What Preps are you doing this week? Part 12

[Frnc]

Thought one of my new timers for lights wasn't working, but figured it out in the end. Tested several times each. Of course the instructions have lots of complicated tricks it can do, but omit to tell you a couple of basics.

Re-swapped out 2 water containers, because I only put 1 milton in by mistake. So now I making a note to say I used 2, on 10 l containers.

All the big ones done now, just got 3 bottles to do. Basically for bugout. If I ever had to evacuate, I'd re-fill them if I could. I also have 3 bike bottles in the fridge.

[Yorkshire Andy]

Thought one of my new timers for lights wasn't working, but figured it out in the end. Tested several times each. Of course the instructions have lots of complicated tricks it can do, but omit to tell you a couple of basics.

Re-swapped out 2 water containers, because I only put 1 milton in by mistake. So now I making a note to say I used 2, on 10 l containers.

All the big ones done now, just got 3 bottles to do. Basically for bugout. If I ever had to evacuate, I'd re-fill them if I could. I also have 3 bike bottles in the fridge.

I got 4x philips smart light bulbs cheap in the supermarket yellow sticker rack... download the app put in light fitting leave turned on set timer .. or sunrise to sun set . Lamp colour etc ect

[GillyBee]

I will be going to Brunei for 3 weeks with work, Jungle Survival Instructors Course. Should be good fun.

Sounds fascinating - and too physical for me these days. Will you be the instructor or a student?

[Frnc]

Thought one of my new timers for lights wasn't working, but figured it out in the end. Tested several times each. Of course the instructions have lots of complicated tricks it can do, but omit to tell you a couple of basics.

Re-swapped out 2 water containers, because I only put 1 milton in by mistake. So now I making a note to say I used 2, on 10 l containers.

All the big ones done now, just got 3 bottles to do. Basically for bugout. If I ever had to evacuate, I'd re-fill them if I could. I also have 3 bike bottles in the fridge.

I got 4x philips smart light bulbs cheap in the supermarket yellow sticker rack... download the app put in light fitting leave turned on set timer .. or sunrise to sun set . Lamp colour etc ect

Interesting. Not heard of them before. I see there is an optional thing called a Bridge. You need this for the timers to work if you go away.

I have two lamps on my new timers, and a spare old school timer, so I'm ok for now, but it's something to consider in the future. I don't have any of this smart home stuff. My washing machine is able to connect to an app, apparently. Burglar alarm is old school.

[GillyBee]

I'm not a big fan of the smart home stuff. It has it's place if you really need to be able to turn things on and off from far away but otherwise it is just another thing to go wrong and force early replacement of the item concerned. And in the worst case scenario, an open invite for hackers, burglars and other unfriendlies to look/listen inside or even control your home.

[Yorkshire Andy]

I'm not a big fan of the smart home stuff. It has it's place if you really need to be able to turn things on and off from far away but otherwise it is just another thing to go wrong and force early replacement of the item concerned. And in the worst case scenario, an open invite for hackers, burglars and other unfriendlies to look/listen inside or even control your home.

Fortunately a couple of table light smart led lamps were cheaper than a couple of timers and the worst a hacker can do with them is turn them on or off and change the colour

[Frnc]

I had to give my bank details to a cold caller yesterday. I said I was a bit wary. He said you don't have to give the card number, just the sort code and account number. The only thing they can do with that, he said, is set up a direct debit, or pay money into my account. So what did I do? Only read out half the card number! He goes "that's too long for a sort code". I said, oh, I'm reading out the card number. He says "that's the one you're not supposed to tell me". Oh how we laughed. Anyway, it was a charity. I'd signed a petition. They are one of the world's top rated NGOs. Of course ordering things online or by phone usually requires giving them your card number.

[Frnc]

Cold nights start in just 5 weeks. By cold, I mean 9°. Cold enough for an insulated jacket, if you are outdoors for any length of time. Not cold enough for heating.

But in the meantime, a borderline heatwave is coming next week, and probably the week after. I might have to take my Tog 3 duvet out of its cover, so I can use the empty cover. I've only used that duvet twice, then went back to my Tog 1. I have a simple plan. If my room gets so hot that I switch to a (polyester AWD is Just Cool) vest instead of a normal cotton t-shirt, I'll take it out so I'm ready.

Gonna phone Ideal in a bit, and book or check the date of my annual boiler service for September. I think I already did it, but don't have it in my calender.

Also made a note mid September, maybe do my winter rotation a couple of weeks early, depending on the forecast.

Need to check my outside security lights are working one night. I lock up about 9.15, so they might be coming on around then soon.

[itsybitsy]

I'm not a big fan of the smart home stuff. It has it's place if you really need to be able to turn things on and off from far away but otherwise it is just another thing to go wrong and force early replacement of the item concerned. And in the worst case scenario, an open invite for hackers, burglars and other unfriendlies to look/listen inside or even control your home.

Fortunately a couple of table light smart led lamps were cheaper than a couple of timers and the worst a hacker can do with them is turn them on or off and change the colour

disco hackers

[Arzosah]

I will be going to Brunei for 3 weeks with work, Jungle Survival Instructors Course. Should be good fun.

Sounds fascinating - and too physical for me these days. Will you be the instructor or a student?

Absolutely, that sounds amazing. Tell us what its like when you can!