Winter Warmers

Energy supplier just saying the contract is ending! Gas bill hikes glower on a chilly horizon! The thermostat is already turned to a slightly uncomfortable lower setting, for less hours.  And this evening is frosty. Time to turn to the trusty blanket and hot water bottle. Luckily, there is a selection to choose from. Although not my childhood favourite – the hot brick. This needs an Aga to sit in all day and plenty of old towels to wrap it in. Ahh, the scorched-cloth smell of bedtime and the ultimate comfort of centring your derriere and dreams around upon an oblong of baked earth. No Aga oven now though, so on to hot water alternatives.

First, the copper. We’ve had her in the family as long as I can remember and she’s the kind of item that it’s nice to think of using on folksy nights with calico nightdress, curling rags and candleholder casting flickering shadows up the stairs. However, she is an antique in every way and rattles alarmingly when moved, which we suspect are her inside rivets. So, she’s always put back on the shelf with the thought that she might work better as a colander.

Then there’s the modern-day rubber version. Easy come, easy go with no staying power either to holding heat – by morning I’m keeping it warm – or longevity. Either the seal on the screw lid perishes or the insides weld together or it just bursts. The result is the same and always occurs at 2 o’clock in the morning. The anticipation of the inevitable puts a regular damper on user experience.

The ceramic affair is a new acquisition, spotted in a second-hand shop by my sister and looks as if it may breach the gap between brick and rubber. Like a teapot it needs to be warmed before the boiling water is added. It also needs a thick woolly cosy to prevent blisters. And if a couple of tea-bags are inserted, hey presto! when dusky morning arrives, re-use and re-cycle with a cheering mug of the brown stuff. Sounds like a winner to me.