All fired up

The unexpectedly long English summer has gone. Now, it is wet and windy. There is a chill in the air. It comes as a

bit of a shock to those of us more accustomed to the heat

of Hong Kong.

Darkness descends at 4.30pm. Having recently

returned to Britain after 28 years in Hong Kong, I

instinctively associate dusk with the evening. I am ready

for my dinner, only to discover it is still the afternoon.

Thankfully, we have a wood-burning fire in our cottage

to provide light and heat. There is a beautiful inglenook

fireplace complete with metal stove. It is romantic and full

of character.

Lighting the fire was a challenge – my days as a

boy scout ended years ago. I began with screwed up

newspaper. I don’t like burning newspapers, for obvious

reasons. But the British tabloids stacked by the fire burnt

particularly well. Petrol-based firelighters are even more

effective, producing a roaring blaze within seconds. It is a

bit scary. But after that, you just feed the blaze with logs.

But where to get them? I was advised to buy in bulk. A

friend gave me the number of a local supplier. I was told

the wood comes from ex-Beatle Paul McCartney’s estate.

I half expected it to sing Yesterday as it burned. Sadly, it just cracks and whistles.

It cost £100 (HK$935) for the minimum order. A

woodcutter arrived and began to unload his haul into our

front garden. He continued to do so until his truck was

empty. We had no idea how to store this huge pile of logs

and keep them dry.

There was also a visit from a chimney sweep. I

imagined a soot-dusted character with a long brush and a

small child to send up the chimney. I needn’t have worried.

These days it is all done with a vacuum cleaner.

Both the chimney sweep – who had attended private

school – and the woodcutter happily engaged in political

debate. One favoured Brexit, the other didn’t. The cost of

living crisis was also discussed.

Now, I can enjoy the comforting warmth of a real fire.

Forget your phone. Gazing dreamily into the dancing

flames is much more fun.

Wood fires remain popular in Britain, especially at a

time of soaring energy bills. There are around 1.5 million

of them. But they come with health risks and pollution

concerns. There have been dire warnings about the

damage that can be done by breathing in the smoke and

gases they emit. I have never smoked. But now, for the

first time in my life, I have a smoker’s cough.

The real fire will make the cottage warm and cosy

for Christmas. But as with many of life’s delights, it is