Preparing for Winter V

Living_proof

Bossymoo that is amazing and I had never thought of doing that. In actual fact I still use a pair I bought in 1978, green ones which had gathered tops to stop rain etc getting in but the dogs soon chewed those bits off. I think they were quite pricey but they have lasted the course. My feet have probably spread so much in the last year or so I shall probably have to source some more!

toozie_2

Very pleased today, bought some "new" fleecy PJ's in a size too big for myself from a local charity shop with the tag on for £2.50.
They are ones I like too where the top is quite long (hip length) I don't like top to to raise up and there be a gap on my back!

With the old PJ's I have, and 2 toweling robes I'm set for winter evenings.

This weekend I'm going to batch cook lots of portions of "bolognese" which can be used in spag bol, or more added for chilli, or lasagna, or to stuff something! (like marrow!)
I might do a more cottage pie type meat as well-which will do for pies etc.

My car had a service today-so that's as tip top as it can be unless something goes wrong which is not accounted for.

I have been buying Xmas presents through the year when I see them on offer, need to check my note book and see what's left, and ask daughter what the grandkids want/need this year-I usually buy what their mum tells me (within price reason!) saves her buying it, and they get something they like and is useful.
They are only 6 and 19 months!

Was it 2010/2011 when we had really bad snow on the lead up to Xmas day? Oh boy was I glad then that I'd bought everything well in advance, and the food cupboards were already full, I only had to walk to local butcher & pick up a fresh turkey.
My friend who is single with 4 children and had booked a Tesco delivery, the van could not get to her house as it was too slippery, so they returned to the store with the food-and debited her account although she didn't have the delivery.
She doesn't drive, and couldn't carry that much food on the bus (there were no buses running either) it was a nightmare for her. My hubby managed to collect the order from store in his van, she also ran out of gas in her tank that year-and they couldn't deliver because of the snow on the road. They had Xmas dinner huddled in the kitchen with the warmth of the cooker & an electric fire.

[Deleted User]

It was winter of 2010/11. We didn`t get out of the village for 6 weeks, any car that tried just spun and our village is in a dip, all lanes out are uphill. We only moved here 6 months before that winter, luckily I was well prepared though and we were well fed but bored

That christmas I had a delivery booked and had a phone call to say the driver was at the top and wasn`t venturing down. Since then I have always had some christmas food in the freezer well before needed and a week before that christmas I told our children not to try and travel

So hence the large stock of fuel, food, entertainment, gin and chocolate I ain`t going to be bored, if it happens of course

bossymoo

Yes 2010, I recall pulling DS to nursery on a sledge with DD strapped to my front in a baby carrier as we couldn't get the pram through the snow!
The snow was on the ground for weeks and weeks in yorskhire too.

dragonette

Brrrrrr 2010/11 I was mostly staying with my bf - his bedroom was a converted fire escape turned into a room (city centre conversion) - and I swear it was the same temp as outside. Hated it so so much, no central heating, single glazed windows. Just miserable!

Since then I've always been well prepared for winters! Was caught a bit on the hop last year, between moving and falling rather ill. I'll need to walk round the flat and see what needs doing even if its just tacking a fleece over the top of the bathroom window. Oh how I hate single glazed windows. Though I was surprised to learn that even flimsy net curtains do give some insulation.

toozie_2

bossymoo wrote: »

Yes 2010, I recall pulling DS to nursery on a sledge with DD strapped to my front in a baby carrier as we couldn't get the pram through the snow!
The snow was on the ground for weeks and weeks in yorskhire too.

Haha
That brings back a memory of that year when my friend & her family had gone for Christmas to a cottage high up in Cumbria, the cottage owner had to drive them up in his 4x4, they left the cars 1 mile away down the steep single track lane -deep in snow.
They had ordered meat from a local butcher, and fetched the turkey back on a sledge-think it fell off more than once too!

nicki_2

Winter 2010/11 my daughters school closed due to the bad weather as it was too dangerous for them to be in plus half the teachers couldn't get to work! This time she's in senior school which is just 3 miles away but a bus journey. Since she started in 2011 they've had 3 snow days so if its going to be bad again I can see her not making it to school. She's already asked me to buy her thermal tights and is taking hot drinks in a travel mug:rotfl:

I've been thinking that I need to buy blinds and stuff for the house before the winter comes but I've decided to make do and mend so I'm going to use some fleece and ribbon I have hanging around to make a lightweight blind for the kitchen door window as I have some dowel and sticky hooks I can use. I'm also going to use some curtain track I forgot I had to put the door curtains I thought I'd got rid of up I'll line them with fleece as well. I need a tension rod or two as well for another fleece project. Not sure where to get small ones from as they only need them <3ft wide so I can block up the hatch area between the livingroom & kitchen. DD suggested we put huge curtains up across the livingroom divide (used to be 2 separate rooms) but that would involve a lot of messing around rearranging furniture and my office noticeboards so I'll see if curtaining off the kitchen works first.

I had to put the heating on briefly this morning again. The house felt so cold and damp throughout so I put it on for half an hour at 20C and it already feels much better. Its switched back to frost setting now I won't be putting it on to timer until October 1st, but I'm hoping to hold out until November 1st, it just depends on how wet the weather is.

missyrichards

It's strange how you can remember a period of snowy weather so clearly, probably because it doesn't happen much here.

I remember I had a GP appointment in 2010/11 when it was snowy and when we were walking there I saw a woman fall over and we could hardly get over to her to pick her up as it was so slippery.

We were caught out so I want to make sure we have enough loo roll, cat litter and tins of soup stocked up so if we have another snowy winter we are prepared.:D

I was just looking for a fleecy blanket to cuddle up with on my new armchair. I might buy the new curtains today as well.:)

fuddle

That was the year I learned that generic socks are a no no with wellies and that wellies offer no protection what so ever aside from wetness. Lesson learned and welly socks for all (and fleece liners for me!)

I know how bad it was living in one of the highest parts of the North East during 'The Big Freeze' but how was it further South. I now live in Dorset and wondering how bad it can get in the South/South West?

shoei

To the person that asked about wellies... I am a wellie aficionado!!! Living on a farm and having horses and livestock I live in wellies all year round.

There are different levels of wellies

Pretty cheap ones garden centers, aldi etc. - Good if wearing on rare occasions for a bit of slosh but split quickly.

Expensive ones Hunter le chemeu etc. - Last longer but not long enough to justify the money imo however would prob last for dog walking etc. Look nice and are comfy.

Slightly Farmer Welly - Light weight and shaped but made of thicker rubber, come with lining or neoprene options. Cheaper than the expensive options and will withstand decent use, dog walking etc.

Hardcore Farmer Wellies - Such as Dunlops. Will withstand nuclear war, cheap as chips, but quite heavy and not pretty.

I have a pair of unlined Mole Valley Farmer wellies that cost £40 that are wearing really well and are presentable enough for me to wear out and wa lined winter pear of Grubs wellies that are pretty hardcore but really comfy!

I have gone through many Hunters and other expensive wellies in recent years.

I also recommend liners but I have a pair of snow boots for really bad weather!