Preparing for Winter V

PipneyJane

MrsCD said:

Avon Skin So Soft is supposed to repel midges, so it might help with the mosquitoes. I use it when I'm decorating. I spray my bare arms, rub it in and wipe the residual on my face, then any paint splashes just wash off without having to scrub.

Vouch!  It does work against mosquitoes.  At one point, Skin So Soft was sold in Australia as mosquito repellent.  (Although Avon deny it being one now.)  I remember being passed a bottle of the stuff while sitting in my sister's back garden in Melbourne, in 2003....

- Pip

3secondmemory

PipneyJane said:

MrsCD said:

Avon Skin So Soft is supposed to repel midges, so it might help with the mosquitoes. I use it when I'm decorating. I spray my bare arms, rub it in and wipe the residual on my face, then any paint splashes just wash off without having to scrub.

Vouch!  It does work against mosquitoes.  At one point, Skin So Soft was sold in Australia as mosquito repellent.  (Although Avon deny it being one now.)  I remember being passed a bottle of the stuff while sitting in my sister's back garden in Melbourne, in 2003....

- Pip

I used to sell Avon and people used to buy this product for their horses 🐴 

bellabella

I used skin so soft in Costa Rica last year and it didn't work for me hubby used it and got a couple of bites whereas i had over 40 i resorted to using their stuff which was like petrol in a spray can. I usually use Odomos we were recommended it in India and its always worked for me but even that didn't work

Greenglockenspiel

I usually use a repellent called Incognito from H&B which I’ve found very effective - didn’t get bitten during my travels in Central America. I think they do various products and not just a spray. I just forgot to wear it the other day!

Eenymeeny

I find Mosquito Milk very good. It comes in a roll-on, like a deodorant. It's great stuff, I believe it contains geranium oil as a deterrent to midges.  At one time I wasn't able to sit out in the garden on summer evenings and it makes such a difference to me, now that we are dependent on spending time outside with visiting friends. There's also a soothing, after bite roll-on available.

joedenise

It's usually best to use the local insect repellant as they seem to be made for the particular conditions.  Skin So Soft seems to work in this country for me and DH.

3secondmemory

Don’t forget the PJs in the winter prep. 😃

prices are quite reasonable at the moment if you don’t mind last year’s stock. 

I also bought myself a couple of pairs of slippers because I noticed my old pair have come a bit loose on the sole. 

Slips and trips of the last thing any of us need 😃

Eenymeeny

Thanks for the reminder on pj's. I'm hanging on to some brushed cotton ones that I've had for years because they are comfortable. Has any one else noticed the trend for silver threads in the weave of some fabrics, which I find very scratchy? I have two pairs bought last year that I've given up on. The search goes on...
Yes, slippers have had a lot more wear this year. The ones I bought just before lockdown could probably do with replacing. I'm thinking now that we could all be spending winter in lockdown so preparing as much as I possibly can
I've had two falls during lockdown due to trying to keep my distance while out walking! Being very careful now as aches and pains seem to take a lot longer to heal and a visit to the local hospital is the last thing I want.  Let's be careful out there!
 

Primrose

My OH recently had to be ambulanced to A&E in the ewrly hours in his most embarrassingly scruffy but most comfortable PJs.  Have now put  a respectable pair In  his "emergency admission bag" which I will keep always keep auditable packed from now on! 

Laura_Elsewhere

I missed a step, trotting briskly as usual down the stairs of our flats in February, sat down very heavily (I am very heavy...) and then sat down increasingly heavily on half a dozen descending stairs... I skinned my elbow through multiple layers of clothing, and I have never in my life been bruised like that - what my Gran called a "sit-upon" was jet-black for several weeks, quite alarming, as well as the general feeling of having gone over Niagara in a barrel. I think I was very fortunate not to need medical treatment and it's made me very much more careful.

Definitely watch your step, especially in crocs, slip-on slippers or suchlike (I was wearing slip-on sandals over socks, just to nip out to the car, and one flew off my foot as I stepped downwards, causing the slip). 

I agree about the sparkly threads being increasingly trendy and very scratchy. And of course the fabric is weaker as well... I have one pair of very expensive Proper Pyjamas that were 50 or 60 quid ten years ago, lasting beautifully, as well as a pair of 1950s official British Army stripey ones, but the modern ones are really "throwaway fashion", as are slipper-socks. So I am avoiding buying any new ones, as I don't wear them often anyway. I knit, so I make us thick heavily-fulled (what most would call "felted") socks for wearing round the house.