Arzosah wrote: ↑Sun Jan 25, 2026 9:28 am
I've got my niece's cat for 10 days while she's off on holiday, and if I had to evacuate (like those people where the WWII bombs were found) I don't know how to shut him in his cat box, my sister always handles that bit. So yesterday, I learned
Hardest part is avoiding the claws
He doesn't really use his claws - well, he hasn't so far but he's strong, really strong. I have to immobilise his body and his legs, because otherwise he twists around as I'm holding him, and gets his back leg as leverage on my forearm, and kind of bounces away my cats used to claw me to death in those situations, but this one has a very sweet nature
Our "Cooking Fats" are used to their carrier.... But we did used to feed them inside one when they were younger.
With uncooperative cats, I pick them up like a ferret (one hand around the ribs) and drop them in a carrier set with the door up (or one of those fancy ones with an extra loading door in the top)
jennyjj01 wrote:"I'm not in the least bit worried because I'm prepared: Are you?"
Londonpreppy wrote: At its core all prepping is, is making sure you're not down to your last sheet of loo roll when you really need a poo.
GeraldTheBonzai wrote: ↑Sun Jan 25, 2026 12:29 pm
We have a reasonable sized garden that has, over the years, not really been looked after other than basic mow the lawn etc. Now that I have retired we have decided to spend more effort on it, in particular growing things. In the past we have grow tomatoes and the likes, but this year we are going to try and be a bit more ambitious.
So at the moment we are trying to work out what we want to grow, and trying to plan accordingly. The criteria we are adopting is that if something is really cheap in the shops, then its not really worth the effort. For instance, a sack of spuds from Lidl is so cheap, there is no point in growing spuds. So thats the challenge at the moment - come up with a crop plan which is worth the effort.
I can recommend this book which is a little old now but still sound. Grow Your Own Vegetables" by Joy Larkcom
Also the Charles Dowding website for no dig vegetable gardening and Real Seeds have the best quality heritage variety seeds anywhere.
Just had a minutes silence after what can only be described as 5 minutes or industrial noises from the washing machine wife asked me wtf had I put in the machine....
.turns out the main bearings completely destroyed itself nice smell of burning rubber too the bits of bearings had made their way Into the drum so diagnosis was easy ...
Let it finish its last spin cycle ready to down power if the drum Jammed up
So early finish Friday I'm off to buy a new washing machine oh joy ....
If your roughing it, Your doing it wrong
Lack of planning on your part doesn't make it an emergency on mine
I had to do that last week. Mrs Kiwi chose not quite the most expensive one in the shop but it wasn’t far off it.
Our last washing machine lasted 9 years without a problem, it was getting a bit smelly and mouldy though so she that must be obeyed decided that was that.
Saying that, it’s an absolute unit and looks great in the kitchen. I just hope she doesn’t go ‘I think we need to upgrade the doors and bunkers now’…
I had to get a new washing machine about a year ago. I arranged for new one to be delivered and installed. You had to get the old one disconnected. I pulled it out, crawled under the worktop and turned the two levers to stop the water, unscrewed the pipes and pulled it out of the way.
Then the cold water started dripping. It was fine before. But I couldn't stop it. Delivery was coming tomorrow. Fortunately I know a plumber and he came and fixed it same day.
When the machine arrived, there was another issue, and at first they were saying they couldn't install it. I can't remember what the issue was, but I politely but firmly pushed back, or queried it, and they eventually decided it was ok after all. Can't think what it could have been. Not the leak. Maybe clearance. The old one didn't go very far back. New one is deeper. Anyway, it's been fine, and doesn't stick out past the units. Is very snazzy, but wasn't hugely expensive.
47 mph wind gusts here this morning in S Manchester, and rain. Suprised I slept. Horrible memories of roof leaks. Under 50mph is very safe though. Higher, and there's a slight risk that a SW wind could deflect off my gable wall, and lift an end slate. There is some mortar under the edge, but they can come unstuck.
My room dropped to 16.5 this morning, mainly due to the wind, I guess. It was 4° outside. I wasn't cold though, despite using a summer duvet (Woolroom Light). This is after turning the central heating off at 4.30pm yesterday, and only using my electric radiator for 10 minutes after that.
Yorkshire Andy wrote: ↑Mon Jan 26, 2026 9:38 pm
Just had a minutes silence after what can only be described as 5 minutes or industrial noises from the washing machine wife asked me wtf had I put in the machine....
.turns out the main bearings completely destroyed itself nice smell of burning rubber too the bits of bearings had made their way Into the drum so diagnosis was easy ...
Let it finish its last spin cycle ready to down power if the drum Jammed up
So early finish Friday I'm off to buy a new washing machine oh joy ....
Sabotage ...shes seen all the pics you put up before Xmas for her presents
The pan set the upright hoover
Unscrewed all the ball bearings while you were at work to get a new washing machine
Hope the weather holds for you to go buy Mrs Andy the best one and this storm doesn't mess it up ....
Rather than start a new thread, I thought I would post on here.
There’s signs up for tours of the nuclear bunker at Barnton in Edinburgh. I think it is the same guy who owns Scotland’s secret bunker in Anstruther so he will be trying to make it into a museum.
I think I will be trying to see if I can get a tour.
Didnt know we had a secret bunker in Ainster KF - wonder what that looks like. FC my cat is quite bad tempered too, but our ferrets were all wee sweetie pies. I love wee fergits.
but he's strong, really strong. I have to immobilise his body and his legs, because otherwise he twists around as I'm holding him, and gets his back leg as leverage on my forearm, and kind of bounces away
but he's strong, really strong. I have to immobilise his body and his legs, because otherwise he twists around as I'm holding him, and gets his back leg as leverage on my forearm, and kind of bounces away 
