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Preparing for Winter V
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County Durham / Yorkshire Dales border here, we had our first frost over the weekend. Currently 3 degrees outside, we’ve had the kitchen open fire and the sitting room stove lit for a while. We are in a very old house very high up so we get a lot of weather, and the fires are crucial for keeping the damp at bay. I also boil water constantly on the stove and heat meals through on it.
I sleep with a hot water bottle most nights anyway, for comfort really, and the children have electric blankets. Lots of wood chopped by my fair hand ready for winter proper, and coal bunker is full. We still all sleep with the windows in our rooms open a bit, apart from in the high winds. Stay safe and warm folks xx16 -
@sammy_kaye18, you mentioned the onesie - may I suggest plenty of layers of separates under it, as those things are a bit drafty if he needs the loo! (Easier for men, but not always!)
Plenty to cover ankles, wrists and neck, too - I feel if the blood is kept warm at these points, extremities stay warmer too.
Also - from times spent clearing an empty house with almost no phone signal - a radio makes quite a difference if you have to be on your own. I'm not scared of the dark/being alone, but the feeling of company is helpful.I think a bit of sunshine is good for frugal living. (Cranky40)
The sun's been out and I think I’m solar powered (Onebrokelady)
Fashion on the Ration challenge, 2024: Trainers 5 coupons, dress 7 coupons = 12/68
20.5 coupons used in 2020. 62.5 used in 2021. 94.5 remaining as of 21/3/2211 -
I was gonna suggest a windup/battery radio too. Peace and quiet is lovely 'til you don't want it any more. And how about something to clean himself? He'll prob have enough water for washing in the morning but what about a shower substitute? Maybe a pack of baby wipes?China is the world's largest supplier of Bibles: one factory in Nanjing prints over a million a month.11
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I also live in the Durham/ Yorkshire dales boarder small world , it’s getting very cold here it’s been frost since the weekend most mornings I’m in the process of putting the garden to bed for winter doing the last big washes of the summer clothes. How I’ll get the washing dry in winter I’ll never know lol it’s so cold in the house now takes days to dry . From a very cold North Yorkshire x11
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Woke up to 8 degrees this morning I think the weatherman said here in south wales but it is blowing a gale as well so although its reading 10 degrees now it feels much colder. Had to go out and retrieve the greenhouse cover again - no matter how I tie it down it is just not staying so I have wrapped it around the lawnmower and strimmer and its now held down on the bottom of the greenhouse base and that's where it can stay until its needed again. I have taped all the poles for the greenhouse frame so that's not moved and inch and looks good.
With regards to husband - He does have a torch and a separate lantern already in the van.
I have brought all the plates / dishes / cutlery in to give them a freshen up.
I hung the curtains last night and they fit perfectly so that will help keep some heat in the van with him.
He has bottles of water in the van that are unopened from a recent trip away (last weekend) and I have found out a box that I can pack over the next few days for him and he can just take the whole thing with him away.
I will be putting in
* a hot water bottle,
* hats, buffs, fair isle socks
* everything for tea/coffee including sugar.
* some add water meals like noodles/rice etc for a quick meal
There are two sleeping bags in the van both which are 4 season ones.
Ill make sure he has a hoodie, thermal trousers, onesie etc too.
We do have family in the area if he drives a bit out of the way so he can always nip to see them and have a quick wash and shower there if need be but hes going down on Friday night and he'll be home Sunday so he wont be too bad. I am considering asking him about the suggestion someone said of joining a gym though so he can use their facilities.
Today is mostly being spent relaxing, cleaning, I've sorted greenhouse and mended the fence. covered a window on the shed that seems to have broken. and I have taken out chicken and some root veg mash for tea so will cook that up later when husband comes in at 6.30.
Might do some baking with DD when she gets in too.
Making Changes To Save My LifeCurrent weightloss - 2lbs (week 1)10 -
Very chilly today....bathroom is feeling too damp so I crossed my fingers and turned on the only 'plumbed in' heating in my house. The storage heater, which is over 30 yrs old! hurrah, it still works!
Time to change to my winter laundry drying routine as well (dehumidifier instead of an open window). I refuse to turn my electric heater on til November though. I generally only heat one room (except bathroom) but Im hoping I can do without for abit longer.
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The bobbly/ lumpy type fleece that's used for dog beds (used to be used for coats) is very warm.
Found out when I was making a cover for the dogs cushion and I was toasty!
So got some for the sofa and the difference was huge.
For entertainment while watching tv I quilted - poly cotton sheet, filler smallerst thickness, tack together and quilt with running stitch. Not all over, just enough to keep the filler in place.
Warm while your making it and when you need to snuggle.viral kindness .....kindness is contageous pass it on
The only normal people you know are the ones you don’t know very well
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The one thing about sleeping in a van is the condensation or damp too. I used to sleep in mine with the back door slightly open [but locked] and parked so no one could see that, but I also added industrial sized silica sachets into the walls...no idea how helpful that was but it seemed ok. That was in a little van. The transit was also damp in the winter but no idea how to remedy that.
Shampoo? No thanks, I'll have real poo...10 -
We,ve already had one frost so need to pack away our hose reel into the garage before the tubing gets damaged and put the insulated cover on the outside garden tap. The late Indian summer this year has made us a little complacent over this task10
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Good reminder, thanks @Primrose. I need to top up the bird feeders too.I think a bit of sunshine is good for frugal living. (Cranky40)
The sun's been out and I think I’m solar powered (Onebrokelady)
Fashion on the Ration challenge, 2024: Trainers 5 coupons, dress 7 coupons = 12/68
20.5 coupons used in 2020. 62.5 used in 2021. 94.5 remaining as of 21/3/228
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