Recent content by GeraldTheBonsai

Unfortunately I have a somewhat jaundiced view of people in general and the masses in particular. However, let's agree to differ. What i do think will happen is that those among us who have these skills and knowledge will very rapidly be in demand.

I would argue that you are looking at this scenario from the perspective of someone who is able to manage these challenges, such as someone who is familiar with bushcraft, prepping, DIY or general real world problem solving. My suspicion is that the vast majority of the urban population wouldn't...

True. But. How many people today have the knowledge to build / make the most basic of things, let alone the tools to do it?

News article today that the boss of British Gas has warned the country risks winter energy shortages as reserves dwindle. We have negligible reserves and of course we depend on gas for our power stations, especially over winter. Agree - I think we are heading towards a rocky future.

I've just undertaken a little exercise where I have done through the national risk register and tried to work out what impacts me on a personal level. Based on that, I've tried to work out what I can do about those risks, or if, basically, they are totally outside my control so not worth...

Thanks. I actually picked up two 200L water butts from out local tip - they have a recycling section. Paid £5 each. Both were damaged - cracks - but a bit of epoxy and good as new.

"collapsible type of barrel". Like the sound of that. Got a source?

When looking at things at this national level, I personally see a theme repeating that makes me uncomfortable. There are lots of very vocal "Something needs to be done!" followed by a very quiet "and somebody else needs to do it..."

I can understand how this subject area might be a bit difficult to accommodate, if you are viewing things from a pure bushcraft perspective. The whole National Risk Register and associated topics are focused at the macro national level, rather than at the more practical aspects that you could...

ah sorry, got you.

The DNO is under a legal obligation to fix problems on their network, especially if it impacts multiple properties. If you are seeing voltage fluctuations (outside of 216V to 253V) or frequency fluctuation (50Hx +-1%) they you can point this out to them. At the very least they can place a data...

This is the route I am going down - its a sort of hybrid solution. Without a substantial investment, I know I can't power things like the electric shower - I need the grid for that. Likewise the immersion heater. However I can power the boiler and pumps (in theory) from the battery banks and...

Hated the stuff with a passion. Was so sickly. My grandma used to add it to her tea and my grandpa used to put a dash of Johnny Walker in a glass of it.

Actually can make the grid more unstable, as described in the youtube video above. Plug in solar are outside of the control of the DNO, so they have no way of balancing production.

Have a look at