THE Prepping thread - a new beginning :)

Cappella

Maryb - Elderberry syrup is certainly soothing if you suffer from sore throats over the winter. I make mine with honey for a double whammy (though that's mainly to use the set honey that no one seems to want to buy any more?)

GreyQueen

I was in a pharmacy a couple of days ago when a mature and respectable gentleman came in asking for citric acid.

A wary assistant asked what he wanted it for and visibly relaxed when he said it was for making elderflower wine; she explained that some pharmacists have stopped selling it as it can also be used in the production of drugs.

Any old-stylers finding it difficult to get their hands on the makings of traditional things, due to such issues?

monnagran

I get a similar reaction when I ask for tartaric acid to make my concentrated orange squash.

The last time I obtained it from the pharmacist in T*sc*s. The only stipulation was that I came back with the recipe.

Cappella

GQ I buy both online from the home brew shop
https://www.the-home-brew-shop.co.uk/acatalog/Tartaric_Acid_and_Citric_Acid.html
Have never had a problem, but maybe pharmacists are more aware of possible drug links?
You can substitute lemon or lime juice though, they work just as well.

I struggle these days to find pickling spices in quantity, unless I buy them online. Also borax is unobtainable now, and the substitute isn't anything like as good.

Cappella

Forgot to say. What do preppers think of this?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-44452491
At first I just smiled - but then the full nanny state implications hit me.

[Deleted User]

Wow, someone is being extremely 'precious' to have written that letter. Drying washing outside used to be the only way to do it and lines to dry hung across alleyways and roads between the top storeys of houses for centuries. Hats off to the residents who have now hung out washing at the front of their homes in a solidarity display with the lady who received the letter and I hope she continues to dry her smalls in full view for the foreseeable future. Good grief what is objectionable about undies? we all wear them (with the possible exception of Hester of course!) and we all need to dry them when they're washed, get a life letter writer!

alfsmum

One of my OS pleasures this morning as been hanging the washing on the line in the sunshine.

We had a few days in Devon in April and visited Colyford and Colyton on the old tram line - they are very pretty places so maybe the council doesn’t want to frighten off the tourists :rotfl:

Concentrating on buying locally produced fruit and veg as far as possible in case imports are hit by Brexit but surely it’s in the interest of big F&V exporters in the EU to achieve a good understanding with the UK or they will suffer financially?

Also stocking up on bottled water in case of a long hot summer:cool:

Shropshirelass

Regarding hanging your washing outside, I can't remember where I read about someone's mother, who was so prim and proper she wouldn't hang the girls' knickers next to the boy's underpants!!

monnagran

Shropshirelass wrote: »

Regarding hanging your washing outside, I can't remember where I read about someone's mother, who was so prim and proper she wouldn't hang the girls' knickers next to the boy's underpants!!

That's my grandmother you are talking about.

maryb

I can get citric acid in Wilkos. But I did have problems getting it in a chemists a few years ago for the reason you said. But lots of Asian supermarkets also sell it - the sort that sell big packets of spices.

I also bought - whisper it (but don't spell it) - some salt peter years ago from a butcher's supply shop in Smithfield. I got it to make ye olde English Spiced Beef. But since the result was meh (think corned beef but less tasty) it's never bothered me that you can't get it for love nor money now

well you probably can get it from very dubious sources for money but expect a knock on the door shortly afterwards. Same as if you google luggage you wear over your shoulders in the same internet session as certain types of saucepan that cook rather quicker than normal