Fire!

The weather is turning colder here in the UK. Apparently we will be getting the biggest snowfall for 18 years!!! In our 180year old cottage it is difficult to eliminate all the drafts (giraffes)so to prepare for this I lit the front fire yesterday! For some unknown reason it took off like I have never seen it, before



It was soooooooo cold, even Jake took to bed!





During the day, we had an awful smell of smoldering wood, which got worse and worse! My neighbours have a wood burner and only burn wood and I wondered if somehow the smoke was coming through as we share chimneys. Sadly no.

By the afternoon it was so bad, we decided to shovel out the fire. Which involves basically using a shovel to scoop out the fire into the ashcan and carrying a red hot ashcan outside, praying to goodness the bottom doesn't drop out! Then raking out the rest so it goes out!

This appeared to make things better, and whilst it cooled we went through to the kitchen to eat our dinner!

After dinner I came back through and the lounge was full of smoke, the stove was cool to touch but the chimney board which blocks the chimney was red hot!



we called the fire brigade! They came as you can see, and pulled out the board and in one corner was a small pile of soot which was smouldering! They checked the whole of the chimney, up through the house with there 'thermal imaging camera' and found that to be fine. They then proceeded to sweep the chimney.

I am fanatical about 'fire safety' as I have two solid fuel appliances in the centre of my house and get the chimneys swept every year without fail.

Anyway they said it was very obvious that I have had the chimney swept. Tidied up and left.

They did a brilliant job and I thank them from the bottom of my heart as there was no way we could have dealt with it.

But..........



my lounge is covered in soot and cinders and stinks and to be honest I'm not sure where to begin! So I shall call my sweep and see if he can recommend someone to come and refit the flue and board. I will then phone the insurance company and see whether they can help with the costs of this and cleaning the carpet, curtains and suite. I will keep you posted!

I have been away visiting my mum, hence the lack of blog posts, but I put all the names in a hat



of everyone who entered my giveaway and the winner was......



Lottie!
These will be winging there way to you, once I can get to the post office!

January Giveaway

Primarily I see my blog as a gardening blog. During the winter though, when there is not alot going on in my garden, I craft,cook and do lots of other bits and pieces. I had thought about joining 'blotanical' but I'm not sure I'd qualify as I waffle on about so many other things!

I thought as Spring is coming (I know its is)(well it has too doesn't it?) I would do a giveaway based around a gardening theme, but include a crafty item too! Below is what you would get, a hand knitted (by me) cotton dishcloth, some 'Gardeners' playing cards, seeds, Sunflower, Sungold bright and cheerful I love them; Coleus, a bit of the tropical; Sweetcorn, Minipop some vegetables



and some seed I saved from this



Cerinthe major 'Purpurascens' this was a huge hit with the bees last year so I will definitely be growing this all over the place!

If you would like to be entered into this giveaway then please leave a comment on this post before the 1st Feb 2009.

Good Luck!