The Prepping Thread - A Newer Beginning ;)

Auntycaz

MingVase said:

Don't suppose anybody knows of a good place to get powdered mash? Preferably in bigger packs?

I got some Morrisons savers instant mash a couple of weeks ago 120gm pk for 28p. And Asda smart price is also 120gm the same price. We prefer the Asda one but do not have an Asda nearby and it was out of stock for a while. It is flakes rather than powder but we prefer it to smash etc 

Si_Clist

Elisheba said:

40 kg!  You must have been there day and night!  I picked 200gms yesterday and that took me about 20 minutes!

Gosh, that must have been hard work.  When they're as plentiful as they are this year in this neck of the woods, we reckon on 3 to 4lb per hour actually picking.  Another 9 lb yesterday takes the total to 97lb, so I guess we have to pick another 3lb and make the hundred just so when we're in the old folks' home we can say "Do you remember that year we picked a hundred pounds of blackberries?" ...

Si_Clist

MingVase said:

Don't suppose anybody knows of a good place to get powdered mash? Preferably in bigger packs?

Hello stranger!   If you know anybody who deals with catering suppliers, they might well have the 2kg packs of Smash that places like B&Bs use.

ETA - Amazon, £16 bar a penny, but obviously cheaper from somewhere like Brakes ...

MrsCD

Ming... None of the online ones are particularly cheap, compared to smart price etc.but...
Forestwholefoods.co.uk based in Dorset, have 1kg for £8.95, or 2kg for £17.49 + £2.99 p+p up to 2kg. I've never used them, but have a look and see what you think.
There's an organic shop in Edinburgh, realfoods.co.uk  1kg £11.86 + £4.99 p+p, unless you go to the shop!

MingVase

Saved that Brakes site ty Si and that Forestwholefoods on mrs CD.

Aunty caz I don't like the cheap supermarket  ones

tyty!

sammy_kaye18

Si_Clist said:

sammy_kaye18 

Does anyone think that blackouts will be a thing this winter ...?

Seeing as how (a) there's been hardly any money spent on the National Grid in the last 50 years, (b) at times last winter there was very little leeway between peak demand and the available supply, and in particular (c) our dear leaders have been at pains of late to reassure us that "the lights will stay on" this winter,  we're damned sure we'll have blackouts if we get a hard winter.

But whether we do or not, I'm obliged to you for the mention of pressure poles.  I had no idea such things existed, but one would be well handy here.  Any recommendations for an inexpensive make that's available online?

I had mine from Amazon. 
I just searched for tension rods and I think mine was a curtain pole and it was about £11 but it is sturdy when put up and whilst the weather has been hot I have moved it to the back door with a long net curtain on it so I could keep the back door open and flies out. Will seriously be buying another one as I find them so helpful and they are easily moved without leaving marks anywhere. 

@Si_Clist
This was the conversation I had with my grandmother a few days ago. She very much remembers blackouts and living through the second world war she knows all too well about being prepared (granted she was a child but she still has the memories) so I am taking heed and following her example. Stocking up on tea lights and candles. I have even been to pound stretcher and brought some of their £1 solar powered lights and now have 6 in the garden. They let out a fair bit of light and I figure if we do get black outs - at least I can bring them into the house and put them in plant pots so I can have some light that will charge happily outside. I also have string lights of solar powered lights that I could move into the stairway etc and am considering getting a set each for the kids bedrooms so they will have some form of light. Failing that I think I might purchase a small solar panel charger and rechargeable batteries so they can have touch lights. 
I'm already stocking up on jigsaws, card games, and board games as well as crafting items to keep them entertained. 

Hoping to go blackberry hunting tomorrow to get some Jam made and put aside and maybe a syrup or two as well 

sammy_kaye18

Auntycaz said:

MingVase said:

Don't suppose anybody knows of a good place to get powdered mash? Preferably in bigger packs?

I got some Morrisons savers instant mash a couple of weeks ago 120gm pk for 28p. And Asda smart price is also 120gm the same price. We prefer the Asda one but do not have an Asda nearby and it was out of stock for a while. It is flakes rather than powder but we prefer it to smash etc 

Have you tried searching potato falkes? I know a few on a preppers page on facebook have had some good deals on them recently. I will try and look where they got them and the prices. 
I know a few have also brought knorr soup powders off of amazon too for big tubs that make over 200 servings so Im considering one of them for winter to at least help heat the person and it will hopefully be a quick and easy meal or warmer at least. 

DigForVictory

I yearn to pick pounds of blackberries but the pint & a half I picked yesterday got demolished at the next meal. I arranged for meringues & cream to be co-located & bamf - all the fruit was gone! Aye well, I'll try harder when I'm back home & the house isn't full of grieving family who "couldn't eat a thing" but as soon as you sit them with plateful full - manage to find an appetite. Wholly what m'father would have wished, that we made absolutely certain mum kept eating.

DigForVictory

Si_Clist said:
 Another 9 lb yesterday takes the total to 97lb, so I guess we have to pick another 3lb and make the hundred just so when we're in the old folks' home we can say "Do you remember that year we picked a hundred pounds of blackberries?" ...

And that would be a Glorious memory - I salute you & hope the 3lb fall into outstretched containers easily!

Auntycaz

@sammy_kaye18 I don't use much instant potato as there is only me but I keep a few packs in for emergencies or for when my daughter and her partner visit. He's gluten intolerant so the instant potato can be used as a thickener. It can also be used to rescue your potatoes if you accidentally overboil them and they go too watery.