The Wiltshire, Dorset chalk is very wet after this winter, so a lot of winterbournes are flowing at the moment. Which is of course unfortunate for everyone suffering groundwater flooding. Even the Mendips has GW flooding which is really rare. But that does mean you should have lots of choice in the Cranbourne Chase and North Wessex areas as well as Hampshire etc. R Ebble is a good example. Sorry I don’t have specific recommendations for low key camping.

You can check who the network operator is here https://www.energynetworks.org/customers/find-my-network-operator

UK Power Networks have a tool to check the MPAN they have for an address, to check the meter on the bill, other network operators may be the same? https://www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk/who-is-my-electricity-supplier-and-what-is-my-mpan

I would probably start a formal complaint procedure, since the company aren’t listening to your responses, and are threatening with final demands in unreasonable timeframes when their data is incorrect. Good luck. https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/information-consumers/energy-advice-households/making-complaint-about-your-energy-supplier-or-network-operator

The friend should have been given guidance on how to cite. FAO retain Copyright but may be copied for research purposes: https://www.fao.org/publications/home/about-fao-publishing/permissions/en

On the page they found that image there should be a “Recommended Citation” text they should use, including any copyright statement at the placement of the Figure and then the citation for the References section.

I would go with the meteorologist and climate scientists’ view, much warmer waters around the Arabian Gulf combined with a big temperature gradient in the atmosphere makes big convection. https://www.breakingnews.ie/world/explained-what-caused-the-storm-that-brought-dubai-to-a-standstill-1614834.html Obviously tragic for the families of those who have died and the poorer communities that will have lost everything. By any measure it was a lot of rain, some estimates of 250 mm in 12 hours in places.

The peri-menopause is hammering my memory, brain fog is very real.

Already been said about stress and other ‘environment’ factors. Particularly my brain doesn’t do multi tasking so distractions are a pain as I completely forget what I was doing, I walk up and down stairs multiple times forgetting stuff. Things like long Covid or other viruses can cause brain fog. Also sleep deprivation, things like sleep apnea or less extreme but if you’ve put on weight and snore when you didn’t used to. There are so many potential things really. If it’s worrisome you can go to your GP, or hunt out some memory tests online and try repeat testing over a period of time.

Hopefully the HoD can communicate and explain the decision and come to an agreement. I agree with the others to think of it as potentially getting extra tuition or different ways of teaching the same things, whereas the top set might not be getting as much explanation. The set they are in shouldn’t really affect a grade, unless it limits the paper they are put forward for (?), in that the subject matter is the same, but I can appreciate the disruption if she was in a friendship group in that class but not others and/or change in teacher and teaching style. I would emphasise that maths is like a language and it builds on bases, fundamentals. So if she does want to do something science-y then there is an element of just getting on with getting up to speed on that one subject she struggled with. Whether that be inside or outside of school. Sorry.

I am amazed / appalled at the comment that a college could refuse entry to a fundamental A level (i.e. maths or English). I would have thought any state school or college must allow people on the course as long as they meet the national minimum requirement (maths and English grade 4 and three other GCSEs at 4 or higher). It seems immensely limiting.

Yes my partner was on the phone to one company, can’t remember which one, and was asking if the agent could add and remove different things (like bikes away from home or not, different cover) and he was told she won’t do it because it’ll flag as fraud. He laughed of course, but she was quite rude, especially throwing ‘fraud’ around. While I can understand they want you to be honest about what you are covering, it’s a marketplace with opaque pricing. They force you to go through all those options. e.g. we can insure bikes and cameras away from home on either travel or home insurance or as separate item-specific policies, so we want to see which is the better deal. Hate insurance companies with a passion tbh.

Twice myself, USS when I worked for a Uni and then the Capita one (Environment Agency). It’s infuriating that they really don’t have any ideas to compensate, you just now have to do the leg work to keep an eye on the Experian and every other account for anything that looks dodgy. We had to fight to get two years’ Experian, when you think of the number of people affected it could be years before the data is fraudulently used. It’s an arse.

I was recommended Rise at the Redpoint climbing centre by Uni colleagues who run, cycle and climb. They do all sports physio. Had popping in one hip from upping my walking / jogging exercise (starting to jog and carrying weight walking), and in one session with Simon he diagnosed the issue and gave exercises and a solution (shoe heel wedge) that resolved it. Money very well spent.

https://risephysiotherapy.com/

I don’t think any US airport does airside connections, so yes you have to enter the US, collect your bags and recheck. At least if it’s one connecting ticket you can usually recheck your bags at desks after customs. On separate tickets you have to find the next check in (can be different terminals). ESTA is US $ 21 pp https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/

I would want at least 3 hrs between flights, and on a connecting ticket, since originating in the UK then UK261 covers you.

I would try to avoid transiting Florida in the hurricane season (Aug-Nov) and avoid the north during winter, because of disruption, but it depends if you have a choice. I would try and get a direct flight, have you look at the holiday operators, or flying to Punta Cana and getting a transfer/taxi?

It sounds like the plot of land you want to keep has never had a dwelling house on it? I don’t really understand why you would have services / utilities connected to the garage if you are going to sell up and not live next door. Once you get planning permission for a dwelling on the site then you can pay for services connected. Otherwise who is paying for the standing charges, does it become a business site (change of use), how will the garage be insured? Or would the services have to pass through the plot with the house on, so you need to arrange access covenants on the house before / when you are selling. As well as land registry you probably need an address registering with Royal Mail. I agree with others, I would want to investigate if you can get outline permission first, as said some Local Authorities are against building in gardens (the curtilage of a dwelling) but others just want the infill numbers. I also agree you’ll probably give more financially by getting outline permission and selling it to a developer than hanging onto it.

In case it’s not clear, I think the OP reference to not travelling to the US relates to the inability to use an ESTA if you been to Cuba since Jan 2021 (Edited typo). It’s correct you aren’t banned, but you have to apply for a tourist or business visa which is much more onerous and costly including visa interview at the US Embassy.

The places I have been, and would highly recommend, aren’t on your route. (Okefenokee swamp in south Georgia and Buffalo River, AR – both multi day canoe trips).

Great Smoky Mtns NP and surrounding forests could be really busy if you hit autumn colours and the elk rut. But stunning. And the bears can be a problem, because of people’s habits / rubbish issues. There is a huge amount of broadleaf woodland and mountains and plenty of places to get away from the crowds, but obviously the best views and ‘scenic drives’ get busy. Walk 10 minutes from the car parks though and you’ll find plenty of space – you’ll zig zag across the Appalachian Trail and lots of other great walking. It’s amazing to realise that all of the primary forest was logged and this is all re-planted, but the wildlife is still there.

I think if you’re following the more coastal route along the east coast, there are some cypress forests and blackwater swamps in N Carolina with canoe trails and amazing, remote beaches. But I’ve not visited – yet!

Do be aware many rural south and central areas can feel quite red-neck, you’ll pass through the whole political spectrum. And some cities like Memphis have a reputation for not being particularly safe in the suburbs. I have visited Atlanta and liked it, for such a big city, the centre was walkable and MLK monument interesting, and I felt safe walking around in the day on my own.

Yes I would expect the T&C  of the cruise company to be watertight, they won’t be responsible for consequential losses. Same as airlines, and yes it’s a benefit of a package holiday, which has its own legislation as well as different T&C. It’s basically why connecting flights or packaged flight+cruise costs a bit more, because the risk lies with the company to sort, rather than you.

Your best bet is calling insurance but I wouldn’t expect them to help with non-refundable elements unless you’ve got very good travel disruption cover.

Yes, wet in the east as well. Feb was wettest on record for many parts, 2-3 times usually rainfall in the south. And it hasn’t really eased up. Some fields have been flooded with surface water pooling for months, i.e. the ground is saturated.

https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/press-office/news/weather-and-climate/2024/february-2024-warm-and-wet-for-the-uk

We’re heading to the Grand Canyon in October, so it’s cool enough to hike. We will be camping a lot as accommodation, food, fuel, everything is through the roof expense now. Also lodges in or near National Parks will be booked for this summer by now. We like to be away from people so do canoe-camping or backcountry hiking so can’t offer much advise on lodging sorry but I think Maine or into eastern Canada is a good shout for not too hot, not too busy.

Can you push the holiday into Sept or does it have to be school holidays?

Nearer home, central France, Central Massif mountains and Ardeche canoe (could do a day trip if your used to canoeing). Still gets busy in August in the French holidays.

Further away Cape Town area. Same flight cost as USA but accommodation, food woll be 1/3 to 1/4 especially as its there winter. Proper Michelin star dining or just good steak or seafood, world class wines, and plenty local beers to try. Mountain biking, climbing, sea kayaking, hiking, in the city or within an hour’s drive. But July and August can have storms, days are mild to warm depending if the sun is shining, Sept is far preferable for spring weather.

Not an expert but these pages imply as long you’ve made / make profits more than £6750 as self employed in a tax year that counts towards the NI record.

https://www.gov.uk/national-insurance

and

https://www.gov.uk/national-insurance/how-much-you-pay

You can check your recent contributions: https://www.gov.uk/check-national-insurance-record

For theft we add them to the home insurance including away from the home (has to be locked so would need evidence of D lock or similar if ever knocked). For cycling I’ve had a membership of BC or, currently, Cycling UK which has legal cover for accidents.

A very long time ago we stayed here, empty in winter! Might get busy I don’t know but it’s a nice ce position on the stream, just might be a bit midgie and the drive up is steep. https://www.hafoddywyllcampsite.co.uk/home

Only because that stretch is a mix of urban and commuter villages and the path is heavily used, I would try and get off the path personally. It is busy with dog walkers, commuters and general public at all hours. There are lots of people living on boats along the way so I don’t think anyone would care about you being in a tent, but personally I might be a bit tense about a bike.

If you are happy next to other people, as well as the bridge / footpath neilc pointed to, the Bitton picnic site (on google maps) has a path down and a couple of moorings so I am sure you could find a spot by the river.

The other thing I would note is at the moment the river is in flood / high and has been on and off for two months. If we haven’t had a dry period for some time between now and Easter do be aware of flood risk and pick your site well.

I’m veggie and my partner isn’t so we quite often has meals he can add meat to last thing, or he has veggie often (i.e. a good chilli with fake mince or just substituted with lots of squash, beans, sweetcorn, peppers, mushrooms to fill it out).

Spaghetti al-olio is an easy staple and so tasty, plenty parmesan on the side and as said you can add prawns / seafood if you feel you need to.

Do they like spicy / tangy? Moroccan tagine made veggie (aubergine, peppers, apricots) or a tray bake of veggies with some paprika/smoked paprike, garlic to flavour, some couscous, with a roast lamb shank or similar to add meat for those who want it. Like when you make fajitas why not just have one pan with the veggies and another with the meat, distribute the flavour equally and then just dish up her veggies first making sure she gets plenty, it’s not much more effort. Same with most quick stirfry or curries out of a jar, it’s easy just to cook the chicken separately with a bit of sauce and make the big pan of veggies.

Things you construct at the table or tapas stuff works well, like pitta breads, hummus, halloumi or feta, Greek salad, roasted potatoes, and then some roast chicken legs / thighs for the meat eaters. Or chicken / halloumi kebabs and salad. Or a Mexican selection – fresh lime salsa, guacamole, nachos, flavoured rice, refried beans (if you can find a veggie can), quesadillas which you can get the kids to add their own fillings and toast as you are serving up / sitting down. Mostly shop bought or get the kids involved in making the salsa etc.

Staysure offer it, though no idea of the cost. There are comparison sites for over 70s and then they would have to look at the extra costs for their pre-existing conditions.

I use a camping pillow (inflatable) and half-inflate it so it doesn’t push your head forwards and you can sink in to it, as otherwise your head drops forwards. Agree eye-mask, ear plugs and headphones (I can’t do more than about 6 hrs of ear plugs at a time), eat and sleep in your new time zone, and do the in-chair exercises when you are awake so you don’t get dvt. (I take sandwiches on board so I can eat when I want and can sleep through the meal services if it doesn’t fit the new time zone).

What scuttler said, book direct with the airline. You’ll see all the extras there (if you have to pay for luggage, seats, whatever). Online Travel Agents (OTA) if its substantially cheaper than the airlines then it’s almost always not going to stick, and they are a nightmare when flight times change / there are delays or whatever. In all likelihood schedules for next winter will change so far easier to deal with a direct booking with airlines operating the flight.

I would try Google over the gov.uk search.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/woodland-grants-and-incentives-overview-table/woodland-grants-and-incentives-overview-table

Because of devolved powers I would enquire with NatureScot about upcoming possible grants and subsidy for Carbon Capture and Natural Flood Management type land management schemes. I know a number of schemes are in the making in England that would look at a number of years’ commitment (like 5-20 years) for a payment each year.

And the Woodland Trust and similar charities should also have information on grants.

They need to understand they aren’t booking a package, just flights, hotel and maybe car hire separately.

Agree they might not need a car. If they decide to get one they just need to read the T&C very carefully and read reviews before booking. They need to understand what insurance is provided, what the excess deductable is, and how much the rental company charge for the excess cover. Buying zero excess with the rental company means he won’t have to worry about them trying to charge him for damage he didn’t do. If it’s too expensive he should buy excess cover from the UK and know they will take a sum off a card, usually a credit card. As said on a credit card it’s a hold. On a debit card they take your money plus forex fees. At the end they should hand it back (plus forex fees) but as said thee are shysters who will try it on. Yes video and photo the entire car before signing for pick up.

For healthcare the GHIC covers emergency care and then routine care that would be covered in Portugal, but reading the Gov pages as visitors wouldn’t be able to register for the routine care: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/healthcare-in-portugal-including-madeira

It comes down to how much cash / asset your som has and his risk tolerance. While pregnant I would be taking out insurance, for that just-in-case. But then I am risk averse and take out insurance anyway for all the other cover and means you don’t have to try to arrange healthcare and battle with companies when things go wrong.

Has been said passport must be less than 10 years old for stay.

Yes it’s a rolling 180-day window. So flying back to the UK for two full days gives you two full days back in Schengen, the flying days count as days in Schengen and there is no ‘restarting’ of the clock. If the OP wants more than 90 days every 180 then yes you need to apply for a ling-term visitor visa. Reading a few countries embassy pages, these look like they would give you temporary resident status (with clauses on employment) so if that is the case you would be free to travel around Schengen area with that visa. 

NB Republic of Ireland isn’t in Schengen. 

For medical emergencies I believe the reciprocal agreement doesn’t have any time limits, but you’ll want travel insurance in case of a need for e.g. repatriation. https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/healthcare-abroad/apply-for-a-free-uk-global-health-insurance-card-ghic/

As for the consequences of over-staying, when leaving you’ll get a black mark against your passport. Typically you might expect anything from a telling off, a fine, to a ban on re-entry to Schengen for some length of time (decided by courts). If you got a ban there are some countries that require you to declare it, so it could cause future travel issues not just in Europe. I like travel and have had jobs where it’s a requirement to be able to travel, so I wouldn’t risk an overstay. Netherlands have a nice summary of their thresholds and punishments https://ind.nl/en/entry-ban#consequences-of-the-entry-ban

Agree you should get an arboriculturalist to report on it so you understand the ‘state’ it’s in currently. The usual legal stuff applies, legal searches, access rights, restrictive covenants etc. Does it have public rights of way that need maintaining, does it have infrastructure running through it (pylons, cables, pipes). Is there a watercourse / drainage and what are your riparian responsibilities. Has it ever had a domestic dwelling, could it be registered for Council Tax etc? Depending where it is and public access you should buy public indemnity insurance. If it’s priced high enough there is also Stamp Duty Land Tax to pay. Lots of costs unfortunately. But it’s a nice idea.

I came on to say what sboardman did – the yellow warnings are NOT about severity of event on its own. In the top left of the warning impact matrix they do mean a very high likelihood of moderate disruption. But in the bottom right they mean a low likelihood of severe disruption (usually the forecast is a few days away). These bottom right events are usually upgraded to amber (and possibly red) if the forecast becomes more certain in location and timing, as well as severity. But if the forecast location is still uncertain the warning stays yellow. So “You do need them to tell you that it’s going to be a bad day in three days’ time though, don’t you?” Yes, yes you do, that’s the point of the bottom right of the matrix, that a yellow warning for potentially severe disruption is given when the exact details are uncertain but there is a chance of a major event.

I would really emphasise to those of you saying you don’t like the alerts – they are your personal devices, so it is for you to turn the alerts off. There are no alerts that are forced on to your phone except for the Gov warning (for e.g. terrorist attacks, and severe flood warnings which pose an immediate risk to life) and even those you can find the ‘app’ and delete it if you wish.

There are some focused systems out there in areas with larger populations, I know schemes in European cities that created an app for certain respiratory disease sufferers to get air pollution and heat/cold warnings, organised through their hospital. But it (1) costs a lot of money to run the service and (2) it would be much more difficult to make accurate in rural areas, and we know that ‘false alerts’ make people ignore the warnings, which is the last thing we want.

It’s interesting the number of examples in this thread that either something/disruption/loss of life happened (and very sadly we have had a lot of fatalities this year) or where there weren’t ‘newsworthy’ impacts – but at one day ahead the planners and forecasters would have had similar information and certainty / uncertainty in the forecasts and had to make the call based on that information. I do appreciate that people fatigue from warnings and we know ‘false alerts’ are very bad, but when you are one day ahead looking at a forecast, we have to have consistent processes and thresholds to make an alert, so in all those events (whether they had ‘impacts’ or didn’t make the headlines), at one day ahead they met the same level of concern. We can’t differentiate ahead of time which of those events will be perceived as ‘crying wolf’ and which are the ones that – very sadly – result in fatalities.

I am interested in how we improve these systems so people don’t think ‘crying wolf’ and ignore it completely. I think the idea is people see an alert then watch a video forecast or google it. Then the text / narrative from the Met Office will explain if it’s a potentially big event in a few days with uncertainty in the forecast – so telling you to keep an eye on the forecast – or if it’s a moderate severity event so you can make your own mind up on the level of disruption or health impacts you individually might get. If you aren’t doing that, how can we improve the system / warning colours / levels?

Please keep refuting the damage, in writing when you get home. Take them to small claims court (MCOL) if you have to, because you don’t want to be recorded as having an incident (fire??) on the insurance databases.

I am very sorry that it seems she has had a change and it appears she feels down because of it. I didn’t mean to imply that it’s not an anxiety, whether neurodiverse or neurotypical the anxiety is very real. I was just saying neurodiversity might be something worth investigating in addition to the therapy etc, as there is a lot more specific advice and support these days.

A number of threads on mental health on here allude to having to try a number of therapies and therapists. While I am sure everyone is engaging with good intentions, you said her therapist / therapy sessions might not be going anywhere. If possible for you, could you look to change therapists?

My brother has anxiety and the decision making issues that result from ‘executive dysfunction’. A friend who is an occupational therapist helped a lot, I believe talking through CBT approaches with him. They don’t work for everyone though. I would only go down that route if your daughter proactively says that the anxiety is an issue and that she wants to do something about it.

And again, if she brings it up, you could suggest she goes away to a quiet space and when it comes to her, either write down how she feels or record on her phone if she can verbalise it. I would say it needs to be a purely private record – making sure none of you attempt to look at / hear it – just as a way for her to get those feelings out and for her to understand herself, how did she feel and why did she feel that way. It gives her brain practice of describing feelings / emotions. She may herself in time refer back to help explain how she feels in those moments.

When you talk about her not responding, and her not participating in group class discussions, that rang a bell with me… I self-identify as an autistic woman and the being unable to respond sounds like a shutdown feels. That is only to say that, this might be how her brain works and isn’t necessarily something ‘wrong’. I am also chronically ‘shy’, absolutely hate talking in public although I have found coping mechanisms I need hours of preparation and it wipes me out for a hours afterwards… including the complete shutdown finding quiet space away from people. And I associate that anxiety with people to my neurodiversity now I am self aware but back when I was a teenager I wouldn’t have known how to talk about it. Even to say I am definitely better at writing it down than verbalising.

The point you made about how she feels about her friends is more concerning, as others have alluded to, changing friendship groups isn’t uncommon but you certainly don’t want her feeling down on herself. Sorry I have no bright ideas there and I hope with time she’ll put those thoughts away.

Southwold and Walberswick seems to be where my Cambridgeshire friends go for their ‘quaint’ seaside retreat, sandy beach, Adnam’s brewery and pubs, and tiny passenger ferry across the harbour. Aldeburgh as nice alternative.

There is the Sutton Hoo stuff to visit, as well as RSPB reserves, lots of rolling farmland, farm shops, some heritage railways and WWII heritage. Inland there are pretty towns like Framlingham (Detectorists fame), Lavenham further afield. And at this time of year, Horsey Gap for the seal pups, not too far over the border into Norfolk. And The Broads.

It’s complicated, and political and societal too… a narrative can take hold in a community and it makes the discussion about long-term planning very difficult. As CountZero’s post suggests, many in the Somerset L&M area believe that dredging the rivers stops flooding, and that assertion on its own just isn’t true. There will need to be a combination of different approaches, from the natural flood management and potential for paludiculture and alternative farming, as well as dredging, pumping and building higher and higher defences, and mitigation and resilience measures to recover more quickly. I get that change is incredibly difficult to discuss, people have a strong sense of place, but at the end of the day if we are to keep defending (rather than migitating) flood risk it will need more and more money with climate change and increasing development – so like the NHS thread – who is going to pay? It needs a big, societal and evidenced discussion without the politicking.

“more properties flooding now then before?”

Every rainfall event and subsequent river flow time series is unique, due to how intensely and where the rain falls, and how that rain reaches the rivers. We try to gauge how rare these events are with statistical analysis of the observations and at some stage the Met Office, EA and others might publicly discuss a ‘probability’ of this event occurring, which can then be compared with previous observed events. I think what you are asking is can we say climate change has changed rainfall patterns? Or has development put more homes / properties into flood risk areas? I’ll be honest I expect the EA don’t have that information to hand. For the question of “climate change attribution”, for rainfall, the answer is it’s currently very difficult: https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/climate/understanding-climate/attributing-extreme-weather-to-climate-change

As others have said you need to check the specifics in timidwheeler’s link to the UK gov site for each country and see what work exemptions there are. Typically providing a service or attending meetings / conferences for a short time period are exempt. But I remember colleagues having to explicitly turn down payment for talks in the USA (conference or invited lectures) because it wouldn’t be worth the visa hassle.

Not a blocked culvert, just not enough gradient for gravity to evacuate the water quickly enough (usually). I think / believe I know where that is.

The Internal Drainage Board has to manage the water levels in these extremely flat places, and the EA are involved when ‘in flood’. There are threshold levels that each of the moors can get to before it starts to affect houses / properties. We observe the rain and flow/water levels in the rivers coming in to those areas and, ahead of the peaks, the floodwater from one channel or flood storage area is redirected to the next area with capacity, on the way to the sea. Since that video was made there has been lots of investment and a new system to use gravity more by redirecting water down different channels, to be less reliant on over pumping to protect properties. But there will continue to be pumps on the levels / moors / fens (not just Somerset and not just for floods) because those landscapes only exist because they are artificially drained.

If you watch the BBC Ambulance programme you can see the ambulance service has had this issue for years.

About 2.5 years ago we had family (in 90s) who kept falling. The careline numbers just ring the emergency contacts. Both were injured so couldn’t be lifted by family who arrived on scene. One waited over 8 hours with a broken hip on the floor. The other over 12 hours on the floor.

13 months ago my Dad fell down the stairs and broke a lot (stopped breathing, broken neck & skull). He had good care at the Hospital but after 5 days was discharged with a neck brace they expected my step-Mum to change (she couldn’t because she had a fractured arm from the fall), no care plan in place, no referral to GP and so he got zero community assistance. Because he knows the system he managed to call around and get an appointment for ongoing care (e.g. scans to see how the breaks were healing, physio / rehab) but it was really shockingly bad.

As others have said it’s complex but derives from lack of social care places or ability to discharge which is complex itself, and every element of the NHS seems to have some areas just really struggling. I would say urgent care gets very near collapse / halting at points, GP care similarly in some locations but not everywhere.

Move more. It’s always the same but this year has been particularly bad for us for  managing our time. Two years ago we attempted to walk the same distance as LE-JOG and were doing ok til May, did about 2/3rds in the end I think.

“stuff” definitely. We didn’t used to have sofas and 50 inch TVs that you can’t carry upstairs! What is really sad is when people haven’t get any knowledge they might be at risk and had things like family photos stored downstairs. Or lose computers / laptops without a back up of photos. Memory boxes and that kind of thing. In the US or Australia even though they are more ‘personal responsibility’ type societies, you’ll find people have a bushfire plan and a ‘grab and go’ bag by the door in case they have to leave immediately. I do wonder if we should do better at that side of things, educating and preparedness.

Yep it is depressing but so is war and politics more generally! There is some nice Carbon Literacy training, just keep doing the little things you can and don’t feel guilty on an individual level. Ignore the whatabouttery. Make conscious decisions and each of us making small changes can combine to large change – especially when it comes to political change. My personality / skills / strengths are best suited to the science not the political persuasion side of things, so that’s what I try and do my best at.

It’s an interesting philosophical question about housing, land and asset. and acquired wealth. I mean if the OP’s family bought the house as a home with the intention of living in it until they die, then the asset shouldn’t really matter, invest now in PRF and expert advice if they can do anything differently with the sump/pump etc and they may enjoy a lovely home most of the time.