What Preps are you doing this week? Part 10

[itsybitsy]

If you want to debate JSO's tactics with them, twitter is the place to go. I don't know how likely they are to reply, but you can post on their threads. Also you can see what scientists are saying. And you could search the internet for opinion polls on the subject.

I wouldn't dream of doing any of that, Frnc, especially not to debate their methods, which appall me, I don't even like internet discussions with people I agree with. I go on to twitter a couple of times a day, mostly for #sophiefromromania, a rescue dog trying to settle in to life in the UK, and #catsoftwitter

I think we can agree that the majority of us hate JSO. I can't use the word I want on a civilised forum - so I'll go with twatwaffle.

[jansman]

Any mention of JSO is now better on the climate change thread I reckon.

[itsybitsy]

I'm currently browsing the results of my #catsoftwitter search. It's joyous.

[Arzosah]

I'm currently browsing the results of my #catsoftwitter search. It's joyous.

Exactly!

[itsybitsy]

I'm currently browsing the results of my #catsoftwitter search. It's joyous.

Exactly!

Also - First Direct is offering a savings account with 7% AER if you can leave your money in there and not touch it.

[jansman]

Had a good couple of hours this morning getting preps done. I had a list at the beginning of the week ,but unfortunately my chemotherapy has whacked me! This morning though,stuffs getting done.

Having refitted/ refurbished our kitchen,our fire blanket ,and extinguisher have not been put back. Mind you,we do have 3 other extinguishing units in the house and 2 in the outbuildings! I was urged by the factory fire that our daughter had to deal with yesterday. Fortunately,unlike some of the know all ( so called fire marshals) she operated to the letter. Two lads discharged 4 extinguishers and nailed the job. The fire brigade checked it out and gave big thanks for her evacuation timing. Well done kiddo!

So the 1 kg unit is back in the kitchen with a blanket. Never want to use it!

Also I have replaced the emergency lighting above the extinguisher. Two x Home Bargain ‘Nitelite’ models . Extremely bright in the dark and reliable. How different technology is now! In fact my step Sister came to see awhile ago from her home in Australia. I had purchased a good bundle of those lights and stuff,and I chucked one to her to take. This week is Mid Winter down there. They have had several powercuts and guess what worked? My wife won’t have to buy anymore. There’s a 5 gallon sausage seasoning bucket stuffed full of them ,along with hand torches etc. All LED of course.

[jansman]

So we have the start of a week. Since being told how ill I am ,the start of days ,let alone weeks, is awesome. Literally.

So this week the river fishing season starts.That means mid Summer. Turn round twice,and Autumn will be here! So Winter prepping starts here now.

The big one for me is solid fuel,as I am sure other members are aware of. The Lads are dropping firewood off now,ready - done ,bless ‘em! A prepper angle here: I have always been generous towards my mates in this situation. Pack of beer,pint in the pub,or a drop of cash. And most of the time,I’ve told them to just drop it as it comes “I’ll deal with it”. Now it’s helping. I deal with four landscapers for a start,and they are even stacking the logs on the front! This will help my wife further up the line.Mates and community are everything.

In fact being part of our community is now worth its weight in gold.Worth far more than *stuff*. I suppose we take it for granted,as we were both born,raised and raised our own family in this village, but taking the time for that half hour chat and the like is not only enjoyable,it pays you back when you don’t expect it. When my neighbour John fell ill about ten years ago,I made sure he had a Winters worth of logs ready. It comes round. I keep getting smokeless fuel in too. It * might* get cheaper ( doubt it) but I get it because right now I can Any potential shortages will not affect us.

So right now ,Winter is getting covered quickly. Heating,lighting,cooking and eating. Animals included there too! Just got to go through the battery storage,that’s all. We are strictly aaa and aa apart from a set each of C and D cells for my favourite maglight torches . The size of truncheons those torches.

There’s a lot of moaning about food prices right now. Fortunately,we are in the position to keep a stock in. We don’t like paying more,but again, we’d sooner pay and have it,rather than stuff to go short in supply. Can’t change the price and I have no time to waste by stressing about it. Wife comes first now. Always has really!

Fortunately the garden is now cropping. Brassicas,onions,fruits, ( all perennials) then salad leaves and new potatoes. Tomatoes soon. I won’t bother next time if I am still here. Too much trouble. Perennials I thoroughly recommend to vegetable gardeners though. No effort,maximum return.

Anyhow,that’s it for now. Serious fishing this week above all else!

[Arzosah]

You're doing so well, jansman, and I'm so glad your community is rallying around you, in the same way that you've supported others. What goes around comes around, truly.

For me, two preps of very different sorts in the next two days: my bathroom sink is blocked, in spite of all the bicarb and vinegar I've been pouring down it I'm probably going to go onto you tube to find out how to unscrew the u bend. And tomorrow, my first driving refresher lesson, two hours long (I hope that means he's expecting to drive me to a car park somewhere to check my driving skills. I won't be driving from the house, even if he wants me to).

[jansman]

You're doing so well, jansman, and I'm so glad your community is rallying around you, in the same way that you've supported others. What goes around comes around, truly.

For me, two preps of very different sorts in the next two days: my bathroom sink is blocked, in spite of all the bicarb and vinegar I've been pouring down it I'm probably going to go onto you tube to find out how to unscrew the u bend. And tomorrow, my first driving refresher lesson, two hours long (I hope that means he's expecting to drive me to a car park somewhere to check my driving skills. I won't be driving from the house, even if he wants me to).

Thanks Arzosah. Your sink is quite simple to sort. YouTube will show you that. If I were near I’d sort it for you. Remember when you finally do it,you will need a container beneath it! One remembers mistakes!

Very good luck with your driving too.

[jansman]

So. All firewood is up to date,cut and stacked. I’ve sorted batteries to see us over Winter. Yes It’s hot Summer ,but as a lifetime hunting and fishing man I am always aware of how quickly Winter arrives. Getting *stuff* while it’s there. In fact I will guess that you cannot buy an electric fan now,which is why I buy stuff in advance.

Pleased to say that the heavy rain - forecast and experienced- proved I did a good job up on the roof with slates and especially lead chimney flashing! Sorted my portable solar panels into wooden ( and portable) frames for regular and timed batteries charging . Our emergency lighting is well set up now and there will be more than sufficient power if needed. Cooking is the same - no issues if the power goes off. Where power is concerned,I couldn’t give a monkey’s if there’s no phone/ internet/ tv . A lot of preppers seem to ,but frankly, if we have a major problem,everything will be about * local*. Won’t be getting grub sent by Amazon and the like! Everything local. Worth bearing in mind.

Grub. There’s the two of us now,and we only eat half what we used to in fairness. When we decide what’s for dinner,it’s a case of rice,pasta or spuds. And base it around that. So our storage is plenty of those,plus what is available to go with it. We don’t rely on the freezers for choice either. If they go in a crisis,then they go. That day would mean a big stew for the neighbourhood! One of the main preps after carbohydrates is tinned ready meals. Mrs J spent a lot of time not eating when I was in hospital,and found herself finally cracking a tin open with some bread to go with it. Not perfect,but it beats hungry!

The other grub situation of course is the dog and cats. Stocking up big style on that now. My birds too. Fortunately I no longer have poultry- first time in 3 dozen years! I only eat a half dozen eggs now per week,so my mate drops em off from the farm. If the animals are sorted well in advance then it sure saves aggravated behaviours! Important.

Water. I make sure our rain catchment is operational weekly. As it is most important for the vegetable garden,that is the main reason. However,it’s emergency drinking water too. And PLENTY of it. That’s after the 100 litres in the pantry. Water filters/ chemicals,all ready to go too. Fortunately the garden doesn’t require that much irrigation from now. Once established,the majority of plants are independent.

Garden. Most of it now is perennials. I don’t have time to waste. If I am still here next year,I won’t bother with tomatoes for instance. Nice to do,but a lot of work for the few we eat! The perennial system makes so much sense I’ll say no more. Seeds like squashes,beans and the like get literally shoved in the ground at the right time. I don’t prat about nurturing plant pots. Time is valuable,and sown seeds are stronger too.