THE Prepping thread - a new beginning :)

moneyistooshorttomention

But "not going into a city" if one can help it isnt a viable proposition for those of us either living in a city on the one hand or those of us who have a "home city" that we visit at intervals on the other hand.

Worst for those living in a city. But I know - as someone who has a "home city" elsewhere in the country it would be an unviable proposition not to visit there - as I'd not get to see friends back there/have my opportunities at intervals of every shop I am used to having all available at once/have lots of new places to eat out at to try (a big interest of mine). So, even just as a visitor to a city these days - it would mean a noticeably worsened life - because of allowing terrorists to frighten me. Their whole idea seems to be to destroy our "way of life" and I would have just allowed them to restrict me having my full access to my "way of life".

Each to their own - but, personally, I'd rather carry on with my life as normal (whilst maintaining reasonable awareness of surroundings) and just hope that if the worst comes to the worst - then at least I get instantly killed (which wouldnt bother me) - rather than injured (which would bother me).

As I said - each to their own.

EDIT; post in response to one by Mrs Lurcherwalker made re being in cities that has now been deleted by her.

Cappella

I don't have a choice, I live in a city and if I want/need to shop for anything other than food, or if I want to change my library books, I have to go into Manchester city centre. I wish it were otherwise but it's not: so, as Mardatha and MrsLW have already said I just make sure that I'm vigilant at all times and have quick exiits out of crowded areas worked out.
As I've said previously I was in the city centre in 1996 when the IRA bomb went off. I exited the centre very quickly when the police issued warnings and walked home via the canal. It was very frightening then, and it is even more so after the concert bombing, but I will NOT allow terrorists ( or anyone else) dictate to me where I can, and cannot go in my own adopted city.

However I am very aware that our level of air pollution is the highest in the UK, and that the number of rough sleepers and/or drug addicts seems to increase every time I go up to town and both if these facts do really worry me as, unlike terrorist attacks these are both things that the ptb do have some degree of control over. Accommodation for rough sleepers COILD be provided and air pollution could be cut sharply if car use was restricted. Both measures would however be unpopular and would be vote losers so nothing is done at all.
I have no answers, I'm just sad that city living is becoming even less enjoyable than ever here, and that the terrorists, the corrupt and greedy politicians seem to be the only ones benefitting from the decline in city standards of living.

fuddle

I don't go into the city because it's miles away. I live in a semi rural place with a small town nearby that I walk to every day.

One thing I do when 'summat feels up' is check on twitter. If summat of consequence is up the locals will say on there, or facebook. I follow a local 'incidents' groups which is pretty good at giving live updates in our area. I follow the local council, water, weather and emergency services.

It's only ever satisfied the nosiness in me but if something went down I'd bet my bottom dollar the locals would trip over themselves to post about it.

moneyistooshorttomention

That is one thing that does make sense to me - ie checking out local Facebook pages etc and I have several I follow here. I guess it's fortunate that the most "interesting" thing I ever notice on any of them is whatever totally illogical thing my local Council has just got up to this time - as they make quite a habit of it.......

[Deleted User]

Sensible thing to do FUDS, we even have a facebook 'village page' out in the sticks in south Hants. Admittedly it's more likely to be someone looking for a lost cat than something untoward but any burglaries or vandalism incidents get posted too and village events and the times of the church services and uniformed associations like Scouts.etc. just once I a while though they flag up something worth knowing about and missing persons have been found because of their posts, it's a useful tool and part of staying as safe as you can.

DigForVictory

I work in Manchester too. I tend to stay out of the crowded spaces wherever possible, mostly as I'm not a fan of crowds, but when I have to, I plot my lines in & out very carefully. I've been on the peripheries of IRA urban refurbishment - colleagues have been closer & still get twitchy.

However, the city is fearsome robust - its people do not do this "we are not afraid" more a "call that an attack?" & their kindness & collective humanity are more potent than anything I've met bottled.

I'm a first aider, and got a bit of extra In The Event Of training (online) so I know what systems exist to look after me & those around me. So when we needed to update the plans, I had a few stern words about the formal comms being a good hour slower than the gossipnet so no surprise different teams initiated different responses! Fingers crossed the powers will agree to get the good word out faster. Meantime, I've updated my phone with more numbers so the gossipnet runs faster... And stuck a yellow stickum of numbers clearly written onto the back of my building pass, so when my phone goes flat I can find a landline!

Witless

pollyanna_26 wrote: »

I think the tipping point was the announcement that Tory mps who lost their seats in the election were being given financial support by the government as many of them were in financial difficulties !!!
You couldn't make that up . That wont be a whipround in the house that will come out of public money .

Not new unfortunately - they've always 'looked after their own'.

The resettlement, in various guises has been going as long as MPs expenses AFAIK.*

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8074351.stm

* When introduced in 1911 a MP's salary was the equivalent of £159000.00 - double today's rate - MPs were entitled to an annual payment of £400 each (£159,000 in today’s money and far more than today’s MPs earn).

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-1343196/A-century-ago-giant-politics-introduced-pay-MPs-The-result-Pygmies-like-Clegg.html

Perplexed_Pineapple

Witless wrote: »

Not new unfortunately - they've always 'looked after their own'.

The resettlement, in various guises has been going as long as MPs expenses AFAIK.*

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8074351.stm

Interesting link Witless:
"The Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg thinks they should be scrapped. He said: "I can see no reason why an MP who is sacked or decides to stand down should be rewarded with a big, tax-free, lump sum payment.""
I wonder whether he still thinks that now that it has happened to him? :rotfl:

[Deleted User]

maryb wrote: »

But her battery was being drained quite quickly so top of the shopping list is a power pack

I may have found something that would suit.

It fits devices fitted with the Apple 30 pin socket (and of course, anything for which a 30 pin converter is available), and anything with a micro USB socket.

Currently 99p at Home Bargains.

According to the packaging, it provides 60 minutes of extra talk time (based on I-Phone 4S performance).

Width - 1-1/8"

Thickness - 1/2"

Length (when set up for Apple 30 pin) - 2-3/8"

Length (when set up for Micro USB) - 3-1/8"

Weight (fully assembled for micro USB) - 1.1oz

It even has a chord, for attaching to a key-ring, etc. :cool:

pineapple

MrsLurcherwalker wrote: »

For me the answer is don't go into a city or a crowded place unless you have a need to, something imperative that has to be done and stay vigilant at all times, always have an exit route in your mind from wherever you are so if anything kicks off you know where to go quickly and on foot to the safest area you can think of, then get yourself home as quickly as you can.

I'm singling this out but I find the whole comment a bit sad. Personally I'm not convinced that to be so 'aware' is actually a good thing. I'm no statistician but I'm pretty sure we are much more likely to come to grief through things other than terrorism or violence. For car drivers - double that risk.
I recently had to balance on stepladders at the top of the stairs to change a light fitting. Which was riskier - that or a shopping dash around the nearest large town? Answers on a postcard please...
I'm no fan of cities or large towns- I don't like traffic or crowds. But when I do have to visit one, I seize the moment to enjoy the things I don't have access to in my rural backwater. I'm not saying we should be oblivious to risk but it's a question of balance and proportion. We are on this earth such a short time - every moment we spend in fear or looking over our shoulders is a wasted moment.