Logs for a Woodburner

arrived yesterday at 9h. Six steres. Whilst admiring how well the logs were stacked on the trailer to prevent tumbling and being nervous about the discharge, I didn't notice that they were 500mm in length until after the chap had left. When my friend arrived, I began to consider the strategy to work together in a confined space. I realised that the first one did not fit between the two towers I had prepped in the 'shed'.  I'd used the logs from last year which were 330mm. HELP!!!! The very large thick logs don't burn that well in my particular woodburner. The 50cm logs would fit into the large woodburner but not the small one. How would I manage later in the year? I would have to find someone to chainsaw them and anyway they were far too heavy for me to carry.  After controlling the rising panic, I drove to the man's house. ! He remembered but had forgotten that I'd asked for the metre lengths to be cut into thirds. After many merdes he admitted it was his fault. I admire that because I have observed that some French people do not like to apologise! He was so good.

He came with his tronçonneuse and cut nearly all the lengths into two. That took another two hours. My friend began to clear logs from the road. She placed them on the 'horse', the man sawed cut them in half or one third and two thirds and I threw the smaller logs further into the courtyard. The pile grew ever larger.  At the same time I started stacking in the 'shed' room but it was a slow process with little bits and many triangular pieces!!!! After a while, I thought smaller logs were to my advantage. We'd also contacted my friend's son and although he'd brought his chainsaw, by then it wasn't necessary.  He started stacking elsehwhere and eventually finished all the stacking, whilst she and I carried the logs to him into the wood store.  We saved all the sawdust.. because if I don't use it my Raku pottery teacher will.

Although I am paying a high price for the logs it is not as high as it could be. I am not complaining.  I know how many hours it takes to go the woods and log the trees, move to keep them for three years, then cut and move again, then deliver where they have be carried and stacked again.  And the work is not without its danger. Falling trees or logs can cause injury.

What annoys me is when someone asks to be paid for travelling to work. It's because I've offered that in the past when I've been grateful for emergency help in difficult circumstances; therefore had set a precedent. Well, I missed that squeeze on this occasion!  I've been too generous when I was more flush!  If the cost of labour can't be reduced then I'll have to seriously consider whether or not to employ him.  I suppose there shouldn't be financial consideration as to whether a person is old and frail or fit and young, a pensioner or an employee, a friend or stranger, but my pensionable income only goes so far.  I know that one's hourly rate is one's hourly rate but I have had to adapt my teaching fees per hour in the past. Maybe this person deosn't need employment. His rate was way higher than the minimal hourly wage!
Also I suppose having lived with a male friend for so many years when we were mutually supportive it comes as a shock to be without assistance and as a single female I now have to pay for practical support.
Maybe it is true what a friend once said and that I do live in Cloud Cuckoo Land.

I was indeed truly grateful for both men helping us two women and also saving my dilemma.  I am hoping to swap 8 hours labour with my friend if she will let me!

I don't know what the cost of heating or the price of logs is in UK. My room temperatures never rise above 20C. That would be heaven. Generally it's between 12C and 18C.  However, I prefer to feel the heat and see the flames in a fire. I'm happy to suffer a little and put on layers of clothing: if necessary wear a coat and hat indoors.  I remember my aunt and grandmother doing that! 

An electric log splitter

This is for 'puppyfur' who has made an enquiry with regard to an elecric logsplitter.
In France it is called un fendeur / une fendeuse!
I bought mine from Bricomarche and it has been worth the expense even though sometimes I curse it!
It needs two hands for safety: a thumb on the right hand presses the button and the left hand depresses the handle... both at the same time.
I forget how many tons of force it is supposed to create on the log. It is fierce and not completely safe if a log falls off and lands on one's toes so get ready to leap backwards or to one side and mind your fingers too!
Plug the machine into a power source with space around it,  especially for logs to leap forward as they split. If the wood is dry they seem to pop very quickly!  If the wood is knotty then the log won't split and gets jarred onto the wedge so then you need a large metal lever to bash it back off the wedge!  Experimenting with a log to find where it will split can be a bit of a challenge!  I use my machine on the ground... but some people put it on a table... either way you have to lift the logs!!!! The machine is heavy and unwieldy. I also fill the distance between the part that pushes the log and the actual log with a squared section of part of a log which if you are patient will get made!!!! Then the pusher doesn't have to travel so far!
My logs are one metre lengths which arrive at my house cut into thirds. I could do with a merlin or axe-like thingy which I used to use to split logs in my younger days but I don't have the muscle to lift my arms and it high above my head with legs astride and thwack it safely down to see that satisfying split of ancient wood!  Neither can I wield a chainsaw, nor would wish to!  I could do with a set of muscles to help me!

Mathematics

Vocabulary for Volume
One stère is equal to one cubic metre.
The derivation is from  Greek στερεός stereos which means 'solid'.
Evidently, in 1793 France began to use this terminology as a metric equivalent to the cord which is used in Canada and USA.  A cord is equivalent to 3.62 m³. I can't understand that,  so ... we'll keep with the stère (pronounced stair) which is used for measuring large quantities of firewood or other cut wood, whilst the cubic metre is used for uncut wood.


Although my woodburner is still in use, mainly for mornings and evenings, or if the weather becomes more humid, I thought I would record the quantity of logs that I have burned since the Autumn when I began with 10 stères.  Now I have about 2½ stères in store so I have burned 7½ stères.
One stère cost me about 43 euros.  
43 x 7 = 301 + 22. 
Therefore, winter fuel has cost me about 323 euros. But wait!
Divide by 6 months = 53.8 euros per month, which is about 13.50 euros per week or 1.80 euros per day.
For budgetary purposes, it makes an average for the year of 26.90 euros per month or 6.72 per week or about 1 euro per day!
Add the cost of woodburner glass cleaner products, firelighters, matches, as well as the log splitter (a 200 euros investment that does a job I would not be able to do otherwise!)  Kindling wood has been free.  I inherited a lot of old wood but most of it needs to be sawn so I will have to pay someone to do that.  I also add the cost of a monthly newspaper I subscribe to as it is used for the fire once read!
Of course, it was a relatively mild winter apart from the 3 weeks of THEBIGFREEZE so the calculations cannot be applied to any other year.  As reported earlier it was not warm outside and not warm in my house!  I do NOT have central heating!  Me THINKS...I need to budget in the cost of the electricity bill  as there were many occasions especially in THEBIGFREEZE when I just had to get some extra warmth from a free-standing radiator,  even though I was wearing a coat, hat and scarves for most of the day and night!!!!!!

These figures indicate that I could order 10 stères for next winter but it would be better if I were to order 15 stères,  as I hope to run two woodburners in my L-shaped house next winter, and IF I am brave enough to give WinterinFrance another go I could burn more and be warmer at not much greater a cost. I was cautious and careful this year.  However, it may well be the case that my new source of oak logs will be more expensive and oh if the pensionable income goes down  a re-think may have to be made.  The beauty is that logs not burnt in any winter can be stored until the following winter.
At least, for me it has has been an interesting mathematical exercise!  

Fire and Ice

I woke up this morning, eager for the day, 

things to do and happy to say

that I am burning almost the last log of 5 steres.

Ho hum.

The winter has been mild and 'we', the 'Royal we', made savings 

and now pay for it later.  

It is the Law of Life. 

I complain not,  until,  I view my other woodburner
which at about 11pm last night I lit to warm up the icy rooms where lie oak parquet.  

Trees stand in winter so why did I do that when I am not there and cannot afford this year to keep the two fires alight night and day.  

It is an L shaped house - ground floor only - a veritable bungalow
with two large cavernous empty attics.  

Digression! 

On the hearth is a brown liquid which stops before it spills over the edge. 

 Behind the dead fire is evidence that treacly stuff has gone below the glass.  

I have emailed the Monsieur and sent photos but no reply. It is Saturday.  Monday I am sure they are closed. Tuesday I will be calling in! Monday I will call my insurance company. 

I cannot understand. 

Only two weeks ago the fire was blazing for a good 12 hours
and le chaleur was impressionant a mes amis. 

Pourquoi ????? For what indeed!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am concerned that I shall only feel secure if the whole job is refait!

          Meanwhile just outside the door of the same room hangs an icicle.  My very own! 

LANGUAGE:

le chaleur = the heat or warmth
impressionnant = impressive
Le travail devra être refait  = The work will have to be redone.