The past two days we lit the Rayburn and Jon is becoming more accomplished in the task of lighting the fire and getting it to heat the house. Though, it has to be said, he's becoming a bit too adept! To say we were warm is an understatement. Even the cat needed to get out into fresh air as we were all sweating buckets! The extra blankets on the bed were certainly not required, in fact we opened the windows to let some cool air in. The temperature gauge on the Rayburn goes up to 300 degrees Celsius (max) - not sure what happens once it goes above that!
Some of the logs are mimosa and these (being dry and seasoned) burn very well. Jon has found that three or four of the logs will keep the Rayburn going all day, rather than the split logs, that burn faster. The logs kept whole, also seem to generate more heat once they have caught.
Jon made a delicious wintery chestnut soup, though it was a fiddly job shelling and skinning the chestnuts.
I made a bean bake and allowed it to slow cook in the Rayburn.
Showing posts with label chestnuts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label chestnuts. Show all posts
Saturday, 7 November 2009
Thursday, 29 October 2009
Woodland Walk
We visited a place called Mata da Margaraça, in the Serra do Açor today, to do a geocache. The place was was another geocaching gem.
We managed to find an English written book in the information centre on fauna and flora of the Serra da Estrela mountain range. We had a quick walk down to the river, collecting sweet chestnuts from the ground as we went. We also managed to get a booklet from the information centre indicating 5 other short walks in the local area, and we are looking forward to attempting these.
Another glorious day, still too hot for us to do any serious walking.
On the way back home we made a diversion to Arganil to do a little bit of shopping at Intermarche. We are now equipped with one of their loyalty cards that enables you to get some items at a lower price, as well as collecting points to spend on electrical equipment.
En route we stopped at the Mendes Bar at Secarias. Jon was feeling ravenous, and brave enough to face the prospect of trying to order some food in a Portugese establishment.
In the end we enjoyed a three course meal, with wine and coffee, all for the princely sum of 5.50 euros each! Amazing. We were convinced they'd undercharged us but they were insistent!
Can't believe it's Thursday again, the weeks go so fast!
We managed to find an English written book in the information centre on fauna and flora of the Serra da Estrela mountain range. We had a quick walk down to the river, collecting sweet chestnuts from the ground as we went. We also managed to get a booklet from the information centre indicating 5 other short walks in the local area, and we are looking forward to attempting these.
Another glorious day, still too hot for us to do any serious walking.
On the way back home we made a diversion to Arganil to do a little bit of shopping at Intermarche. We are now equipped with one of their loyalty cards that enables you to get some items at a lower price, as well as collecting points to spend on electrical equipment.
En route we stopped at the Mendes Bar at Secarias. Jon was feeling ravenous, and brave enough to face the prospect of trying to order some food in a Portugese establishment.
In the end we enjoyed a three course meal, with wine and coffee, all for the princely sum of 5.50 euros each! Amazing. We were convinced they'd undercharged us but they were insistent!
Can't believe it's Thursday again, the weeks go so fast!
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