Woodpile empty of logs, off-cuts only left

I took in the last of the logs this morning. There have been so many slim bits of log that burn quickly that I've got through the pile quickly. The last two (admittedly mild) winters I have used about 15 bags (from an original delivery of 30), with off-cuts as well.

I noticed that the 20 bags I got this year filled up the wood store and didn't spill out on to the pallet in front - the small bits meant a tighter stack.

There is several weeks of off-cuts. I had a few weeks of getting quite a bit of wood from skips.

And of course I have the central heating and can afford to use it.

I am hoping I was unlucky this year, and will get better sized logs next year. This is my fourth log supplier (first disappeared, second supplied Surrey and London, but didn't really like delivering to East London especially someone who didn't have a driveway to dump the logs in) and the third, if it still exists, was so chaotic I wouldn't want to use them again). I would have problems finding another.

Winter has started

The first heavy frosts this winter in Leyton this week.

I had to go out for two mornings to take in one of the casserole dishes I use as a wildlife (and cat) water dish, leaving it in the conservatory to thaw, and take the other one outside. The third morning I found a huge chunk and fallen from the side of the dish in the conservatory, presumably the frost had found a weakness. Luckily it was mild(ish) that morning and the dish that had spent the night outside wasn't frozen. Though a fox had shat in it again!

I am two thirds through my wood pile and it is only the beginning of December. Luckily I have had some success with rescuing off-cuts from skips. Luckily also, of course, that I have central heating I can afford to run.

One morning I wore some wristies while I ate my breakfast as I needed that extra warmth.