firestarter

back in northumberland for a few days and press-ganged into work immediately (well, i do get paid, it's not that bad). perishing cold outside, so i got a nice indoor job, scrubbing a kitchen. meanwhile, dad was out in the garden burning a monster pile of rubbish. far more fun!

my parents have always had an open coal fire in their houses, and i've had a fascination with (and healthy respect for) fire since i can remember. i used to love helping my dad set the stubble burning when we were on the farm (in the days when you could do that). my mother wasn't impressed when she found out mind...

never thought i'd come in handy, but it did when i was in australia. on a bus trip along the great ocean road in the aussie winter, we were staying in a hostel with no proper central heating, but a big fireplace in the lounge. cue a dozen backpackers looking blank and horrified... no worries,' says me, spotting the logpile in the back. handily, i had a newspaper in my pack and there were enough smokers to provide sparkage. cue blazing fire :-)

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mild backblippery from here in case you're interested...