On Saturday morning I went to clean out the stove and noticed the solid fuel cinders were red and glistening at me.
I placed a log on top of the red cinders and closed the stove door.
I made myself a brew (ground black "real" coffee) and sat down writinga blog and commenting on some I read every day.
It must have been half an hour later when suddenly shooting flames appeared in the stove.
This startled me and I am grateful that stoves have got metal doors with glass windows.
It is reassuring to know we can go to bed with the stove still lit and everything will be ok.
I am glad we don't have an open fire.
One good thing about living in the countryside means we can have a lit stove every night. It's so much nicer than looking at a gas fire.
How do you keep warm at this time of year?
Wool socks. Sounds strange, but if my feet are warm, so I am. Woodfire has not yet been lit for the year, but that is very neat that hot coals can remain quite a while to restart the fire. I'm not sure of your appliances, but if you have a clothes dryer, save the lint and stuff it inside an empty tp/bog roll. It's a great fire starter.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you do with your wood ash?
Wool socks. Sounds like Heaven Debby. If anybody wants to buy me something for Christmas it's got to be socks. You never can have enough of them. I was surprised the solid fuel lumps/ cinders were still read after Storm Bert.
ReplyDeleteIf we have only burnt peat or wood. The ash pan dust gets sprinkled in the vegetable raised beds. All members of the onion family including leeks love wood ash for the potash which gives their roots strength and beneficial plant food.
We only have our radiators, both chimneys were knocked out by previous owners, I do have an electric log burner, which we use the glow every evening. We did get triple glazing a few years ago which has stopped draughts, and I still love a lap blanket on really horrible nights. Marlene, Poppypatchwork
ReplyDeleteI miss my stove.
ReplyDeleteI've got an electric fire with mock coals and a light behind.. it does the job in the living room but I don't like blown air. Then a gas boiler for central heating. Not my house so no choice.
I will have a small wood burner in my workshop...it needs a baffle plate and the flue adding, and heat resistant board on the wall behind it.
And like Debby...wool socks , and a beanie to keep the heat from rising...and an extra layer underneath between those two ends !!
Hi Marlene. Electric log burners are nice to look at and give some winter cheer. I love our stove. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteHi GZ. I like the idea of a wood burner in your workshop. Do you collect driftwood in the summer and dry it? We have oil central heating but I haven't ordered any oil yet. I might not bother this year. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteNo driftwood, because of the salt , but we always collected what we called "roadkill"...branches that fell on the road and verge...doing a public service of course, for safety! And here in Scotland it is ok to do that...so long as you don't go the other side of the wall or fence!
Delete"Roadkill" branches! I love it! Years ago in County Galway they use to grow fields of Gorse for firewood and sell it at the local fairs. I have collected and dried driftwood from our local river and sea beaches. I have often smashed up a wooden pallet for the stove.
DeleteA lovely & small electric heater.
ReplyDeleteIs that what you have Liam? We are often buying fertilizer bags full of logs to burn in our stove. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteWe just have our oil central heating but, like Marlene, I have an electric wood burner just for the red flames. And a lap blanket for keeping warm on the sofa.
ReplyDeleteYes the dancing red flames are hypnotising and delightful JayCee. You sound well organized and warm. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteWool blankets, warm socks, and a hot water bottle.
ReplyDeleteIt saves money on the heating bills Jules. I go to bed still wearing my jumper.
ReplyDeleteHow do you keep warm at this time of year?
ReplyDeleteI put on a jumper or the "Barbour" gilet that my son bought me and we put a king sized quilt over our king sized duvet (continental quilt). I make sure that all of our windows are closed.
I am always shutting windows. Living in the countryside next to the sea we have to keep the rats and mice outside. Another cover on the bed does make a big difference YP.
ReplyDeleteit's so nice and cosy to have that fire, behind glass doors. Must make blog writing and reading most enjoyable. We are lighting our stove at night now. I wonder if it will get cold enough for a fire during the day.
ReplyDeleteHi Linda. You really notice the difference if we don't light the stove until the night time. I wish we had some of that orange wood to burn. I love the smell of orange trees.
ReplyDelete