The firewood arrives at last

Despite a hilarious, well lubricated social visit yesterday afternoon, I did not forget the firewood that I had agreed to take. Nor did I forget to buy camera batteries this morning.

But first an admission. I must have had a glass more than I thought yesterday. My typing was more awry than anticipated. Hence my mis-naming a reader in a comment that I posted: BarGodess. Having spent plenty of time in both bars and barns, I know the difference. However the innocent absent "n" had slipped away, making BG sound like the denizen of a drinking den. Sorry. I'm sure that you've never hung out in a bar. I don't know whether I could say that about igallopon who admitted to seven interesting things. Her charismatic 19 year-old purple punk incarnation would have frightened me off. I was shy at that age.

Anyway, we went and collected some offcuts for the fire. Here Tudor and Gelu pull a load into the area behind the house, where the boiler is. Nelu steers whilst Vasile and Oprea brace the overloaded cargo that had begun to slip. We paid per load, so I approve of the overloading so long as it is safe.

Nelu lounged about for the camera, feigning idleness. So well in fact that it seemed to come naturally to him. All my staff know that I post pictures, and they and their friends look out for my illustrated posts. This is all good fun, however sometimes I need to remember (and bring to their attention) that I am paying them, so real work does need to be done.

Anyway, we brought and unloaded two carts filled with these offcuts. The chimneysweep made an appearance, realising simultaneouly that he hadn't been here for a while and hadn't any beer money in his pocket. He reproached me, as he reproaches everyone, for allowing their chimney to become completely blocked. The emphasis was on completely, as though I were a truly negligent householder and my chimney a defenceless creature wantonly abused. Well, at least the fire burns better now. All this green wood will clog the chimney again soon enough.

The space behind the house is mainly a service area where we unload and cut firewood. The reinforced concrete roof slab of the septic tank makes a good working platform, and is sufficiently massive that we can cross it in safety with vehicles. That's a good thing, since no-one would like to fall in!

In the Spring, I hope to construct a new, larger lean-to on the right so that more firewood can be kept under cover. The new boiler uses a considerable volume of wood, especially softwood which has a lower calorific value. If I can burn waste wood then my impact on the forest will be less, and that is what we are doing with these offcuts. Other than as firewood, they are valueless. A community like this, working a local forest sustainable, can have a very low environmental impact.

Comments

[Victoria Cummings]

Hi - Just got your post on my blog as I was getting up to feed the horses at 6 am. Wish I could have some of that firewood right now. We've almost out and our woodpile is too green. There was an ice storm here yesterday. The ground looked wet, but it was like a skating rink EVERYWHERE. Then, we got over an inch of rain - hopefully, it's melted now.

[Anne]

I've been complaining because it's been in the 40s. I guess I shouldn't tell you that it's supposed to get in the 60s today.

But your surroundings look much more picturesque, and the smell of burning wood sounds like a wonderful addition.

Thanks for your comment about Lucy's healing, by the way. She's on a mostly regular schedule with the farrier and her feet are okay now. She's barefoot. In the photo her hooves were packed with dirt -- they really don't look that bad. Do you think shoes would help?

[Transylvanianhorseman]

Victoria: it sounds like you're suffering from some severe weather. Hope it clears soon. If I've learnt one thing lately, it is to stock up early on firewood, giving it time to dry thoroughly.

Anne: surprisingly, it was just above freezing today, and really felt quite mild. As for Lucy, I'd go with what your farrier suggests. He is there on the spot. Staying barefoot when she is lame makes sense unless there is a specific reason for a veterinary shoe. That's a decision best taken by your farrier and vet.

[risingrainbow]

Be careful about your chimney getting clogged burning green wood. It could catch on fire and burn your house down. I had a small chimney fire on night, we were lucky and still up when it happened or the outcome could have been different.

[Transylvanianhorseman]

RR: thanks for the warning. I do try to keep the chimney swept regularly. I've had one chimney fire, a great roaring blaze that made the house vibrate even though little flame exited the top of our very tall chimney. It was thought-provoking. You're right, green wood generates a lot of tar.