The weather forecast is predicting that a summer heatwave is just two or three days away but once again it’s time to think about the oncoming winter and get that wood supply sorted out and stacked up ready for when the weather is not so “user friendly”.
A combination of high gas prices, a certain Vladimir Putin who seems to have his hand on the gas tap of Europe and concerns about reducing the carbon footprint of heating the house during the winter has meant a resurgence of the older system of keeping warm – burning logs. The new breed of highly efficient reverse flame wood burning stoves has also meant that one again the smell of wood smoke will be in the air as things get cooler here.
The main problem is getting the wood to the house as the steep, narrow streets and alleyways in Barga Vecchia make transporting the logs a time consuming business. For many people the three wheeled Ape is still the best way of getting the wood to the door. Stacking the wood and keeping it dry can also be a problem for those without large cantinas or courtyards.
All was going well this morning stacking up the faggio – beech wood and then came the surprise – a hidden watcher in amongst the logs – a brown toad suddenly popped up out of nowhere. No idea how he or she managed to survive as the logs were dumped on the ground, but survive he or she did.