What Preps are you doing this week? Part 9

[Frnc]

Interesting about Grisport - I actually ordered some of their walking shoes this week! They look very like the Mephisto Trampolins I have worn for the last 20 years and had resoled three times but which are now on their last legs. Mephisto don't make that style any more so I was very pleased when I saw the Grisport ones. I'm having real problems at the moment - because of my arthritis in my hip I'm putting more weight on my left leg and the ligaments in my foot have spread so that I now have a full size difference lengthwise between the two feet. Shoes that have been old favourites for years are now too small for the left foot but a bigger size is too big for the right. So I'm looking for styles which I can put orthotics in to try and get a reasonable fit Really hoping the Grisports do the trick. And it helps they are made in Italy not the Far East

I got some of their walking shoes as well, Kratos, look more like trainers.
Both the Saracen and the Kratos have a waterproof lining by the way, Spotex, their own version of GTX.

[Frnc]

Tested my compass. To do that, hold it pointing north or south, then hold a metal object to the side so it deflects the needle a few degrees. Move it away and check the needle returns to north/south. Don't store your compass next to a magnet, obviously.
The best types of compass are the Silva-type ones that have a rectangular plastic base plate for alligning with the map. The compass rotates on top of this plate. Suunto also do good ones like this.
https://smile.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000JL2CAG/

[jansman]

Looks like from next week I am working full time because of Christmas. I am so sorry I ended that sentence with a four letter word! I hate Xmas !! This is the time of year we deal with greedy people.

So,I will squeeze a fishing trip in along with making sure that firewood and kindling is in place by the house for the next 8 weeks.It’ll save me some work during the dark times - that darkness is both physical and cultural to me.

Because it was slashing with rain yesterday,I sorted our pantries. Everything was pretty much in order. We will now keep a record ,so that each week it will be one item used,one will be replaced on our weekly shop. That way our stock stays in good shape,as I suspect things may well get scarcer next year,and most certainly dearer. That way ,we will be adequately covered.

Our freezers ( two small ones) are holding very basic contents now. If we have power cuts in the Winter,there is little to lose. In the small chest freezer,I have laid several 3/4 full , 2 litre water bottles. In a power cut,two of those on the top shelf of our fridge will keep it cool. Extra water for drinking too,so win - win.

[Sneddle]

I've set up a battery powered security camera to cover the drive way, just need to test that it records movement to the sd card if the Internet is down now. Some cameras use an on-board algorithm, which means they should work.

[nickdutch]

Just bit the bullet and ordered a 2Kw petrol generator. Should be enough to fill a gap when we have the power cuts this winter.
So to recap.
Paraffin heater and bioethanol fireplace for heating. Paraffin stoves for hot water for washing, 600WH "solar generator" to store power for short term grid down so I can still work and perform some basic electronic stuff and possibly to run 1 or 2 LED bulbs on my living room standard lamp, petrol generator for when I need more power, candles LED lights and kerosene lamps for lighting, water distiller in case of having water problems during the time when I have electricity (its a 750W device so I shoudl be able to run that off the petrol generator if needed). Trangia for indoor cooking. Plenty of bioethanol to run it. Also sufficient Class 1 Paraffin to run the kerosine devices for a while
I have the foil blankets for emergencies too, painters plastic and tape for the windows, basic first aid kit and a few other things. Plenty of AA batteries in stock too.
The petrol generator at a push can be used to power the "semi automatic" (electric washing tub) and spin dryer. Not the tumble dryer though.
Now its just a question of making sure I have the foods.

[grenfell]

Tested my compass. To do that, hold it pointing north or south, then hold a metal object to the side so it deflects the needle a few degrees. Move it away and check the needle returns to north/south. Don't store your compass next to a magnet, obviously.
The best types of compass are the Silva-type ones that have a rectangular plastic base plate for alligning with the map. The compass rotates on top of this plate. Suunto also do good ones like this.
https://smile.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000JL2CAG/

Testing to go somewhere special ,somewhere I dunno such as Langton Matravers perhaps?
https://explorersweb.com/three-norths-alignment/

[Frnc]

Tested my compass. To do that, hold it pointing north or south, then hold a metal object to the side so it deflects the needle a few degrees. Move it away and check the needle returns to north/south. Don't store your compass next to a magnet, obviously.
The best types of compass are the Silva-type ones that have a rectangular plastic base plate for alligning with the map. The compass rotates on top of this plate. Suunto also do good ones like this.
https://smile.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000JL2CAG/

Testing to go somewhere special ,somewhere I dunno such as Langton Matravers perhaps?
https://explorersweb.com/three-norths-alignment/

Interesting. I knew magnetic declination was a non-issue these days, but I didn't know that.
No, nowhere, just for my bugout gear. If I ever get fit enough to go bike touring I'll take it.

[Le Mouse]

I had today off work and had thought I was going to be spending the day doing loads of stuff for Mum. As it was, all Mum wanted was a lift to the bank and for me to take some stuff to the tip. So I had the rest of the day to myself! Went to town and did a bit of a top up shop. Bought more paracetamol as I'm getting through a lot with my iffy back, some REALLY GOOD battery strip lights with a magnet back that I'll buy more of when I can, some more meths for the trangia. My best purchase today though wasn't really a prep - I got the entire Philippa Gregory Cousins' War series of books for £3.80, so at least if there's power cuts, I can be entertained for as long as I have batteries in my head torch

[Sneddle]

I was planning on working in the garden today but the weather has thrown a spanner in the works. I've had about four dozen tyres delivered, and about three dozen pallets, for making raised beds in the veg garden. I grow a lot in the garden already, and thinking forward to the future, I don't want to spend ages bending over and digging down. The above will make a big difference when they're in place. Any unused ones will be used for making furniture for the garden. Food security has been playing on my mind a lot, with the recent price rises. Being able to spend less time preparing the ground and more time planting and nurturing will hopefully mean bigger harvests.

[Yorkshire Andy]

Had a semi productive day

Got some tidying up on the allotment done,

Picked up an additional 8a 9 step smart charger for my leisure batteries if we get rota cuts they are all going to need charging before the next cut..... It's also got a mode to recover tired batteries ...



Got another 20l of bio ethanol that's us warm for a good while


Added a bit of glow on the dark tape to some push lights to make them easy to find in the dark