I was having a discussion with an acquaintance the other day about Electrical, Gas and Solid Fuel Heating and I told him how I collect and burn all my own wood collected from the Woods around me.

His reply to this was “Seems like work to me”.

Well, it is a true statement I guess. I don’t have a ‘proper job’ as many would call a 9-5, five days a week salaried poisiton.
So, ‘they’ would work 35 hours a week and use part of those earnings to pay for their fuel.

I on the other hand, work less hours, but have to ‘work’ to save the money I would spend if I did have a ‘proper job’.

Confused? Yes, so am I !! I will try and explain.

In the last two days I have spent some 8 hours collecting wood.
For the kindling I take a large Laundry Bag and happily snap away through my little Copse at the bottom of the Lane.
Two bag fulls will keep me going for about 8 weeks.

For the medium wood, I take a few journey’s bringing back with me about 8 pieces at a time, get them back, saw them up and bob’s your uncle.

The end result is that in only 8 hours, I have 8 weeks worth of small and medium wood for the Rayburn and open Sitting Room fires.
The wood is supplemented with Solid Smokeless Fuel. I get through about 15 bags in a Winter (Approx £110).

For larger wood, it’s a case of keeping your ears and eyes open. I’ve had some from Tree Surgeons, the Cricket Club and I have been known (very occasionally) to find and cut some myself!
Then of course, there’s my Eco Paper Log Maker (see my video clip on this here) using all the old newspapers and junk post to make yet more ‘free’ energy.

So, if I’m earning one third of the amount my aquaintance is, we’re probably spending the same amount proportionately. The exception is that I work to save money - he works to spend money !

But beside the pleasure of saving money, collecting wood can be a most satisfying experience.

There is nothing better than to walk into an empty wood and hear the sounds you try hard to identify.
You know you’re being watched, but know not by what. Every movement starts you wondering what it is. Theories from a Fox to Wild Cat creeping up go through your mind, but you usually come away unscathed.

The thing I find most enjoyable about my wood collecting is that it gives me time to think, whether it be a bit of inspiration for a new Web Page, memories from days gone by, planning ahead or just thinking about what’s around you.

On the way back, although a matter of only 300 meters or so, I walk past the wild Horseradish, the Blackberries, Elderberries and Chestnut Tree and think ‘all this for nothing, just a bit of time and work’.

Today we’re making Chutney’s from the Tomatoes and Onions in the Garden. Maybe 12 jars for the price of two packets of seeds and the day after that, the Horseradish Sauce.

All of this for not having a proper job!

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