Doldrums

Well, we've got to the time of year that I call the either/or weeks.

Three weeks either side of the Solstice where the sun is low in the sky, days are short, and a couple of days of cloud shrouding the solar panels mean I either have the lights or the laptop on, not enough voltage for both/phone charging/shaver batteries etc.

At least the tackle shop have had the foresight to get in propane/butane gas cannisters.

Butane alone struggles to work at low temperatures and pretty much stops below zero, so not much use in a gas fire when it's cold

Nice and warm in here now, if somewhat dark

 

Here you go Zigs

 

If I may ask, why butane and not propane? The latter works at lower temps than the former.

 

Well I hate this time of year, go to work in the dark, spend all day in a dingy workshop freezing then go home and its dark.
would be better doing night work.

Still not as bad as you Zigs.

 

Woodburner + pallets/Tesco magazines + homebrew. Sunrise/sunset are free displays and at reasonable hours at this time of year.

And why not make the most of it and visit the Henge for the Winter Solstice? http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/stonehenge/plan-your-visit/winter-solstice-2016/



N.B. Please remember that you will not be allowed access to the Monument with the following items:


- Alcohol

- Drugs

- Large bags or rucksacks (or similar items)

- Sleeping bags, duvets, travel rugs, Futons and airbeds.

- Flaming torches, Chinese lanterns, fireworks, fondue sets, candles, flares (emergency distress, not trousers), etc.

- Dogs (with the exception of registered assistance dogs), pets or other creatures

- Camping equipment, including foldaway chairs, garden furniture, shooting-sticks

- BBQs or gas cylinders

- Glass bottles or other glass objects (including bongs)

- Trolleys, wheel barrows or any other form of porterage

- Pushchairs or buggies that are not exclusively used for a child, especially if used for transporting alcohol

- Large "golf-style" umbrellas, gazebos, wigwams, yurts, benders and shepherd's huts

- Drones or any kind of remote control aircraft

 

Sounds very welcoming @Scrungee , I'll put it on my bucket list of things not to bother doing.

 

5 x 12 volt leisure batteries and 12 volt strip lighting with a couple of spotlights with car blubs

 

Think that's what I was trying to say Sandy

 

Yes @Zigs , this is a dim time of year. My 2 little batteries are not keeping up with the lighting/fan that I intended to cycle on and off all night. Although one battery has a great excuse for not being charged. I knocked the "in" connector off and just put hooked it back up

 

I only had 2 x 12 volt leisure batteries and an in vehicle charging system

Some people (including myself) take exception to not being allowed to take their wheelbarrow along.

 

I've got a candle going, it's kinda cozy

Pete said Bucket, not Wheelbarrow

 

The thing that confused me a little was that you wrote....

If memory serves, butane is cheaper, but as you say, stops working as a gas around zero. Propane works as a gas at much lower temps. (-42C?) The big problem is, some places (here, maybe not there) have started to sell a 30/70 propane/butane mix that only works down to -10C...Grrrrr!