What Preps are you doing this week? Part 11

[moominmama]

Re - Christmas cards / postage

I have seen lots of Christmas cards on sale recently as well, and at prices normally only seen in the January clear out sales. Talking to volunteers in charity shops, they have all mentioned massive decline on sales of Christmas cards, and income from them in the last few years due to stamp price increase. I bought second class stamps in bulk last year, 6 books of 50 and are using these, probably my best most recent financial decision.

Stopped using Royal Mail for posting overseas, as now use Evri International for international as my experience is that they are faster, cheaper and more reliable.

I check postal monkey before I post anything with Royal Mail, not just price, I found Royal Mail and Parcel Force to be very unreliable.

[Kiwififer]

I don’t know where to stick this but I feel we need a series of government information adverts back on the telly, you know like the Green Cross Code, Charlie says and ‘don’t fly a kite near pylons’.

The amount of clueless idiots crossing the roads in Edinburgh with earphones in and the brain disengaged is increasing by the day. The thing is, the majority are not tourists anymore (they are a pain in the summer), it’s university students who by definition are meant to be quite clever…

[diamond lil]

I was in Costa this morning (Peebles) KF, and watched a lassie suddenly turn and zoom onto the High St, busy yakking on her phone. Cars screeched to a halt right and left of her but she never let on, just sniggered away at her phone. Some people just deserve to be run over
And thanks for yr post moominmama I didnt even know you could use couriers for international parcels.

[Arzosah]

Re - Christmas cards / postage

I have seen lots of Christmas cards on sale recently as well, and at prices normally only seen in the January clear out sales. Talking to volunteers in charity shops, they have all mentioned massive decline on sales of Christmas cards, and income from them in the last few years due to stamp price increase. I bought second class stamps in bulk last year, 6 books of 50 and are using these, probably my best most recent financial decision.

Glad to know its not just me, but sad to hear it's across the board. When I went into shops regularly, I only ever bought birthday and Christmas cards from charities

Stopped using Royal Mail for posting overseas, as now use Evri International for international as my experience is that they are faster, cheaper and more reliable.

I check postal monkey before I post anything with Royal Mail, not just price, I found Royal Mail and Parcel Force to be very unreliable.

Very interesting! Thanks for that - I don't send much abroad any more, but if I need to, then I've had to pay whatever rate they deem best. This is good news, thank you.

[Medusa]

Medusa, I hope its gone really well, your hotel has kept power, your trains weren't delayed, and you're having a smashing time

I'm snug at home - no power loss, all is well.

Thank you, I had such a nice time. All was well at home, the power at the hotel worked but the trains were pretty bad. The message being "don't travel, go home and make a brew and relax". Had to get buses home, it took 4 hours, no big deal. Glad you are ok too

[mcprepper]

Currently reviewing my EDC bag … small rucksack which I keep in the car (I work about 15miles from home and park right next to work so there if I ever needed it) which currently contains:
2l bottle water
First aid kit incl. paracetamol etc
20 water purification tabs
Swiss army penknife
Emergency blankets x2
Small fire starting kit
Small torch
Few snacks
Tiny sewing kit
Hand gel
SAS survival guide!

I also keep blankets and a pair of comfy trainers in the car as I wear heels for work. What have I missed? Any suggestions?

[Yorkshire Andy]

Currently reviewing my EDC bag … small rucksack which I keep in the car (I work about 15miles from home and park right next to work so there if I ever needed it) which currently contains:
2l bottle water
First aid kit incl. paracetamol etc
20 water purification tabs
Swiss army penknife
Emergency blankets x2
Small fire starting kit
Small torch
Few snacks
Tiny sewing kit
Hand gel
SAS survival guide!

I also keep blankets and a pair of comfy trainers in the car as I wear heels for work. What have I missed? Any suggestions?

People will disagree but bin the foil blankets if they are the generic silver foil types tiny rip and it's spreads in the wind more robust SOL branded ones are laminated with polythene so they are much stronger god teer will be the blizzard bags used by the NHS ambulance crews these days

https://fellrunningguide.co.uk/blizzard-bags/

They are more like £40 these days

I've also got a foil backed tarp

https://www.amazon.co.uk/REDCAMP-Waterp ... d_source=1

Bit more bulky but will make a decent shelter if needed

[mcprepper]

People will disagree but bin the foil blankets if they are the generic silver foil types tiny rip and it's spreads in the wind more robust SOL branded ones are laminated with polythene so they are much stronger god teer will be the blizzard bags used by the NHS ambulance crews these days

https://fellrunningguide.co.uk/blizzard-bags/

They are more like £40 these days

I've also got a foil backed tarp

https://www.amazon.co.uk/REDCAMP-Waterp ... d_source=1

Bit more bulky but will make a decent shelter if needed

Hmm - yes they are the thinner ones - I’ll maybe just leave them in the car for any random emergencies involving other folk who might need one but get the type you have suggested for my own SHTF / night outdoors-type scenario.
Tarp is a good idea - I’ve got a few in the garage so I could keep one in the car though it might be best if I actually learn how to use it?!

[Yorkshire Andy]

People will disagree but bin the foil blankets if they are the generic silver foil types tiny rip and it's spreads in the wind more robust SOL branded ones are laminated with polythene so they are much stronger god teer will be the blizzard bags used by the NHS ambulance crews these days

https://fellrunningguide.co.uk/blizzard-bags/

They are more like £40 these days

I've also got a foil backed tarp

https://www.amazon.co.uk/REDCAMP-Waterp ... d_source=1

Bit more bulky but will make a decent shelter if needed

Hmm - yes they are the thinner ones - I’ll maybe just leave them in the car for any random emergencies involving other folk who might need one but get the type you have suggested for my own SHTF / night outdoors-type scenario.
Tarp is a good idea - I’ve got a few in the garage so I could keep one in the car though it might be best if I actually learn how to use it?!

Get a few "ball bungees" helps take the stress off the eyelets if it's windy and a spool of paracord ..

I use a variation of the transport hitch for my guy lines

Like demonstrated here

https://youtu.be/FnlaQHIoCs8?si=9P30OTf18AM2yQMa

[GillyBee]

The cling-on eyelets are also great for tarps. Was put onto them by an expedition leader.
https://www.eyelets.co.uk/clingons-the- ... le-eyelet/ (Not an endorsement of this supplier but my usual supplier doesnt have them at the moment)