Temporary mantlepiece

I have hired Rene, a friend from kayaking who makes designer bathrooms, furniture, light sculptures, etc, to put in a chunky mantlepiece for me.

He has made it - I've seen it in his workshop. It's made from cedarwood - his favourite wood. But it is now 2 years and it is still in his workshop not my sitting room. With the second year without a mantlepiece to put my birthday and Christmas cards on, I've made a temporary one.

I've used the offcuts Len, the carpenter who lives 3 doors up the road, gave me for my stove to make two equal piles. For the top I used a long piece of wood I rescued from a skip and didn't like to cut up until I really needed it, in case it came in useful - and it has!

Unfortunately the 2 piles are on a slant - I think the floor's not flat. One side is very slanty indeed. I am afraid of the cats knocking everything flying, so I have only put 2 candlesticks on it, metal ones that won't break.

Looking forward to displaying cards on it soon.