What Preps are you doing this week? Part 12

[Kiwififer]

Don’t know where else to put this and not sure if it deserves a thread of its own, but it’s interesting to watch the tsunami wave and how countries react in the Pacific this morning.

I was down in NZ when the earthquake hit off Samoa a few years back, I remember watching the news alerts on TVNZ1 and actually heard the tsunami siren going off, I had to drive into work across a very low level motorway to West Aucks, that put a fair few thoughts into my head at the time! When it hit Northland, the swell wasn’t that high but the volume of water sunk a few yachts in the harbour which was a lucky escape!

There’s not much prepping you can do when one hits other than head for high land…

[Frnc]

Don’t know where else to put this and not sure if it deserves a thread of its own, but it’s interesting to watch the tsunami wave and how countries react in the Pacific this morning.

I was down in NZ when the earthquake hit off Samoa a few years back, I remember watching the news alerts on TVNZ1 and actually heard the tsunami siren going off, I had to drive into work across a very low level motorway to West Aucks, that put a fair few thoughts into my head at the time! When it hit Northland, the swell wasn’t that high but the volume of water sunk a few yachts in the harbour which was a lucky escape!

There’s not much prepping you can do when one hits other than head for high land…

A bugout bag, prepared, and evacuation plan would help. I started a thread on the general news section, so maybe you could reply on that. Another aspect of this is warning and alert systems, and how authorities tell people to evacuate.

[Frnc]

Anyone else got stuff in their baskets, waiting for the end of the month? I can order stuff tomorrow, because it probably won't clear until the first. I have lifeboat ration bars, as my bugout bag ones are expiring, and a few other small bits and bobs like spare light bulbs and some cheap AA battery cases. But nothing big til I get the quote for the pointing. Got to get the ivy cut next month, and October I have to pay a year's insurance.

Arranged my annual boiler service with Ideal. That costs me nowt. Part of a ten year care package, which is £13.70 a month. That includes any breakdown parts and labour. Booked it for September as I got the new boiler in Sept 3 years ago. It's a good time of year to check it. Last year I booked it with 24/7 Staywarm, had to wait until late December, and ended up with no heat in the first week of January! Not doing that again. There wasn't even anything wrong with it.

[Arzosah]

Anyone else got stuff in their baskets, waiting for the end of the month? I can order stuff tomorrow, because it probably won't clear until the first.

My equivalent is my Amazon wish list - I won't buy it all, and I'll try not to buy from Amazon, but I do like having the options in one place.

I just had another supermarket delivery after having one last week - I usually do monthly, and I'm quite glad that this was with a different supermarket. I couldn't get feta cheese made from sheep and goats milk last week, that turned up today no problem. But another no show was exactly the same - frozen mixed veg. I usually buy 2 - 3 kilos a month, but neither supermarket had any. They both had broccoli though

The other, finance-type prep was to bring home to the UK some euros from the rental income for the French property **makes the warding-off-evil sign**), which happens once a year or so now that the mortgage is paid off.

I'm full of virus at the moment, but apart from today, I've been trying to clear the weeds from my garden. A grass like corn or oats has self seeded up and down my front border it's at least a couple of feet high, and my foxes have been creating nests which, seeing as its actually at the front of the house maybe ten feet from the pavement, is a real cheek

[pseudonym]

Checked a water filter in my car kit, flow rate less than optimal ( Sawyer Mini)

Backfushed, warm water, white vinegar and Milton no success with either so in the bin it goes.

Never had stomach problems with a working filter never want them so..............

Ordered a Katadyn Be free as it's replacement. Arriving Saturday hopefully.

Awoken from a nana nap to the filter being delivered a day early

[Frnc]

I think I've had lodgers for so long, it might be weird not having any. I'm a bit uncomfortable about having unused rooms in a housing crisis. I'm iffy about downsizing for all sorts of reasons, including capital gains tax, which has vague rules for lodgers, so different people have different understandings of it. Bear in mind the tax office tried to shaft me a few years ago, and did do last year.

One lodger is never here, and probably leaving in January. Other lodger is leaving at the end of the month.

I was thinking I'd leave it a few months, see how I go, and then get his room decorated, floor re-sanded/stained/varnished, buy a bed, and get a new lodger, but just on 3 months contract, with option to extend.

But the other lodger said his daughter needs somewhere soon, so he's going to ask her. She could actually just move into his room, as most of his stuff is at his girlfriend's.

[Frnc]

85 mph winds in Scotland on Monday.

[Medusa]

Invested in a Jackery as due to go on our camping holiday soon. Our old All Powers battery bank seemed to have discharged to 0% over a few months so we did not feel that we could trust it, even though it has been very reliable. Charged the old one back up fully and have been keeping an eye on it, it seems fine so perhaps we pressed the light button by accident when it was in the storage bag. Leaving it behind and taking the new one which is much bigger in size, weight and capacity. I have stored the old one in a metal trunk in the garage for now as I am really not sure where is safe to keep it, if in fact it is dodgy. Also invested in a case to carry the smaller chargers plus a whole load of various usb and associated cables so that they are all in one place. Replaced first aid items and checked, tidied and cleaned out the truck box, replaced the bottled water in the truck and replaced the warning beacons we carry in case of emergency breakdown.

[Yorkshire Andy]

Invested in a Jackery as due to go on our camping holiday soon. Our old All Powers battery bank seemed to have discharged to 0% over a few months so we did not feel that we could trust it, even though it has been very reliable. Charged the old one back up fully and have been keeping an eye on it, it seems fine so perhaps we pressed the light button by accident when it was in the storage bag. Leaving it behind and taking the new one which is much bigger in size, weight and capacity. I have stored the old one in a metal trunk in the garage for now as I am really not sure where is safe to keep it, if in fact it is dodgy. Also invested in a case to carry the smaller chargers plus a whole load of various usb and associated cables so that they are all in one place. Replaced first aid items and checked, tidied and cleaned out the truck box, replaced the bottled water in the truck and replaced the warning beacons we carry in case of emergency breakdown.

With a bit of luck the battery management system has saved the old unit

[Frnc]

Tried out my new Tog 3 duvet last night, as the Tog 1 was a bit cold the night before. I always have the window open, and my room got down to about 22.5. The Tog 3 is all cotton, thin but heavy. It was fine, didn't feel heavy, and wasn't hot or cold. I'll keep the other one out for when it's warmer, and I can use both if necessary in the autumn. They'e in different coloured covers, so I know which is which.

Looked into recycling my old bedding, but couldn't find anything, so it may have to go into landfill.