Be Excellent To Each Other
https://www.beexcellenttoeachother.com/forum/

Winter watch
https://www.beexcellenttoeachother.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=11603
Page 1 of 2

Author:  MaliA [ Sun Oct 11, 2020 21:00 ]
Post subject:  Winter watch

Well, we're not going anywhere this year are we?

The cold begins, yet continues.

Author:  Dr Zoidberg [ Mon Oct 12, 2020 12:53 ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter watch

I've relented and put the heating on earlier this year. I think with lots of working from home, it'll get more use than normal.

Author:  Goddess Jasmine [ Mon Oct 12, 2020 13:14 ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter watch

We used our log burner for the first time last Saturday, it's had steady use since.

Author:  flis [ Mon Oct 12, 2020 14:19 ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter watch

We haven't put the heating on yet but we have had the electric blanket on pretty consistently over the last week. I don't know how we managed before, it's the best thing ever and heats each side of the bed individually!

Author:  Grim... [ Mon Oct 12, 2020 14:42 ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter watch

For bonus electric blanket awesomeness, connect it to a smart plug so you can turn it on from the sofa.

Author:  Findus Fop [ Mon Oct 12, 2020 15:01 ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter watch

Grim... wrote:
For bonus electric blanket awesomeness, connect it to a smart plug so you can turn it on from the sofa.


genius

Author:  devilman [ Mon Oct 12, 2020 15:14 ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter watch

Dr Zoidberg wrote:
I've relented and put the heating on earlier this year. I think with lots of working from home, it'll get more use than normal.


As this house always gets pretty cold, I've been using my heating for a good few weeks already. It's meant that I've also found out that the boiler is knackered - the other day, I realised the heating had stayed on overnight even though I'd turned it off. It also seems to lose pressure randomly too.

On the plus side, I had an email earlier saying the landlord has paid for a new one, so hurrah for that. :)

Author:  flis [ Mon Oct 12, 2020 15:21 ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter watch

Grim... wrote:
For bonus electric blanket awesomeness, connect it to a smart plug so you can turn it on from the sofa.


What. Grim... is living in 3020.

Author:  Jem [ Mon Oct 12, 2020 15:42 ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter watch

I turn my leccy blanket on when I go upstairs, then go brush my teeth etc, and it's warm by the time I'm done.

Author:  myp [ Mon Oct 12, 2020 15:49 ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter watch

Jem wrote:
I turn my leccy blanket on when I go upstairs, then go brush my teeth etc, and it's warm by the time I'm done.

That’s because you’re Smart Jem. Dumb Grim… needs a plug to be smart for him

Author:  markg [ Mon Oct 12, 2020 15:52 ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter watch

I have to have the radiator on one at most and can only bear a winter duvet when it's actually winter. An electric blanket sounds like torture.

Author:  MaliA [ Mon Oct 12, 2020 15:55 ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter watch

markg wrote:
I have to have the radiator on one at most and can only bear a winter duvet when it's actually winter. An electric blanket sounds like torture.


They have not one, but duvets of making you talk.

Author:  Cras [ Mon Oct 12, 2020 15:58 ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter watch

I've seen electric blankets with a chiller in them. Sorely tempted.

Author:  Mimi [ Mon Oct 12, 2020 16:58 ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter watch

I like my electric blanket on 2, but Russell likes his on 6, the crazy thing.

I wish I could smart plug ours, but I’m pretty sure it needs switching on via the individual control unit after plugging in.

Author:  Mimi [ Mon Oct 12, 2020 16:59 ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter watch

Cras wrote:
I've seen electric blankets with a chiller in them. Sorely tempted.

I’d like a chiller pillow. Warm pillows are the worst thing about summer.

Author:  flis [ Mon Oct 12, 2020 17:03 ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter watch

Mimi wrote:
I like my electric blanket on 2, but Russell likes his on 6, the crazy thing.

I wish I could smart plug ours, but I’m pretty sure it needs switching on via the individual control unit after plugging in.


6!? Mine only goes to 3. 1 barely makes any difference to anything, 2 is the kind of warmth where you're not sure if it's the blanket or if you've wet the bed, and 3 roasts the skin clear off your bum in about 2 minutes.

Author:  Findus Fop [ Mon Oct 12, 2020 17:03 ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter watch

Mimi wrote:
Cras wrote:
I've seen electric blankets with a chiller in them. Sorely tempted.

I’d like a chiller pillow. Warm pillows are the worst thing about summer.


We just got a pair of these:

https://rem-fit.co.uk/rem-fit-500-pillow

It's an eye-watering price for a pillow, but genuinely worth it. Incredibly comfortable, supportive and will (hopefully) be cool in the hot months when they're back again.

Author:  myp [ Mon Oct 12, 2020 17:08 ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter watch

We have bamboo pillows and they were nice and cool in the summer.

Author:  GazChap [ Mon Oct 12, 2020 17:11 ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter watch

I don't know if this is common with electric blankets, but when we've got them turned on (both sides of the bed have separate controls) if I run my fingers across Jem's skin, or vice versa, I can "feel" the electric current running through her, there's like a weird "heartbeat" that pulses up through my fingers.

First time I noticed it I thought I was going mad, but Jem's confirmed it does happen, and it stops as soon as the electric blanket is switched off.

Author:  DavPaz [ Mon Oct 12, 2020 17:13 ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter watch

That's the electricity

Author:  flis [ Mon Oct 12, 2020 17:16 ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter watch

I feel like winter 2020 is going to be intense. Game of Thrones warned us about it for years and if there was ever a winter to be warmed about, it's bound to be this one. I feel like floods are a bit samey, they're pretty regular in October/November. I feel like a big, country-wide snow is on the cards. That then turns into floods when it melts. So much snow that the country grinds to a halt. So like, an inch or two. And it sticks 'til after dinner.

Author:  flis [ Mon Oct 12, 2020 17:17 ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter watch

GazChap wrote:
I don't know if this is common with electric blankets, but when we've got them turned on (both sides of the bed have separate controls) if I run my fingers across Jem's skin, or vice versa, I can "feel" the electric current running through her, there's like a weird "heartbeat" that pulses up through my fingers.

First time I noticed it I thought I was going mad, but Jem's confirmed it does happen, and it stops as soon as the electric blanket is switched off.


You are electrocuting yourselves warm. That is not how my electric blanket works.

Author:  markg [ Mon Oct 12, 2020 17:26 ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter watch

Danger, danger! HIGH VOLTAGE!

Author:  Jem [ Mon Oct 12, 2020 17:27 ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter watch

What's the worst that can happen, right?!

Author:  myp [ Mon Oct 12, 2020 17:55 ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter watch

This also happens if you’re holding your plugged in, charging phone and your partner touches your back.

Author:  Trooper [ Mon Oct 12, 2020 17:57 ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter watch

Jem wrote:
What's the worst that can happen, right?!


Gaz wakes up with static hair...

Author:  Mimi [ Mon Oct 12, 2020 18:06 ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter watch

Findus Fop wrote:
Mimi wrote:
Cras wrote:
I've seen electric blankets with a chiller in them. Sorely tempted.

I’d like a chiller pillow. Warm pillows are the worst thing about summer.


We just got a pair of these:

https://rem-fit.co.uk/rem-fit-500-pillow

It's an eye-watering price for a pillow, but genuinely worth it. Incredibly comfortable, supportive and will (hopefully) be cool in the hot months when they're back again.

Russell’s ex pillow was £95, so I’m now steely on the face of ridiculous pillow-ness.

Author:  Mimi [ Mon Oct 12, 2020 18:07 ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter watch

Mr Chonks wrote:
We have bamboo pillows and they were nice and cool in the summer.


What’s the bamboo in them? The shell, the cover or the fill (or a combination of 2 or all)?

Author:  DavPaz [ Mon Oct 12, 2020 18:28 ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter watch

It's just a pile of sticks

Author:  Jem [ Mon Oct 12, 2020 18:39 ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter watch

Trooper wrote:
Jem wrote:
What's the worst that can happen, right?!


Gaz wakes up with static hair...

If Gaz woke up with hair I'd be seriously inpressed.

Author:  Warhead [ Mon Oct 12, 2020 18:39 ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter watch

GazChap wrote:
I don't know if this is common with electric blankets, but when we've got them turned on (both sides of the bed have separate controls) if I run my fingers across Jem's skin, or vice versa, I can "feel" the electric current running through her, there's like a weird "heartbeat" that pulses up through my fingers.

First time I noticed it I thought I was going mad, but Jem's confirmed it does happen, and it stops as soon as the electric blanket is switched off.


:hat: Oy, none of that before the watershed. Dirty boy.

Author:  myp [ Mon Oct 12, 2020 18:49 ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter watch

Mimi wrote:
Mr Chonks wrote:
We have bamboo pillows and they were nice and cool in the summer.


What’s the bamboo in them? The shell, the cover or the fill (or a combination of 2 or all)?

Fill. It’s these.

https://mypandalife.com/product/bamboo- ... am-pillow/

Author:  markg [ Mon Oct 12, 2020 19:00 ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter watch

That says the cover is bamboo and the fill is memory foam.

Author:  MaliA [ Mon Oct 12, 2020 19:19 ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter watch

From Myp and a life!

Author:  GazChap [ Mon Oct 12, 2020 19:30 ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter watch

Trooper wrote:
Jem wrote:
What's the worst that can happen, right?!


Gaz wakes up with static hair...

Image

Author:  flis [ Tue Nov 03, 2020 10:08 ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter watch

There was snow on the road on the way to work this morning, Mr. flis went through about 40mins before me and said it was coming down then. There wasn't very much, and it was confined to probably a mile or less of road but it as still enough to make a car go through a fence.

Author:  Grim... [ Tue Nov 03, 2020 13:31 ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter watch

Then it's time for this!

Don't do it when there's a foot of snow, do it now!

Grim... wrote:
  • Check your antifreeze. Testers can be purchased from Amazon
  • Check your battery. Again, you can buy testers, or go to a garage if that's an option. If your battery is going to fail, it's likely to fail in the winter
  • Check all the other fluids in the car while you're under the bonnet (brake fluid, oil, transmission fluid if you have an auto, water levels)
  • Check the tread on your tyres. If they're getting close to the limit, get them replaced
  • Go to Homebase and pick up a bag or two of rock salt, and put them in your garage. They're around £5, and you won't be able to buy them for love or money once the snow hits
  • If you live in Scotland or Northern England and always get lots of snow, it might be worth getting a set of snow chains or snow socks, and now is the time to buy them. You only need two for a two-wheel drive car, or four for a 4x4
  • Make sure you know where your towing eye is, and if it needs something screwed into it to make it work make sure that is in your car. Give it a try straight away so you know it works and you know how to work it - you don't want to be doing it in a foot of snow for the first time
  • Make sure you have all of the following in your car:
    • A blanket for each person in the car
    • A can of de-icer
    • A car charger for your mobile
    • Some chocolate bars
    • Spare windscreen washer
    • Bottles of water
    • A fold-up spade (here's a cheap one)
    • A gallon of whatever fuel your car needs
    • A book for while you're waiting (and maybe some toys if you have kiddies)
  • You really should have a fire extinguisher, first aid kit, set of jump leads and a florescent jacket/vest in your car all your round.

Get a can of WD-40 and wipe it around your door seals - this will stop it freezing shut.

If you have a 4x4 you can add a tow rope to that list, for dragging lesser cars around and feeling butch ;) The type you can get from petrol stations will do, but if you get a good kinetic strap you'll be able to recover lorries buses, too.
You might also want to consider joining your local 4x4 Response team. In bad weather they'll ask you to help out with all sorts of things, from delivering water to acting as an emergency ambulance.
However: VERY IMPORTANT: Your 4x4 can go forward in the snow more effectively than other cars, but that doesn't mean it's any better at stopping or going around corners, so be careful.

The following information was written when we weren't approaching a viral apocalypse, so the sharing cars bit may be out of date:
Grim... wrote:
If you do get stranded in the snow, get all your stuff out of the boot and have a look around for other people who are also stranded. Share cars with each other, running the engine for five minutes with the heaters on full every half hour or so (or however long it takes the car to get cold).

Finally, be a member of the AA. It costs £60 for a year or £6 a month, which is a proper no-brainer. It's even worth considering if you don't have a car, but are regularly a passenger in one.

Author:  MaliA [ Tue Nov 24, 2020 12:25 ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter watch

First Xmas card has arrived! From my MP!

Log consumption for the log burner is running at about a builders bag every 7 weeks. Second builder's bag of logs has now been ordered.

Yesterday was mad chilly, i had two jumpers on for most of it!

Author:  Goddess Jasmine [ Tue Nov 24, 2020 16:46 ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter watch

MaliA wrote:
Log consumption for the log burner is running at about a builders bag every 7 weeks. Second builder's bag of logs has now been ordered.

We can't get to ours, there's an extractor fan in front of it. ?:|

Author:  myp [ Tue Nov 24, 2020 16:48 ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter watch

Ours is blocked by a bookshelf at the moment. Good job we’ve just had a radiator installed then!

Author:  Goddess Jasmine [ Tue Nov 24, 2020 17:51 ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter watch

Heh, we need to get one in the room that Joans works in. We do have a radiator in the living room, but it's the Toy Story blanket that's doing the most work at the moment. :P

Author:  KovacsC [ Wed Nov 25, 2020 12:53 ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter watch

I have had a new boiler installed. The house is so warm.

I just need to reconnect the hive system. It looks simple, but I think I will get a sparky in.

Author:  BikNorton [ Thu Nov 26, 2020 14:09 ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter watch

(What the hell, I hit reply here and somehow it ended up in bits and bobs?)

Your boiler man disconnected it from the old boiler then didn't reconnect it to the new one? Whut?

Author:  KovacsC [ Thu Nov 26, 2020 14:12 ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter watch

Yup, he is not a sparky, and i needed to buy a new unit.. as the receiver is for tank and boiler, and of course won't work on a combi :)

I fitted a nest this Morning.

Author:  myp [ Thu Nov 26, 2020 14:15 ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter watch

Err, you shouldn’t really need an electrician to fit those. My heating engineer installed the Hive system when the new boiler went in. Even plugged the hub into the router and tested it all worked.

Author:  KovacsC [ Thu Nov 26, 2020 14:18 ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter watch

Mr Chonks wrote:
Err, you shouldn’t really need an electrician to fit those. My heating engineer installed the Hive system when the new boiler went in. Even plugged the hub into the router and tested it all worked.


I know, but he said he did not fit them, I can't make him. :)

Author:  Jem [ Thu Nov 26, 2020 14:44 ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter watch

Our heating is working a hell of a lot better since the garage conversion guy removed the miles & miles of unnecessary piping from the old garage. :DD

Author:  KovacsC [ Thu Nov 26, 2020 14:47 ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter watch

Jem wrote:
Our heating is working a hell of a lot better since the garage conversion guy removed the miles & miles of unnecessary piping from the old garage. :DD


That was mental, how much was in there...

Author:  Jem [ Thu Nov 26, 2020 15:10 ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter watch

Did you see the photo on twitter? It was bloody ridiculous

https://twitter.com/jemjabella/status/1 ... 9990238211



Author:  DavPaz [ Thu Nov 26, 2020 15:10 ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter watch

No, Jem, that was the cooling system. Now your house is going to overheat and thermally throttle

Page 1 of 2 All times are UTC [ DST ]
Powered by phpBB © 2000, 2002, 2005, 2007 phpBB Group
http://www.phpbb.com/