Thinking about winter 24-25....

[Frnc]

La Nina is likely soon, and it is supposed to make early to mid winter colder, but it's not likely to be a lot. I'm looking at a temp anomaly chart for Dec-Feb average in La Nina years, and the anomaly is nothing for Scotland, and about -0.3° for southern England. Jet stream could be roughly over central England with high pressure north and low pressure south.

We could also get some Arctic air due to a weak polar vortex at some point like we did December 2022 when I was decorating the prep room. I remember that.

[Yorkshire Andy]

Scouring the net for offers

Mountain warehouse have a clearance page

Got the lad a down filled jacket for £30 ideal for a bug out / car bag it comes with a stiff sack 9-10 yo size packs down Into a sack similar to the regatta kag in a bag

Perfect for my car boot and the wife won t find it apparently he doesn't neef another coat

https://www.mountainwarehouse.com/clear ... AsQAvD_BwE


Got the kids ski trousers last year they were muck cheap too

[Frnc]

Treated myself to a new softshell jacket. 'Softshell' is a very broad category, almost useless as a descriptor. This is a Montane Khamsin hoodie. It has an outer layer that is moderately windproof, but not as windproof as my pertex windproof. I'm a bit surprised it isn't more windproof to be honest. Maybe it's a tradeoff with breathability. It has a separate inner layer that is fairly thin, but very warm for the thickness. It's not waterproof, but will be ok in drizzle. To be honest, if I was going hiking, I'd probably stick to fleece and wind shell (eg pertex) combo, as it's better in strong wind. But this is a nice jacket for autumn and spring. It''s actually aimed at alpine climbing. It was expensive, but got it on 3 months interest free paypal payment.

I have another that's one thick heavy layer, I don't really like that type. They tend to be more windproof, but not very breathable, and are heavy.

[Frnc]

Treated myself to a new softshell jacket. 'Softshell' is a very broad category, almost useless as a descriptor. This is a Montane Khamsin hoodie. It has an outer layer that is moderately windproof, but not as windproof as my pertex windproof. I'm a bit surprised it isn't more windproof to be honest. Maybe it's a tradeoff with breathability.

I see this is described as wind resistant, whereas their windproofs are described as windproof. Windproofs are very light weight and pack down to a tiny size, so you could easily carry one as well. They are pretty breathable, and some have under arm vents. This has no vents, just a full front zip.

It has a separate inner layer that is fairly thin, but very warm for the thickness. It's not waterproof, but will be ok in drizzle. To be honest, if I was going hiking, I'd probably stick to fleece and wind shell (eg pertex) combo, as it's better in strong wind. But this is a nice jacket for autumn and spring. It''s actually aimed at alpine climbing. It was expensive, but got it on 3 months interest free paypal payment.

I have another that's one thick heavy layer, I don't really like that type. They tend to be more windproof, but not very breathable, and are heavy.

[Yorkshire Andy]

All outside lights recharged now...

Little misses push bike overhauled and serviced new batteries fitted in the bolt on bike lights (pashly style bike so has a bolt on rack mount light and reflector plus the front i made a custom mount so it sits just infront of the basket

The bad rain warnings spurred me on to a recharge campaign in the house anything light related got topped up

Let the smoke alarm batteries slip my mind one job this week although they claim 3 year battery life they get done yearly + co alarms

[Frnc]

Checked and charged 3 powerbanks and 5 lithium batteries. Made a start on my AAAs. I have quite a few in the BOB, torch, headtorch etc to charge. The motion light ones obviously get done as and when. October is a good time to do them, before winter.

Got a few cold nights coming up.

[Yorkshire Andy]

Had a sort out last night still can't find my down gillet half wondering if I left it somewhere


Dug a pack of batteries out the stores to do the smoke alarms and co detectors that's tonights task


Started pooling winter car kit together need to dig my car boot out it's blooming full again

[Yorkshire Andy]

Smoke alarms all checked batteries replaced .. along with co alarms all fire fighting kit inspected (gauges tested on extinguishers with gauges and co2 extinguisher weighed off with suitcase scales )

Got some solar stuff out charging whilst I can

[Frnc]

Heating came properly on this morning. Will have to see if it comes on tonight. I'm keeping an eye on lodger's rooms temps via my phone. I am currently checking a different make of thermometer for the hall. It can't be calibrated, but it seems too be settling at 0.3° below mine, which is within tolerance. Not that I know mine is any more accurate. The lodgers ones are calibrated to mine, which is better though. This one is Therm Pro, theirs are Govee. Govee app uses a ton of battery if you don't quit the app.

Dehumidifier running 24/7, never reaching target. Is supposed to remove 10l per day in ideal conditions, but it doesn't do even half that. And it's a good make. But it has reached target in the past.

[Cocotte]

Dehumidifier running 24/7, never reaching target. Is supposed to remove 10l per day in ideal conditions, but it doesn't do even half that.

This might seem like a simple solution, but have you gave it a good clean recently?
Last time I gave our dehumidifier's filter a proper scrub it went from a full bucket every 2 days to almost twice a day. I thought it'd only save 6 hours at most.