The Booker prize has just been won by M John Harrison. His post apocalyptic novel The End of Everything follows an unexplained catastrophe which has lead British society to collapse. He is the first winner from the science fiction world. I have not read the novel and I am merely picking up impressions and wondering what our book club and fellow bloggers would make of it. I am fascinated by comments such as ‘It pushes readers to the limits of human understanding.’ My understanding so far is that no one understands what has happened and there are aliens who are not sure who they are, where they are and why.

Cartoon courtesy of The Big Issue magazine

Even if we have not read this novel it is very relevant to all of us, especially those of us in the United Kingdom who have been told we should be prepared for a catastrophe. There is no guidance as to what the catastrophe might be, only that we should have three days of supplies ready as it could take that long for normality or rescue to arrive. Cynically we might dismiss this as similar to the millennium panic that everything would be switched off at the turn of the century, with talk of storing water in the garage and filling our larders with tins.

Possible disasters are flood and fire, computers hacked, a reality with supermarkets in Europe having their freezers heated up. Who knew freezers were even linked to computers? Computer hacking raises bigger alarms, hospitals switched off just when a robot is operating on you, control tower screens altered as you are returning from your dream holiday abroad. Then of course there are drones and all out war… and of course aliens…

If you are planning to hide at home here is some useful information and popular questions.

What if you can’t open your jar of marmalade? Nobody seems to wonder how Paddington Bear opens his jars with his paws. Boiling water on the lid and that rubbery gadget usually open most jars, but my favourite marmalade has been impenetrable three jars in a row, neighbour and daughter-in-law to the rescue. On the third jar next door found a brilliant gadget in their drawer which breaks the air seal and matches my red and white kitchen… Those with neuropathy or arthritic hands will agree that there is no point in stocking supplies if you can’t get the top off your litre of spring water or open the ring pull tin of sardines. My neighbour said I could just pop next door if I couldn’t open anything and I replied ‘But what if I’m the only person left alive in our road after the unknown catastrophe?’

How long will food last in the freezer when the power goes off?

A long time if you don’t open the door, but then you couldn’t take any food out.

If you fill up a recycled litre fruit juice bottle with tap water how long will it last in the fridge?

How long will it last if the power goes off?

If water supplies are cut off?

Can I use the water in my rainwater butts?

Yes to flush the toilet.

Yes to wash in?

To drink if you boil it – see gas below – if you don’t mind it being green…

Will my gas central heating still work if the electricity is off?

NO. This was proved when I had a Red trip switch disaster.

But the gas hob will work if you light it with a match, so you can boil water and stay warm in the kitchen.

If you have no power of any sort you can go back to basics and make a camp fire in the garden with that big pile of sticks you call the insect hotel, or chop down the neighbour’s annoying hedge that cuts out your sunlight. But stay friendly with your neighbours if they have a fashionable designer wood burner, maybe they will invite you in.

Handy hints from the government have been Get a clockwork radio, keep your power banks charged up and listen out for alarms and government messages on your phone… as long as the internet is not down all over the country.

Oh well, just make sure you have a box of matches, some candles and paper and pens to write farewell messages or your next blog which will probably never be read, except by aliens.

Are you a Prepper? What would your priorities be if disaster seemed imminent?