What did you do to prepare today?

Doc Ruby · 21-01-2012 12:07pm

baords dyslexic wrote: »

Unless of course its a chiwawa

No, its a fluffy little pomeranian. Not the first beast you think of when it comes to survival companions, although its a great guard dog, but its kryptonite for the ladies.

I'll probably end up having to adjust her routine so she can do her business when we're out walking if I can't train her to stop digging, the rows look like the battle of the Somme at the minute.

Doc Ruby · 21-01-2012 12:09pm

Tabnabs wrote: »

Would growing them in tyres protect or elevate them better?

http://www.ecopunk.org.uk/2007/03/growing-potatoes-in-tyres.html

It would alright, I'd need a lot of tyres though!

baords dyslexic · 21-01-2012 12:12pm

Doc Ruby wrote: »

No, its a fluffy little pomeranian. Not the first beast you think of when it comes to survival companions, although its a great guard dog, but its kryptonite for the ladies. I'll probably end up having to adjust her routine so she can do her business when we're out walking if I can't train her to stop digging, the rows look like the battle of the Somme at the minute.

If we can train our wolf hybrid to not chase our chickens then I would guess you'd have an easier job.

Really like poms, a settled traveller family we know has them, they are left out all year round (I did mention travellers;)) and they are really hardy tough little dogs dispite the looks.

Doc Ruby · 21-01-2012 12:16pm

baords dyslexic wrote: »

Really like poms, a settled traveller family we know has them, they are left out all year round (I did mention travellers;)) and they are really hardy tough little dogs dispite the looks.

Yeah, I was down the vets a while back and was shocked to see they were only one step down from Siberian huskies, themselves only one step down from the first domesticated dogs, on the big chart of dog breeds on the wall. Some royals back in the 19th century took a shine to them apparently and embarked on a dedicated breeding programme to reduce the size.

baords dyslexic · 21-01-2012 12:19pm

Doc Ruby wrote: »

It would alright, I'd need a lot of tyres though!

In our current garden I grow nearly everything in raised beds and its easier to keep a dog off an area thats obviously different from the surroudings. The beds are only raised about 9inches and as I get more soil (and seaweed from the beach) I raise them up a bit more. Not sure I'd waste the raised bed space growing spuds though.

The tyres used to be free from any tyre place, as many as you wanted but I'm not sure now if they are allowed to give them away

.

baords dyslexic · 21-01-2012 1:58pm

Since last post I've just started a new training routine. I spend at least one hour a day walking our largest dog, and initially a fast hour walk over some very rough ground was had work but now its got quite easy for me (+ I can now do my belt up another notch

:):)), so now I'm taking a rucsac with a few useful doggy things (balls, harness, ball thrower, camera, binoculars to check for other walkers) plus waterproof clothing. The intention is to slowly add a bit more each time to both increase the weight carried and create a bug out bag cross dog walking bag. I've an idea about having a brew at the halfway point just to test the gear out a bit?

kildare.17hmr · 21-01-2012 2:46pm

Doc Ruby wrote: »

It would alright, I'd need a lot of tyres though!

If ya want any let me no

evilmonkee · 21-01-2012 7:17pm

Growing veg in bags is a pretty good way of avoiding doggy interference! the big blue Ikea bags are quite good for it, unless you want to buy actual grow bags....

I plan on growing inside a few of them, placed inside the raised bed (just so it looks a little nicer)

krissovo · 22-01-2012 5:10pm

evilmonkee wrote: »

Growing veg in bags is a pretty good way of avoiding doggy interference! the big blue Ikea bags are quite good for it, unless you want to buy actual grow bags....

I plan on growing inside a few of them, placed inside the raised bed (just so it looks a little nicer)

Can you really grow food in Ikea bags? Genius idea, how many spuds/carrots can you grow a bag? At least a week for a family I would think.

evilmonkee · 23-01-2012 1:15am

krissovo wrote: »

Can you really grow food in Ikea bags? Genius idea, how many spuds/carrots can you grow a bag? At least a week for a family I would think.

Yup, Ikea bag's are extremely versatile and because of the plastic they're made of they don't leach chemicals! You can also grow in the plasticy material ones (eg. the small green coloured ones) - they're great for lettuce , tomatoes will grow in ANYTHING!

Personally, I prefer using bags, crop rotation, soil ammendments, no lost nutrients to unnecessary plants etc.

Plus 3 bags = earlies, mid-earlies and lates!

Just roll down the sides to the dept you need to initially plant, plant two or three spuds (in chitted sections) when they sprout, heap up the soil leaving just the tip of the leaves - this is the magic - you just roll up the bag and top up the soil! It's brilliantly space efficient, no waste of soil, no leaked nutrients and (if you have a dog who loves to dig) no heaped up soil to tempt them!

Carrots, just dump em into it! So long as you don't care for looks!

evilmonkee · 23-01-2012 1:17pm

I should probably have mentioned to poke holes in the bottom for drainage, because its plastic its easy to seal these up, or even burn the holes into it!

Grizzly 45 · 23-01-2012 2:13pm

baords dyslexic wrote: »

The tyres used to be free from any tyre place, as many as you wanted but I'm not sure now if they are allowed to give them away.

They are only too happy to give them away..As they cost appx a euro per tyre for disposal.Reckon tyres are one of the most versatile building blocks around a survival homestead.

@evil Monkee.
Thats an idea with the Ikea bags.I've been trying to grow spuds in the blue barrells doing it as you described.All I get however is one or two large spuds,and a bunch of marbles for the size and volume of the barrel.:(
Do you just do one plant per bag,or multiple plants?

baords dyslexic · 23-01-2012 2:50pm

evilmonkee wrote: »

I should probably have mentioned to poke holes in the bottom for drainage, because its plastic its easy to seal these up, or even burn the holes into it!

Holes need some thought, if on concrete or non porus base which prevent holes in the bottom from draining excess water, then a few holes need to be in the sides near the base.

evilmonkee · 23-01-2012 3:08pm

Grizzly 45 wrote: »

@evil Monkee.
Thats an idea with the Ikea bags.I've been trying to grow spuds in the blue barrells doing it as you described.All I get however is one or two large spuds,and a bunch of marbles for the size and volume of the barrel.:(
Do you just do one plant per bag,or multiple plants?

I had a problem using the barrels (it now collects rainwater), I found that because you couldn't roll down the sides that enough light didn't get in and so the bottom spud's would be really small. I've been told that covering too much of the top foliage will stunt growth as well but personally I think my problem was sunlight.

I plant one / two potatoes so between 2 - 4 , all spread out length-ways along the big bag, but if I was planting a smaller bag that was more vertical, I'd definitely plant no more than two chitts.

krissovo · 23-01-2012 7:48pm

I went through some of my food stock, I found 7 year old bag of green lentils (best before 2005) and 6 year canned old coconut milk (Best before 2006). So I just made tonight's dinner with it to see what shape its in.

Turned out great, made curried lentils cooked in coconut milk and water. Lots of flavor and no food poisoning yet

I will try the same batch next year some time but I expect its good for a few more years yet.

I may start a thread for my recipes.

colonel-yum-yum · 23-01-2012 8:31pm

krissovo wrote: »

I may start a thread for my recipes.

Kooking with Krissovo.
"It's not gone off, it's well matured!"

Grizzly 45 · 23-01-2012 8:54pm

Stuff like lentils,rice andwheat if left unrefined can literally last ages.Stuff found in Egyptian tombs was supposedly still edible,and could be sprouted.
Supposedly true,but maybe.. thats what killed Howard Carter&Co off??:eek:
The curse of the Mummys wheat bread.:D

bonniebede · 25-01-2012 10:40am

baords dyslexic wrote: »

Since last post I've just started a new training routine. I spend at least one hour a day walking our largest dog, and initially a fast hour walk over some very rough ground was had work but now its got quite easy for me (+ I can now do my belt up another notch :):)), so now I'm taking a rucsac with a few useful doggy things (balls, harness, ball thrower, camera, binoculars to check for other walkers) plus waterproof clothing. The intention is to slowly add a bit more each time to both increase the weight carried and create a bug out bag cross dog walking bag. I've an idea about having a brew at the halfway point just to test the gear out a bit?

Thats great, i'm impressed, its not that easy to put new routines in place.

Are you using the dog to carry the bug out bag.and if not why not?

evilmonkee · 25-01-2012 11:39am

Got my Hexi stove

played around with the 15l bag - have now managed to fit gloves, hat,4 pairs of socks, and 1x1meter mini tarp in by switching the gas with the hexi.

baords dyslexic · 25-01-2012 11:49am

bonniebede wrote: »

Thats great, i'm impressed, its not that easy to put new routines in place.

Are you using the dog to carry the bug out bag.and if not why not?

I might get a doggy back pack and get him to carry his own stuff so my bob is just that and isn't filled with dog food treats, balls and stuff but its his walk and he goes for a swim and does a lot of leaping around after balls so I didn't think it was that suitable.

Easiest way I know to put a routine in place is to get a dog that won't give you any peace if you havn't done something to use up his energy.

baords dyslexic · 25-01-2012 2:26pm

I won't put this in bargin alerts as its a Lidl offer from about a month back (€6.99) anyway picked up one of last few of these First Aid kits for the car.

Plan is to open it up and replace/add a few more items to make it a little more userful, there seems to be a bit of space left in the bag and I liked the idea of a soft case. I've had hard cased first aid kits in the car and managed to crack them with stuff rolling around in the boot.

Knowing Lidl the same one will be back in the shelves within the next 6 months.

Doc Ruby · 26-01-2012 2:47pm

Grabbed a couple of them axe/hammer multitool things from Lidl. Decent quality and serviceable, not bad for seven euros.

Tabnabs · 26-01-2012 3:11pm

British Army surplus sleeping bag liners (unissued and still in wrapping) and surplus unissued Shemaghs.

The British Army are selling off a load of gear at the minute because they are flat broke. Some really good bargains to be had.

Tabnabs · 26-01-2012 3:14pm

Doc Ruby wrote: »

Grabbed a couple of them axe/hammer multitool things from Lidl. Decent quality and serviceable, not bad for seven euros.

Come on Doc, put one through its paces and see how tough they really are and report back with pics :pac:

ShadowFox · 26-01-2012 3:15pm

Tabnabs wrote: »

British Army surplus sleeping bag liners (unissued and still in wrapping) and surplus unissued shegmaghs.

The British Army are selling off a load of gear at the minute because they are flat broke. Some really good bargains to be had.

Where ???

Tabnabs · 26-01-2012 3:19pm

They seem to be filtering through to various ebay and online vendors (eg http://www.ebay.ie/itm/NEW-Olive-Green-Cotton-Army-Issue-Sleeping-Bag-Liner-/380250391512?pt=UK_Collectables_Militaria_LE&hash=item5888b083d8) but I read about it in a newspaper article and looked at a main site that had all sorts of equipment for sale (including boats and aircraft) but they only sold to UK customers.

Keep an eye on your favoured surplus vendors would be my recommendation.

Doc Ruby · 26-01-2012 3:27pm

Tabnabs wrote: »

Come on Doc, put one through its paces and see how tough they really are and report back with pics :pac:

Ahaha, I already laid into a few bits of wood I have lying around the place with the axe, won't be felling any mighty oaks with it but the extra mass of the hammerhead behind lets it punch above its weight. Its got a nice compact feel, if I get a chance over the weekend I'll see just how far it can go.

Doc Ruby · 26-01-2012 3:40pm

Tabnabs wrote: »

all sorts of equipment for sale (including boats and aircraft)

Hrm, anyone know what the VRT on a Spartan would be like, I can't find a category for it in the revenue online calculator.

the drifter · 26-01-2012 4:08pm

Doc Ruby wrote: »

Hrm, anyone know what the VRT on a Spartan would be like, I can't find a category for it in the revenue online calculator.

Its a commercial so i assume commercial rates

kildare.17hmr · 26-01-2012 4:20pm

the drifter wrote: »

Doc Ruby wrote: »

Hrm, anyone know what the VRT on a Spartan would be like, I can't find a category for it in the revenue online calculator.

Its a commercial so i assume commercial rates

They wont catch ya, uk plates all the way

colonel-yum-yum · 26-01-2012 4:20pm

Doc Ruby wrote: »

Hrm, anyone know what the VRT on a Spartan would be like, I can't find a category for it in the revenue online calculator.

I'd skip the VRT. Who's going to try and stop you in that bad boy!

Doc Ruby · 26-01-2012 4:38pm

I was kinda half kidding but here's a guy taking one for a spin down to the shops to pick up his groceries

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DK9oaA2aqbc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0fjpnQUJkI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJ4zVZznSHo

Nice!

krissovo · 26-01-2012 4:47pm

The FV 432 would be a more reliable tracked vehicle as it takes less maintenance to keep going.

The Spartan is the Ferrari of military tracked vehicles, the speed of these things is unreal considering you are in a small tank with a basic one hitting 70mph on a metal road. They have also gone diesel in the last few years so thats the one to get.

Anyway we are getting way off topic unless you bought one:p

the drifter · 26-01-2012 11:51pm

i really have to start actually getting some stuff together this year....i always put it on the long figure

Grizzly 45 · 27-01-2012 12:33am

colonel-yum-yum wrote: »

I'd skip the VRT. Who's going to try and stop you in that bad boy!

You can actually skip the road tax too!!This is a genuine clanger on part of the Irish revenue and road tax law here. It states military vechicles are exempt from road tax !!!!
Doesnt say military vechiles currently in use by the Irish army,past or present,decomissioned or active in private civillian hands or in any mans army either.:D
So if you happen to have a M1a1 tank handy or a lowly ferrett or sara -cen armoured car[What a cool BO vechicle that would be!!:eek:].Drive away ...Proably get you on the tank treds mucking up our pristine roads mind or blocking traffic...:rolleyes:

Doc Ruby · 27-01-2012 12:39am

Grizzly 45 wrote: »

You can actually skip the road tax too!!This is a genuine clanger on part of the Irish revenue and road tax law here. It states military vechicles are exempt from road tax !!!!

Sweet. Be warned anyone thinking of hitching a ride though, I reserve the right to chew a dirty great smouldering cigar while I drive it, and wear my hat backwards. If ye can deal with that its still byob.

Fifteen grand sterling gets you the final word in bovs, because nothing says prepared like a nine ton war machine. You know you're doing something right when you have to consult a solicitor before buying a vehicle. Insurance is a bargain too, apparently!

Begobs I'm half tempted.

*end threadjack*

bonniebede · 27-01-2012 10:19am

Got a tiny repair kit for glasses in the airport. It has very serviceable tiny screwdriver, selection of replacement screws for glasses, tweezer thing(?) and nose cushions. I'm going to add some better cushions and nose pieces, some more screws. Without glasses I am in serious trouble... definitely an item to make a high priority.

(Confession time...I decided at the last minute to stick my haversack into my check on bag and not carry it onboard...as soon as I got through security I bought a cute foldable haversack and this tiny tool kit... felt much more prepared after that....hmmm...):o

Khannie · 27-01-2012 12:27pm

Got myself one of those lidl multi-tools. Really good value for 7 euro. The axe is a bit questionable, but the hammer seems decent enough.

bonniebede wrote: »

Got a tiny repair kit for glasses in the airport.

Good call. I must get one of those. I have a tiny screwdriver in my swiss that is good for working with glasses, but the spare screws would be important alright.

baords dyslexic · 27-01-2012 12:33pm

Khannie wrote: »

Good call. I must get one of those. I have a tiny screwdriver in my swiss that is good for working with glasses, but the spare screws would be important alright.

DON'T FORGET A SPARE PAIR OF GLASSES or at least a small hand lense! Last time I repaired my glasses I couldn't see to do the job so had to use a huge magnifying glass to see what I was doing. A real chicken and egg situation.

If you are throwing out old pairs of glasses take the screws out of them for spares.

bonniebede · 27-01-2012 12:47pm

baords dyslexic wrote: »

DON'T FORGET A SPARE PAIR OF GLASSES or at least a small hand lense! Last time I repaired my glasses I couldn't see to do the job so had to use a huge magnifying glass to see what I was doing. A real chicken and egg situation.

If you are throwing out old pairs of glasses take the screws out of them for spares.

I've decided to keep my last pairs of glasses, they are not that far off my current prescription and in a eotw sit would be the best i could get as replacements.

Great idea re magnifying lens, and it can double as a firestarter.:D

bonniebede · 27-01-2012 5:51pm

walked, still breaking in my new boots.

15 mins in the garden, clearing spacce to make a raised bed. Long way to go yet. phew!:pac:

Found a local source of scavengable firewood. Might walk there tomorrow too.;)

Tended my indoor herbs, and cooked a delicious fines herbes omelette with my own homegrown herbs. Woohoo:D Iam motivated!

Got back on my 'get healthy' schedule. I've had a nice break, now time for some more hard work.:)

Grizzly 45 · 28-01-2012 10:10pm

Bolted my3500lb winch onto the back of my Jeep .Now to figure out a quick detach mount so it can be moved to either front or rear as needed.

bonniebede · 29-01-2012 8:23pm

got sharpeners in lidls, two, thanks to those who pointed them out.;)

also little multi tool lidl, very nice.

For storage - soap, candles, tinned meat, tinnned fish, noodles (more cheapies in lidl and a good long expiry date on them), two little maglites.

Going to sort out a proper storage area/box, as my stuff is starting to pile up, also need to start to make lists of expiry dates so i can keep up with rotating stuff.

Got a fire blanket for the kitchen.

Tabnabs · 29-01-2012 11:49pm

All the goodies were sold out in my local Lidl but picked up a nice FAK for small change.

evilmonkee · 02-02-2012 7:17pm

Not all today but...

added cheap toothbrush, paste and some moisturizer to my emergency bag.
made a wire "grill" for my hexi stove - steel mug now sits nicely on top.
picked up a multitool in Lidl.

repacked by emergency bag - its now in the car, 25l and pretty full.

Researched some ways to become more self reliant in my food garden eg. homemade fertilizer, soil amendments, DIY soil testing etc.

Forgot to get a small tin of evaporated milk, still no "real" tea in my bag

Considered starting a thread on cheap emergency packs - doing it cheap, possibly having a few or just for those who don't want to or cant spend a lot of money on emergency supplies.

Considered starting a thread on survival gardening, using DIY techniques.

Any opinions?

bonniebede · 02-02-2012 7:29pm

evilmonkee wrote: »

Not all today but...

added cheap toothbrush, paste and some moisturizer to my emergency bag.
made a wire "grill" for my hexi stove - steel mug now sits nicely on top.
picked up a multitool in Lidl.

repacked by emergency bag - its now in the car, 25l and pretty full.

Researched some ways to become more self reliant in my food garden eg. homemade fertilizer, soil amendments, DIY soil testing etc.

Forgot to get a small tin of evaporated milk, still no "real" tea in my bag

Considered starting a thread on cheap emergency packs - doing it cheap, possibly having a few or just for those who don't want to or cant spend a lot of money on emergency supplies.

Considered starting a thread on survival gardening, using DIY techniques.

Any opinions?

Go for it on the emergency gardening. I think one of the most important parts of my strategy is to learn in a small way how to grow food, but while there is cheap food i don't see myself becoming totally self sufficient, but i do want to stockpile enough seeds and such that if i had to switch on full time production quickly i could.

bonniebede · 02-02-2012 7:33pm

today...checked out seed potato and planters, very nice , very pricey for a january budget.:(

Got a plant mister for the indoor salad veg. Been harvesting them this week, delicious. Have others to start soon too. Himself still hasn't noticed we now have six feet of veg planted in the back room.

baords dyslexic · 02-02-2012 7:57pm

bonniebede wrote: »

today...checked out seed potato and planters, very nice , very pricey for a january budget.:(

Got a plant mister for the indoor salad veg. Been harvesting them this week, delicious. Have others to start soon too. Himself still hasn't noticed we now have six feet of veg planted in the back room.

St Patricks day is the traditional day for planting potatoes in case you didn't know. Its right most of the time as the timing means the spuds come up after the last frost.

evilmonkee · 02-02-2012 9:41pm

bonniebede wrote: »

today...checked out seed potato and planters, very nice , very pricey for a january budget.

Lidl from today €2 first earlies seed potatoes. Ikea bags, bin bags, coal bags etc. make great potato planters!

Also Aldi have fruit shrubs / hanging baskets and seeds on offer now too. All are from NI / UK so should be fine with our climate.

kildare.17hmr · 02-02-2012 9:52pm

Chopped the last of my wood this evening. Havent paid for logs all winter, all they cost me was doing a bit of shooting for a mates da (which i would have done anyway for the crack) and cuttin and choppin them all which i enjoyed too! Have probably a months worth left stacked in the garage so time to start lookin for next years supply!

What did you do to prepare today?

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