Heat and Light

In the cafe at the organic farm shop near Cirencester, UK, they have a huge log stove with a big steel chimney rising a long way to the roof. The chimney has a wonderful patina that complements the atmosphere of roaring logs and steaming plates. I have often gazed enviously at it while working my way through their enormous salads. When we installed a stove at home, I had high hopes of something similar. Well, it took a long time - in fact several years - before the obstinate shiny surface transformed into the colourful, lived-in appearance of my dreams. It caught my eye in this morning light as I sat to transfer yesterday's beekeeping observations to an electronic record

We have not lit the stove yet this autumn - the heat of this alarming summer seems to be hanging on and on. If only we could enjoy it without worrying about why