it was evidently very cold last night because the temperature of this more exposed (and closed off) room had plummeted in just the few hours I was away from it.

having repeated power cuts today - 2 thus far (as predicted to a relative only a little earlier). It upsets all my equipment which isn't stupid enough not to care. It also gets very cold in any long gap so I'm running even more bars on the fire to build up the temperature when I can.

power cuts when it’s this cold can be life-threatening.

told the relative beforehand that I'd be heading back to bed if that happened. I don't have any alternative source of heat because of my extreme allergies and lung problems. Only electricity is safe.

unfortunately more and more people's alternative supplies are too clever for their own good and also don't work without electricity - eg gas heating which relies on mains electricity to control them. My solar panels also won't function without the mains being active.

one way to heat a house without mains electricity:

Grand Designs

seen that programme but not seen anything which wasn't extremely hazardous to my health. Real fires of any sort are completely out of the question.

that one was just sunshine warming the house and being absorbed into the surrounding earth.