Prepping for winter 2023/24

[Diversion]

Despite the heat which I hate but will no doubt be moaning about the cold in winter I have just ordered a load of logs for winter. We have some wood left over from last year and lots of free pallets which we need to cut when it cools down (and is not raining). I also need to order a load of oil which we did not use so much of last year due to having the log burners and the cost but it is always cheaper in summer. Also stocking up on OTC meds, toiletries and household items each month and adding to the food stores a little. We are not rich by any means but hoping that our winter preps will help if the cost of living keeps rising or we have an unexpected expense. Had a clear out of the first aid kit too and will restock any gaps.

We've moved to winter settings for the boiler - half an hour in morning if below 18 degrees and kept at 18 degrees from 6:30-8:30 in the evening. It turns on automatically if it drops below those, we leave it at 16 degrees all day but it rarely needs to come on then.

I had the chimney swept and lit the stove on 2 evenings. DD noticed. So when I was away with Cubs last weekend, it was a chilly evening so she lit it for herself (and DH...but he was in the kitchen). So he reckons it will be lit more than he had expected after all (I am away for winter and he would only rarely light it - DD is 17 and learned fire lighting and safety with scouts so no issue there).

I've also had to make sure I left a HWB for DH, as he has suddenly decided they make sense...he used to "borrow" mine for 5 minutes but had filled one for himself while I was with Cubs. Luckily I had 2 as I brought one with me (I'm in rented and didn't know how warm it would be).

But we've also had the conversation about weather and disruptions for weekends I may get home. I probably won't be home for 6 weeks, but in the new year hope to get home at least once a month. But we both remember winters where there was lots of disruptions and we were both travelling so have done all sorts to get home or extended stays unexpectedly- so while I'll book to go home, I'll be ready for it to be cancelled some weeks.

@Nellieinthebarn all sorted thank you. No big bill thank goodness. Still not freezing here either, so in good time. Next to sort out the car in case of bad weather driving.

Hi, I'm not a prepper (yet), but really enjoy reading through these threads. Just wondering if anyone has any thoughts on the winter we have just been through and whether they would make changes to their prepping for next year?

We have done pretty much ok I think. We buy in logs, but also get free wood which we need to cut/chop. We usually manage to get a few dry days, even if they are frosty to do this to stock us back up, but because of the rain we got quite low this year. I keep a well stocked pantry, emergency water, household items, OTC medications and have various ways of cooking along with emergency lights. We also usually stock up on de-icer and windscreen wash well before winter. I would like to find somewhere to bulk buy pillar candles without having to pay silly money though.

That’s a good point about the rain. Due to climate change, it looks like anytime/place you used to get snow, it’s now rain. Going by the awful flooding we’ve had in the past year, maybe prepping for winter flooding may be a new focus now?

Thanks for asking this question @Daisiesanddaffodils24. It’s made me think a bit.

I am told it was all fine at home - certainly they kept warm etc and had no major problems. But DH needed new rain trousers as he got a wet crotch (where seams failed) almost daily in the wettest winter he remembers. (He cycles 12 km to the office).

I have got myself reasonably organised. I needed to get a pair of boots for walking to the office in rain and cold - shoes don't cut it here in winter. And a few more thermal layers as they were a daily need.

I have a few things I will sort over the summer but I am working through various stocks of things to get to working levels and settle systems fully. I will probably get an Ecoflow solar generator and a 1 ring induction job as I have a great sunny room and the apartment is totally electric based - and I am not allowed any gas or flame based options (I think candles are ok but not certain - currently a chafing dish to keep things warm is my only legal-ish backup "cooking" option.

Although - I do want to deal with a few breezy door/window surrounds letting the wind in!

Thank you all for your updates. I agree about the rain this year - it has been relentless. I think I might have to invest in a proper waterproof coat.

@Daisiesanddaffodils24 yesterday I was chatting with someone who lives in Porto, Portugal where it was sunny but they've had bad rain too for a while. She relayed to me that her friend in Ireland told her to be grateful for the Portuguese sun because it had been raining in her area of Ireland since July. Shudder to think...

I already had an Ilse Jacobsen raincoat which goes to just below my knees. Pretty darn good waterproofing and wind proofing, good to keep work clothes dry, good hood. Looks smart enough for office wear but brilliantly functional.

Not cheap, but heavy enough for early autumn, space to layer up underneath for depths of winter, and to deal with all manners of weather commenting by train from a harbour side train station (so very blowy and heavy rain and sea spray at times) and for a decent walk either side.

And ideal where I am now doing a lot of walking in a city with a LOT of rain and unexpected showers!

I bought my first in summer sale so significantly cheaper - when I needed a different size (Covid eating) after 4 years constant wear, had to buy the next in AIB season but worth it - 4 years on, its still perfect!

Having read the article in the Guardian today about the impact of the wet weather on food production in the UK and Europe, I really want to start putting plans in place for the coming winter. But I'm going to be moving and need to scale down until I'm suitably housed.

Yes I heard on the radio today that potatoes and veg will be going up in price this year due to all the rain. @JingsMahBucket - we could all do with a bit of that Portugal sun right now - even just to dry a few clothes. Thanks for the raincoat suggestion @BiddyPop - I haven't heard of that company before and will definitely check them out!