HOUSEHOLD TIPS NOT FOUND IN WOMAN'S WEEKLY

[Stanley]

In these days when we are all coddled by central heating, good clothes and cars people aren't as aware of weather as they were in the old days. If you look at old buildings you will find that most are oriented so that the front of the house faces South and the gable end faces the prevailing wind and rain. East Hill Street is roughly east/west and it's the back that gets the sun but that's OK because I live mainly in the back and it gets full sun all day. So today's tip is if you are buying a house take note of the orientation, it makes such a difference. East West orientation is also good if you are considering solar panels.

[Big Kev]

The disadvantage of the east/west orientation is the lack of light in the north facing elevation, I sorted this in my current abode by fitting roof lights in the kitchen extension. As the ground floor is open plan it really makes a difference to light levels and temperature.

[Stanley]

You're right Kev and the rooms are colder, my front room and bedroom. Front room sorted with the stove or a padded shirt, bedroom with an extra duvet!

[Tizer]

We've had a plumber in to service the gas boiler and then he'll be coming back to replace the old radiators. They all have TRVs but are old heavy types and too slow to heat the rooms. We like to put the CH on when needed rather than leaving it on all the time and the modern finned radiators are much more responsive and efficient at putting out the heat.

[Stanley]

I'm not saying mine is the best way but I leave the boiler on demand 24 X 7 and 365 days a year and rely on the thermostat. What are TRVs?

[PanBiker]

Thermostatic Radiator Valves, used for individual heat control of each radiator.

[Stanley]

Of course, I think I knew that but had forgotten.....

[Stanley]

My current chicken and veggies is OK but I prefer my Mutton. I have another half sheep in the freezer so I shall be OK for a while! What did we do before we had the ability to home freeze food?

[Stanley]

Thinking about Sue and her jacket. Occasionally we meet up with circumstances that conspire to defeat us. We have two options, fight on or give up. I think the trick is to know when the return doesn't justify the investment. At that point, leave it, no shame, at least you tried!

[Stanley]

When I was managing projects and was faced with a problem one of my favourite questions was "What will happen if I do nothing?" I mention this because yesterday I was not a happy bunny but didn't know why. The back of my head must have been working on the problem because later, after my afternoon sleep, the solution dawned on me. I checked and I am on the right track, I shall pursue it later this morning. So today's tip is that over-thinking a problem can sometimes be less productive that doing nothing and waiting to see what transpires.

[Stanley]

"over-thinking a problem" Sue's sewing mentor Maxine seems to agree with me.
I stood outside last night taking deep breaths of the cold night air and it dawned on me what a good thing it is to occasionally count your blessings. These days it is too easy to be swamped by the dire tidings the media bring us. Many years ago Arthur Mee (LINK) initiated a 'good news newspaper' and it sank like a stone. That tells you something about how to run a successful news empire!

[Stanley]

Mention of the printed media reminds me that in the days before TV we had many small local papers, some of them dealing with just one small area. I can't remember the name of it but there was one that dealt exclusively with Heaton Moor and its 4 pages were read from cover to cover each week. They have all gone now and even papers like the Nelson Leader Group have cut back so far that they are rapidly losing circulation and won't survive much longer. I regret this, we are losing something very valuable. To give you an idea of how 'trivial' the news was, I once got a nice mention as 'the diminutive narrator' in a show the Cub Scouts put on. Fame at last!

[Stanley]

If you've got a weak back, don't get cocky! Once more I have got myself into a bit of bother by imagining I am bullet-proof. Not too serious but unwelcome, I shall have to look after myself for a couple of days. So today's tip is remember your limitations and don't push too hard!

[Stanley]

L:so, remember that taking it easy isn't a sin. Maz and I both have the same idea, give whatever it is time to mend! As it turns out mine isn't serious but I shall allow myself another day.

[chinatyke]

The care of cast iron pans: we have a huge cast iron wok, weighs almost 10lbs, and a cast iron fry pan. My wife washes them in hot soapy water and rinses them as usual. Then she puts them on the stove to thoroughly dry before applying a light coating of cooking oil which stops any rust forming.
She is going to USA tomorrow to spend 6 months with her daughter so I have been entrusted with the care of her favourite wok. The fry pan will get used a lot but the wok will be put away awaiting her return, I'll just re-oil it every now and again if I remember.

[Marilyn]

Good idea China. Perhaps you should pack the doona away too...to save washing it.
Six months is a long time. I bet you will miss each other like crazy.

[Stanley]

I never use any soap or detergent on my CI frying pan. I have a sharp spring steel paint scraper I use for a spatula with it. I gave it a good clean with that, swill it out with boiling water and dry it with a paper towel. There's enough oil soaked into the iron to keep it rust free even if it had time to do it!

[Stanley]

I lifted the manhole in the back yard yesterday to check it's cleanliness. I'm happy to report that my daily use of bleach on my pot and the sink and avoiding putting fat down the drain is working. Spotlessly clean and sweet as a nut! I recommend it to you all.

[Stanley]

Small packet delivery by Royal Mail First Class post for an item I have ordered is £4, courier for next day is £30. My tip is to opt for RM!

[Stanley]

Don't go to bed in the afternoon if you are expecting a delivery that has to be signed for! I will have to walk down to the sorting office this morning to get my package.......

[Stanley]

When the pressure of wider events starts to get at you.... follow Kipling's advice, go out into the garden and dig until you gently perspire! Go into the sewing room, or the Shed! That way lies sanity.

[Stanley]

The frost this morning reminds me of one of my tips which I have neglected. I must buy a 1kg pack of cooking salt. Not for cooking but for the back yard and front path when they become icy. It will be hard to find when the ice hits!

[Marilyn]

What is the theory behind the salt? Does it stop ice from sticking in the places it is scattered?
Can it be demonstrated with photographs?
Cazza says Gran used to spread tea leaves, but I can only think they would get trod through the house.

I can send cockatoo poo by the barrow load if that would help. ( having said that...the Cockatoos are nowhere to be seen today. Good.)

[chinatyke]

The theory is that adding an impurity to a liquid causes the liquid's melting point (also known as its freezing point) to be depressed. So the mixture freezes at lower than 0C, ie it remains liquid. It's a long time since I did Physical Chemistry and learned about Eutectics so read about it here:

Eutectics

A solution of 23.3% salt has a melting point of -21.1C.
As shown here

Actually it is one of the things that was very important and not just academic.

I think tea leaves would act as an anti-slip coating on the ice. I don't know if anyone has investigated Cockatoo poo/water phase diagrams. We used to throw ashes from the firegrate to act as an anti-slip surface.

[plaques]

Sprinkling with salt may be Ok for temperatures just below freezing but has China points out you need higher concentrations has the temperature drops. There is always the danger that you will create a skating rink with a slippery top surface. The pressure of your foot being enough to melt the top surface and down you go. Always safer to use grit salt especially if the area is used by the general public.