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When I did my qualifications the plan (integrated pest management plan) would normally consider 1) Deny harbourage. The areas on your property where they have a safe haven need addressing. If necessary re-stack the woodpile up off the ground and install pipe guards on the drain. 2) Deny...

Most of those are water filled as a kill mechanism. That's illegal in the UK

Veho pebble pokket by English Countrylife, on Flickr This is something that in the modern world I think worth an EDC. It's a power bank with a built in charging lead that weighs only 36g! It is truly tiny and would slip into a purse, wallet, hang on a key ring etc It only holds 1,000mAh -...

We were going for popular items that we buy regularly :) . I cook a LOT of Chinese meals so garlic, ginger, shallots & spring onions I go through a lot.

Thanks, this one was all Fiona - so you got the beauty AND the brains

There is a fabulous Danish lady called Heidi who has a brilliant balcony garden. Truly inspirational.

No-one has been entirely self sufficient at any point in history. Western homesteaders took tools, livestock & wagons with them. Even Neolithic man traded knapped flints. We don't think that the fact that you can't be self sufficient in everything means that you shouldn't be self sufficient in...

Absolutely fine :)

Had a tree sit back and pinch the bar hard on my chainsaw. The only way to remove the saw was to chop it out with my rough work axe that I use for hammering in wedges. Inevitably axe met saw Chipped Axe blade by English Countrylife, on Flickr Good excuse for a quick reprofile Reprofiled axe...

Known as "suicide leads" o_O

These got launched today although there was an earlier version. Clever technology https://uk.ecoflow.com/products/stream-balcony-kit?variant=50632829894995

There are commercially available small grid tie inverters for "balcony systems" that provide that protection from companies like EcoFlow which I imagine is what Pickle is using?

I'm assuming it's grid sensing in some way & shuts down in the event if a powercut?

Same here, I've learned loads but gave a lot more to learn. Did you install your grid tie inverter yourself?

Yes please! But also keen to know what you use to consume the power

The (Labour) council has been effectively bankrupt since 2023. They have to make £148,000,000 of savings https://www.itv.com/news/central/2025-02-04/bankrupt-birmingham-confirms-148m-of-council-cuts-in-second-budget-blow The council is deadlocked with the Unite union over savings to waste...

Thanks Tone, I think power independence is something that is becoming much more viable these days as panels become cheaper & battery technology improves. I feel much more comfortable knowing that we have enough power to do most things now (albeit not at the same time!). I would love to be able...

As people were kind enough to enjoy our "solar firewood" thread, I thought some here might enjoy seeing the step by step process of taking our outbuildings off grid. In this video we look at Sizing & designing an installation Selecting a storage & power solution Buying, installing & wiring...

Of course. We have ever rising debt levels, the government are cutting benefits for the most vulnerable to pay rising interest on previous borrowing whilst taking on new, larger, spending commitments. As a society we need to learn to take care of ourselves. It's really no different than paying...

Agreed. Definitely not within 72 hours if the issue is widespread. They haven't the materials, people or plans to cope.