The Retirement Newsletter: Time to get ready for winter

Issue Number: -70 — where did the summer go?

Nick

Sep 18, 2022

Photo by Author — luckily, we don’t have winters like this in the UK

Welcome

Welcome to issue -70 — time to get ready for winter.

But before we start, I need to ask — where did the summer go?

Where did the summer go?

Where did it go?

It only seems like a few weeks ago that it was the start of summer, and now we are heading into autumn (fall). Actually, autumn arrived early this year in the UK.

It has been an odd summer.

After weeks of hustings, we have a new Prime Minister.

We had record temperatures in the UK, with 40.3 ºC recorded in Coningsby, Lincolnshire, on the 19th of July 2022. At Hawarden Airport, Flintshire, Wales, on the 18th of July 2022, the temperature reached 37.1 °C. And in Scotland, Charterhall hit 34.8 °C on the 19th of July 2022. The 18th and 19th of July were pretty toasty in the UK.

We had a drought and a hosepipe ban. And it was the lack of rain that caused autumn to arrive early. The heat and lack of water has stressed many trees and plants, causing them to shed their leaves and produce fruits and seeds early — a so-called false autumn.

The false autumn could be bad news for wildlife, as a lot of food on the trees and in the hedgerows has become available too early. Food supplies might not last out the winter. Some early berries in the hedgerows are already rotting or shrivelling as they dry out.

And then Queen Elizabeth II died.

The summer started with the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in June (also see issue-74 — How's your summer/winter going?) and is finishing with her funeral. It doesn’t seem possible — seventy years on the throne.

If, like me, you are not yet 70, you will have only known one monarch — Queen Elizabeth II.

I spoke to a relative in their late 80s, and they commented that they are now on their fifth. I didn’t believe them. I had to check. They were right.

George V
Edward VII
George VI
Elizabeth II
Charles III

That’s five.

I dread to think how many Prime Ministers they have seen. The Queen saw fifteen.

All I know is that I am on my second monarch. I hope to get to three, and unless some tragedy befalls the Royal Family, I won’t get to four.

My grandmother saw two Queens in her lifetime — Victoria and Elizabeth. I won’t see another Queen on the throne.

So, a strange summer, and one I won’t forget for a long time.

Preparing for winter

Now we are heading for winter.

So, what are the signs?

Well, we had our false autumn. Some trees and bushes are looking very autumnal.

The nights are drawing in, and nighttime temperatures are dropping — it got down to 3 ºC the other night. It makes the high of 40.3 ºC in the summer seem impossible.

There have been a few foggy mornings.

The house spiders are moving in.

And the appointments for my flu and COVID-19 arrived.

Getting my shots

As you may have gathered from issue -116 — Get your flu jab NOW! — and Issue -115: Why you should get a COVID-19 jab — I am all in favour of getting vaccinated.

As I said in issue -79 — It got me! Catching COVID-19 — I put my lack of symptoms when I was COVID-19 positive down to having the vaccine.

One thing that has surprised me, and I wrote about this in issue -79, is the long-term impact on my health from catching COVID-19.

In issue -78 — 18 months left until I retire — I touched on the long-term symptoms I was experiencing. At the time, I said I was experiencing:

fatigue
pain in previously damaged joints — knees and ankles
pain where I had broken a leg

Some two months after the infection, I am still experiencing the above. The knee and leg pain, and fatigue have become less, but I can now add in what I can only describe as long-term hay fever.

I worry that my long-term symptoms will worsen if I get COVID-19 again.

Hence, I will be getting the booster.

But there is more to preparing for winter than getting a few injections.

The impact of energy costs

There is always something to do around the house to prepare for winter. This year, for some reason, I feel the preparations are even more important.

I have done the usual. I have put the garden furniture away. I have had a look at the roof, cleared the gutter and prepared the garden. (Well, the lawn needs a final mow and the plant pots need emptying.)

Summer clothes are back in the cupboard, and I have found all my warm winter gear.

I have had the car serviced, and it is ready (hopefully) for winter.

And usually, that would be it.

But I think this winter will be very different.

Why? Well, the energy crisis could have a significant impact.

When you look at things, energy is at the bottom of it all — and as a biochemist, that shouldn’t surprise me.

The cost (use) of energy is not just about the cost of fuel in your car or the lights and heating in your home; it feeds it into everything. Raw materials, goods, and food must be transported and factories and shops heated. This all adds to the cost. Prices will rise.

I have been looking at how I can heat my home for less. I have bought some new tech that gives me better control over the heating system, and I hope that will help. I have been checking windows and doors to see if I can improve their fit to reduce drafts. I bought some thicker jumpers and some blankets. I am even thinking about how I can spend less on cooking. And I have cut down on my use of the car.

There may be shortages of energy. Energy rationing. Things may return to my youth in the 1970s when we had blackouts as the electricity supply in the UK couldn’t meet demand.

I hope I am not being an alarmist, but it has given me pause for thought and makes me wonder what other preparations I should be making for winter.

Any suggestions? Why not leave a comment?

Reflections

It has been an odd week.

On TV, we have had almost constant coverage of the ceremonies surrounding the death of Queen Elizabeth II. And I must admit, it makes you stop, think, and reflect.

Strange times.

Useful links

Useful COVD-19 and flu links:

NHS COVID-19 website — numerous links to information on COVID-19
CDC COVID-19 website — many links to information on COVID-19
NHS — Flu website
CDC — Flu website

Next week

Next week, in issue number -70, I will be looking at the delights of Autumn.

Thanks

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Until next time,