It's Hard to Leave a Warm Fire

@JudyEv (325321)
Rockingham, Australia
April 29, 2016 2:19am CST
The weather is certainly changing here and last night we lit our tile fire for the first time this year. Vince is bringing firewood back to the back verandah so it is close by. During summer when we might have a bushfire we take all the wood well away from the house. So it was lovely to be cosy and warm in front of the TV and the fire but tonight we are going to a local little theatre for a supper performance. We will need to leave at about 7.00pm but as it is already getting chilly we will probably light the fire before we go. It will be very hard to leave the house when it is time to go.
35 people like this
37 responses
Jabo
@jaboUK (64362)
• United Kingdom
29 Apr 16
It must be nice to have an actual fire - we just have central heating, but you don't get that cosy feeling.
5 people like this
Kevin
@kevin1877uk (36988)
•
29 Apr 16
You can't beat a real fire.
3 people like this
hereandthere
@hereandthere (45651)
• Philippines
30 Apr 16
does central heating mean it's the same temperature all around the house, or does each room have a device where you can make it warmer or cooler or shut it off if no one's there?
3 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325321)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 Apr 16
If for some reason we have the heating on I don't really miss the fire but I do love it when it's lit and burning brightly.
3 people like this
Boingboing
@boiboing (13153)
• Northampton, England
29 Apr 16
My little black cat likes to sit with his nose right up against the glass.
4 people like this
Kevin
@kevin1877uk (36988)
•
29 Apr 16
I would be right next to you cat in front of the fire too.
1 person likes this
Nancy Zink
@ramapo17 (30441)
• Melbourne, Florida
7 May 16
@boiboing My cats and dogs liked to sit in front of the fireplace.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325321)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 Apr 16
Our friends had a dog which would tug his beanbag right up in front of the fire.
1 person likes this
ElizabethWallace
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
29 Apr 16
So your area is so vast that fires are still common? Here, our population is so dense, that there are days that are designated "no burn" days. But, most have forced air heat here, which runs by natural gas. So much cleaner. I remember when I was a kid, people incinerated their trash in their own backyards. The air was filthy. But that has all stopped, and people can breathe better now.
3 people like this
ElizabethWallace
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
30 Apr 16
@JudyEv Does anyone out there use wood to cook? That would make summer a problem, but otherwise, I think you have hot summers, so not burning wood would not matter then.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325321)
• Rockingham, Australia
1 May 16
@ElizabethWallace My Mum used a wood fire for cooking throughout her life. In summer she'd usually cook a meal for lunch then let the fire go out and have a cold dinner.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325321)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 Apr 16
Many have reverse cycle air-conditioning or gas or electric heaters but we are so far from anyone that our wood fire won't affect them. We don't have no burn days although we have fire bans during the summer.
1 person likes this
Valerie J. Routhieaux
@just4him (305417)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
29 Apr 16
I've always loved a fireplace. I can understand how hard it will be to leave it when it's time to go. I hope you have a lovely time at the supper theater.
3 people like this
Valerie J. Routhieaux
@just4him (305417)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
30 Apr 16
@JudyEv It's a nice looking fireplace.
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325321)
• Rockingham, Australia
1 May 16
@just4him Thanks. It's not as messy as a 'proper' open fire.
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325321)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 Apr 16
We had a lovely evening thanks. I sometimes think an open fire is even better but this one isn't as much work.
2 people like this
Anne Johnston
@AnneEJ (4917)
• Dollard-Des-Ormeaux, Quebec
29 Apr 16
Your fire looks inviting. I had to turn the heat up here yesterday as temperatures here a lot below seasonal.
3 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325321)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 Apr 16
Fires are very inviting aren't they? I guess now we've started lighting it we'll be doing so most evenings.
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325321)
• Rockingham, Australia
1 May 16
@AnneEJ How amazing is that? Haha. Now I've heard everything. But I can understand that it would be nice to have a virtual fire burning away.
2 people like this
Anne Johnston
@AnneEJ (4917)
• Dollard-Des-Ormeaux, Quebec
2 May 16
@JudyEv I have had the DVD for several years.
2 people like this
fishtiger58
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
29 Apr 16
Your summer is coming to an end, and ours is soon to be here........ I hope lol. I hope you had a nice time and the theater
3 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325321)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 Apr 16
Yes, summer is over and the days and nights are decidely cooler. The theatre was most enjoyable thanks.
2 people like this
ElusiveButterfly
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
30 Apr 16
I wish we could have a nice fire going in our home. The landlords won't allow it. Hopefully we will be able to have a nice woodfire in our next home. Love the warmth and comfort of it.
2 people like this
ElusiveButterfly
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
30 Apr 16
@JudyEv we do not have either sources of heat. Landlords are worried about the possibility of fire I am most certain. However, I do know that they have to pay more for insurance on dwellings that have a fireplace, pellet stove, or wood stove.
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325321)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 Apr 16
Do you actually have a fireplace or stove? I guess the landlords are scared of a house fire. As long as we keep the door on this shut it should be as safe as houses.
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325321)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 Apr 16
@ElusiveButterfly So do you have to buy your own gas or electric heater? I should think they would be even more dangerous.
2 people like this
Anna
@LadyDuck (457249)
• Switzerland
29 Apr 16
We are having cold days and I am glad that our heater is set to start automatically when the temperature drops. It'snice to stay near a fire when it's cold outside.
2 people like this
Anna
@LadyDuck (457249)
• Switzerland
1 May 16
@JudyEv You are right, we do the same with the fireplace, it is not the best source of heat, but it's nice to sit there.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325321)
• Rockingham, Australia
1 May 16
@LadyDuck That's true. There are more efficient ways of heating but there is nothing as cosy as sitting by a nice fire.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325321)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 Apr 16
Although this type of fire is lovely I don't actually miss it if the reverse cycle air-conditioning is going and the room is warm. But it is always nice to sit by.
1 person likes this
Jekca
@Jessicalynnt (50525)
• Centralia, Missouri
29 Apr 16
was like what, oh right opposite side of the world!
2 people like this
hereandthere
@hereandthere (45651)
• Philippines
30 Apr 16
@jessicalynnt and then there's curious, nosy tropical dwellers like me asking how it all works and appreciate when members like @JudyEv take the time to explain things
3 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325321)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 Apr 16
Yes, it will be winter in a month or two but the weather is cooling off all the time.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325321)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 Apr 16
@hereandthere Haha - what a nice thing to say! :)
3 people like this
The Horse
@TheHorse (205215)
• Walnut Creek, California
29 Apr 16
Your stove reminds me of mine at our cabin in Montana. I love sitting in front of it, reading or playing guitar. Even in the Summers, evenings are cool there.
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325321)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 Apr 16
It must be the primitive genes coming to the fore. Everyone seems to love an open fire or at least a real one.
1 person likes this
Nancy Zink
@ramapo17 (30441)
• Melbourne, Florida
15 May 16
@JudyEv They always say if we wait long enough things from the past will return and I see that as true.
1 person likes this
DianneN
@DianneN (246334)
• United States
29 Apr 16
I love a nice fire to take the chill away. To me, it's so romantic.
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325321)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 Apr 16
There is certainly something special about a fire.
minisam
@miniam (9154)
• Bern, Switzerland
29 Apr 16
Totally agree,a warm fire is hard to leave.Are you a performer or going as an audience?whichever have alot of fun
2 people like this
Kevin
@kevin1877uk (36988)
•
29 Apr 16
It sure is, right I need to get some logs.......
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325321)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 Apr 16
We were just part of the audience thank goodness.
1 person likes this
Dx.Tr
@Dextoi (1845)
• Philippines
30 Apr 16
i envy your place being chilly... I wish I can send you some of our tropic warmth in exchange for some cool Aussie weather
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325321)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 Apr 16
Wouldn't it be lovely if we all had nice warm days and enough rain to keep things growing?
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325321)
• Rockingham, Australia
1 May 16
@Dextoi That's annoying too isn't it? To get a tiny bit of rain but still have to water the garden.
Dx.Tr
@Dextoi (1845)
• Philippines
30 Apr 16
@JudyEv after a month, it drizzled around 5PM in our place and i'm sure it wasn't enough to quench the thirst of my plants...
2 people like this
Drew365
@mlot123 (120)
• Australia
29 Apr 16
Yeah, seems romantic enough until you run out of wood and have to fetch new stuff in the pouring rain.
3 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325321)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 Apr 16
That used to happen when we were younger but now we have a good supply on the back verandah so we don't have to go out in the rain. You get cunning as you get older. :)
MsTickle
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
1 May 16
I haven't lit mine yet, the nights are still quite warm here.
1 person likes this
MsTickle
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
1 May 16
@JudyEv Ahhh, what a sensible idea. The local volunteer fire fighters usually back burn as we head into summer but they didn't do it last year for some reason.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325321)
• Rockingham, Australia
1 May 16
It's only just cold enough here. We don't really need it every night yet.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325321)
• Rockingham, Australia
1 May 16
@MsTickle Another reason why we try to get rid of all the rubbish through the winter. I think there is a spark arrester thing on the chimney so that no sparks can escape.
1 person likes this
allen0187
@allen0187 (58438)
• Philippines
3 May 16
Is the fire wood enough to keep you guys warm? No heater?
1 person likes this
allen0187
@allen0187 (58438)
• Philippines
4 May 16
@JudyEv first time I've heard of a reverse cycle air-conditioning. I'll look it up.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325321)
• Rockingham, Australia
4 May 16
@allen0187 It heats in the winter and cools in the summer. Very handy!
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325321)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 May 16
We have reverse cycle air-conditioning if we don't want to light the fire. It heats in winter, cools in summer. But we only get one or two nights below freezing here so it never really that cold - not compared to places that get snow.
1 person likes this
Fiacre Banks
@xFiacre (12613)
• Ireland
29 Apr 16
@judyev This is what I look forward to when we go on winter breaks to Donegal. Nothing can beat a night in sitting in from of a turf fire when the wind is howling outside and the sea is crashing on rocks. Then all is calm at dawn and I can take a plunge in the quiet ocean.
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325321)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 Apr 16
Damian sometimes lit a peat fire when it was cold and it was very pleasant sitting in front of it. I'll pass on the dip in the ocean though. Far too cold!
1 person likes this
WorDazza
@WorDazza (15833)
• Manchester, England
29 Apr 16
At least it's supposed to be getting colder in your hemisphere. We're well into spring and temperatures have nose-dived below zero again.
1 person likes this
WorDazza
@WorDazza (15833)
• Manchester, England
2 May 16
@JudyEv We dream of 17C.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325321)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 Apr 16
The days and nights are certainly colder. We had a top of about 17C today which is pretty cool for us.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325321)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 May 16
@WorDazza Well, what can I say? You will persist in living in England.
1 person likes this
Claudia Kirkland
@CRK109 (14558)
• United States
29 Apr 16
How I remember those days and nights by the fireplace with my husband! Oh, I loved it so much! So cozy and warm and snuggly. And yes, almost impossible to walk away from when we were needed elsewhere! :)
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325321)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 Apr 16
There is certainly something very relaxing about knowing it's cold outside but you're snug and warm by the fire.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325321)
• Rockingham, Australia
1 May 16
@CRK109 Do you have any way of cooling the house?
1 person likes this
Claudia Kirkland
@CRK109 (14558)
• United States
1 May 16
@JudyEv While we're in spring here, before I fell asleep last night I was actually wondering what winter will be like in my apartment. I'll be seeing snow from a completely different attitude. And I'm sure I'll be warmer than I was in the house. But, for now, I'm dreading the heat of summer! lol I'll try to blow some your way. :)
1 person likes this
Mike
@Mike197602 (15487)
• United Kingdom
29 Apr 16
I like wood burning stoves but I've had a couple of issues with them First time was when I lived with my sis in the middle of nowhere gloucestershire...we had to go in the woods and collect dropped branches to burn. I got a lot and stacked then near to the stove inside...long story short they caught fire and I nearly burned a 700k house down Second issue was when I cooked eggs on the top...my sis went mad as we could never get rid of the cooking marks from the stove
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325321)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 Apr 16
We stack wood to the side of this but not touching it although it shouldn't be a problem - long as the glass door stays securely shut. Should be as safe as houses - Haha! I've never cooked on the top of this as it's in the lounge and a little distance from the kitchen.