Following on from yesterday

 I am sat here watching my wind-up radio, solar light, torch, charger etc charging, as I have taken myself to task to finally get around to doing that, and working out how it works, and realizing I need AA batteries as well.  I have sensibly tuned it to Radio 4 . . .

I was awake early - slept right through until 4.20 a.m. when I answered a call of nature.  Then Alfie heard me and yelled for food.  15 mins later he was yelling to Go Out Now . . .  I didn't sleep after that but stayed in my nice warm bed till 6.30 or so.

My latest project, which will be a gift for a friend.  I am enjoying working on this.

Yesterday, Tam and I discussed getting butane gas cooking stoves to replace the ancient (as in only use in an emergency) camping stoves in the stables.  She couldn't afford one till next payday, so I ordered two from Halfords and we will share the butane cans, and I'll get more as I shouldn't think they will last long.

I have also found Keith's big Ever Ready torch and got a new heavy duty 6V battery for that.  I also found my ancient head torch, which was beyond use now, having been stuffed in the back of the drawer ever since we've been here, and about 5 years at Ynyswen.  I ordered another one.  Have a shopping list of Charcoal, more Matches, Butane gas and Cup-a-Soup.

I had a little idea this morning - could you cook rice in a thermos flask if you put in a portion with boiling water?  The answer is yes.  Takes about 5 hrs - one measure of rice to two of boiling water. Heat the thermos first with boiling water. Pasta is a lot quicker.  Spaghetti, angel hair or couscous work best - place a portion in a warmed flask and fill to within an inch of the top with boiling water and add a pinch of salt.  Shake.  Ready in 5 - 10 mins.  A proper food flask is best for this, as it has a wide mouth.  On my shopping list . . .

I have enjoyed reading all the comments, and had a lovely long off-piste chat/video  from my friend D, who showed me her Bug Out Box, which has all the useful things you would need.  There are four in her family so best to have everything in one place. Hot water bottles, batteries (lots), candles (lots), 2 lighters & 2 packs lotsa matches, tissues, first aid kit, notebook with useful and family phone numbers in, food you can eat cold incl. crackers and biscuits, peanut butter etc.  Empty glass jam jars for safe candle holders.  Fully charged battery chargers.  Brilliant 24v solar panel for charging phones etc.  (you have to charge them whilst it is being solar charged, I understand, as it doesn't have a battery to store energy.)  Hope you didn't mind me sharing that D.

So, bearing in mind we could have power cuts, I am at least getting towards being winter-proofed.  I have found the heated gilet Tam bought for Keith.  I am far too big for it (he was very slender) but it would be fine across my front or tummy.  Tam said that the battery charger can charge phones too.  D and I both realized that we would be slightly panicky without being able to make contact with family members if phones went down, but as she said, think what it was like in WWII, when husbands, sons (even daughters and wives) went to help the war effort in whatever way and for some of them, you didn't know where they were going (for the chaps, even they were in the dark at times) and when you might hear from them again.  Hand written letters were pretty well the only form of communication.  

Here is my new book (SO glad I treated myself).  A few illustrations for those who like quilting/sewing.  I take them the right way up but for some reason they all come out sideways!, even though I try and turn them up the right way.

FInally, my sideways puffin without legs and feet.  Having worked flat out all morning I am going to give myself the afternoon off and do some sewing.

Central heating was on for an hour first thing and I shut all the doors to keep the warm air in rooms as long as possible.  This of course had a queue of cats wanting to get the other side of the shut doors!!

Spag. Bol. again tonight and enough to freeze two portions too.  I cooked extra pasta and am using up broccoli I had pre-cooked too.