Found Wanting: Get Home Prep Failure

[TeeDee]

With the turn in weather probably worth not just looking at what you keep in the car but sneaking in and advising a few little useful things for the ones you care for.

 

[Toddy]

I fully take on board what @GreyCat said about clothing left in a car going damp in our climate, but I always have a folded up picnic blanket in the car. It's a simple fleece throw, but it's warm and when needed, it's excellent. I know it's not 'natural' material, but it doesn't go damp easily, it doesn't stay damp.
It sits on a box bag (trolley bag thing) that holds the FAK, a small cheap tarp (from an IPK Kit iirc) in case I need dry to do something to the car and I don't want to lie or kneel on wet ground, a big roll of kitchen towels, decent disposable gloves, a roll of bin bags, simple tool kit, toilet bag, dynamo torch, reflective waistcoats, cheap plastic cagoules and survival blankets. Pouch of survival kit bits and pieces.......just useful stuff, doesn't weigh much, packs tidily away, but over the years it's astonishing just how much it has been used. Not every week or month, or even year sometimes, but often enough that I keep it refreshed.
When working there was a small stove, a thermos and a brew kit in it too.

I don't have a knife in that kit. It's an issue around here, folks have found themselves in bother having it among even a tool set. I do have good heavy duty scissors in the kit though.

Basically I'd say, think about it, and then mind what you have, check it over as the seasons turn. Just now I've spare hats and gloves added, and ice grips for boots or shoes.
I don't need those in Summer, but I do need the sunblock, kind of thing.

There are always brollies in the car too. I have a big OD two person one that lives in the car. Awfully handy and just the very thing at times.

 

[HorseGuy]

I've added a second Jungle blanket to my car stash. One for me and one for my passenger in case I break down and have to wait a couple of hours in the cold for a recovery van to arrive.

 

[TeeDee]

For car breakdowns in bad weather - I thought these cost wise mayeb worth considering.
Cheap enough to be disposable - changing tyres
Makes one visible outside - more so than normal clothing
Protects somewhat from Rain
Should reflect some heat back into the core
Makes one sound like a Walkers Crisp packet.

Orange Reflective Emergency Foil Poncho | Lomo UK. Wetsuits & Dry Bags

Lightweight orange emergency foil poncho with a high visibility outer and heat reflective liner for emergency situations

www.lomo.co.uk

 

[GreyCat]

I fully take on board what @GreyCat said about clothing left in a car going damp in our climate, but I always have a folded up picnic blanket in the car. It's a simple fleece throw, but it's warm and when needed, it's excellent. I know it's not 'natural' material, but it doesn't go damp easily, it doesn't stay damp.
It sits on a box bag (trolley bag thing) that holds the FAK, a small cheap tarp (from an IPK Kit iirc) in case I need dry to do something to the car and I don't want to lie or kneel on wet ground, a big roll of kitchen towels, decent disposable gloves, a roll of bin bags, simple tool kit, toilet bag, dynamo torch, reflective waistcoats, cheap plastic cagoules and survival blankets. Pouch of survival kit bits and pieces.......just useful stuff, doesn't weigh much, packs tidily away, but over the years it's astonishing just how much it has been used. Not every week or month, or even year sometimes, but often enough that I keep it refreshed.
When working there was a small stove, a thermos and a brew kit in it too.

I don't have a knife in that kit. It's an issue around here, folks have found themselves in bother having it among even a tool set. I do have good heavy duty scissors in the kit though.

Basically I'd say, think about it, and then mind what you have, check it over as the seasons turn. Just now I've spare hats and gloves added, and ice grips for boots or shoes.
I don't need those in Summer, but I do need the sunblock, kind of thing.

There are always brollies in the car too. I have a big OD two person one that lives in the car. Awfully handy and just the very thing at times.

I do keep a fleece blanket and a fleece-lined microfibre coat in the car/truck.

Fully synthetic fleece doesn't suffer anything like as badly as more "normal" clothing does. I used to keep a sweatshirt material hoodie in the car until I realised how much the cotton attracts the damp.

I used to keep a lot more in the car, but realised that I never used it. For example a brew kit.... chances are when I want a brew in an emergency, it's also tipping down and/or I'm stuck in a M-way traffic jam. Neither of which are conducive ot getting the brew kit out.....

I do keep a bit more in the truck as it's my work vehicle. I have drawers in the load-bed which makes it secure and easy to get to stuff (aslo has a canopy on so anything in there is dry). But I have become more selective over time, and try to review/check the contents on a seasonal basis to both check they are fit for purpose and modify for expected trips/conditions.

GC

 

[Falstaff]

Wonder if those folk who got stuck at New Year in a foreign location, due to the Eurostar tunnel closure, had envisaged or prepped for that possibility?

 

[Toddy]

Seriously though; how would you ?
My 'bag', fine, but y'know it's limited somewhat.

 

[Ozmundo]

For something like that primarily money.
With transport failures you can quite often be told to find your own alternative or accommodation and then claim compensation. Even if the rules say otherwise.

I’ve slept in the odd airport terminal or bus depot. Some ground insulation it I can, ideally use the seating too but a lot of places now have street furniture to prevent rough sleeping.

UK public transport is all contactless payment only now. Some areas you cannot book accommodation with out ID such as driving license or passport.

 

[Toddy]

Off topic, but am I the only one who thinks that that is horrendously cruel, to deny the homeless even a seat ? in a public space ?

 

[Chris]

Off topic, but am I the only one who thinks that that is horrendously cruel, to deny the homeless even a seat ? in a public space ?

It's referred to as 'hostile architecture' and you are certainly not alone in thinking that.

 

[GreyCat]

Off topic, but am I the only one who thinks that that is horrendously cruel, to deny the homeless even a seat ? in a public space ?

It's a difficult one, and not simple.

On one hand, it's unforgivable that we have veterans and other "domestic" homeless on the street, whilst we can find hotels with warm beds for any number of migrants who arrive on rubber boats (arriving from France- which is a safe country). On the other hand, some reports say that the proportion of homeless who are failed "asylum" seekers who should have by now gone back home is also high in some places.

We can and should house our "domestic" homeless (and a person with a bed doesn't need to use the seat to sleep)..... but we cannot afford to house all of the world.... and there will always some people who will chance their luck in another country and don't make it.... should we pay for all of them to be housed? If so, is this not encouraging anyone outside the EU to believe that the streets of London are paved with gold and so spend a whole family's savings on a people smuggler to make a channel crossing?

And where homeless people congregate wherever there is shelter/a bench to use, if that is (say) a bus shelter or similar, that can be quite intimidating to the local users (some may be vulnerable themselves) as not all of the homeless are peaceful angels- some may be under the influence of drugs or alcohol and/or violent.

So to whom is it cruel? Who should we prioritise?

Sorry, that's not meant to be political, but to reflect that the situation of benches with arms to prevent rough sleepers reflects a deep rooted cause (homelessness) which is very complex- and being made more difficult to solve by the day.

Being "kind" to one person may cause cruel consequences for another in this context.

GC

 

[TeeDee]

Had a bit of a search ref Homelessness percentages - found this

Countries with No Homeless 2025

List of countries with no homeless people, including countries where no one is homeless and countries whose homeless population is zero.

worldpopulationreview.com

Juxtaposition that against what we call a 1st world nation.


( Data will only be as good as what has been verified and input )

 

[Toddy]

That's a horrendous indictment on us as a society if those numbers are correct.

I know there are social issues with some that make it impossible to house them with any permanence, and not in 'normal' family type neighbourhoods, but those numbers are nothing compared to the one quoted for the UK on that list.

Mod hat on; we're heading into a political discussion that while relevant is really not considered a suitable topic for BcUK.

It's a hard one this

M

 

[TeeDee]

Off topic, but am I the only one who thinks that that is horrendously cruel, to deny the homeless even a seat ? in a public space ?

Mod hat on; we're heading into a political discussion that while relevant is really not considered a suitable topic for BcUK.

It's a hard one this

M

Indeed and correct. Tread carefully I guess.

 

[Falstaff]

Ozmundo is right, I always travel abroad preppe'd with that possibility in mind. Various bits in my small carry-on daypack, a variety of financial payment options, and something to sit on.
It's amazing how often there is some delay or glitche when travelling, I call it the Marco Polo Effect - it's still a long way irrespective of how you travel, and things can happen.

The lack of bunks in Heathrow and Gatwick bugs me, just uncomfortable seating that's awful to try and sleep on. They could make money charging for simple metal bunks with a wake-up timer/call.

Homelessness/long distance & public transport travelling- a form of Urban Bushcraft! I'm quite enjoying watching some youtubers who live outside from choice, technically homeless but none live off the state and are all pretty expert adaptive bushcrafters.

 

[GreyCat]

Indeed and correct. Tread carefully I guess.

Indeed, and I was trying to be careful, because this is so complex.

Not political although slightly off topic.....

What I struggle with (being autistic) is the social pressure to approve statements which are inviting us to "be kind" whilst not unpacking the root causes and looking to face the challenges and reach a solution- which will always have costs and consequences which also need to be made transparent and managed.

Also, to try not to put my foot further in my mouth, I am not in any way implying that @Toddy was doing that- just reflecting that initial responses to something can actually be a sign of a much wider issue. (That's my auditor brain coming out too).

Back on topic.

The ultimate preparedness for a "get home failure" is not going out in the first place.

Sometimes, we need to reflect on what "essential travel" really is.... when extreme weather is forecast and "essential travel only" is recommended, that doesn't mean its' OK to drive 20 miles to get some milk.

I have also found that a seasonal review of my kit is essential, as what I want in summer vs winter is different.

Being autistic, I am the eternal pessimist (catastrophist?) so I also like to have a plan B and plan C for anything including travel..... and what I take on any given trip reflects that. Although I also realise that one can never plan for every possibility.....

GC

 

[TeeDee]

Indeed, and I was trying to be careful, because this is so complex.

Not political although slightly off topic.....

What I struggle with (being autistic) is the social pressure to approve statements which are inviting us to "be kind" whilst not unpacking the root causes and looking to face the challenges and reach a solution- which will always have costs and consequences which also need to be made transparent and managed.

Also, to try not to put my foot further in my mouth, I am not in any way implying that @Toddy was doing that- just reflecting that initial responses to something can actually be a sign of a much wider issue. (That's my auditor brain coming out too).

Back on topic.

The ultimate preparedness for a "get home failure" is not going out in the first place.

Sometimes, we need to reflect on what "essential travel" really is.... when extreme weather is forecast and "essential travel only" is recommended, that doesn't mean its' OK to drive 20 miles to get some milk.

I have also found that a seasonal review of my kit is essential, as what I want in summer vs winter is different.

Being autistic, I am the eternal pessimist (catastrophist?) so I also like to have a plan B and plan C for anything including travel..... and what I take on any given trip reflects that. Although I also realise that one can never plan for every possibility.....

GC

Just to be clear GC , I wasn't meaning yourself. In a tongue in cheek way I was just reminding Toddy whom started the conversation.
Although I'm sure she doesn't need my prompting - I just found it a little funny.

Homelessness is something that is - BIG - To me so yes I'm interested to discuss it but equally its so very easy to predict the conversation can only go one way and become a political bun throwing show in short time.


From what you've mentioned regarding autism I can definitely identify with the sentiment - not that I'm self diagnosing - there are probably many facets to autism I don't align with. But I can be ,as mentioned by others in both good and bad ways , ( and I can see it in myself ) somewhat clinical and emotionally detached.

 

[TLM]

Hmmm ... how have you found a place to sleep half way safely if your normal travel is rudely interrupted? My first thought is that it has gotten more and more difficult (if no hotels available).

 

[Toddy]

Just to be clear GC , I wasn't meaning yourself. In a tongue in cheek way I was just reminding Toddy whom started the conversation.
Although I'm sure she doesn't need my prompting - I just found it a little funny.

Homelessness is something that is - BIG - To me so yes I'm interested to discuss it but equally its so very easy to predict the conversation can only go one way and become a political bun throwing show in short time.


From what you've mentioned regarding autism I can definitely identify with the sentiment - not that I'm self diagnosing - there are probably many facets to autism I don't align with. But I can be ,as mentioned by others in both good and bad ways , ( and I can see it in myself ) somewhat clinical and emotionally detached.

Toddy laughed at it too

 

[Toddy]

On the essential travel though; we are under a yellow weather warning, as is most of the UK.
However, I have a hospital appointment tomorrow that I really cannot miss.....and I can't drive myself there and back since I am to be anaestherised, so a driver from the LCC has kindly phoned and agreed to pick me up at 8.30am.....too early really to know if the staff will be able to get into the hospital to deal with me anyway. Right now we have rain, it's supposed to drop below freezing later and then early tomorrow is ice and sleet.

If it weren't a real issue to postpone this appointment, if it was going to be simple to re-schedule, then I'd cancel, but it's neither.



There are all sorts of reasons for folks travelling, even when it might be wiser to stay put.

At this point I'd welcome a 7am phone call saying the hospital has cancelled it, and hope things just get sorted out asap.

M