The Prepping Thread - A Newer Beginning ;)

GreyQueen

I'd been in this army surplus place before and bought a few bits and bobs there - ex-army shirt for 99p? Yup, and looks a tad less military without its epaulettes.

The guy in there was very keen to reassure me that there was nothing untoward about being a Lady in an army surplus store and that 35% of their customers are female. Not that I'm scared of being in Boys Shops, even with my wally-trolley in tow. Was sorely tempted by camoflague netting. I have no need of it but have always yearned for it. I suspect it is some leftover from my den-building days in the woods as a kiddo.:rotfl:

In the late fifties when my father was a farm labourer (by definiton a job hard on the clothes) he used to wear so much military surplus, and from so many different countries, that his workmates nicknamed him Nato (all farmboys have to have nicknames, he could have done worse, imo).

Ex-mil tools are always worth buying, keep your eyes peeled for the little arrow (or hens foot type mark). Bootsales are often fertile hunting grounds, this stuff is built to last and far better than much modern carp.

DryTheRain

MrsLurcherwalker wrote: »

Ikea made a fab solar reading light called SUNNAN which is no longer current in the shops but often found on E.Bay. Fab things which I charged once in full sunlight and now they live on a light windowsill and are always ready and charged to go. They give light to read/work by and although as with all solar appliances the light gradually lessens as the charge of the battery runs down ours, when we've used them, are still giving out light after a 12 hour 'on' period. The current Ikea solar lighting range is called Solvinden and also works we'' but the Sunnan lamps suit our needs best. We've never found a wind up lantern or torch that works properly or for a long period without hours of winding.

Double thank yous MrsLW, I've just returned from a successful F-F coke buying mission and now I have an excellent excuse for visiting ikea!

Also picked up radio earlier, super little thing it is, about the size of a large matchbox, good sound and 30m of radio from one minute of winding according to the instructions - although shouldn't really need it, solar devices seem to have come on in leaps and bounds as you say.

Reckon the igaditz solar/wind up torch will be next purchase, seems like a well regarded brand and part of the same company that makes Huel powders, worth checking out

jk0

GreyQueen wrote: »

Ex-mil tools are always worth buying,

For a second, I read that as ex mother-in-law tools.




I buy military surplus clothing also.

DigForVictory

jk0 wrote: »

ex mother-in-law tools.

Depending hugely on the lady, there. Can negatively impact your longevity if she carries a grudge.

Mind you, for really good kit, it may be worth taking up running?

jk0

BTW, I thought a reply I made on the motoring section might be relevant to this thread. A youngster was hit by a passing motorist when coming out of a space:

jk0 wrote: »

No help to you now, but in the future open your windows when maneuvering. Then you have an extra sense (hearing) to know if anyone is coming along.


I open windows at T junctions, driveways, parking, etc. Often on roundabouts, you can tell from a person's engine sound if they are thrashing it, so might collide with you.

Purple_kitten

GQ, We picked up a piece of camolage netting from an chap who picks up military auctioned off bits that we see about, I've never seen anything like it since which is a shame as I would love a second piece.

We use it across the front of the caravan window when we are away and the sun shines, it keeps the van amazingly cool, and helps with keeping the animals cool and calm.

We've heard people take the mickey out of us for using it, but it works fantastically for us, so what do we care what other people think.

thriftwizard

We use it across the front of the caravan window when we are away and the sun shines, it keeps the van amazingly cool,

Oooh, thanks, Purple kitten, that'd work on my van too! I've made thermal screens, which work well to keep light out & warmth in at night, but it does get stuffy if I use them to try to shade the interior. I think our old cam-net (used for den-building, then to shade the chicken run) is long gone, but I do see it at the market & at the car boot sales. I'll pick some up when I see the right size (or bigger) at the right price.

[Deleted User]

Morning all, it's cold and dreary and wet again today and I'm going to go into town on a hunt for a long waterproof coat, I only have waterproof jackets and am getting fed up with wet jeans and cold knees. I'll walk myself down to the retain outlets in the hope of picking up something totally unfashionable but functional for a reasonable amount in the remnants of the sales. I predict a stunning and dry summer as a result of this shopping expedition and feel that perhaps I should apologise in advance of the act so you know who to blame, it will be a unique experience in life to actually have done the thing I'm blamed for deliberately, currently I seem to be picking up flack for doing things I'd not intended to upset anyone anywhere, funny old existence isn't it? Oh well onwards and upwards.....

juliettet

Mrs LW, Please buy a coat and a wooly jumper and I will love you for ever. Spring has come to a chilly halt in my part of Scotland. Ignore. x

[Deleted User]

I shall do this for you (and for me!) as I have just found what I'm looking for online in a sale and it's a Stockmans Cape Coat that is knee length and I had one many years ago and know they are wind and waterproof and extremely tough and will keep me much more comfortable and let me go walking no matter what the weather decided to do on a given day. I hope this precipitates (sorry) the desired weather for you this summer and if it doesn't it won't be for want of trying M'dear, will it?