THE Prepping thread - a new beginning :)

GreyQueen

Sometimes, I think we can try too hard to make things happen. It's very much the ethos of the modern world; to be always shoving thing and hustling.

Natural processes take time, and the variables aren't the same year to year, even on the exact same patch of ground. This is why even people who've been gardening for six decades or more get caught out and have failures (and successes) against all expectations and experience.

Stuff happens, the trick in life is to learn to roll with it and not stress out too much. I'm heading out for a couple of hours now, and my sidekick robin will probably join me in the digging, his/her eyes being sooo much better than mine at spotting wireworms and other baddies as I turn them up.

If you regard your soil as if you would a pampered pet that you're constantly trying to feed gourmet items to, and to groom, I reckon you won't go too badly astray.

ETA; The robin did indeed arrive to help and came as close as one meter, even when I was thumping around with the mattock. Such a pretty little thing. And so very useful, lol. I am breaking up an overgrown strawberry bed which got infested with couch grass. Have been digging up big grass tussocks, will dry them out and burn them in a couple of months, to take advantage of the potash.

In nature, there is no waste, only resources moving from one status and place in the system to another, which isn't a bad thing for me to be aiming at, either.

[Deleted User]

Cheapskate wrote: »

lots of market ironmongers and similar shops sell them, maybe online somewhere, too?

A search of Amazon produces lots of results, including this pack of 104 candles (as opposed to The Two Ronnie's 4 candles ), for £27-04.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gies-205-149001-33-Household-Candles-21-5/dp/B00PQIFKQ0/ref=s9_simh_gw_g201_i2_r?_encoding=UTF8&fpl=fresh&pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=&pf_rd_r=T4KNCZY8Z2Z1D3AM28Y4&pf_rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=16f14aeb-bd11-4e9e-8c26-9ca0139074ee&pf_rd_i=desktop

Personally, for emergency lighting, I prefer "Hurricane" lanterns.

Safer, brighter, and they put out quite a bit of heat as well.

ETA: Just found this on Amazon, for £4-45 each.



https://www.amazon.co.uk/West5Products-French-Vintage-Willie-Winkie-Candle/dp/B00NU7AB0Y/ref=sr_1_27?ie=UTF8&qid=1485029426&sr=8-27&keywords=household+candles

fuddle

Ah this isn't emergency lighting. No, purely an indulgent purchase based upon memories of my childhood and kitting out my new home with nice pretty things that are somewhat useful. Thank you for your help today. I found what I was after

NewShadow

Bob - have you got a good source for hurricane/paraffin lamps?

I've got battery powered for emergencies, but like the idea of a 'real' one or two for contingencies - and as you say, heat.

I've been keeping an eye open on the usual sites, but lots of them seem to be reported as leaking paraffin after a few months.

DigForVictory

Get a vintage lantern Aladdin for example & restore it with the kits available - fresh seals & plenty of useful advice in with. Says she whose husband restores old stuff just for the buzz & so was placidly waiting out a power cut with a Tilley, an Aladdin & rushlights ...

In all seriousness the Britannia beef dripping is perfectly adequate (although tallow you've rendered yourself is *always* cleaner & much less smelly), rushes are free for a bit of squelching with a penknife & long carrier and can be a load of fun for all the family. (But then we're a Bit Odd in some of our hobbies.)

Gilbert White goes through the process then here and there is even an illustrated guide (with comments) here although some of the images may not be safe at work....

The beloved St Ruth (Goodman) was shown drawing peeled rushes through a frying pan - however, her halo had slipped a bit - food grease burns poorly & very stinkily. For a better light and much less aromatic experience, the real tallow & ideally a gresset (dedicated long pan) make the whole process affordable and family friendly (within reason!)

Give your children & grandchildren some new memories!

DigForVictory

On a completely separate thought, Am I the only person with a hearty assortment of FM capable radios who is frankly a Bit Dubious about DAB, especially from a Prepping perspective?
This article here says we "approach tipping point" but I do not count car radios for Prepping purposes & darkly suspect the Gummint of planning things to suit themselves (shame on my wicked wicked cynicism.)

And for all Which is saying they draw less juice than an FM radio - well, back when DAB was just starting they sure didn't so there are a heap of DAB radio which are NOT as power friendly as FM.

As for the "the FM spectrum is crowded" - yes I know, & I rejoice in it. They can always make the Beeb work on a slightly tighter band if they were of a mind. For a radio I can drag with me up a hill, (I do accept getting a decent signal in the underground bunker is always going to be a bit of an ask), across a river, charge with whatever skylight is around and still get a goodly amount of racket to sing along to my little FM beastie is job. The swish DAB Sony I've had out of it's box about twice, not wanting to damage it in its pristine expensive newness - I might as well be honest & shove it in the present drawer.

What do you reckon? Embrace digital (especially if you're near major roads as it seems incar efforts are being made, too bad if you love the hillsides) or cling to our vintage tech with an untrusting leer?!

[Deleted User]

NewShadow wrote: »

I've been keeping an eye open on the usual sites, but lots of them seem to be reported as leaking paraffin after a few months.

The best ones I've found, came from local shops, but the brands are available online. Trouble is, it's been so long since I bought them, I can't remember the brand name.

I'm going out shortly, so I'll have a look in the relevant shops, and see if I can find the brand names.

ETA: There was one in the shop, but it was on a shelf, with the label facing the other way, so I couldn't read it.

I'll pop in when the shop is open, and get the brand name.

Karmacat

DigForVictory wrote: »

On a completely separate thought, Am I the only person with a hearty assortment of FM capable radios who is frankly a Bit Dubious about DAB, especially from a Prepping perspective? .....

What do you reckon? Embrace digital (especially if you're near major roads as it seems incar efforts are being made, too bad if you love the hillsides) or cling to our vintage tech with an untrusting leer?!

I'm definitely dubious about DAB in terms of prepperdom - I have two windup radios that prove it :rotfl: - but if I was buying a radio to use right now, I'd probably by a DAB of some description - the technology is there, its pretty ubiquitous now, better to have it than not have it, dosh permitting

[Deleted User]

Karmacat wrote: »

but if I was buying a radio to use right now, I'd probably by a DAB of some description

I'd probably get one that does both DAB and FM.

[Deleted User]

£land is currently selling Red Label Great British Tea, in boxes of 160.