Preparing for Winter V

Rainy-Days

Absolute back breaking work but the wooden:-

Bird Table
Table and four patio chairs
Garden bench

have been, rubbed down, had paint stripper put on them, washed off and rubbed down again, left to dry, sanded down and then had two coats each of Sadolin.

My life, when I stood up I knew I had done it, my back could have snapped! Anyway, they look beautiful, they were last done like this four years ago now and were very much well over to be done.

So very pleased with the results, but the patio table may have to be replaced in the next two years! The chairs are in superb condition and will last at least another ten years! Not bad considering they were bought in 2004!

Need to get the conservatory roof washed as it has started ot get green slime on it. Then gutterings cleaned out and that should be about it - I hope!

Gonzo1987

SpikyHedgehog wrote: »

I'd never heard of a houdini hatch, so googled it

What I do with the window in my downstairs loo is sellotape bubble wrap to it, which helps keep it warmer in there. I also use double sided sticky tape to fix strips of bubble wrap around my front door, overlapping the door frame. It can still be opened easily, but it really helps with the drafts! Don't know if either might help?

that's a really good idea thanks! Will still mean we can let light into the living room too

This weekend is empty the bilge and put the covers on the back of the boat. If I get those two done I will be VERY happy.

boultdj

My winter prep has consisted of getting all the hat's,scarf's,gloves and aran jumpers/cardies washed and dryed outside today, so at least they smell fresher.

Gonzo1987

I need to buy hats, scarves, gloves etc!

nicki_2

On Monday I caulked around the front door woodwork, filled all the cracks and holes in the front door (or at least I thought I had), and yesterday I rubbed it all down and painted it...then it rained about 30min after I finished :eek: I was at it for 7 hours and its a mess To make matters worse it was heavy rain so the paint is damaged down to the surface of the wood. Now I have to start over with the door again.

boultdj

Rat's about having to re-do the door nicki.

Gonzo1987

That's so frustrating about your door Nicki.

I have just spent about 30 mins in the engine bay of the boat emptying water out the bilge into bottles. (can't put it.back in the river as it's oily water or this take would have been a doddle) anywhere about 20 litres later and it's not made a dent in the amount of water there, so I think next step is hire a water vac or get the RCR out to empty and fix the pump for me.

Still I made a start despite a horrible sinus headache so I'm pleased with that progress.

Have a voucher for £18 off a £60 shop so going to stock up on those tins on payday. We can even use the fire to heat soup/beans etc so as to not use up our gas too quickly.

[Deleted User]

Did the algae cleaning with some very reasonably priced cleaner to dilute and spray from amazon, so all the paths and steps are now safe.

Took the big shade umbrella out of its stand and now secured it upright under a bit of shelter, used a band with hooks on the ends, can`t remember what they are called

Found the bench cover and will cover the bench in october. Packed all the seat cushions in poly bags and put them in the outdoor storage boxes, belt and braces in case of very driving rain. Sorted and cleaned out the insulated outbuilding which had become a place to dump stuff. All done and I can see what is in there, especially the rows of boxes of dehydrated foods. Put up and moved various hooks and hangers and it made a lot of difference.

Checked the stored water in there and made sure the pressure cooker is handier in the kitchen .That and the dehydrated veggies and I have a good quick meal in a power cut

Lots of garden stuff is now sorted and downsized, so I am only keeping what I actually use and big space opened up. Energising tbh. It took me 2 whole days but worth it. Just got the outdoor troughs to sort and tomatoes but they will be ok for a bit yet

[Deleted User]

I have made two trips today and now have 1/2 tonne of wood pellets stashed away. I can handle them ok as they are in 10kg bags. I need another two trips before I feel like there is enough in the nest for a bad winter. Ok if winter isn`t bad as I just won`t use so many.Easier for me as it is too daunting to deal with a well wrapped 1 tonne on a pallet, they would have to be moved from further away anyway

We had very torrential rain this morning and I am happy to say that the flood barrier behind the garage door plus the thick polythene that I stapled over the inside of the hit n miss garage doors, worked. Very dry in there just wet up to the barrier, which was worth every penny and easy to put down. It has mastic underneath and on the sides as well

I am still feeling energetic so am going to do some basic store cupboard shopping this afternoon, tinned beans and the like. I have lots of organic dried milk and almond milk and dehydrated veggies, just need some more easy-cook pulses to add to the tinned fish and the few tinned meat meals. That will be me fully done and ready to hibernate

greenbee

Where do you get your organic dried milk from Kittie? I have UHT but want some dried to add to yogurt when I'm making it.