Thanks for the fabric conditioner recipe. I'll try that. White vinegar is no problem as I over-bought when in France.
A paper spill is a substitute for a taper. It's a long, thin thing that you can light from a gas ring, match, candle whatever and then poke it into the nooks and crannies of your pre-laid fire. You can buy fancy sort of wooden sliver jobbies in pipe shops (I'm told) but if you make your own you can save as much as 4p per annum I guess. It's the thought of something for nothing that gets me. Although I live in Yorkshire, my family are from Derbyshire and have deep pockets and very short arms.