Preparing for Winter V

Eenymeeny

At a time when most of us are clearing Christmas decorations away into the loft. I've decided to keep the battery operated led lights and candles closer to hand. They may just come in useful during power cuts and for the garden in the summer.
I also like the cosiness they provide when all of the Christmassy things have been removed
(It's seems like it hasn't stopped raining for weeks and now we have gales forecast so any cheer will be extremely welcome)
Stay safe everyone.

mardatha

Never seen as much rain as this ever in my life!

[Deleted User]

It's appreciably cooler here today but still not cold. I've just worked up a good head of heat walking the dog but it was down to 5 degrees outside last night so perhaps we're actually going to have a cooler period of weather which will do no end of good for the gardens and pest and germ control. We've actually had 1 and a half dry days now and it really does make a difference to mood not having to wear waterproofs outside!!!

fuddle

We've got snow forecast Fri - Mon. If it falls like the rain we'll be in a pickle.

surfsister

quite agree in keeping xmas lights to hand in fact i always buy reduced ones in shops e.g. 25p to string up to cheer us up in dismal areas!! also use solar lights in garden in better weather love a bit of cheery bling!!

Eenymeeny

MrsLurcherwalker wrote: »

It's appreciably cooler here today but still not cold. I've just worked up a good head of heat walking the dog but it was down to 5 degrees outside last night so perhaps we're actually going to have a cooler period of weather which will do no end of good for the gardens and pest and germ control. We've actually had 1 and a half dry days now and it really does make a difference to mood not having to wear waterproofs outside!!!

It's turned colder here too. Maybe the proper winter is starting now. My garden is very confused, with fuschias, pelargoniums and snowdrops in bloom (well, bud!) I agree with you Mrs LW, a bit of dry-ness would really be appreciated here. (We have a trip to Ikea planned for today, a chance to take a some exercise under cover. Not very MSE but the sale is still on!;))

Rainy-Days

It is pretty cold here tonight and maybe down to a ground frost. Local news is forecasting it to turn much colder especially for next week and possibly snow!

As Fuddle says if this rain does turn to snow it's going to be extra hard going. The fields are waterlogged into mini lakes, and the roads and ground generally is utterly saturated so if it freezes ....

Eenymeeny - we got some 75% off reduced outdoor string of lights from the garden centre the other day LED ones! Thing is when I got back I realised they are battery powered by three batteries - I hummed and arhed about it, but have kept them so I was wondering how long do those batteries last for? Will they go the full two and half weeks they are up with the same batteries or will I be out every few days changing them? Thanks

twiglet98

Eenymeeny wrote: »

At a time when most of us are clearing Christmas decorations away into the loft. I've decided to keep the battery operated led lights and candles closer to hand. They may just come in useful during power cuts and for the garden in the summer.
I also like the cosiness they provide when all of the Christmassy things have been removed

I have a string of LED Christmas tree lights piled loosely into a big plain glass vase and they're a nice warm light for occasional use. Mine use AA batteries, solar LED lights could be used in a similar way and would be even better, so I'm going to look out for good post-Christmas prices.

ETS I haven't changed the batteries in mine yet but they haven't been switched on for more than an occasional hour or so. Look out for batteries on offer too!

Eenymeeny

Rainy-Days I used battery operated LEDs for the first time this Christmas and was impressed by how long they lasted. (One string mixed with greenery on the mantelpiece must have been on for about 5 hours every night since halfway through December, were still working when I took them down at the weekend.)
I used rechargeable batteries so not too expensive either. I've bought some more at Ikea yesterday as I was so impressed with them.
Another set of white ones I bought, have a timer in them so they light for 6 hours then off for the rest of the day. I thought that these were a great idea as a dark window at Christmas seems to advertise that you aren't at home if you are usually 'lit up' Also energy saving
I'm trying to use up all of our odd batteries in the lights so eventually we'll only have rechargeable ones.
While we're discussing recharging batteries I didn't realise for a long time that you can recharge the NIMH and NiCad batteries that are in solar powered lights. (Please check that you're using the right ones, as the others could explode!) Lots of info on line.
When they grew dim I was throwing them out....

mardatha

Gorgeous morning here, snow is lying deep and crisp and even and the sky is a very interesting dark pewter grey so more on the way. Yaaay I love a proper winter!