Preparing for Winter V

Laura_Elsewhere

TheBanker said:

I meant to say, has anyone noticed it feeling a bit autumn-ish in the early mornings? There's been a bit of a chill outside the last few days until the sun warms up, with dew on the grass and a bit of mist. This is in the South of England by the way.

The days are still warm but I can feel the summer turning to autumn now. 

I swim 2-3 mornings a week at a local ex-quarry and although I don't think the water temp has changed (that's surprisingly slow to change either way), people have been commenting as we change, how much colder the air feels on wet skin. 

Floss

Wednesday2000  I would be inclined to check the crime rates for your new area, you may find that you prefer to save on your electric bill than have lots of lights on which will illuminate the inside of each room and potentislly make it visible from the street.

The Banker yes I've noticed that I now need to put my fleecy dressing gown on for a bathroom trip first thing! It's cooler & darker in the evenings too.

TheBanker

Floss said:

Wednesday2000  I would be inclined to check the crime rates for your new area, you may find that you prefer to save on your electric bill than have lots of lights on which will illuminate the inside of each room and potentislly make it visible from the street.

I live in a low crime area, but I will admit I do programme a couple of lights to go on and off if I'm away overnight. Never thought of needing to do that when I'm at home - the car on the drive should indicate to burglars that there's someone in.

The unfortunate reality is that both variables are likely to change this winter. Crime will become more common, and the number of houses without lights on will increase - whether the occupants are at home or not.

Laura_Elsewhere

I think I would go for simply walking to other rooms occasionally and switching the liught on as if I've gone in to get something and coming back out. 
Just as good an indicator of the house being occupied, and surely cheaper than leaving lights on for ages - and I'd think anyone watching to see which houses might be empty would be put off much more by signs of people moving about than by lights just coming on and staying on which could obviously be a timer. 

Local police often have advisors who can come and look at your home and advise on eg window locks or suchlike. Might be worth asking?

retiredinfrance

Re. local crime. A village near us had several vegetable gardens “ broken into” and all the tomatoes stolen- plants ripped up. Might be worth while having a look at how secure your produce is. 
Keep safe also in the house - check for possible places falls might happen with fewer lights. 
Sorry to be pessimistic, but keep safe everyone,

Wednesday2000

The crime rate isn't as high around here, but I am on my own a lot as my husband does shift work. I did order a solar lamp from Amazon so I will try that in the landing and then hopefully switch both the bedroom lights off at night.

I did order another air fryer too. The oven in my house is gross and dirty even after cleaning it several times but I use my air fryer so much that I thought I could just buy another one and that should do us. I bought the first 5.5 litre one for £85 and I found a 10 litre one for the same price. Much cheaper than replacing the oven and the cost of having it fitted etc...I keep thinking about cooking Christmas dinner (even though it is August!) and two air fryers should be big enough to do a veggie roast dinner. I will only use the oven for the hob.

Another thing I wanted to do next week was book my flu jab if I can.

YorksLass

Re flu jabs - we've been texted by our GP practice potential dates for flu/Covid booster clinics for October and will be contacted again when it's our turn.  Both over 70 so we should be early on in the month.

Would agree jogging bottoms are definitely warmer than jeans.  DH wears them all the time around the house and I never thought I'd see that!  I have thick leggings for winter and am currently knitting leg warmers to wear with them - echoes of the 80's!  I've also been knitting us a lot of jumpers this year (which I enjoy doing) but now have several to sew up (which I don't like doing).  But needs must.    

As for ironing, I do as little as possible.  Reminds me of a friend who irons only the collar and cuffs of her DH's shirts.  Heaven forbid he ever wants to take off his jacket!

TheBanker

YorksLass said:

Re flu jabs - we've been texted by our GP practice potential dates for flu/Covid booster clinics for October and will be contacted again when it's our turn.  Both over 70 so we should be early on in the month.

My GP's said they're only doing a limited flu jab programme this year and are advising people to book at a local pharmacy if possible. Not sure what's happening with the Covid jabs but I noticed we have a small Covid vaccine centre in the shopping centre now. I guess it was inevitable that the football club would want their stadium back at some point!

I don't qualify for either on the NHS, although I can usually claim a free flu jab through work. I am wondering if those of us who don't qualify for an NHS Covid booster this winter will be able to get one through the pharmacy if we pay, like we can with flu jabs. 

TheBanker

YorksLass said:

As for ironing, I do as little as possible.  Reminds me of a friend who irons only the collar and cuffs of her DH's shirts.  Heaven forbid he ever wants to take off his jacket!

Maybe it's cos I'm a man, but I never ironed very much. Just work shirts and anything that came out of the dryer very creased. Generally I get away without ironing most things.

Unlike my mum, who even irons socks, tea towels and dishcloths. I think life's too short (and now I can't afford the electric!) 

weenancyinAmerica

There is an old saying" Cotton in the hills, kills." And this does include cotton jeans. Not recommended to keep anyone warm and when wet, can be deadly.

I check out the men's and women's sections in clothing especially for jumpers. Most are unisex anyway. A v-neck or turtleneck jumper looks the same no matter what department it is from. I do this especially in charity shops.

Also, here in America, the men's departments in most clothing stores will hem trousers for free, the women's departments usually charge. So being very short, and always needing hemming, I would shop for trousers in the men's department - and get them hemmed for free. Most of the stores even had women attendants to come in and measure you anyway.