Preparing for Winter

Quasar

I was out on a transport survey today (my job, alas), and although it was sunny there was a very chilly wind, the sort you expect in late October. Now at home it is chilly also but I'll be damned if I put the heating on already! So, thick socks, fleecy jacket and plenty of hot tea. Feels like November already.

Patchwork_Quilt

Harvested the apples today - about 20 in all. However, have now removed most of the lilac tree that was growing through its branches and of course saved the twigs and decent branches in rubble bags for kindling later on when they have dried a little.

Went to the tip to get rid of the leafy bits and almost came back with a couple of fenceposts for the stove but hubby said I couldn't have them as we can't have rotten wood in the house.

However, the nice man did help me clear out my car so that I could get them in.

Don't know about other people, but we pay £5 a bag for kindling. I think I have £50 worth from this year's gardening

andan

I am really trying to hold out until the 1st of October before putting the heating on, but its getting really cold, i can't imagine the others in my household will be prepared to last that long. Slightly concerned as we did all we could last year to keep gas and elec down so there is not much that we can do this year instead.

I plan to investigate the charity shops for thick curtains soon though in the hope of being able to get something for our bedroom.

One thing we didn't do last year was put the foil behind the radiators so i may give this a go this year and see if we notice any difference,

BigMummaF

I agree with the chilly evenings but my! Doesn't it get dark early too :eek: I'm going to sound very old & just like my grannie, but I'm sure we had longer evenings than we have been getting the past year or two. Often we'd be on our annual holidays the first two or three weeks into September & able to sit in the garden with a sweater on till at least 8pm...and I do so like the stillness of an early autumn evening as the world around begins to quieten for the night :rolleyes: It's that bit I've missed the most this year

cyclingyorkie

i've noticed the dark too - it's frightening how early it starts to get dark!

I used to think it got darker later too!

Olliebeak

I bought a plug-in phone for 50p at the local car boot sale yesterday. At least it will work if there's a power failure - those base unit/extension ones (DECT) would be useless without electricity.

ginnyknit

downshifter wrote: »

Woke early this morning to strange sounds in the bedroom and realised one of the cats had got in (Usually they're locked in kitchen overnight) Further realised that it was playing with a mouse. I really thought after years of living here and bit by bit blocking off all the entry holes, including sealing above and below skirting boards, gaps round pipes and so on, that I had at least kept them from coming into the bedrooms. Seems not. So does anyone know a recipe for keeping them away? It's all well and fine that the cats catch the odd one but where there's one there'll be millions, and now is the season for them to come into the warm from the fields. This house is partly built on boulders, so not easy to block off entries, though I've tried everything I can think of now. Very fed up.

DS

When I had mice the exterminator told me to fill the holes they came in by with wire wool or at least brillo pad and that puts them off using the same entry as they are creatures of habit

Rummer

I am well on my way to getting prepared now! I have bought new curtains for the living room, nice thick heavy ones and I also bought some for the hall window and door. Almost finished the draught excluder just waiting on some more bubble wrap to complete it. Now I need to work on my OH to fix the cat flap so the draught goes.
It has been getting dark very early and I agree the nights are cold. This year I am trying to hold off as long as possible in putting the heating on so the snuggly blanket is in place in the living room in case of chilly toes!
I also bought a waterproof and wind proof jacket so I no longer have to wrestle lots of bags and an umbrella on the way into work!

the_cat

I have a quick question. Hope no-one minds!

For the first year I am the owner of curtains for the dining room end of my through lounge.

There are good double glazed windows and door installed. The radiator for the room is under the window and the curtains are full length (had to be as going across both door and window)

Will I make it warmer or colder by drawing the curtains? I can't tuck them behind the radiator, so I'm assuming it's better to leave them open and not divert the radiator heat up behind them

Am I right?
Thanks in advance

buxtonrabbitgreen

Maybe we are noticing the dark and chilly evenings because it has been warm and sunny during the day. Well at least it is here in the Midlands. I n fact last week was positively hot. I have a week off this week and must admit I am thinking I could do with putting on some socks. Though the sun is trying to come out so it should warm up a bit.
Definitely not time for heating. Though I am closing the windows by about 8pm now. It can't be cold, I haven't even plugged in the electric blanket and my oh thinks I am a right wimpy cold type.
I did get some free coal a couple of weeks ago. Can't say how but it was legal. I have also been grabbing wood as neighbours without open fires seem to be dhopping down a lot of trees lately. troulbe is I keep tripping over it in the yard.