Learnt about oil, debt, politics, people.
got scared...
found latoc, got really scared,
found here, calmed down,
day before exchanging on a town house I quit the sale, and turned my eyes to the country.
Couldn't afford small holding, so got decent house with wood fired capability and a big garden, near farms, sea, rivers and estuary, loads of free food to be had.
Joined a mini farming coop, helping with the jobs for a share in the food.
Ripped out the garden for veges, bee friendly plants chickens and rabbits for the table.
Studied permaculture, self sufficency, efficiency, botany, animal husbandary, farming gardening brewing distilling shooting sharpening building etc.
Bought LOTS of books.
Bought a gun.
Started my first vat of nettle beer and dandelion and burdock beer.
Exchanging my skills for others for example free horse muck for me vaccinating them!
Bought bivvy bags and sleeping bags and tried them out.
Learnt to fish and tie knots. bought lobster pots.
Learnt to eat anything.
Taught myself to kill, butcher and eat an animal myself.
Made good friends with my neighbours, got them growing veg too.
Circulated dvd's and books to enlighten anyone who wanted it about peak oil or any of the above.
Thinking about digging a cool hideaway under my shed!
Getting a boat and 125cc bike.
Bought a good knife.
Dreamt about owning land and bore holes and solar panels and and and
I'm keen on peak oil! Only coz it gives me an excuse to do what i always wanted to do!
What Kind of Preparations
Moderator: Peak Moderation
-
adam2
- Site Admin
- Posts: 10902
- Joined: 02 Jul 2007, 17:49
- Location: North Somerset, twinned with Atlantis
As I live in a rented home in London I cant consider any but very minor alterations to the building, but have done what I can.(wind and PV, battery bank, stocks of food and fuel, water butts)
My main preps are at my Mothers house in Somerset, large stocks of supplies, battery back up, fuel storage etc.
Now that I have the basics of food and water and clothing stocks, I have been stocking more hi-tech items that may be in future short supply.
Examples include, electrical test instruments, geiger counters, electronic components, 12 volt CFLs, electric cable, charge controlers, PV modules, hand and power tools, and multi-tools.
Although I dont smoke I now keep large stocks of cigaretes, to avoid these going stale, I give a carton of 200 to each friend or relative who smokes, as a Christmas present.
I have stockpiled a large number of wool blankets, you cant have too many !
Although most people now prefer duvets, blankets are IMHO far preferable in any long term emergency.
My main preps are at my Mothers house in Somerset, large stocks of supplies, battery back up, fuel storage etc.
Now that I have the basics of food and water and clothing stocks, I have been stocking more hi-tech items that may be in future short supply.
Examples include, electrical test instruments, geiger counters, electronic components, 12 volt CFLs, electric cable, charge controlers, PV modules, hand and power tools, and multi-tools.
Although I dont smoke I now keep large stocks of cigaretes, to avoid these going stale, I give a carton of 200 to each friend or relative who smokes, as a Christmas present.
I have stockpiled a large number of wool blankets, you cant have too many !
Although most people now prefer duvets, blankets are IMHO far preferable in any long term emergency.
"Installers and owners of emergency diesels must assume that they will have to run for a week or more"
-
emordnilap
- Posts: 14814
- Joined: 05 Sep 2007, 16:36
- Location: here
Feck me, peakprepper, you're sounding a bit like me but with a Superman suit on and rippling muscles and things. Fair play to you for all you've done, though you shouldn't be shy about what you call 'other stuff'. We're persons of the world, so come on, give.
Catweazle and your stove: you have so much pleasure to look forward to!
Seriously, one of PS's core functions (for me) lies in the discussion of realistic suggestions for making participants' futures more viable. Hence, many responses heretofore justify that aspiration. Sorry about the crapnesses of those last sentences.
There are masses of tiny things mr and mrs palindrome backwards are doing in our lives that keep in mind that, ahem, 'uncertain future' so, if you have the bandwidth and the patience, here's my somewhat random contribution to the aim of this thread:
Over the last year we've:
- put in a SolarTwin solar hot water panel and are absolutely loving having it;
- found a neighbour with lots of quite old bales of straw he won't use but he's prepared to keep under cover till we need them;
- put in a highly insulated large hot water tank for solar and back boiler heat;
- used the immersion heater for only two hours since October, five months ago;
- bought several more hand tools of excellent quality;
- learnt a reasonable amount about solar pv;
- helped keep our community broadband going, though in fairness my part is mostly moral support;
- bought stacks of preparations books; some will go on FreeCycle but several are invaluable, such as John Jeavons's self-sufficiency book (brilliant) and his How to Grow More Vegetables etc etc, the now infamous The Humanure Handbook, Plants for the Future, Engineering in Emergencies plus many more;
- increased number of rainwater butts with more to come;
- acquired a number of telephone poles (!);
- got a smallish workshop and insulated it, put a solar-powered light in and got organised with all the hand tools;
- realised we only need one job to keep the two of us providing one of us grows food and 'works' at home and the other one (obviously) keeps her/his job;
- as a result, hardly ever used the car unless it's actually used, i.e., carrying at least two people and some other stuff - in other words, journeys of "one body plus car" are plain stupid;
- written to or e-mailed several firms asking them to phase out totally unnecessary animal products in specific lines (skimmed milk in McVities digestives, as a for instance);
- got a decent pushbike, making it a pleasure for me to go anywhere within reason;
- discussed in depth the idea of giving vegan organic gardening courses and preparing for same;
- started preparing ground for polytunnel;
- got a couple of neighbours on board for doing some 'community gardening' but not much joy yet but it's a start;
- stayed well out of debt (very important);
- got a few more fruit trees planted;
- [the OH's department] sown, grown, growing or harvested (this is during the last year, don't forget): potatoes (four first earlies {or earlys for the benefit of RC if s/he notices this pedantry} and British Queens), broad beans, leeks, kale, Swiss chard, garlic, peas, carrots, parsnips, Jerusalem artichoke, asparagus, globe artichoke, climbing beans (apologies for the seemingly random plurals), pumpkin, courgettes, rainbow chard, onions, rhubarb, tomatoes, strawberries, plums, five varieties of apples, two of pears, peaches, cherries and all kinds of herbs;
- instigated human waste composting;
- gave £200 to a vegan charity working in Kenya;
- got a plan in my head to do some solar heating next winter (beer cans in a frame);
- put in some long, heavy curtains in one room. They look good and feel good too;
- acquired and put into service several manual kitchen utensils (heavy brass pestle and mortar, liquidiser);
- made a 'wildlife hotel' from palettes and canes and straw and wood etc;
- got planning permission for an extension at the back of the house and a porch at the front: the back to capture heat, the front to insulate;
- started planning a cold store;
- tried this 'Earth Hour' thingy for a few hours - it showed us where weaknesses lie in our preparations;
- joined local transition town group, though it's a bit far away from us;
- unlike PP, we can't do CFLs because we've had nowt else since the early '90s....
- started an interest-bearing account accruing money whenever we've some to spare, however little and
- several minor jobs aimed at reducing grid dependency.
All this is on top of several years' worth of self-sufficiency preparations, particularly in relation to insulation and wood and food availability and stuff like using Airtricity. Plus being vegan of course, which not only saves you absolutely bagfuls of dosh but makes you creative, aware and compassionate and means you can eat as much as you like.
And doing endless edits to what is an idiotically long post.
It looks like a lot, typed up - but really, it's nothing, just great fun. We're in just half a litre less shíte than everyone else, that's all.
Catweazle and your stove: you have so much pleasure to look forward to!
Seriously, one of PS's core functions (for me) lies in the discussion of realistic suggestions for making participants' futures more viable. Hence, many responses heretofore justify that aspiration. Sorry about the crapnesses of those last sentences.
There are masses of tiny things mr and mrs palindrome backwards are doing in our lives that keep in mind that, ahem, 'uncertain future' so, if you have the bandwidth and the patience, here's my somewhat random contribution to the aim of this thread:
Over the last year we've:
- put in a SolarTwin solar hot water panel and are absolutely loving having it;
- found a neighbour with lots of quite old bales of straw he won't use but he's prepared to keep under cover till we need them;
- put in a highly insulated large hot water tank for solar and back boiler heat;
- used the immersion heater for only two hours since October, five months ago;
- bought several more hand tools of excellent quality;
- learnt a reasonable amount about solar pv;
- helped keep our community broadband going, though in fairness my part is mostly moral support;
- bought stacks of preparations books; some will go on FreeCycle but several are invaluable, such as John Jeavons's self-sufficiency book (brilliant) and his How to Grow More Vegetables etc etc, the now infamous The Humanure Handbook, Plants for the Future, Engineering in Emergencies plus many more;
- increased number of rainwater butts with more to come;
- acquired a number of telephone poles (!);
- got a smallish workshop and insulated it, put a solar-powered light in and got organised with all the hand tools;
- realised we only need one job to keep the two of us providing one of us grows food and 'works' at home and the other one (obviously) keeps her/his job;
- as a result, hardly ever used the car unless it's actually used, i.e., carrying at least two people and some other stuff - in other words, journeys of "one body plus car" are plain stupid;
- written to or e-mailed several firms asking them to phase out totally unnecessary animal products in specific lines (skimmed milk in McVities digestives, as a for instance);
- got a decent pushbike, making it a pleasure for me to go anywhere within reason;
- discussed in depth the idea of giving vegan organic gardening courses and preparing for same;
- started preparing ground for polytunnel;
- got a couple of neighbours on board for doing some 'community gardening' but not much joy yet but it's a start;
- stayed well out of debt (very important);
- got a few more fruit trees planted;
- [the OH's department] sown, grown, growing or harvested (this is during the last year, don't forget): potatoes (four first earlies {or earlys for the benefit of RC if s/he notices this pedantry} and British Queens), broad beans, leeks, kale, Swiss chard, garlic, peas, carrots, parsnips, Jerusalem artichoke, asparagus, globe artichoke, climbing beans (apologies for the seemingly random plurals), pumpkin, courgettes, rainbow chard, onions, rhubarb, tomatoes, strawberries, plums, five varieties of apples, two of pears, peaches, cherries and all kinds of herbs;
- instigated human waste composting;
- gave £200 to a vegan charity working in Kenya;
- got a plan in my head to do some solar heating next winter (beer cans in a frame);
- put in some long, heavy curtains in one room. They look good and feel good too;
- acquired and put into service several manual kitchen utensils (heavy brass pestle and mortar, liquidiser);
- made a 'wildlife hotel' from palettes and canes and straw and wood etc;
- got planning permission for an extension at the back of the house and a porch at the front: the back to capture heat, the front to insulate;
- started planning a cold store;
- tried this 'Earth Hour' thingy for a few hours - it showed us where weaknesses lie in our preparations;
- joined local transition town group, though it's a bit far away from us;
- unlike PP, we can't do CFLs because we've had nowt else since the early '90s....
- started an interest-bearing account accruing money whenever we've some to spare, however little and
- several minor jobs aimed at reducing grid dependency.
All this is on top of several years' worth of self-sufficiency preparations, particularly in relation to insulation and wood and food availability and stuff like using Airtricity. Plus being vegan of course, which not only saves you absolutely bagfuls of dosh but makes you creative, aware and compassionate and means you can eat as much as you like.
And doing endless edits to what is an idiotically long post.
It looks like a lot, typed up - but really, it's nothing, just great fun. We're in just half a litre less shíte than everyone else, that's all.
I experience pleasure and pains, and pursue goals in service of them, so I cannot reasonably deny the right of other sentient agents to do the same - Steven Pinker
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBwBxmQ7 ... re=channelwillf wrote:What does a vegan charity do in Kenya!!?? I can't see it somehow.
And how do beer cans in a frame equal heat?
I just realised I'd not actualy answered the question.
In the last 18-20 months I've bought a house with bigish garden, filled it with herbs and fruits much to the dismay of my partner.
Insulated and boarded the loft, the 50 mil of insulation has had boards put over, as well as could be, screwed down, then sealed fibreglass insulation rolls lain on top. Last winter I must have spent over £120 on gas just keeping the house above freezing (I dont live in it yet), this winter I've spent maybe £40.
Replaced the kitchen and replacing the bathroom, the electric shower swapped for one ran from the combi boiler.
I've also began a somewhat insane food storage program.
In the last 18-20 months I've bought a house with bigish garden, filled it with herbs and fruits much to the dismay of my partner.
Insulated and boarded the loft, the 50 mil of insulation has had boards put over, as well as could be, screwed down, then sealed fibreglass insulation rolls lain on top. Last winter I must have spent over £120 on gas just keeping the house above freezing (I dont live in it yet), this winter I've spent maybe £40.
Replaced the kitchen and replacing the bathroom, the electric shower swapped for one ran from the combi boiler.
I've also began a somewhat insane food storage program.
I'm a realist, not a hippie
-
RenewableCandy
- Posts: 12777
- Joined: 12 Sep 2007, 12:13
- Location: York
?-
emordnilap
- Posts: 14814
- Joined: 05 Sep 2007, 16:36
- Location: here
They help people grow food without the consumption of animals.willf wrote:What does a vegan charity do in Kenya!!?? I can't see it somehow.
I experience pleasure and pains, and pursue goals in service of them, so I cannot reasonably deny the right of other sentient agents to do the same - Steven Pinker
Moving to Spain
I bought a ruined farm in Spain about 3 years ago before I'd heard of Peak Oil although I knew something serious was in he offing. Its in Galicia which is North west. Near the coast. Lots of rainfall. Fairly underpopulated. Nice people.
This year we got the roof fixed and planted some fruit trees and bushes. I bought lots of seeds but can't plant them as I can't be there much. Bought lots of garden tools, mostly at boot sales. Got a lot of food stored which should last at least a month (probably 2) I bought 2 books about food from the wild and now try to spot edible food in the woods. I have read lots of books. Most people around me are now convinced something is going to happen
Andy
This year we got the roof fixed and planted some fruit trees and bushes. I bought lots of seeds but can't plant them as I can't be there much. Bought lots of garden tools, mostly at boot sales. Got a lot of food stored which should last at least a month (probably 2) I bought 2 books about food from the wild and now try to spot edible food in the woods. I have read lots of books. Most people around me are now convinced something is going to happen
Andy
It is a rich man who is happy with what he has
-
emordnilap
- Posts: 14814
- Joined: 05 Sep 2007, 16:36
- Location: here
<bump> 
Anyone any news of preparations?
Here's one of ours:
We're looking at putting a double-glazed (toughened glass) lean-to on our south side door. A bit like a greenhouse, with automatic vents, a couple of opening windows and a double door opening outwards. 2m x 5m. Made in Germany.
The price means the polytunnel will have to wait for another year (I refuse to go into debt) but this yoke will do some of the job; it will also be a dry place to sit 'outside' and I'm hoping it will cut the need for heating fuel (slightly) in winter.
It will cover a window so it adds to the ventilation options at night. It's not advisable to have a window open and a light on round here!
One great advantage is that it's easily dismantlable, for if/when plans and finances change.
All being well it will be in place by November.
Anyone any news of preparations?
Here's one of ours:
We're looking at putting a double-glazed (toughened glass) lean-to on our south side door. A bit like a greenhouse, with automatic vents, a couple of opening windows and a double door opening outwards. 2m x 5m. Made in Germany.
The price means the polytunnel will have to wait for another year (I refuse to go into debt) but this yoke will do some of the job; it will also be a dry place to sit 'outside' and I'm hoping it will cut the need for heating fuel (slightly) in winter.
It will cover a window so it adds to the ventilation options at night. It's not advisable to have a window open and a light on round here!
One great advantage is that it's easily dismantlable, for if/when plans and finances change.
All being well it will be in place by November.
I experience pleasure and pains, and pursue goals in service of them, so I cannot reasonably deny the right of other sentient agents to do the same - Steven Pinker
Ive sold a lot of stuff and I'm trying to clear my house ideally to rent it or sell it , also looked at going to sea or traveling .
I'm not doing any preparations about peak oil I have loads of tools , I know quite a bit about self-sufficiency .
If I had a family likely Id be getting a small holding I don't so I'm off to have some fun and try to find a pretty women .
I want to be in the position where I can just travel around with my rucksack Ive done it before but when you have things and property your tied
I'm not doing any preparations about peak oil I have loads of tools , I know quite a bit about self-sufficiency .
If I had a family likely Id be getting a small holding I don't so I'm off to have some fun and try to find a pretty women .
I want to be in the position where I can just travel around with my rucksack Ive done it before but when you have things and property your tied
"What causes more suffering in the world than the stupidity of the compassionate?"Friedrich Nietzsche
optimism is cowardice oswald spengler
optimism is cowardice oswald spengler