Tuesday 11 January 2011

Facing January!

I hate this time of year! I try very hard not to - each year I try to think of good things to do in January but I never succeed in shaking off the "depression" of the long dank dark January.

BUT I am really enjoying having fires again! There is more than just warmth to them, they are cheerful and require a bit of excercise to keep them going!

We have a lovely log burner in the main lounge and a small "Godin" log burner in the fermette living room. We put the heating (oil fired) on in the morning for about an hour and a half. It's so nice to have a warm bathroom for a shower etc, then we light the Godin. For the rest of the day when not outside in workshops we are in the fermette near the Godin which is so lovely. At night we light the log burner in the lounge and sit and relax with books and the TV, the warmth is fantastic.

This has got me thinking - is it healthier to have fires than central heating? I certainly feel better - not snuffly and " heavy headed".! Today John and I were out moving logs and wood around under the skeleton barn so that the wood dries out etc, (I was also clearing up more Walnut leaves, buit that's another matter!) We started discussing the fact that when you have central heating you no longer think about the effort required to get the wood ready to burn, or take in by the fire etc, the excersise has got to be beneficial and being out in the fresh air even if it is cold! The effort is definitely paid off in the pleasure that goes with having a fire giving it's warmth and comfort.



Maybe this January is not going to be so bad...........!

4 comments:

fabriquefantastique said...

nothing like a fire...where ever you are

Helen said...

I agree on both counts of finding January depressing and loving he warm cosiness of a wood burner!

Anonymous said...

Our chimney sweep pointed out that having a fire is very healthy because it circulates the air. I'd never thought of that. Enjoy your fires!

mjm alicat's mom said...

I hadn't thought of the health aspects of heating with wood. but there are a lot of them between stacking and splitting the wood and bringing it in everyday we do get some exercise. and then there are the evenings where you sit in front of the woodstove and watch the flames instead of watching the noncense on tv. I often cook soup or chili on top of mine and also wrap sandwiches to grill them. and during the day I will cook orange peels or cinnamon sticks in water in a pan on the stove and the aroma lifts your spirits.