Sunday, 2 November 2008
BETTER HOMES GUIDE- EDITORIAL
How your home looks, reflects your own personal style and taste and a beautiful, practical home is a joy to come in to.
For those of us who love cooking, new units and fittings can help to make the kitchen a comfortable and effective working environment.
Professional landscapers and ground workers will make your outdoor space an all year round enjoyable experience, from a full garden makeover to clearing the leaves out of the guttering
BETTER HOMES GUIDE
With Christmas just round the corner now is a good time to get your home all ship-shape for the celebrations. How your home looks, reflects your own personal style and taste and a beautiful, practical home is a joy to come in to. With visitors and family coming home and neighbours popping in, there is still time to do all those little jobs and improvements to make your house as homely as possible.
Warm and Cosy
Start by making your home warm and cosy. Make sure your heating system is in good working order by getting it checked out. Radiators might need to be bled or the system flushed out. Boilers should be serviced and the system checked for leaks. Nothing spoils the look and integrity of your wooden floor than damp patches around the radiator pipes. Make sure the system has anti-corrosive additives as the fins of the radiators can block up with rust and make the system inefficient.
It can also be worth getting your chimneys swept out to avoid the risk of fires and increase the upward draw of the smoke. This will in turn make your back boiler more efficient. Consider putting in a wood-burning stove to cut down on the cost of oil and coal.
Heat rises, so a lot of heat can be lost through your roof. You can cut this down by insulating your loft. There are recommendations about the thickness of the insulating material and this will cut down on your heating bills. Another way to cut heat loss is to put in double-glazing. This can be an expensive out-going but the comfort will be felt straight away and it should pay for itself over the years.
Insulate your hot water tank. A special jacket that fits around the tank will slow down the amount of heat loss and keep your hot water at the right temperature for longer. Your cold water tank should also be insulated to stop it from freezing over in the winter months. Make sure that your taps aren’t dripping or leaking. Don’t forget to insulate outdoor taps in case of heavy frosts.
Revamping a Room
Giving a room a facelift needn’t be too expensive. A new coat of paint can make a big difference. Getting carpets, curtains and furniture professionally cleaned can also make a room feel fresher. Old pieces of furniture can be given a new lease of life by having them restored or re-covered. Built in cupboards and shelves can be a practical way of creating storage solutions for all your bits and pieces and can look good as well.
Kitchens
Kitchens are used a lot in the run up to Christmas to prepare the turkey and all the other trimmings for a family celebration. The kitchen is traditionally known as the heart of the home, as it is where women prepared nourishment for their loved ones. For those of us who love cooking, new units and fittings can help to make the kitchen a comfortable and effective working environment. Good storage, ergonomic worktops and sinks and enough storage can make the kitchen a pleasure to be in. Washable floors and surfaces ensure good hygiene. Think about your needs for your kitchen when making changes.
Bathrooms
Bathrooms can be a fun place to redecorate and stamp your own personality as well as being functional. Some people have themes such as the sea or garden, which is reflected in tiles, shower curtains or pictures. Power showers are a popular start to the day and leave you feeling wide awake and ready to tackle the day. A lovely warm bathroom is a great joy and still feels like a luxury. General maintenance of the bathroom is important such as seals around the bath need to be intact and water tight to avoid damp. Check that there is no leakage from the toilet overflow and that all the parts are working freely. Details like new tiles, a new floor or a funky toilet seat can add a bit of character to the room.
Gardens and Drives
Gardens and drives are worth a bit of attention too. No-body wants to slip on moss or wet decking so make sure these are kept clean through power hosing or washing down with appropriate cleaning products that will kill the moss and stop it from returning over the winter.
It can be a battle to keep the outdoor space outdoors. It is all too easy to tramp muck in when you go out to collect the coal or coming in from the car. Unfinished driveways covered in muddy hardcore can be laid with stone to make them safe to walk on and this is really important with the days being short and the long periods of darkness. The last thing you want is to fall and twist your ankle on a pothole. Professional landscapers and ground workers will make your outdoor space an all year round enjoyable experience, from a full garden makeover to clearing the leaves out of the guttering. There are jobs you could do yourself as well though. Start by cleaning all of the old summer bedding plants out of the window boxes and hanging baskets and replace them with colourful winter displays. There are plenty of plants to choose from and the impact is powerful. Your home looks loved and cared for and the sight of winter pansies and heathers is a warm welcome for visitors.
Brighten up the Bedroom
Make sure that you have the winter bedding in the bedrooms. Nothing warms a sleeping body for that “long winter’s nap” like a nice feather duvet and flannel bed linens. Rest your head on fluffy, soft down pillows. Since we tend to sleep longer in winter its important to be sure beddings are warm and comfy. Warm colours on bedroom walls can add to the cosiness, just one wall with a bold colour can make you feel as though the heating is on in the room. Don’t forget your hot water bottles too.
Planning and Preparation
With a little planning and preparation, you can make your home warm and comfortable for the long winter months so that family and guests enjoy the time together indoors. Nothing feels better and keeps people cheerful through the cold months of winter than a home that is well maintained and full of cosy winter décor.
KEEP WARM THIS WINTER
With the weather getting very cold over the last few weeks and the nights getting longer, we need to ensure our house is warm and comfortable for the winter. There are lots of practical cost efficient ways to keep your home cosy making sure you keep the draughts out and the heat in. Putting up a well-fitting curtain over the front door and using draught-proofing strips between the part of the window that moves and the frame and along the bottom of the back and front doors can help and of course insulating the loft is another effective way of making your home more energy efficient.
For older people, make sure that you eat regularly and have good food such as warming soups and stews and don’t forget, plenty of hot drinks. Keep yourself warm by wearing layers and keep as active as possible. Warm dressing gowns, slippers and blankets are useful for all the family.
Having a fire with a back boiler or a range in the kitchen not only adds warmth to the house, but can also give your home a heart.
Andy McLaughlin (Mac’s Coals)
Andy McLaughlin started working in the family coal business along with his father when he was 16. The business has been serving the heating needs of the peninsula for over 40 years. Andy has a drive in cash and carry in Buncrana and has opened a small depot in Carndonagh. Mostly though Andy serves his customers through his coal delivery service, six days a week. Mac’s offers keen rates for delivery of tons and half tons of coal as well as delivering slack and peat, cosyglow, doubles, anthracite and ecologs. You can contact their head office on 074 9361542.
Fuelog
With the price of oil becoming more unpredictable these days and with talk of global warming, a lot of people are looking at the wood burning stoves for an efficient and cleaner way of keeping their homes warm. John McCloskey has been in the business of supplying high performance clean burning logs for the last five years. He has two logging machines that can cut the logs to the size customers need whether it is a big stove to keep your outside shed warm or smaller logs for ranges and open fires. John has seen the demand for logs rise since he has started and delivers all over the area, from Derry, to Muff, Burt, Burnfoot and up to Malin and Moville and Glengad. Some people buy it loose and get a better price, otherwise John bags the logs in red netting to keep the wood dry and stop condensation. John can be contacted on 0862899369.
For older people, make sure that you eat regularly and have good food such as warming soups and stews and don’t forget, plenty of hot drinks. Keep yourself warm by wearing layers and keep as active as possible. Warm dressing gowns, slippers and blankets are useful for all the family.
Having a fire with a back boiler or a range in the kitchen not only adds warmth to the house, but can also give your home a heart.
Andy McLaughlin (Mac’s Coals)
Andy McLaughlin started working in the family coal business along with his father when he was 16. The business has been serving the heating needs of the peninsula for over 40 years. Andy has a drive in cash and carry in Buncrana and has opened a small depot in Carndonagh. Mostly though Andy serves his customers through his coal delivery service, six days a week. Mac’s offers keen rates for delivery of tons and half tons of coal as well as delivering slack and peat, cosyglow, doubles, anthracite and ecologs. You can contact their head office on 074 9361542.
Fuelog
With the price of oil becoming more unpredictable these days and with talk of global warming, a lot of people are looking at the wood burning stoves for an efficient and cleaner way of keeping their homes warm. John McCloskey has been in the business of supplying high performance clean burning logs for the last five years. He has two logging machines that can cut the logs to the size customers need whether it is a big stove to keep your outside shed warm or smaller logs for ranges and open fires. John has seen the demand for logs rise since he has started and delivers all over the area, from Derry, to Muff, Burt, Burnfoot and up to Malin and Moville and Glengad. Some people buy it loose and get a better price, otherwise John bags the logs in red netting to keep the wood dry and stop condensation. John can be contacted on 0862899369.
5 MINUTES WITH - GERRY MURRAY
Gerry has been working as a Money Advisor for MABS in Buncrana for four years. MABS (Money Advice and Budgeting services) is funded by the Government and is a free, confidential, independent and non-profit making service for people in debt or at risk of getting into debt. The service can also help low-income families develop the knowledge and skills they need to avoid getting into debt and deal with situations as they arise. MABS also identifies sources of credit that best meets people’s needs and helps them access these sources. There are four important steps that MABS uses to help people get to grips with their finances:
1.Assessing the situation,
2.Working on your budget,
3.Dealing with debts and
4. Managing payments.
MABS also provides information and advice through their website http://www.mabs.ie/ or you can call the MABS help line on: 1890 283438
What music do you like?
I enjoy Blues and Gospel music. Eric Bibb is a favourite of mine at the moment; he’s a singer from New York and has just released his latest album Get Onboard. The album was recorded in Nashville and has Bonnie Raitt and Ruthie Foster featuring as guest performers. Eric is in his 60’s but looks far younger with his smooth skin.
What book are you reading?
Strip Jack by Ian Rankin, it’s an entertaining read. He is the author of the Inspector Rebus series of books which was made into a TV series and winner of the ITV3 Thriller Awards.
What was your favourite childhood game?
When I was really young I was obsessed with teddies. I would talk to them all day and dress them up. I still have four of my favourites. When I was a bit older my friend and I played with toy farms (we lived in London and didn’t see much of the countryside). We named them after my uncle’s farms in Ireland. Most of the games were about pony trekking and we would fight to get our favourite horses.
Have you been to the cinema recently, what did you see and was it any good?
I very rarely go to the cinema, although I occasionally go to the Film Club in Letterkenny. The last film I saw at the main cinema was Sex in the City. I took my daughters to see it and they loved the glamour.
What section of the newspaper do you turn to first?
The crossword page. I am not much of a paper reader… I just don’t have the time. I get the paper on Saturday and it sits there unread until the following week.
What is your idea of a good night out?
I love going to the theatre or a live gig. The Grianan in Letterkenny and the Balor in Ballybofey are both brilliant and handy to get to.
Most embarrassing moment of your life?
Before I went to Art College I got myself a job road sweeping on the North Circular road in London. We were in an open top truck, being shown what stretch of road we were to look after and as I was the only girl, I tried to be cool and jump out of the back of the lorry. Even though I did gymnastics I still managed to fall off the back in a very clumsy way. I was mortified as all eyes were on me. It was a very good job though and worth the embarrassment.
Have you a favourite TV programme?
TV dramas such as Prime Suspect are enjoyable. I also enjoyed The Street recently.
How do you relax?
Walking the dog. I have a lovely 18-month-old wired haired fox terrier called Ellie. She takes up a lot of my time as she is into everything.
What job did you want to do when you were a child?
Gymnastics were my life. I wanted to be the next Olga Corbett.
Where would you like to go for your holidays?
Italy as it is such an un-commercialised country. Sardinia is particularly lovely.
What famous people would you invite around for dinner and why?
There would be a few. Tony Benn, Helen Mirren, Jonathan Ross (even though he was in trouble last week), John Hannah the actor, Ian Rankin and my colleague here at MABS, Liz Wilson. I think that would be a lively enough party.
Favourite animals?
Dogs, cats, horses, and loads of others….
What couldn’t you live without?
My two lovely daughters.
Biggest fear?
I am not keen on heights and I don’t like the tube trains in London either, they can be so oppressive and claustrophobic.
Biggest thrill?
When I was 14, my sister and I went to see Rory Gallagher sing live at the Albert Hall in London.
The world’s most irritating invention?
Cars with more than two headlights. Especially jeeps that have an array of spotlights for show.
What is your idea of a good night in ?
Tea, toast and a great Alfred Hitchcock film.
Which period in history would you most like to have lived through?
The 1940’s and 50’s. The men wore suits and the women were so elegant. It’s probably linked into the glamour of the old Hitchcock films.
World’s most useful invention?
The telephone is very useful.
What do you have for breakfast?
Tea, toast, butter and marmalade.
What is the best piece of advice you have been given?
I was unknowingly brought up with a good sense of budgeting. My parents had very little and had to make it go a long way. I was told to live within my means and if I wanted something, to save up for it.
Personal philosophy?
Treat everyone equally.
MABS also provides information and advice through their website http://www.mabs.ie/ or you can call the MABS help line on: 1890 283438
What music do you like?
I enjoy Blues and Gospel music. Eric Bibb is a favourite of mine at the moment; he’s a singer from New York and has just released his latest album Get Onboard. The album was recorded in Nashville and has Bonnie Raitt and Ruthie Foster featuring as guest performers. Eric is in his 60’s but looks far younger with his smooth skin.
What book are you reading?
Strip Jack by Ian Rankin, it’s an entertaining read. He is the author of the Inspector Rebus series of books which was made into a TV series and winner of the ITV3 Thriller Awards.
What was your favourite childhood game?
When I was really young I was obsessed with teddies. I would talk to them all day and dress them up. I still have four of my favourites. When I was a bit older my friend and I played with toy farms (we lived in London and didn’t see much of the countryside). We named them after my uncle’s farms in Ireland. Most of the games were about pony trekking and we would fight to get our favourite horses.
Have you been to the cinema recently, what did you see and was it any good?
I very rarely go to the cinema, although I occasionally go to the Film Club in Letterkenny. The last film I saw at the main cinema was Sex in the City. I took my daughters to see it and they loved the glamour.
What section of the newspaper do you turn to first?
The crossword page. I am not much of a paper reader… I just don’t have the time. I get the paper on Saturday and it sits there unread until the following week.
What is your idea of a good night out?
I love going to the theatre or a live gig. The Grianan in Letterkenny and the Balor in Ballybofey are both brilliant and handy to get to.
Most embarrassing moment of your life?
Before I went to Art College I got myself a job road sweeping on the North Circular road in London. We were in an open top truck, being shown what stretch of road we were to look after and as I was the only girl, I tried to be cool and jump out of the back of the lorry. Even though I did gymnastics I still managed to fall off the back in a very clumsy way. I was mortified as all eyes were on me. It was a very good job though and worth the embarrassment.
Have you a favourite TV programme?
TV dramas such as Prime Suspect are enjoyable. I also enjoyed The Street recently.
How do you relax?
Walking the dog. I have a lovely 18-month-old wired haired fox terrier called Ellie. She takes up a lot of my time as she is into everything.
What job did you want to do when you were a child?
Gymnastics were my life. I wanted to be the next Olga Corbett.
Where would you like to go for your holidays?
Italy as it is such an un-commercialised country. Sardinia is particularly lovely.
What famous people would you invite around for dinner and why?
There would be a few. Tony Benn, Helen Mirren, Jonathan Ross (even though he was in trouble last week), John Hannah the actor, Ian Rankin and my colleague here at MABS, Liz Wilson. I think that would be a lively enough party.
Favourite animals?
Dogs, cats, horses, and loads of others….
What couldn’t you live without?
My two lovely daughters.
Biggest fear?
I am not keen on heights and I don’t like the tube trains in London either, they can be so oppressive and claustrophobic.
Biggest thrill?
When I was 14, my sister and I went to see Rory Gallagher sing live at the Albert Hall in London.
The world’s most irritating invention?
Cars with more than two headlights. Especially jeeps that have an array of spotlights for show.
What is your idea of a good night in ?
Tea, toast and a great Alfred Hitchcock film.
Which period in history would you most like to have lived through?
The 1940’s and 50’s. The men wore suits and the women were so elegant. It’s probably linked into the glamour of the old Hitchcock films.
World’s most useful invention?
The telephone is very useful.
What do you have for breakfast?
Tea, toast, butter and marmalade.
What is the best piece of advice you have been given?
I was unknowingly brought up with a good sense of budgeting. My parents had very little and had to make it go a long way. I was told to live within my means and if I wanted something, to save up for it.
Personal philosophy?
Treat everyone equally.
PREPARE THE CAR FOR WINTER
Be aware of cyclists at all times -Pedal Right Cycling in Buncrana
GET THE CAR READY FOR WINTER
Winter is certainly upon us and road conditions at this time of year need to be closely monitored. Modern cars, with their traction control systems, efficient heating and window demisting systems and ABS brakes are much better able to cope with hazardous driving conditions than the cars of 10 or 20 years ago. As a result, there is the danger of being lulled into a false sense of security when driving in poor weather, particularly when it’s freezing and wet. For instance, it is worth noting that ABS brakes, while almost always an advantage in poor weather, do not increase the available grip. So here are a few tips and pointers that will reduce the likelihood of either accidents or breakdowns over the cold winter months.
Winter is certainly upon us and road conditions at this time of year need to be closely monitored. Modern cars, with their traction control systems, efficient heating and window demisting systems and ABS brakes are much better able to cope with hazardous driving conditions than the cars of 10 or 20 years ago. As a result, there is the danger of being lulled into a false sense of security when driving in poor weather, particularly when it’s freezing and wet. For instance, it is worth noting that ABS brakes, while almost always an advantage in poor weather, do not increase the available grip. So here are a few tips and pointers that will reduce the likelihood of either accidents or breakdowns over the cold winter months.
PREPARATIONS BEFORE YOU SET OFF
De-mist and de-ice your car fully before starting your journey.
Take a blanket, Wellington boots, a spade and warm clothing.
On longer journey take some food and a flask with a hot drink.
Tell someone at your destination that you're coming and which route you will be taking so they can alert the emergency services if you don't turn up.
Be prepared to take more time over your journey.
11 THINGS TO KEEP IN THE CAR
A fully charged mobile phone
A Scraper and de-icer.
A warm coat and a blanket (in case you’re stranded).
A first aid kit.
A warning triangle
A can of spare fuel.
A fire extinguisher..
A torch.
A high-visibility jacket or vest.
A tow rope
Jump leads
DRIVING TIPS
When it’s icy, or there’s snow on the ground, multiply stopping distances by 10. Use the highest gear possible to avoid wheel spin and do manoeuvres gently, avoiding harsh braking and acceleration.If you start to skid, gently ease off the accelerator and steer in the direction you’re skidding. Don’t panic.If you get stuck in snow, rock the car gently to free it. If you get stuck, call for help and stay with your car.
In fog, slowdown and use your dipped headlamps. Don’t follow the taillights of the car in front or you’ll probably end up travelling too close to it.The roads might not be frozen close to home, but conditions can change quickly on the journey so take care. Keep an eye on the exterior temperature gauge if your car has one.
When making long journeys in poor weather conditions, take a break more often than you normally would. The extra concentration needed will make you tired more quickly.
Other drivers may not know as much as you think you know about winter driving techniques. Give them lots of space.
ALL IMPORTANT MAINTENANCE
In fog, slowdown and use your dipped headlamps. Don’t follow the taillights of the car in front or you’ll probably end up travelling too close to it.The roads might not be frozen close to home, but conditions can change quickly on the journey so take care. Keep an eye on the exterior temperature gauge if your car has one.
When making long journeys in poor weather conditions, take a break more often than you normally would. The extra concentration needed will make you tired more quickly.
Other drivers may not know as much as you think you know about winter driving techniques. Give them lots of space.
ALL IMPORTANT MAINTENANCE
Cars have a harder time during the winter so it makes sense to do some basic checks. These checks are advisable all year round, but more so in the winter. If you are in any doubt about how to check certain elements of the car, then a professional garage is the answer. These are things that a good garage mechanic will check for you that you might not be aware of:
Anti-freeze strength. Generally, there should be more anti-freeze in the cooling system in the winter than during the rest of the year.
Windscreens: Windscreen washer reservoir should be well topped up with appropriate screen wash containing anti-freeze additives. The wiper blades will need to be in good condition, they should be replaced if they’re worn.
Batteries: Dead batteries account for a large percentage of breakdown services’ call-out lists. This is because cold starts place an extra strain on the car’s battery, as does the increased use of the headlights and demisters. If your car is sluggish to start in the morning, consider replacing the battery.
Tyres: Low tread or unevenly worn tyres are dangerous, particularly during the winter months. A tread depth of around 3mm is recommended to be safe. Don’t forget to check the spare, too.
Air Con: Even in winter air-conditioning needs to be used for at least an hour a week. This allows the coolant in the system to lubricate all of the moving parts and prevents the build-up of elements, which can corrode pipe work.
Fluids: It’s especially important that you continue to regularly check all of the fluid levels, lights and tyre pressures through the winter. If you find something awry, fix it before you set off.
OTHER DANGERS
OTHER DANGERS
Cyclists and pedestrians are put at extra risk through winter, particularly children on their way home from school. Drink-driving is another hazard of winter as the festive season gets underway.Slow down, especially around schools, to give yourself more time to adjust to the reduced visibility in the dark and poor weather. Be on the lookout for pedestrians and cyclists that are far harder to spot in murky winter weather.Get your children some reflective clothing that helps them to stand out when they’re walking or cycling. It doesn’t have to be unfashionable. Be patient with cyclists and give them a wide berth in case they suddenly swerve to avoid standing water or potholes.Don’t drink and drive. It’s far safer not to drive, even after just one drink. Indeed, there’s no failsafe guide for working out when you might be over the limit - it depends on your height, weight, age, metabolic rate and what you’ve had to eat and your stress levels.It’s very easy to still be over the limit the morning after a party, so don’t be tempted to drive when you wake up. If you really pushed the boat out the night before, you might well need to leave the car keys on the hook until lunchtime or beyond.
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