
I don't like electric blankets as I hate being too hot. I don't use duvets either as I have never found one that was "just right". Instead I use cotton sheets and a cotton throw in summer then add a blanket (or 2) when it starts to cool down. I like a hot water bottle for that initial getting into bed but that usually gets kicked out after a few minutes. I often find other people's houses unbearably hot in winter but do have a couple of friends who find my house too cool for comfort (for them). 

[Deleted User]

I have started my organising for winter too.  So far I have:
1.  Ordered a bulk load of logs for my wood burner to be delivered.  This is a new supplier for me so I'll see how I get on with this order and maybe do another one later in the year.
2.  Ordered a new hot water bottle.  I did used to have an electric blanket and loved it but I found that once it cooled down so did I and I'd wake up cold in the night. I prefer a hot water bottle as it doesn't have this effect with me.
3.  Hats, gloves, warm scarves are washed and put away, ready to go again when we need them.
4.  I always have fleecy blankets on the go throughout the year in the house.  I also create an emergency box for the car each year and the blankets for those have been washed and are ready to go when we need them. 
5.  Had my annual boiler service.

Still to do:
1.  Buy some new towels.  I want to add a towel or two to our emergency car pack and since we are on minimum towels in the house I need to get a few more.  This is due to a puncture last year and me and OH being out in a downpour trying to change the tyre.  Oh how we would have appreciated a towel!
2.  Buy some new brushed cotton bedding.  We love this for extra cosiness throughout the year but some of our fitted sheets are past their best so need replacing.
No doubt there are a few other things I need to do but this will keep me going for now.

Laura_Elsewhere

I've mentioned it before but with the discussions of hot-water bottles, fleecy throws, electric blankets, etc., I'll mention again, because summer is the best time to snap 'em up in charity shops:

Victorian stoneware-ceramic "stone pig" hot water bottles. 

They act like little storage heaters - you fill them from a boiled kettle and if covered then they stay hot for 8-10 hours. As in hot, not tepid. they are no good if your bed has no foot to it, as it's not a great idea for them to roll out and hit the floor (!) but if you have a foot to your bed, or want one for the sitting-room, they are a great way to have long-term heat for only the cost of boiling a kettle. 
We made 'sleeves' for ours - when a jumper I liked had finally worn out beyond even my darning, I machine-washed and tumble-dried it to shrink it, and then jsut cut the sleeves off and sewed up the cuffs. That keeps them from being too hot against bare skin at night, and being under a duvet and blanket (not tucked in) is enough to keep one still hot til next morning. In the sitting-room  I use one as a foot-rest with a small throw tucked round, and it will still stay properly hot for half a day. 

We bought a sheet of silicone online for a couple of quid and cut new washers - the originals would have been cork, but thick silicone works well. My Dad's always worried about them leaking but I've now used them in winter for over 45 years since I was a tiny child (it used to be one for me, one for my sister, one for my parents, one for visitors), and none of us have ever had a flood-disaster! 

We've actually never yet needed to use the actual heating in the flat, other than to check it works. Even when both the flats below us were empty in a chilly autumn, the two stone pigs were fine. 

nannygladys

Pip that sounds a bit strange with the Lidl trousers but I will certainly have a look, we have one a couple of miles away and I have to pass it on the way to the lottie.
 Laura E I have one of those stone bottles that was my grandmothers I will have to look it out, it would be ideal whilst on the settee under a fluffy fleecy blanket - I wont want to go to bed! but I'd better make sure it hasnt got a crack in it or anything. I was given it when my mom died, there were two of them but I just had one of them.
I think the biggest thing I must get organised is the boiler service, which I must get on with. It hasn't been done for a few years and now I have the money to get it done so, Im prepared if it may need some work but if I need a new one I reckon I can just about afford it as well.

Right off to make a cup of something before bed.
Nannyg

[Deleted User]

I've done an inventory today of all my dried/tinned/jarred/packet food I have- I didn't cover the stuff that is open or the freezer or fridge - suffice to say I don't think I'll need much adding to the food store for a considerable period! 
The weather has been horrible for the past few days- hopefully we'll get some sunshine soon so that the veg comes on a bit more, I've had loads of salad leaves so far and the rest is looking good! 😊

PipneyJane

@nannygladys - The L!dl thermals are fine for pottering around the house or sitting in a cold office.  I have several other brands of thermals for going to the football, etc.  The “Best Thermals Ever” are pure silk ones that I bought from a ski shop, 20 years ago.  They have been worn and washed at least 500 times and the fabric is holding up well.  

- Pip