THE Prepping thread - a new beginning :)

DigForVictory

Was amused to get an email reminding me to check & either install or update a car kit - the yanks opine these are what matter:
"# Water (mylar pouches or glass containers are best for extreme temperatures)
# 72 hour kit food, high calorie meal bars, or other snacks
# Cash (£20-30 in small bills and include some change)
# Nappies/wipes if you have kids (may even want to put together a Mummy Emergency Kit)
# Car shovel/pick
# Jumper
# Car shovel/pick
# Pocket knife or multi-tool
# First aid kit
# Radio (hand crank or battery operated)
# Flashlight (hand crank or battery operated)
# Package of batteries (for flashlight and radio)
# Toilet paper roll
# Spare clothes/walking shoes for all family members
# simple portable cooker"

Given that I ship 4 thumping great chaps, I think I can skip the nappies although wipes might not be a bad idea so long as they don't freeze.
High calorie snacks - as soon as the chaps know they are there, the snack survival time is measured in seconds. I'd do better storing dextrosol tablets so they get the sugar but they're not overfond of the taste.
Cash (see snacks, but also I carry a modest float for carparks which they do appreciate I need. After a few vehement upbraidings.)
Emergency blankets for 5 will occupy a fair bit of boot space.
Jumper cables - admirable idea, but I need to (a) find them & (b) laminate the instructions.
Car shovel - if it's strong enough to last more than 2 months, it's possibly a bit heavy for me or so bijou that it ls near useless digging. I layer old car mats so I have something to shove under wheels though.
pocket knife or multi-tool - stepping aside from our kife crime legislation, my leatherman is 98% blunt instrument - I lack the knowledge to use it as a tool qua tool most of the time.
first aid kit - yes, currently toting a large kit though more by accident than design
radio - hand cranked radio last seen in house. I may acquiz another for the BOB bag in the car.
Flashlight - I've a headtorch in the car In Case & some little not quite OK for bike lights to alert other road users in the BOB bag.
Loo roll. Not unreasonable but cars get damp & then freeze...
spare clothes/boots etc for all family members (OK there goes the rest of the boot space & my budget)
but I do have a hexi stove in my car brew kit & although I wouldn't care to put money on in what state the matches are, I did shove some disposable lighters in the BOB bag. If the weather continues unpleasant, I may relocate a tub of hot chocolate, mostly so I can delight the young when they finish the existing stash in the house.

Anyone else reviewed their BOB bag/ car kit in the light of recent meteorological excitements? What else should we be considering? (Says she with in-car phone charging gear, and several pairs of nylons amongst other come-in-handy kit.)

ariarnia

We've got:

- a couple of bottles of lucozade (mostly for the OH after a run),
- a packet of fudge, packet of bikkies and normally some trailmix (for when the sprogs and I are waiting around at race),
- A couple of wool army surplus blankets on the back seats (again for said races),
- £20 stashed in the glove box,
- a first aid kit (OH is a first responder so has a BIG kit and has high vis wear in it),
- toolbox (generally just lives in the car and I think has a head torch thing in),
- a mix of games and toys for the sprogglets, plus chargers for phones and iPads for music and video when they don't want to play.

When we're in the car with the sprogs I've also got their bag (both under 5) which has snacks, wipes, training pants.

thriftwizard

DfV, have you ever considered investing in a van?! Most of them items on that list live permanently in my little Bongo as "essential camping kit" which need to stay there in case I have to camp out down at Mums, or we need an emergency picnic - don't laugh, the sun is shining brightly down here & at this time of year the coast isn't clogged with Japanese photographers trying to capture the spirit of Hardy's novels. (Very popular with the Japanese, Thomas Hardy) It may not be as cheap to run as my previous little car, but it's much more fun and in many ways, much more practical too, not just in emergencies or for work.

We're still awaiting anything more than the odd flake drifting down, easily confused with blackthorn blossom! But I gather it's got into Hampshire now, & needless to say I've had a panicky message from Mum's carers... the doc has been notified & I'm just waiting to see whether I'm in for another emergency A&E dash. I had a suspicion they hadn't got to the root of the problem last week...

monnagran

Thanks GQ for a much needed chuckle.
Your treatise on the 'dreaded Origami' deserves to be immortalised on a roll of parchment somewhere. Possibly kept in the temperature controlled broom cupboard along with you-know-who.

Karmacat

Afternoon all! For me, the snow has had a huge effect. I was due to be travelling by train from Merseyside down to south east England today, we'd have had to go through two bands of snow on that journey. So we travelled yesterday - but our stuff, some of my mum's inherited possessions, was driven down here today by my brother in a rented van. He said the snow on Merseyside was the worst, when he set off at 4.30 this morning :eek:

It started yesterday here in SE England, as I arrived back at 3pm - very little flakes all the time, but it keeps coming back, we had to unload the van in heavy snow. His cold-weather precautions took up about as much space as my possessions which I was really happy to see.

I left the heating on low (14 degrees on the thermostat, to stop the pipes freezing while I was away) and it was on when I got back, so the house had definitely been very, very cold. Two of my repotted sets of basil plants from the supermarket have died, even in the house!

mardatha

Karma I can't keep basil alive through the winter either, it always dies in my kitchen. I need more tealights to heat up my bathroom..

[Deleted User]

We've had snow flurries for most of the afternoon, the temperature outside is now falling fast and the sky 'is a lovely shade of yellow' . We'll get what we get or not, nothing to do about it but wait and see. At least we're as set up as we can be and have supplies in hand anyway to see us through not being able to get around outside and wood enough to warm us for about 4 years.....I hope it doesn't last that long though!

Witless

GreyQueen wrote: »

I'd be interested in seeing a pic, Witless.

Hmmm

Well, you did ask! (BTW - I'll be amazed if this works!)

GreyQueen

If I need to boost some wheels come the apocalyse, I'm twocking Witless's ride. I'd look good in that hat, too.

We've had just under an inch of snow here, and it stopped snowing shortly after 6 am (I was watching it). Bitterly cold but dry. Not sure how the rest of the week will pan out, but I shall keep toddling up to the orifice as per usual.

As predicted, bin lorries have been struggling to get into certain streets.

Looking at pix of people de-snowing their cars, I had one of my LBM. What a fantastic idea it would be to put one of those nylon car-covers on if there was the threat of snow. Just a simple heave-and-shake and off the snow comes, like crumbs off a tablecloth. Or, you could bang it off with a broom without worrying about dinging your paintwork. Anyone seeing any problems with this idea (I haven't got a car these days so can't test it IRL)?

In honour of the shivery temps, I have had the fake-fur trapper hat out today. Because I can, and I love any excuse to wear it.:rotfl:

Witless

GreyQueen wrote: »

If I need to boost some wheels come the apocalyse, I'm twocking Witless's ride. I'd look good in that hat, too.

Much as I luvs ya dearly - I wouldn't fancy your chances (or anyones!) of success!

GreyQueen wrote: »

...... Anyone seeing any problems with this idea (I haven't got a car these days so can't test it IRL)?

Dunno, but, depending on the weight of snow forcing the plastic onto the metal / glass, surely there's a chance of it freezing to the car?

My meagre in car supplies include a 12" window cleaning squeegie with a rubber blade on one side and foam on the other: never ended up with either paintwork damage or cold hands when using it.

2 swipes left to right clears the windows, 3 window to grill clears the bonnet, 3 front to back clears the roof: total time about 1 min.