The Prepping Thread - A Newer Beginning ;)

DigForVictory

When you see those "basin & ewer" shots, the washstand, the slop bucket & the chamber pot are usually missing... 

As the coolth returns, we've had rain.The laundry left on the line is now soaking - do I just let nature take its course this afternoon (crossing fingers) & probably dry it, or do I whip it into the machine for a spin & then peg it back out again?

MrsCD

When I was very young, we used to go to stay with my Grandma's sister in Halifax for a few days, in the school holidays. She had an outdoor toilet and no bathroom, so we all had to take turns having a wash down in the kitchen. That's how she lived for most of her life. This was in the 1960's.

annieb64

That takes me back, MrsCD. My Dad had a cousin who lived in a terraced house in Rochdale. He also had an outdoor toilet and no bathroom. No hot water supply either. Water was heated in a kettle which lived on a metal ledge in front of the fire.

He washed his clothes at the laundrette and every fortnight went to a public bath.

Although we enjoyed staying with him-visiting relatives, trips into Manchester,  lovely fish and chip shops-we hated the outside toilet. It opened onto the passageway which ran behind the houses and we were very self conscious in case anyone came past which we were using it. At night there was a comode in the bedroom which we tried not to use.

He lived like that until he died in 1977. The house was rented, his parents had moved in when they married in 1902.

Si_Clist

-taff said:

... I'd hope that most people would realise the bath would be a good place to stand.

Quite so - but perhaps not in the middle of winter when your bathroom's unheated, it has solid stone walls and a large single-glazed window, and the logburner's been going all day in the kitchen ... 

MrsCD

annieb64 said:

That takes me back, MrsCD. My Dad had a cousin who lived in a terraced house in Rochdale. He also had an outdoor toilet and no bathroom. No hot water supply either. Water was heated in a kettle which lived on a metal ledge in front of the fire.

He washed his clothes at the laundrette and every fortnight went to a public bath.

Although we enjoyed staying with him-visiting relatives, trips into Manchester,  lovely fish and chip shops-we hated the outside toilet. It opened onto the passageway which ran behind the houses and we were very self conscious in case anyone came past which we were using it. At night there was a comode in the bedroom which we tried not to use.

He lived like that until he died in 1977. The house was rented, his parents had moved in when they married in 1902.

My great aunty only had a small water heater on the wall in the kitchen and a gas fire in the one room downstairs. Upstairs was the bedroom, in the loft, where we had to fit the ladies in. The men I seem to remember managed on shakey downs in the living room!
The highlight of the holiday was going to the ice cream factory. We'd buy a big block and it would be wrapped in lots of newspaper to bring back home to County Durham. It didn't melt very much and it survived in grandma's little freezer for a few days when we got back.

Si_Clist

So ... today the National Grid assures us that "the lights will stray on". 

Right then.  Time to check your stocks of candles, matches and torch  batteries ...

Doveling

Just done that  . Plus ordered another pallet of kiln dried logs!
Two more hot water bottles and another flask on the shopping list!

Doveling

Went to RHS show at Tatton last weekend. Some beautiful driftwood sculptures of horses but they cost thousands so gave them a miss  . What I did spot was a mini greenhouse which would suit my needs perfectly. The base was a raised bed with shelves above. All within arm's reach if sat in a wheelchair. Enough for keeping us in salad stuffs through the summer next year. Realistically, I could not cope with a full size greenhouse. What my head says I can do and what my body says I can do, do not appear to tally . The show price holds for a week so got to make my mind up!

Si_Clist

Doveling said:

Just done that  . Plus ordered another pallet of kiln dried logs!
Two more hot water bottles and another flask on the shopping list!

GIven how little's been spent on the National Grid in the last 50 years and how close total demand came to available supply at times last winter, I reckon you'll be very glad indeed of that if we get anything like a cold winter this time.

We reckon we've enough logs in for two winters if we can't afford to use the central heating at all or the gas gets rationed, but even so I dearly wish we could find somewhere to stack another load or two before the price goes through the roof ...

DigForVictory

How Himself would grin if we managed to use up some of the candles he made. He also refurbished Tilley lanterns so while we have fuel, we can have the lit hiss: then switch centuries & work by rushlights.