Stephen CollinsOur small B&B cottage would normally be closed over Christmas to new year, but we've decided to open it up. If you feel like a post-Christmas getaway from the noise and city lights, come visit! We'll give you 10% off (Airbnb doesn't do discount codes, but I'll do it after you book and refund you if you DM me here or mention it when you book).
fukawi2@trib How do you go with the fireplace. We took it out of ours because I don't trust city folk to not do something dumb and cause a liability problem..... Am I being overly cautious?
Liam 
@phs I cut the wood to size and divide it 50-50 between eucalyptus and black wattle so that even people who have never made a fire can do it. We get the chimney cleaner in every year.
I always offer to show folks how to build a fire, and I’ve had 2 people take me up on it in 5 years.
@trib Fair enough. I'm mainly concerned they'll get it going then sit on it or lean on it or something, especially if they have kids.
@phs that’s a possibility, certainly. Nobody’s ever done anything quite so silly here (touches wood).
Chozari 賈 (she/her)@trib @phs I tried to show my sis’s husb how to build a fire once. I’d been watching him struggle half an hr. He got tetchy, carrying on about how it was dodgy wood. He clearly had no idea what he was doing so I felt sorry for him, but he’s the worst mansplainer I’ve ever met in my life, so I was conflicted. One more exasperated sigh from him & I went in.
I explained what green/unseasoned wood is, but that this wasn’t the issue. Offered to demonstrate, or just to do it for him.
NOPE.
@trib @phs eventually he did a resigned sigh, told nobody in particular the guy had sold him faulty firewood or there was too much humidity or whatever & left.
I got the fire going & went back to my book. I just sort of acted nonchalant & didn’t say anything when he came back & saw it roaring away. Clearly it was some sort of man-pride situation for him, which is of course nonsense. So, nor did he utter a word.
*giggle*
It was too bloody cold & I felt sorry for the kids. That’s my excuse.
@trib @phs It’s SO hard trying to relate to him. Omg. When someone spends time & energy teaching ME a skill I don’t have yet, the gratitude I feel is such a lovely sensation. I feel like they’re giving me a little present. I can’t imagine having his very “HOW DARE YOU IMPLY I DO NOT KNOW ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING!?” reaction & choosing to live life that way, when it must feel so awful to perceive a bit of help as an insult. None of us have EVERY SINGLE SKILL. Ain’t nobody showed us yet, is all.
Ewen Bell 📸