Stormy Weather

[Simon]

Apparently you've had it rough down south: commiserations. Having, as far as the various delivery drivers told us, had the worst of it last time, I'm glad to say that it's quite pleasant around here now. Only icing-sugar snow, not that cold and clear roads.

So come and do your shopping in the Peak District! Now that I've done ours already this morning and you won't be jamming up the tills...

[antongould]

excellent I have sat for months waiting for the excellent Paul Simon to make an appearance on these "boards" - see salymap I always said it would happen one day!

" a pocket full of mumbles
such are promises"

[salymap]

Did you anton? I am happy for you but haven't the foggiest idea what you mean [ with great respect]. A pocket full of mumbles to you too. Get well soon. salymap x

[antongould]

I have now recovered salymap - it must be the temperature - it's just that working with software suppliers - dodgy people - the Simon quote says it all. And you still don't know what I'm talking about ...............................

[salymap]

Morning all, cold is getting to me now.Heating high 24/7 but am frozen stiff. After an old friend nearly died when an electric blanket caught fire I have never wanted one. Do people still use them and how safe are they? Keep warm where ever you are, it can't last for ever. Global warming, b...s. Sorry!

[sigolene euphemia]

salymap, Good Morning this last Sunday of Advent, ...

Sometimes the only way I can re-warm myself is by a warm bath. I personally do not like electric blankets. May I recommend that you wear a warm hat, a scarf about the neck and make certain that your feet have warm dry socks on them. Also change to dry fresh clothing and socks 2/3 times a day. That will make a difference. And one last idea .. .. .. tumble dry bath sheets or lap blankets, then place them where you are to sit and you will be comfy.

kind wishes this Holiday season,
sigolene

[salymap]

Thanks sigolene and best wishes to you and yours too. I hope your broken knee is mending fast. Christmas music from allover Europe todayon R3. May try it. salymap x

[Eudaimonia]

Here's a hint for staying warm if you're going to be up and about during the day...boil an enormous pot of water on your stove with a little cinnamon. When I lived in Brooklyn, this was a great way to heat the apartment and fill it with a holiday scent! You'd be surprised at what a difference in temperature this makes. Of course, you could always do what the mountain climbers do and wear a "base layer" of high-tech thermals under your regular clothes...North Face is one of my favorites:

http://www.ellis-brigham.com/thenorthface/north-face-base-layers.html

Stay comfy! Cheers, ~E.

[doversoul1]

. Do people still use them and how safe are they?

Salymap
I am sure electric blankets are perfectly safe these days. I have a friend who is in her late 50s and suffers from various complicated conditions. She says whenever she feels things are not quite right, she slips into bed with her ‘beloved’ electric blanket full on. She also says being warm helps her to get to sleep in the night.

I am snowed in here on top of the hill down by the seaside at this end of Kent.

[mangerton]

salymap, I understand your concerns, but the blankets now sold have overheating protection built in, whereas older ones did not. I have one in my unheated bedroom, and wouldn't be without it.

A light powdering of snow overnight here, just enough to make it all fresh and pristine again. The roads are clear, so well done to the gritters. Church Carol Service and sherry party today. Kick off 11 am. All welcome!

[Uncle Monty]

Oh yes, electric blankets are great!

salymap, you have a choice -- there are the ones that go under you, and the ones that go over you.

I favour the former, but that's just me

I have occasionally forgotten to switch it off, and have drifted off to sleep, only to wake a couple of hours later exhibiting all the symptoms of malaria

But these days they're pretty fool-proof. Though not idiot-proof, clearly

[Mary Chambers]

Many electric blankets now are 'suitable for all-night use'. I've used one for years and survived! Now I have good heating in my bedroom I don't use the blanket on the few nights I leave the heating on all night - last night, for instance, when it was minus 9 here.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Would anyone in the Cumbria area recommend travelling there on Tuesday? Frau Alps and I have booked a few days' accommodation in Penrith, but the thought of the A66 doesn't inspire... :(

[Chris Newman]

At last at 1.00 pm on the second day of settled and compacted snow and ice a salt and grit lorry has come along our road. I live in a road much used as a rat run only 200 yards from our city centre. The crump of people slipping up on the pavements and the grind of cars slithering along the kerb as the camber shoves them sideways has been quite alarming.

[Chris Newman]

Oh, woe! I write in a window of opportunity. Lunch was interrupted by a loud bang underground and the electricity went off. I looked into the street and saw two sheepish men from Southern Electricity men. Whilst fitting a fault at a neighbour's house a surge had blown up the cable under the road outside my house. They have restored temporary power till six then we can expect expect the heavy brigade to close off and dig up the road. At present the house is like a sauna as we try to warm the fabric prior to there being no electricity and lots of noise until probably early morning. I guess it looks like it'll be supper in a pub followed by two duvets and ear plugs tonight.