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Brrrr - What are you doing to keep warm

(199 Posts)
JessM Tue 31-Jan-12 16:18:56

It really feels like winter now. What happened to that mild weather? Set to hover around freezing for the rest of the week at least.
Apart from lots of thin but warm layers and hot drinks what else to do?
Just about to go round and make sure all upstairs curtains closed and doors shut, which reduces heat loss.
I have ordered more fleecy blankets from Zara home sale. And some new merino gloves from the outdoor shop.
Sit with laptop on knees instead of table...
I have also bought a fan heater so that if I am at home I can just heat the room I am in, instead of whole 3 stories.
Other thoughts on keeping warm?

HarleyNan Sun 05-Feb-12 18:27:44

Hi Jeni - Thanks for the welcome.
No I don't think I'm related to biker and we're neither serious nor zany, more like 'sunny weather bikers' - it's just a great way to see the countryside and discover the coffee shops along the way (on a nice day of course!). My hubby's always had a motorbike (always been three of us in this marriage!) so we're gonna keep enjoying the ride until old age sets in........hopefully not for a long while!

JessM Sun 05-Feb-12 18:20:05

Have contemplated possum fur conundrum (so many blooming possums, such expensive knitwear) while tramping round snowy woods with camera. (Very good exercise)
The possum fur is short. About 2 cm and very fine. In contrast, silkworm thread is 300 or more Metres long!
It - the possum fluff - has to be removed manually from the skin i believe. It then has to be cleverly blended with some kind of longer wool or other fibre as you could not possibly make a yarn out of it on its own.
If any of you Australian grans would like to get over there and round up a few milllion of the little critters there would be many kiwis and Kiwis who would be very grateful.

jeni Sun 05-Feb-12 18:06:53

Hiharleygran
Are you any relation of biker
Come to think of it, haven't seen her lately!
Well come. Are you one of the 'serious' or the 'zany' types?
Either way enjoy.

HarleyNan Sun 05-Feb-12 17:56:38

Hi Ladies, I'm new to Gransnet but am enjoying reading all your views/opinions. I've been keeping warm by wearing leggings under my jeans and two pairs of socks (one pair of towelling sports socks covered by a pair of hubby's socks!) and thin layers of random clothing. I hope I don't get involved in an accident and end up going to hospital - they'll be cutting through this material for days. (I've got nice pants on though)
I've also bought bags of carrots and sweet potatoes (59p per bag, courtesy of Aldi!!) and have been slurping my way through Carrot and Sweet Potato Soup (to be fair, it's lasted for days in the fridge - I might have to eat if for breakfast at this rate but it's yummy!). I've also plastered my face in moisturiser and my lips in vaseline (over my lipstick!). I think I might be ready for the cold spell now....!smile

MaggieP Sun 05-Feb-12 12:19:03

In Hampshire , snow has disappeared,for weekend visiting Mother in Law who is unwell, but have to drive back to Norfolk later today. There looks like plenty of snow at home, glad we left the dog with friends! I would have hated being stuck anywhere with an old Lab freezing in the back.
Son and Grandson in Essex, excited to be building a snowman, as they have lived in Dubai for 3 yrs.

JessM Sun 05-Feb-12 10:54:31

I guess it is the processing jacey But the hard stuff - ie the skins is very cosy round my neck. guilt free fur. smile

jeni Sat 04-Feb-12 22:51:06

Ohenvy

Joan Sat 04-Feb-12 22:43:41

Fixed the problem in 1979. Moved to the sub-tropics!

whatisamashedupphrase Sat 04-Feb-12 22:41:59

We've got about two inches, and it's still coming! Garden looks lovely.

Why is snow still so exciting?! (for the first day or two, anyway)

Jacey Sat 04-Feb-12 22:06:01

Possum fur ...couldn't understand why - as they are such a pest - anything knitted from their fur was so expensive in NZ confused

Annobel Sat 04-Feb-12 21:47:58

It's been snowing on and off since midday. Off at the moment and the temp is -1 at the back door, so colder away from the house.
JessM, I have a wonderful cardi made of a mixture of merino wool and possum fur. It's warmer than any microfleece.

Ariadne Sat 04-Feb-12 21:17:49

Just starting, Jacey!

Oxon70 Sat 04-Feb-12 21:13:45

We have about 2" of snow so far. Seems a bit warmer.
Wish I had a big log burner - but I'm warm.

JessM Sat 04-Feb-12 20:48:40

Yes you can still get that butter in Swansea market too jeni. Lovely.
Revived a very warm jumper I knitted about 30 years ago today. Remember Kaffe Fassett and his poppies. Looks warm as well as being warm with the mohair wool looped across at the back.
And possum fur scarf. DS1 slaughtered the little blighters himself.
(they are an incredible pest in NZ and have fantastic thick fur)

Jacey Sat 04-Feb-12 20:43:01

I know we have an amber warning Ariadne ...but think the temperature is too low for snow. Fortunately there wasn't enough moisture in the air for a frost this morning either ...long may it stay like it!

But I'm staying in tomorrow ...just in case!!

Ariadne Sat 04-Feb-12 20:38:20

It is supposed to be snowing here in Kent tonight but it's very odd - no sign of it yet! Sure it will come, though. Nice and warm and stocked up, and nowhere important to go. So we'll see.

granjura Sat 04-Feb-12 20:15:36

Great big log burner belting here and keeping our 450 year old house warm. Later will be microwaving my home-made barley wraps to take to bed - I love them.

Jacey Sat 04-Feb-12 20:00:59

So is a tot of home-made sloe gin!!

Only one's not enough shock

petallus Sat 04-Feb-12 19:20:31

Ginger wine is very warming. It's snowing here now.

jeni Sat 04-Feb-12 18:46:37

Llannelly for tub butter!

Oldgreymare Sat 04-Feb-12 17:57:50

Jess thanks for the tip, will try that tonight.
When we thought about replacing the old boiler, a large well-known organisation wanted a silly amount of money. We could have bought the same make of boiler much, much cheaper online. I suggested to the Salesman that his company, with their huge buying power, could have negotiated a better deal. He said that was what they had to pay. It put us off.
Fulgonis in Porthcawl yes! Parisella (sp?) used to come 'round in a van in Anglesey! They used to squirt red goo on cornets ( dread to think of the 'E' numbers). Swansea market for lovely Welshcakes, eggs and veg, but Neath market for Faggots...... in the nicest sense, of course!

whatisamashedupphrase Sat 04-Feb-12 10:01:25

I'm just getting out the bowls of cold water. Hot porridge at one end, freezing cold water at the other. How's this gonna work?! confused grin

Oxon70 Sat 04-Feb-12 09:51:42

I left the cooker on all night on slow - deliberately....and this morning realised that I had left the living room gas fire on as well - not intended and wasteful, but I was glad of the warm room as I was up early as often happens.

I'm wearing three layers on top and two on my feet, socks and extra socks.

My house plants are in the passage at the side of the house and I spent some of yesterday blocking up draughts there with bubblewrap - it seems to have worked because the thermometer hasn't gone below 1 degree.....

Ariadne Sat 04-Feb-12 09:36:53

They've run out of my size! Boo!

JessM Sat 04-Feb-12 08:54:15

This is along the same lines as having a sauna and then rolling in the snow isn't it johanna. Will stick with wearing multiple layers of clothing I think.