Preparing for Winter

Katie-Kat-Kins

downshifter wrote: »

As subject line really. Tonight for the first time in months it will be dark when I get in and I'll have to lock up the chickens etc in the dark - the nights seem to be drawing in so quickly and I realise my torch isn't much good. I've previously had a rechargeable light which didn't hold it's charge, and one of those with lots of little white lights, which didn't throw much light at all.
Someone recommended a bike light for a nice broad strong beam which sounds good. I wondered if anyone has any other recommendations or seen any good offers.

Thanks

DS

Try a head lamp for doing the chickens. There are some good ones in outdoor shops, go to somewhere like Cotwold Outdoors or a local independant and look at ones aimed at campers, hikers, moutaineers and potholers.

If you actually want a lamp for your bike then there are two considerations, being seen and being able to see. They are quite different, and I'd recommend an LED light for the first, possibly a flashing or pulsing one, but these are not legal for use alone on the roads and also do not cast much light so you will need a traditional bulb type lamp as well.

KatieKins

Patchwork_Quilt wrote: »

We never have enough umbrellas. DD loses them all. We've gone through ten this year! Needless to say, I need to buy in a bulk order of cheap ones. With Woollies gone, I'm not sure where to go. Any ideas?

This has prob been mentioned now, but thought I would say, sports and soccer shops (the ones always having clearance sales) do big umbrellas for £2.99 (think they are dunlop ones but can't remember). I think these are good value

kingshir

downshifter wrote: »

As subject line really. Tonight for the first time in months it will be dark when I get in and I'll have to lock up the chickens etc in the dark - the nights seem to be drawing in so quickly and I realise my torch isn't much good. I've previously had a rechargeable light which didn't hold it's charge, and one of those with lots of little white lights, which didn't throw much light at all.
Someone recommended a bike light for a nice broad strong beam which sounds good. I wondered if anyone has any other recommendations or seen any good offers.

Thanks
DS

We used to have a rechargeable MEGA BRIGHT lamp and I'm pretty sure I bought it for a couple of pounds in the local BP garage. I'd like another one (the battery on the old one died) but I haven't seen any for yonks. Has anyone else seen them for sale anywhere? They were great, I could switch it on, put it up against the kitchen window and light up the bottom of the garden which is 200 yards away!!

Frugaldom

Winter waterproofs - I wanted a new zip-up waterproof jacket for wearing over a fleece, not the nylon kagoul type, an actual waterproof jacket. I've seen them for £12.99 and £14.99 in high street shops but went to the local agricultural merchants and managed to get a heavy duty trousers & jacket set for £12.50 Beats the problem of how to dry wet clothes with no central heating, much easier to drip dry the waterproofs over the bath or a basin or just wipe them down.

nippyone

pebbles88 wrote: »

Re: SPiders..

dont know if this has been said but spiders HATE conkers..... if you pop a small bowl on each windowledge apparently it keeps them out as they cant stand the smell... you can get a conker spray from bettaware of kleeneze i think....

My SIL did it last year and she said its works like a charm, they normally get loads and had hardly any.

hth

Could try bowl of conkers first (save spending money I really don't have:o) - I just need to try and find out where I can find some round about where we are (that's where my dad's knowledge helps:D!)?

If that fails, good old mum will know someone who sells bettaware or kleeneze?

Thanks,
Nippy.

nannyboo1

downshifter wrote: »

As subject line really. Tonight for the first time in months it will be dark when I get in and I'll have to lock up the chickens etc in the dark - the nights seem to be drawing in so quickly and I realise my torch isn't much good. I've previously had a rechargeable light which didn't hold it's charge, and one of those with lots of little white lights, which didn't throw much light at all. omeone recommended a bike light for a nice broad strong beam which sounds good. I wondered if anyone has any other recommendations or seen any good offers. Thanks DS

I would say go to a good outdoor store and look at camping lamps. We have a lantern type one that runs on batteries and which obviously has the advantage of when it is placed on the ground will give out a good light. We also have a torch that is really powerful and the sides lift up and it becomes a lantern.

Rummer

I just topped up the medicine box in preparation for coughs and sniffles! That and a huge box of extra soft tissues.

ktpie

carlislelass wrote: »

very cold last night, woke to a covering of frost!!!!

Hope you actually are in Carlisle and not the Peak District, where we are going camping! The forecast claims today will be the coldest day until after the weekend, hope it's right.

downshifter

ktpie wrote: »

Hope you actually are in Carlisle and not the Peak District, where we are going camping! The forecast claims today will be the coldest day until after the weekend, hope it's right.

Depends whereabout in the Peak Park you're coming to, often neighbouring areas have their own microclimates. Tonight yes it's a tad nippy, but there's a clear starry sky, so bound to be colder. I'm about 1000 ft above sea level and very exposed. There's a slight breeze, which is unusual, generally it blows a gale from north south east and west all at the same time. It's lovely. Great camping weather, as long as you come prepared. Have a great time in this wonderful part of the world!

DS

Strapped

KatP wrote: »

Try a head lamp for doing the chickens. There are some good ones in outdoor shops, go to somewhere like Cotwold Outdoors or a local independant and look at ones aimed at campers, hikers, moutaineers and potholers.

If you actually want a lamp for your bike then there are two considerations, being seen and being able to see. They are quite different, and I'd recommend an LED light for the first, possibly a flashing or pulsing one, but these are not legal for use alone on the roads and also do not cast much light so you will need a traditional bulb type lamp as well.

Agreed. I can recommend a petzl zoom - maybe not the cheapest headtorch you can get but it will last - had mine for 18 years now and still (touch wood) going strong. It has accompanied me all over, in all weathers.