Small things matter

[Joeboy]

First light of the WBS for the coming season, gave it a good clean out and resealed the stove to flue connection, new Stirling engine fan on and running perfectly, a cosy 24C at the mo.

Lovely, any chance of a cvi of the Stirling engine?

I'll video it but probably won't be able to upload it before tomorrow.

Is there a noise? Full on stand by mode.

[Joeboy]

My thoughts as well, OGB. We’re still at 22-23C internally. I’m still having to use my nocturnal cooling strategy - think it’s still one leg and half torso un-quilted.

Still having the doors open in the bedroom at night occasionally.

Allegedly, night temps could be in single figures over the weekend.

Again, always surprised at the variation in ambient temps across the country.

9 degrees here this morning outdoors!

[Oldgreybeard]

9 degrees here this morning outdoors!

Cool here, too. Just been out and it's 12°C in the shade at the rear of the house. Bit warmer out front in the bright sunshine, though.

[Fintray]

Lovely, any chance of a cvi of the Stirling engine?

I'll video it but probably won't be able to upload it before tomorrow.

Is there a noise? Full on stand by mode.

On the Warpfive's website it states 28dB as noise level.

[Oldgreybeard]

That's hypnotic. Better than watching the TV!

[Joeboy]

I'll video it but probably won't be able to upload it before tomorrow.

Is there a noise? Full on stand by mode.

On the Warpfive's website it states 28dB as noise level.

Outstanding bit of kit and possibly on the Xmas list.

[Joeboy]

Been home for a couple of days and into full on Winter mode!

Triple batch cooked a chicken scotch bonnet Balti curry on the induction hob, effortless cool cooking. Once cooked, transferred to WBS1 for a 8 hour simmer.

WBS1 is simultaneously drying three tumble dryer loads of towels n T shirts.

It has also supplied myself and No1 Son with endless hot water for coffee.

Oh aye, it's also heating a massive space. Couple it with the dehumidifier running at sub 200W and its a hell of an efficient combo machine.

2015 we consumed 32,000kWh of gas here. So far this year its 168kWh. That's a 99.475% reduction in gas use.

Small things do indeed matter!

[Joeboy]

Using Moxi's advice with the 1" chainsaw cut I am blitzing though these huge hardwood logs. What a difference that cut makes!

One big log section split down to two large muckabuckets, 23% moisture, now airdrying.

[Moxi]

I love processing wood, sadly the rain is horizontal here again today and even when it does clear up enough to go out I have a date with a family of Rats that have taken up residence adjacent to the chickens.

On a rare occasion when I was able to venture out and the weather was kind, I was able to bag a juvenile, but I missed its big pregnant momma as a gust of wind spooked her before was sighted and ready to shoot.

This year seems to have been a good one for the rats as they have been in abundance all year, around 12 so far have fallen to either the snap trap, the .22 or the .177. I think it is time to deploy the bait stations and rat bait although I prefer the idea of the swift dispatch of the former methods to the lingering drawn out affair of the latter option.

If you have access to some small hardwood wedges (or steel ones?) I would recommend tapping a few into the face of the lumber you intend to process for firewood, then every time you pass by just give each one a tap to take up any slack. Its impressive how this simple activity quickly gives you longitudinally split sections which can then, more easily, be cut to length as required.

Now I am feeling better (had pneumonia a few weeks back) I need to get out foraging for firewood again soon, we have had a few fires lately all off free wood that has been donated or foraged and it would be good to stay on the free stuff as long as practicable before starting into the bought firewood.

On the plus side all this bad weather has meant I have been able to catch up with everything on the forum that i had missed during my brief stay with the fabulous NHS staff at Ysbyty Gwynedd (Bangor Hospital)

Moxi

[Oldgreybeard]

Glad you're back on your feet again, Moxi. We have a major problem with rats here, living next to a stream doesn't help, as they seem to use that as a motorway. I hate the idea of poison, mainly because of the impact it might have on all the other wildlife we have around, especially our abundance of hedgehogs. A local farmer has a couple of really good Patterdale terriers, and they are unbelievably fast at despatching rats. Never ceases to amaze me, watching them at work.