Ahhh! There’s nothing quite like getting warm by the fire! Except of course, getting warm in the sun, getting warm near an electric heater, or getting warm via a hot bath or sauna, perhaps by rugging up in winter clothes and going for a brisk walk….

Well, maybe there are a few things like that.

But there are certain benefits of having a fireplace, mainly that in our house, it usually the best source of heat. Without mains power to run an electric heater, or even a reliable hot water system, the fireplace is the area we gravitate to when we are cold and miserable.

I remember when I moved to the Stanthorpe area from warmer climes and lit my first fire in the lounge room. I could hear the crackle of the wood burning, see the dancing flames, and feel the intense heat. I experienced the millennia-old thrill of creating fire! Unfortunately smoke filled the house and the fire brigade was called… The real estate wasn’t too pleased with my act of arson, and the police advised me to kindly use the wood heater provided.

So… we cranked up the fire the other day, as it had turned chilly and the rainy weather was stopping the sun’s rays. This was our pre-winter trial run. It was something wondrous to behold – the smell of burning wood wafting from our chimney outside, mixed with the crisp air. Soon though, it was too hot and we were opening the windows to adjust the temperature.

I have a friend who lived in public housing that didn’t have a wood heater installed. Using electric heaters for the living areas was too expensive, so she found that leaving her oven on with the door open, was cheaper than the cost of using appliances. I have since found out that this is not recommended for the likelihood of the oven door warping. And it takes way longer to get that lasagne cooked with the door open. You try it.

It’s amazing how easily we allow ourselves to get edgy and snap at each other when the weather is wet and we feel cold. (It’s understandable why the Poms are such a lot of whingers.) We walk around with our hands in our pockets, or our arms folded against the wind, shoulders hunched and back braced against the severity of life and the cruel hand we have been dealt. Everything becomes harder to do when we are freezing and worn out from trying the keep warm. 

But once we have our supply of wood sorted, have a good bucket of kindling and a clean chimney, we are all set for the celebrations to begin. Within 15 minutes the heat of a new fire starts to radiate through the house and we can see a glimmer of hope. We might just survive the cold dark winter after all. A blanket of warm air fills the rooms and at last, we can move around without the bulk of five layers of clothes. If we have three days’ worth of wet washing on the line, that’s easily fixed, with a clothes rack nearby. Have the cats been annoying you by snuggling up for attention and scratching you with their insistent kneading? Don’t worry - with a fireplace glowing in the lounge room, the cats have their schedule planned for the next six months. Even having a shower isn’t such a chore, with the air a moderate temperature - rather than icy - in the bathroom.

 

Oh, the delights of a fireplace! 

It’s praises I will sing

We gather round and snuggle in

For it is a magical thing.

 

There’s no need for a television

When we watch the flickering glow

The flames are mesmerising -

far better than any cooking show.

 

Oh, how I love our fireplace

Its charms are truly good

I especially like how my hubby

is the one who chops the wood.

 

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