With fires now lit daily (evenings only), I'm back to my regular log sawing duties.
Even at my great advanced age, I don't mind getting out the chainsaw and filling a barrow or two with stove-sized logs. It's all part of the Winter experience, and the small amount of exercise it offers does me some good. Pressing a central heating button is all well and good, but my method is far more bucolic and 'natural'; even if the overall room-to-room temperature of the house is rather erratic.
We've only had our delivery of Oak wood so far (below), but we still had lots in reserve anyway. I've also ordered plenty of Chestnut. Last Winter I used Chestnut almost exclusively, and have done the same so far this year.
Our sitting room 'Godin' stove produces a lot of heat. It also allows foil-wrapped baked potatoes to be cooked below the embers, and casseroles to be cooked on the top. It's a multi-tasking machine, and it's very satisfying to sit back and watch supper cooking away by one's side.
Hats, coats, and gloves are already in use. Thermal vests and electric blankets are making an appearance. It hasn't been 'cold' yet, but I'll be sawing logs for the next 5 months.
According to our 'Meteo', we have a few days of barely sub-zero C nights coming in about a week's time.
We ARE prepared.
mid twenties here and talk of possible fires like Australia although, I hope, they are talking about the South Island - not that we want them there either.
ReplyDeleteThose fires in Oz were terrible. I hope you don't have anything similar. Fingers crossed for here too; we've been lucky so far.
DeleteUnfortunately, they are not over yet. It is only spring with the whole of the summer to get through. In the 30's in the South Island today and only spring.
DeleteAnd if you weren't anywhere with a breeze, well over 30 degrees...
DeleteI can just about cope with 30 C, but not much higher.
DeleteWe miss our real fire but I don't think Paul misses sawing logs and carrying them up a flight of stairs every day.
ReplyDeleteI'm already back in the swing of it; I don't mind it, as long as it's not raining.
DeleteLiving off-the-grid as they say.
ReplyDeleteAlmost, other than our electricity bills.
DeleteThe fireplace looks great. Is the family still with you? Does Boo Boo have all the winter kit?
ReplyDeleteYes they're still here, until after Christmas I think. They intend living in Holland where Boo Boo will go to school. Yes, he is very well wrapped-up. He loves lighting our fire too.
DeleteIt all looks very homely and a step towards self-sufficiency. There is nothing quite like a log fire.
DeleteWe have a wood fired kitchen cooker too (a poor man's Aga). We don't light it too often, but it's always there as a back-up.
DeleteIt has only been the last 50 years or so that people have been warmed by central or space heating. Since time immemorial it has been by fire.
ReplyDeleteIn these parts it still is mostly 'flame'; not in villages or towns so much. This is a very heavily wooded area with plenty of Oak and Chestnut, so no shortage of fuel.
DeleteFor a brief moment I thought you had referred to "dog sawing duties" and was just about to phone
ReplyDeleteLa Société Protectrice des Animaux.
The way he behaves when I start the chainsaw, it could almost be dog sawing!
DeleteKalo heimona, as they say here. Have a great winter.
ReplyDeleteSounds as though you've got into the routine again. We have our first fire tonight although I don't think this cold enough yet.
Beautiful sunny day and for once a night breeze to blow away the dampness.
Still reasonably pleasant here too. I tend to light an evening fire for the ambiance. The house does actually get far too hot.
DeleteOur cold but sunny weather is due to arrive tomorrow - already my barometer is much higher. How I miss the farm's wood burner - here it is central heating or an electric fire - the heat is nothing like as comforting.
ReplyDeleteI was by myself for an hour or so yesterday evening, and just sat in front of the fire with Billy. No TV, no noise, it was heaven.
DeleteWe have gas. But a large portion of the city has heat pumped directly from the incinerator. The main building was designed by the artist Hundertwasser. Once seen never forgotten!
ReplyDeleteI do know some of Hundertwasser's work. A bit post-Gaudi and multi coloured. Interesting.
DeleteWe should all enjoy our fires as long as we can. If Greta Thunberg and her followers have their will, we soon will have to wrap our houses in styrofoam and heat them with an air heat pump system.
ReplyDelete