Preparing for Winter

rosieben

Was someone on this thread looking for cotton jersey bedlinen? From 26th January Lidl are selling cotton jersey bed sets in double and single sizes and fitted sheets in single (£3.90), double (£4.88) and super king size(£5.85)

annie123

Just thought I'd bump this thread for any newbies that may have missed it.

February is looking like its going to be cold all the way through according to the met office web site, weather coming in from North and East.

Lots of good ideas in here for people/homes/cars

hth

Beccatje

Thanks Annie!

I am really glad I prepared!
Holland is freezing!!

We installed a coal stove this past autumn and it's really really good! Coal is much cheaper than running the central heating on gas.
Even though we have to drive to Germany to get it. I've even sold some coal on to people here.

And Was I first laughed at for saying I was going to burn Coal, now two of my neighbours are convinced as well!

And it's so lovely to be able to just dive into the pantry and find enough to make decent meals without having to go out into the cold!


Hanging curtains in front of doors is a real pay off as well. Keeps a heck of a lot of cold drafts out.

Kids love their fleece covered hot water bottles!

Becca

Ken68

A thank you to whovever suggested an electric blanket 'throw'...brilliant, am using one for several hours per day for about 30pence a week electric.
80watt down to 20watt once warm.

Beccatje

Well, I'm starting to prepare for next winter already! lol!!

We were out walking the dog in a recreational area that's open for dogs in the winter. (in summer is beach/swimming/woods) and we came across a fairly big pile of logs.
Just little ones mind you. Nicely cut into pieces just small enough to carry. So Husband drove the car a bit closer and we filled the trunk.

This is fresh wood, so won't be able to use it till next winter, but free fuel is free fuel!

Consequence was that Dog had to come in the front with me as the trunk was full of wood!.. and he's a pretty big husky so that was a fun challenge.

Patchwork_Quilt

Actually, I've just put this on a previous thread but it is relevant. We saved our hedge trimmings this year for kindling, despite our builders thinking it was hilarious, and got eight collapsible crates of twigs. We've had a free fire from each one. I thought it was a good tip

elljay

Beccatje wrote: »

Well, I'm starting to prepare for next winter already! lol!!

We were out walking the dog in a recreational area that's open for dogs in the winter. (in summer is beach/swimming/woods) and we came across a fairly big pile of logs.
Just little ones mind you. Nicely cut into pieces just small enough to carry. So Husband drove the car a bit closer and we filled the trunk.

This is fresh wood, so won't be able to use it till next winter, but free fuel is free fuel!
.

It might be different in the Netherlands but here you would have to be extremely sure that the wood doesn't belong to someone. There's hardly any land here, even in the middle of nowhere, that isn't actually owned by someone, and the wood is theirs. Having said that I've done similar, but with long bits, not nicely sawn up ones, I'd be really worried that someone owned those. The other thing is that piles of wood are deliberately left to rot sometimes, to encourage wildlife. It's a great plan but you just need to be a tad careful that's all!!

Liz

Beccatje

elljay wrote: »

It might be different in the Netherlands but here you would have to be extremely sure that the wood doesn't belong to someone. There's hardly any land here, even in the middle of nowhere, that isn't actually owned by someone, and the wood is theirs. Having said that I've done similar, but with long bits, not nicely sawn up ones, I'd be really worried that someone owned those. The other thing is that piles of wood are deliberately left to rot sometimes, to encourage wildlife. It's a great plan but you just need to be a tad careful that's all!!

Liz

Here, this wood would have belonged to the council. It's an area with a huge pond, some beaching around it, grassy fields and some trees and shrubs.
In summer it's used like a beach, in winter it's open for dogs. I'm quite sure they were trimming and would probably come back to clean up in the next few days. Have seen it happen before.

You're right is saying you can't just take anything you find along the way. Wouldn't want to steal from anybody. but for this, I was pretty sure it wouldn't be a problem. We didn't take all of it either. Just some logs small enough to carry. We left the bigger logs and all the branches with twigs.

betterlife

well it feels like winter is definetly here as we have snow, something you dont really see much in torbay but its been snowing for nearly 2hrs now and my garden looks very pretty. glad i prepared for winter with all my fleecy blankets, kids are happily snuggled up with some hm chicken soup ah bliss. x

elljay

Hi all, I've had the clingfilm-type stuff on my windows but have taken much of it (and the paintwork!) down. It has been easily torn, and moisture under it has meant that I can often not see out all day. And I'm sure it must rot the window frames even more.

Has anyone tried any alternatives? Despite the above it must have made a real difference as that room is really cold now and the draft is horrendous. As it's open plan and you have to go through it to get upstairs I can't close it off, but the cold is really noticeable. I'm going to have a serious talk with the landlord about sorting out the windows but until then, what else have you tried that works better? Thanks

Liz