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?

That wouldnt have been in Amble (the friendliest port) would it 🤔

@K9medic

That wouldnt have been in Amble (the friendliest port) would it 🤔

Fabulous place, but no, Rileys Fish Shack at King Edward's Bay in Tynemouth

@K9medic

I need to put together a “brew kit” for She who should be obeyed, so I can get mine back. It is only for making hot drinks when she is out with her Beaver group, so does not need to cover food (that's a different kit) or water purification (again that's a separate kit).

She only drinks black coffee or hot chocolate when she is out with the Beavers, so I need something to boil water in, cup, stove / lighter and a pouch of some kind to keep it all together.

I have ordered a metal 1lt mess tin from the Scout shop for her (Dick Turpin had the good grace to wear a mask) that will hold the “makings”. I think I can get one of the little pocket rocket stoves into it as well.

For a cup, I seem to remember Costa did a collapsible mug, but not sure on that one.

That leaves some kind of pouch that will hold it all, that can be chucked in her daysack.

Obviously, it needs a certain level of “Shinnyness” just not as shiny as mine.

What does everyone favor for a personal brew kit?

Not in the NE, but how about a BCB Crusader cooking set. Consists of his set consists of: Plastic Mug & Water bottle (Osprey / NATO), Crusader Cup Lid, Crusader Cup, Crusader Cooker, Zulu Belt pouch, Solid fuel, Fireball Flint and Striker.

I have one and it all fits together very neatly in a pouch.

Has anyone noticed empty spaces are getting more noticeable in the bigger shops lately? I was in the Killingworth Liddle (don't ask) yesterday and there were very noticeable gaps, especially in the fresh vegetable section.

In other news, I have almost finished She that should be obeyed's brew kit (I will post details once I have it finished)

Yes I’ve noticed the bigger gaps. It’s quite worrying.

This website is really interesting www.sust-it.net/energy-calculator.php?tariff=38&fbclid=IwAR1G4Zq2jnND0dG3LfmIPND2ClNNL0wpBJ_r9aFJaNe34ZlUk-Ua_f_ApMA

I hadn’t realised the difference in electricity used in an ordinary lightbulb compared to an energy efficient one. I’ve got some energy efficient ones on order now.

I'm not sure how reliable this is, but on two different forums, I have seen posts saying German supermarkets are expecting to increase prices between 20 - 50% on certain products.

There are also reports that the sale of certain products, such as cooking oil (Ukraine is a major producer of sunflower oil) and butter are already being restricted due shortages.

Durham coast here. I'm new to this but interested. Especially in foraging

How are things down in Durham?

Dry enough today around here that I could get the washing out on the line for the first time in ages. the wind is still sharp and cold though.

Been mixed today. Sunny now though.

Durham is cool, windy and we've had some sunny periods.

Intermittent downpours here after a bright day. I'm trying to prep in practical ways to get organized and more resilient, and today had been a frustrating mix of some achievements amongst Head Meets Wall moments. Some progress.

Anything we can do to soften the "Head metes Wall" moments? In reality, we have all had frequent bouts of that one

Not sure how widespread this is, but someone on another forum is reporting that Waitrose is limiting home delivers of cooking oil to two bottles per order.

There is also a story floating around that Sunflower oil is in short supply due to the Ukraine Vs Russia punch up

Mite be time to stock up on cooking oil

I bought two bottles at Lidl the other day. There is a shortage.

@K9medic

Anything we can do to soften the "Head metes Wall" moments? In reality, we have all had frequent bouts of that one

Thank you for the thought 😊 just those everyday stresses & MiniFool has had a challenging time of it recently, we're making progress though & I need to try to stop pressuring myself that the progress isn't fast enough. Better taking a step forward than taking no steps because I'm worried I'm not walking far enough!

Lots of clearing out & listing saleable items yesterday, plenty more to do but it was a solid piece of work & I'll do some more over the weekend. It's meant the day to day jobs have taken a back seat of course!
Today I've cooked samosas and bhajis for lunch over the weekend, and I'll do a bit more cupboard sorting in the kitchen.

Wrong thread! Though I'm sure you're all delighted to know that my weekend lunches are organised but my washing up is not 😁

A Question to the Group, I know we could always be "more Prepared" and there will always be a curveball that catches us flat-footed, but are we really as unprepared as we believe we are?

Ten years ago I believed I was prepared for anything and everything. I carried a get-home bag in the car and knew I could walk home from everywhere in the UK. I had a list of places I could hole up until radiation levels had dropped (I grew up in the Clod War).

Now I have young kids, and I feel that I am in a small life raft with a slow puncture (just wish the kids would stop playing darts too).

I still have enough gear (Ok there is always better gear more consumables etc) and my knowledge level has increased. So all that has changed (apart from grey hair and creaky knees) is having a family.

Is it me or do we all think we are on the back foot?

I've been away from the thread due to a family member being taken ill. Preps to the rescue as I grabbed a bag and was able to jump in the car and go straight over.

To answer your question @K9medic, I think it depends on the situation. A power cut, illness or family emergency I am much more confident about. An extreme event like the situation in Ukraine, nope. Those poor people who 6 weeks ago were just like us and now they have had their lives turned upside down. A cupboard full of food doesn't help if your house gets shelled. A solar generator is no good if someone with a gun finds out you've got it or it isnt safe to leave a basement. A car full of petrol is useless if the road you are on is not safe to drive on. Luck starts to play a huge part in whether your preps help. And for someone like me, that loss of control is really scary and definitely brings on the life raft with a puncture feeling. Add in trying to keep your family safe through it all and it becomes terrifying.

Hello
Can I join please? Not in the NE though.

Agree with @Bobbobbobbing
I konow people who are preparing for nuclear
Or regulalr power blackouts
Or high inflation

Which are sort of 3 different things.
Me, I am preparing for high inflation for say 3 years.

I cant say I really feel prepared as life seems much more precarious of late.
I am fortunate in some ways in our position. But for instance, we live too near nuclear stuff than is ideal. So who knows?

Hi lightand.

Funny thing is, i have been preparing most of my life in one way or another, and the thing that i keep at the front of my mind is, it does not matter what you prepare for, eventually you realise with a few tweeks you can handle most things.

I think that is true to an extent. I've probably had a childhood that prepared me for the unexpected. I have a severely disabled family member. I spent my early childhood on hospital wards and dealing with the unexpected incidents that disrupt a comfortable life. It still happens now. I'm the go to girl in emergencies at work because I dont bat an eyelid at things falling apart and I have a prepper mind set.

However I think that also gave me an outlook that you play the best hand you have, and you can stack the cards to your advantage, but sometimes life just plays a hand that you have no response to. And actually accepting this is what stops me spiralling into despair. Shit happens to good people every day. I'm trying to stack the odds in favour of me and my family and I always welcome the opportunity to learn more, but I'm very aware that fate is an utter arse who can disrupt all my plans.

Hi guys, another NE based long term prepper here, Just wanted to say hi and wish y'all good luck with your MSG plans. Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

Very true.
But I purposely dont buy much that I cant use in some other way, if nothing happens. I dont like wasting money.

I'm so excited. After inheriting some money we are getting a small extension done and one of these to go in it. I've coveted one for years