It does show the value of resilience through having multiple options. It would be nice if this serves as a wake up call about vulnerability, and a permanent change in habits for some (even if only in a small way). But I imagine we'll need a lot more of it, and more severe knock on effects, to see any real change...
Emergency Preparedness Guides
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Absolutely. Trouble is, people are lazy and mentally conditioned to follow the herd.
Nobody is panicking, but I've noticed a lot more tesco delivery vans about, so as long as things are still available for delivery from other suppliers, things won't change, untill it's the big uh oh, everything is down, now where are all those independent little shops that we used to have? ...oh yes, we amazon, temu and tescoed them to oblivion..... PANIC!
Since the lock down. I really pulled my finger out. I now have my own power, food and skills for anything. This is the main reason I got into bush craft in the first place. The electric was out here for 9 days after that last storm. I didn't even notice. .. Although I must say that what started as a Rambo survivalist exercise has since turned into a spiritual journey. DD x
No chance, those who panic bought bog roll during the C19 wiped their way through it all and have a 4 pack at most.... No different to now.
I know what you mean about the spiritual journey. I've been trying to tune in to what the natural world is telling me for many years. I feel things without words, a kind of knowing. Sounds wacky, but its true.
I've noticed less birds, less variety of small birds, butterflies, bees, and insects in general.
My local river is poorly, trees are sad.
I too wouldn't miss electricity. I've spent time off grid, so it's not new to me, though I was younger and fitter in those days. I think it would be more of an effort nowadays.
Wish I could get others on board around here, I am still the only one I know with a proper water filter , everyone else seems to think a britta jug is fine!!
I've just shut up now. Let them get on with their delusions , one pack of candles and a single torch with one set of spare batteries, a camping gas stove with a spare canister, and a britta jug....Good luck!
Sorry you're getting hit by the lack of ATM's and cash. That must be pretty stressful. Highlights the issues/weaknesses of shared ATM/Banking hubs.
Wonder if your "local" MP could poke them to send a mobile banking van your way, or ensure the Co-Op stays open?
Just started watching "Families like Us" series (near-future fictional national planned abandonment of Denmark due to rising sea levels) - highlights the issues with lack of real cash and failures of the system.
Funny thing is, London has a genuine risk of flooding now, but has not planned or funded any increases in the inadequate height of the Thames Barrier/flood defences.
Wonder if your "local" MP could poke them to send a mobile banking van your way, or ensure the Co-Op stays open?
Just started watching "Families like Us" series (near-future fictional national planned abandonment of Denmark due to rising sea levels) - highlights the issues with lack of real cash and failures of the system.
Funny thing is, London has a genuine risk of flooding now, but has not planned or funded any increases in the inadequate height of the Thames Barrier/flood defences.
Atm not a real problem for me at present, I've been taking max daily allowance out every day since this happened, except for Sunday, when it ran out due to a ton of visitors over the weekend, which hasn't helped the co op problem as they also raided the shelves for themselves, leaving even less for locals.
So cash not a problem.
I've been planting more veg today. I'm running out of space, and planting in my recycling boxes as mini raised beds! Perfect for potatos carrots, and courgettes.
Have a trip to town planned Friday with a pal to get more compost, and other garden supplies, plus a gluten free shop.
Good time to go on a diet, eat a bit less, and more home grown salads. It'll do people a world of good!
I sort of followed the same path, albeit way before the plandemic. I actually deviated from bushcraft ever since with the spiritual journey moving center stage.
The latter had been going on for pretty much my entire adult life, but kicked into a much higher gear in the late 2010's, as a result of the migrant invasion and the decline of what we knew as Europe and its culture.
This journey also had/has ramifications for my views on social, societal and cultural matters.
Ha Ha, Good point, sounds a bit like me unfortunately. I've got 2 packs of candles and the Brita jug, but most of my head torches are rechargeables and batteries in the drawer are mostly out of date!
I'm stuck with the Brita, but do recognise it's limitations. I also have an old Tilley lamp in storage and some paraffin, but not together or checked working, or even nearby, and lots of stoves/gas. I bulk buy most of my dry goods but am very exposed on the green/fresh food front - totally reliant on supermarkets. Trying to grow stuff but green fingers I ain't.
Your weekend project..get the tilly lamp working, put it somewhere with easy access, you don't want to be running to the garden shed to dig it out and attempt repairs when you can't get the bits needed.
make sure all your head torches are charged....do you have a way of charging them if the power is still not on and they have used all their charge? If not, go buy a torch and some spare batteries, and a little solar charging power bank. (Got mine from the bushcraft store, realy cheap, but they do the job..eventualy)
Every bushcrafter should have a sawyer minni or squeeze at bare minimum.
Now you have more than most. You will survive!
What are you trying to grow?
Garden or pots?
" In such a case, sugar beet and spinach take the lead: both are hardy, high in food energy, and able to grow in cold, low-light conditions. "
&
" It turns out that optimal protein and food energy is achieved for wheat if you include 3 per cent carrots and 97 per cent wheat "
So... we all going Vegan then?
I have several headtorches for work, so they get recharged pretty often. Sometimes using the 2 powerbanks, but no means of recharging otherwise if the power goes off. ( Ah! Just remembered - per Hurricane Sandy folk, I can recharge using my diesel van ciggy lighter, usually plenty of fuel). Yes, have been meaning to look out the Tilly, if just for fun, but generally I'm not fussed about a lack of light.
I have a Grayl with a new filter, but the filters have a pretty limited life. A homemade milton bag and boil it or tabs is my emergency fallback. (Happened once in London, Crypto something pathogens in the mains).
Last year I made some beds, plus greenhouse in the garden, managed some toms and runner beans, and a few beetroot. Beetroot are very hardy and made it right thru the winter- the leaves are edible too - easier to grow than sugar beet. Two apple and pear triples trees planted last year, might get a small crop this year. Carrots, pak choi, kale, broccoli, courgettes, all failed miserably.
I have a Grayl with a new filter, but the filters have a pretty limited life. A homemade milton bag and boil it or tabs is my emergency fallback. (Happened once in London, Crypto something pathogens in the mains).
Last year I made some beds, plus greenhouse in the garden, managed some toms and runner beans, and a few beetroot. Beetroot are very hardy and made it right thru the winter- the leaves are edible too - easier to grow than sugar beet. Two apple and pear triples trees planted last year, might get a small crop this year. Carrots, pak choi, kale, broccoli, courgettes, all failed miserably.
Not convinced at all. The concept is good but think their agricultural knowledge is suspect. In that scenario we would have to revert back to manual labour, maybe animals, but not machines, bio fuels need more area/effort than they are worth.
Sugar beet is a good food but there are easier versions to grow and utilise. Spinach is not high in food value. It is low calorie and has a lot of nutrients but many are not easily bio-available. Pea types and beans are essential protein but will they grow in their envisaged nuclear winter? Historically potatoes, brassica's and some root crops have been the go to survival staple. Oats and barley would be hardier, viable, and better than wheat.
Well, the article does say that peas would be no good in the post-nuclear cold. Even if they did, I would be surprised if the best crop per square metre is one where we throw away 90% of the plant!
Not out in the country - we've got enough sheep to keep us going a long time
Not out in the country - we've got enough sheep to keep us going a long time
Much depends on how many of our species are left after the apocalypse!
Sugarbeet, (and many market garden crops) requires very high levels of fertiliser. That’s why it’s grown on less than prime agricultural land. You are going to have to bring in KPN anyway so use the poorer land. Keep the best for high value crops.
So many variables that all but the most general planning will be difficult.
I imagine massive population migrations.
Sugarbeet, (and many market garden crops) requires very high levels of fertiliser. That’s why it’s grown on less than prime agricultural land. You are going to have to bring in KPN anyway so use the poorer land. Keep the best for high value crops.
So many variables that all but the most general planning will be difficult.
I imagine massive population migrations.
Try swiss and rainbow chard. It's the beet family, so easy to grow, lasted me all winter, and is still going, though the Swiss chard is threatening to run to seed. Still plenty of rainbow chard which I prefer.
Leeks ditto,still a few late planted and over wintered, will provide early leeks. Parsnips I grew in the recycling boxes were tasty and didn't last long. Will plant more this year. Went funny shapes, but tasted fine.
Presently growing pick and come again lettuce and mixed salad leaves, radishes, and lambs lettuce which lasted all winter and is now flowering and self seeding. Will dig some of them up, and replant where I want them. Rocket is another easy green to grow.
I have had no luck with brassica, I love cauliflowers, and purple sprouting, but cant grow them, between the cabbage white and pigeons they see to that, even when netted.
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