Northeast Mutual Support Group

[K9medic]

Mutual Support Group (coffee club) Northeast

It would seem that at least 3 of us are Northeast (England) based, is there any more?

I tend to hangout on another UK based prepper related forum where we have MSG set up, the idea being we can help each other if and when there is a problem (ok we occasionally meet up for a coffee, natter and to swap ideas, well mainly coffee to be honest).

This has got me thinking about running this Topic along the same lines. A dedicated place to share local finds or post warnings relevant to the Northeast.

Thoughts on this?

I can't chop either (hyper mobile wrists just bend the wrong way if I try to even pick the axe up, let alone swing it). DH used to do it all until I bought a hydraulic log splitter. It was expensive but I wouldn't be parted from it now. Splits logs at the touch of a button. 45 mins work a week to do enough to keep 2 fires going all week plus a bit extra. I find it really stress relieving as well.

Hi Grumbleandgrouch!

This is my stove chap. He covers from Berwick to Durham. Has a lovely little showroom and does the whole job. Sweeping and fitting, etc.
carltonstoves.co.uk/

Re: logs. I get what I can from local farms. If need be, I store for a year or two ro season. The bags from Home Bargains for (I think £3.99) are good and burn well. Usually kiln dried birch. I also know a tree surgeon and get a pal to chop kindling for me (I do a lot of trading - help in exchange for our local honey / hand made stuff)

We have an open fire, no way I could (responsibly) find the funds to convert it to a stove at this point so I'm trying to just be grateful that there's any alternative hearing source available!
👋🏻 @Grumbleandgrouch
I keep wondering if I know any of you irl but so far nothing to raise suspicions 😂

Thank you @RainbowZebraWarrior. Will take a look.
@Bobbobbobbing I like the idea of a new gadget! 😆

@FoolShapeHeart

We have an open fire, no way I could (responsibly) find the funds to convert it to a stove at this point so I'm trying to just be grateful that there's any alternative hearing source available! 👋🏻 *@Grumbleandgrouch* I keep wondering if I know any of you irl but so far nothing to raise suspicions 😂

I think we are probably scattered around the North East. I don't recognise anyone either, although I 'know' a few posters from other boards on MN. A common denominator for preppers (but not exclusively) is health conditions. Being disabled or having kids with Autism can be a factor for example.

I also think that if you're a natural prepper, then maybe you have been brought up that way. Also, an interest in the environment. I see the same posters pop up on the weather board and occasionally on the Flight Radar threads. Very interesting indeed. I love to observe human nature. There are largely those who need to know more and be one step ahead of the game, and others who just go with the flow.

Mmm it would seem my identity is still a secret then :)

Coffee, lots of it, purely for medicinal reasons of course :)

I love this group - not only does it over all my prepping interests but the local focus is also really helpful.

I’d love an open fire or stove. It have asthma so that’s always put me off. We do have a fire pit in the garden though but currently considering solar panels for fuel going forwards rather than wood.

If we ever had to head up north quickly, the A68 would probably be our best bet from where we are so I guess that counts as west, but I do still wonder if we might be better on even more rural routes. In that type of situation, I’m not sure how we’d fair long term… We do have decent camping equipment and short term food supplies but it would be harder to make a go of things longer term if forced to be mobile.

I’m a wannabe homesteader really but have limited space so this year, I’m just am working on our veg garden and planning on getting chickens later in the year.

I’ve always had a well stocked store cupboard but Brexit and the pandemic have made this more of a priority in recent years, as have supply chain issues and rising food costs. I’m fairly frugal so the more I can ‘shop’ from my food cupboard and the less in store the better.

In terms of the Ukraine / Russia situation, the only things we’ve done so far (in addition to donating to charity) are to invest in iodine tablets and extra water storage (just in case). Whilst being semi-we’d be screwed but if further south then we might have a chance.

There are so many things out of our control at the moment. Prepping gives me a way of getting more of that control back and managing my anxiety about everything. I’m the kind of person that likes to be prepared for things so for me, prepping is just a natural extension of that.

A lot will depend on why you are heading north, the time of year (weather) and the vehicle you are in.

On my map book i also mark likely threats (chemical plants?) As well as usefull things, like hotels/B&Bs/campsites i have used. You could also add resupply points such as rural garages.

@K9medic I have been on hospital coffee for two weeks, I’m so jealous!

I called into a Costa on yhe way into work tonight. I need it, i started in one nightclub at 1800hrs tonight, then im off to another till 0430. Im feeling old

Sounds exhausting!

@Gilead, i highly recommend a supply of coffee bags in you emergency bag. Ok their not as good as the cafeiter, but 100% better than instant.

Brilliant idea!

Without giving anything away, I have links to Ringtons Tea. They do coffee bags, and they also make tea for M&S, Sainsbury's and Fortnum and Masons.

Good Morning folks, how is everyone this morning?

Does anyone have exciting plans?

I am sitting here sipping a rather nice coffee, Pumpheries, from the Cafetiere (sorry Gilead) and working up the courage to start pulling my med kit apart so I can see whats missing ready for the next job.

I'm off to ikea to top up the candle supply. meatballs and daim bar cake may also be involved

Plus dropping some things off for Polish Centre's collection for Ukrainian refugees. Feels like a drop in the ocean compared to what is needed, but every little helps.

Mmmmm Daim bar cake

I've spent the morning mentally going through my preps as I've no time this week to get it all out - I will have to make the time soon. I know I was short on minimum-cook hot food, so I've added some instant noodle type packets to my online order, plus a laundry brush to start spot cleaning instead of just throwing items in the laundry pile. Dried egg has been on my list for a long time too. I'm hoping that being practical will help me feel a bit less overwhelmed, I could do with a week off to go through everything so I know we have a stable base to work from!

Hello - northeaster here too! Just found your thread and wondered if you've any room left in the pantry for me!

My mum was a prepper and brought me up to be the same. I miss being able to talk to her about prepping in a sensible and non-accusatory manner yes Dfriend I'm looking at you !!

Welcome @JasperJohnsPaintbrush👋

@FoolShapeHeart - thank you

I’ve ordered a couple of notebooks so that I can keep an eye on food supplies and practical supplies.
The food supplies will be ticked off and then replaced as they’re used.

If there is no room in the Pantry your using the wrong cupboard (on one of the farms I grew up on, we had a proper pantry, the kind you could walk into).

Just as a follow on from pantary (word association) here is an intrestion article on emergency food

www.realfirstaid.co.uk/emergencyfood

Its by a bloke called Adam Gent who is very knowledgeable about prehospital care in remote locations (he really did write the text book on it). It goes into a lot of depth, but it gives you some intresting ideas.

Dh ordered a very large pan to heat water in in the event of a gas shortage or power cut. We have two portable gas stoves.

He's building shelving in the garage to store our bottled water (we have a lot) and food.

He's realising that it's best to clear the crap out of the garage instead of hoarding stuff, so we'll be back going to the recycle place this coming week.