THE Prepping thread - a new beginning :)

I've never bought at a house and never wanted to - the RV worked as a crane driver in the docks and they seemed to be on strike more than in work, so we'd never have managed a mortgage. I'm quite happy to pay rent forever beause in the bad times we didn't pay it at all. BUT if I did buy one, it would never be one that relied on central heating, or a boiler or any fancy expensive heat source. It would need an open fireplace with a chimney. Absolute number one priority - because then you have instant heat anytime, provided you have some coal. And when you've no money for coal then you take the kids and go foraging for fallen wood. Been there, done it, and it works.

That's what I miss up here MrsL - if we had a wee shop then at least there would be somewhere to go and talk to a human being when you feel you want to - I can sometimes go weeks without seeing any neighbours to talk to.

its the lack of little shops that is causing so many people to talk to the walls

Unfortunately I don't have a fireplace or stove but I did make sure the gas hob should still work in a power cut so that I could have a hot meal, warm drinks, soup etc and a thermos flask that can be filled.

I have a couple of solar lights, lots of tea lights and hot water bottles. Planning to make a patchwork throw from a single duvet over the winter that will hopefully look decorative and can be grabbed if needed. I even have a slow cooker that does not need electricity.

After a week of eating sensibly I have lost five pounds. Initially I was a bit disappointed and hoped for more then realised that in the past I had been on "diets" with a quick initial weight loss that I could not sustain for weeks and months and ended up miserable and feeling like a failure. This way I am not "on a diet" and am eating a good size plate of real food I have cooked myself and snacks are things like fruit or yoghurt or a couple of crispbread - not bicuits, crisps, chocolate etc.

mardatha

I am lucky I am a few minutes walk away from a good bus route that will take me to the other end of town or to York or Leeds but I am also only five minutes walk away from a very small supermarket, a newsagent/post office, hairdresser and a cafe and chip shop ( the latter not so good for the healthy eating)

Have just cleared out underneath the sink as a new washing machine is being delivered this afternoon and access might be needed. Everything is now in a cardboard box and I am shocked how much there was under there.

BB

I have a camping stove and a Kelly kettle - carefully hidden away so dds don't think I have lost my marbles.

Two of my dds have their own homes about 25 minutes drive away in different directions and if one area had problems we would probably congregate at a house that was unaffected.

I usually make sure I have things that can be eaten cold like cooked meat, cheese and crackers etc.as well as a decent stock of dried and tinned goods and a freezer.