The yellow vest movement is quickly growing in pace all over France and after noticing one of our supermarkets without food on its shelves yesterday, we decided today to find one which did and stock up on supplies. We did this because it is hard to see how the yellow jacket movement is going to be resolved any time soon and in the event of civil war we might even find ourselves without tap water or electricity... so it is better to be safe than sorry.
For those of you who are thinking my reaction to what is happening here in France is extreme, I suggest you read the article I posted yesterday.
The French have revolution in their blood.
What did we buy?
The basics. Water, fire & food.
WATER
More important than food, our first thought was how we would make drinking water.
Online we ordered a filter system so that we can drink from our canal which runs all year from the mountains.
The Sawyer screw fits on any plastic bottle and filters up to 100,000 gallons. The disadvantage with the (cheaper) mini system we bought is that it filters slower. We can live with that, but it is my intention to buy another as a spare.
FIRE
Just in case the power is gone for months and the lighters run out...
This is the Light My Fire, a handy little guy which is also a whistle and will give us 3000 strikes.
It creates a serious amount of sparks with each strike and we shouldn't need any more than 20 to get a fire started.
I went for one with bright colours in case it gets dropped in the woods. This colour will stand out.
FOOD
We don't have too much money so we are stocking up on food little by little with each visit we make to the supermarket.
Dry foods and tinned foods are the order of the day here:
Rice, pasta, lentils, quinoa, oats, beans, peas, sweetcorn, chickpeas, tuna, sardines...
Whatever you fancy, as long as it keeps.
EXTRAS
- MUSIC
At home I have a guitar which is missing two of its strings, so a new set has been ordered and should we be confined to our village for a few months, now I can at least add some of my home made music to the mix.
- SOLAR & LIGHT
I have two solar panels which I've been traveling with for a long time already. The essential tool of any self respecting digital nomad! One of them charges a lithium iron battery which charges a bunch of other things, including torches & the computer.
The other is slightly different. While living in Bali last year I came across a company who make The JouleStick and after buying one I ended up making them this film:
- RADIO
We also bought a small radio so if the power goes down we can hear what is going on in the world. Though it will most likely be propaganda!
- HEATER
The last thing we bought were a few nuts & bolts and some terracotta pots in order to make ourselves some candle powered heaters! It is cold during the winter so this could be important. Check this video to learn to basic system we are using.
Always look on the bright side!
The last thing I want to say about all of this is that while it is easy to get sucked in to negative thoughts it is important to approach it with a smile and remain the moment. If we feel ourselves to be spending too many hours thinking about armageddon, a few hours of playing with the kids is a good leveller. It's all about balance.
And the knowledge that everything is exactly as it should be.
I am not expecting armageddon but that doesn't mean I shouldn't be prepared for it.
We will be running a trial 24h period before christmas with no power or running water, just to make sure we have thought of everything.
Should be fun!
Perhaps even as fun as the day I whipped my head with stinging nettles ;)
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Awesome video, I'm happy you and the family will be well prepared. I'm glad you got some new strings too, love to hear you belt out some tunes one day in your yellow vest ;)
Once again, I'll be sharing this update all over social media.
Funny you should mention that because we are thinking now to put on our yellow jackets (which we still need to buy!) and go find our nearest blockade. It would be fun to spend the day with them. Though I'm not sure they will appreciate my english songs ;)
Thanks for watching the film & sharing it with others. I know I go on a bit sometimes, but still it felt like a good continuation from the first article.
Ah no, going on? It was fantastically edited and totally entertaining, plus, I have a real soft spot for your beautiful children as well!
Hey maybe you can learn some French protesting songs!! I'll be watching and waiting!
Yowzer that is a challenge if i ever heard one! I feel like I'm still overcoming a childhood shyness when it comes to performing publicly. Even doing it on camera I find difficult.
Did you catch this rare moment of singing with Esteban a year ago in Bali? You may enjoy ;)
Omg when Esteban starts rocking out!!! So priceless!!! What an awesome lullabye, so real!! LOL to the last verse about #2 <3 <3 <3
Luna will have her own song eventually ;)
"Armageddon shopping" sounds a bit like Y2K shopping. LOL!
Now you mention that, it does feel a bit like it! Though back then I didn't really care and did nothing in preparation. But now that I have a family there is a bigger sense of responsibility.
Made me laugh too.
Always be prepared. Same thing happened here in Thailand, but with the floods in 2011. My mum's house wasn't affected, but the neighbourhood next door (10 minutes drive) was and thus since then we have sandbags underneath the house and ready to be deployed plus a small rowing boat at the back - ready to be used as a last minute escape plan.
If nothing happens, then you can be prepared for the next thing. Stay safe. 😊
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Makes sense really doesn't it. Even if they don't get used now, one day they will find a use.
That being said we don't intend to stay in France beyond next year so we may yet be giving someone a large food gift before our departure!
Thanks for your message. Am sure all things will work themselves out here. One way or another :)
You're welcome! Well, you have to use that supply in the next year or like you said, give it away!
Already moving away from France? Any ideas where you heading next? 🚀
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Can't go anywhere till the crypto winter is over... which I am anticipating to be next year.
We are thinking about returning to Chiang Mai where we first met ;)
Ah when I leave Thailand for Europe (England), you come the other way lol! Yet, I'm sure you will enjoy your 2nd or 3rd/4th/5th...time in Chiang Mai. Lots of Digital Nomads and a few Steemians based there now. You'll definitely have the sense of being connected digitally, but easily can get away from it all with a trip to the mountains or jungle. Yet, I'm sure you know all about this even from your time in Bali.
Fingers crossed for the end of this crypto winter... We're all in a need of some ☀️ days
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Perfectly sensible reaction I have and would do the same.
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Thanks for the support. As the first time I ever did anything like this it felt weird, but worth doing for sure.
And if you don't need it for an emergency soon you will still be able to use those items :)
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That is the intention! Or just give someone an unexpected gift before we leave France ;)
Shit mate, hope you're ok. Be prepared.
I never even thought of you guys in the middle of it...take care.
We'll be alright ;)
Somehow we are always in the middle of it at this time of year. Last year it was an erupting volcano in Bali!
I'm sure you will.
Don't stress too much - it's bad for hair loss!
lol
haha! You're right you know!
I am really looking forward to doing the next update on the hair project. On one side it is almost done now. Still needs a little more time on the other. Some kind of left brain/right brain differences apparently!
Thanks for sharing "gilets jaunes" news. Awesome to get the news from someone there.
The post I made prior to this one covered the news in more detail. In case you missed it here
We are thinking to go join our nearest blockade and do some inside reporting. The only question in our mind is 'do we bring the kids'???
I read your previous post and looking forward for the next ones. Keep safe!
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good to be prepared than sorry later.nobody knows what is in the horizon.
That's right. Better safe than sorry ;)