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Original poster

Thread 11 - TalkLair: “The candle flame gutters. Its little pool of light trembles.”

990 replies

Kucinghitam · 19/11/2023 15:47

Whoops, missed the filling up of the previous thread! (thread 10).

Although the nights are gradually drawing in, the new lair of JTT escapees is all cosy and homey inside. The hearth is glowing, the walls covered in dubious artwork, books by non-approved authors line the shelves, rugs are down on the floors (and assorted pets curled up on them).

We just won’t mention the gnawed bones of our prey over there in the corner of the cave…

Thread 10 - TalkLair: “The candle flame gutters. Its little pool of light trembles.” | Mumsnet

Continuation of previous threads (thread [[https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/4860368-thread-9-talklair-russells-teapot-goes-on-being-round? 9]]). Al...

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/4900593-thread-10-talklair-the-candle-flame-gutters-its-little-pool-of-light-trembles?

OP posts:
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68
VictorianBigot · 30/11/2023 17:08

@Vegemiteandhoneyontoast I really struggle with the summer. My mood plummets as the nights get lighter… I dread it every year.

VictorianBigot · 30/11/2023 17:09

@Kucinghitam I feel so left out! Am I, and perhaps @MouseMinge, the only TalkLairers without a fire?

Vegemiteandhoneyontoast · 30/11/2023 17:13

VictorianBigot · 30/11/2023 17:08

@Vegemiteandhoneyontoast I really struggle with the summer. My mood plummets as the nights get lighter… I dread it every year.

I struggle with the heat in summer but enjoy the light nights and the birds singing me to sleep.

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Original poster
Kucinghitam · 30/11/2023 17:16

VictorianBigot · 30/11/2023 17:09

@Kucinghitam I feel so left out! Am I, and perhaps @MouseMinge, the only TalkLairers without a fire?

Ooh, good question!

We (DH and I) are fully expecting wood burners to be banned at least in urban areas sooner rather than later, and we do know all the arguments about particulates and pollution. But for now, we still have seasoned logs in the store, and it's fucking freezing, and there's something so magical about a real fire at this time of year.

I do think we won't be buying any more wood, though. Just finishing what we have, which will probably take us to spring. After that I'll have to make do with a heated gilet and some twinkling fairy lights in the wood burner to look at.

OP posts:
SinnerBoy · 30/11/2023 17:32

How will they enforce any ban? It's been reported that there will be a ban on people getting new ones, but there are several firms near me and they seem to be busy.

artant · 30/11/2023 19:39

@VictorianBigot central hearing here but no fire. There is a fireplace but the chimney would need reclining and uncapping and I doubt we’re allowed to burn anything much anyway.

Dotellhimpike · 30/11/2023 20:21

I don't have a fire, a crime for which my cats will never forgive me.

Winterborne74 · 30/11/2023 20:21

No fire here. Am annoyed I found out about how polluting they are before I was in a position to get one installed. I adore a fire. When I told a colleague how much I’d secretly love one in the context of a discussion about air quality his arch response was “I too love the sound of asthmatic children coughing…”. Killjoy.

The Menopause thread gave me a much needed giggle, so thanks @Kucinghitam .

VictorianBigot · 30/11/2023 21:04

I’d love one but Kasper is such a dope he’d lose his whiskers before I even got it lit.

MouseMinge · 30/11/2023 21:24

I'm without a fire and I would LOVE one! I probably have the worst heating of everyone on the thread, night storage heating, too. That said, and as I've repeated ad nauseam, it works well and the flat is mostly warm. I have a blanket over me today because despite the overall warmth, it's a bit parky and my legs and feet are on the cold side.

Today I had a small win. All of my meds are now either effervescent or chewable and therefore easy to swallow. The difference is ENORMOUS! I also got cc-d on a couple of letters from two consultants and now have a better idea of what my cancer is and more details that I've figured out from a little Googling. I will take all the small wins I get!

I'm currently watching Double Indemnity and if I'm not falling asleep later I'll watch The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp which is high up on my list of favourite films. All in all a not too bad day.

Britinme · 30/11/2023 22:15

No fire here but the central heating is nice and warm.

Britinme · 30/11/2023 22:17

I am feeling slightly off.colour today - nothing dramatic just headache and slightly yuck - so I have been binge-watching the Professionals version of Bake Off as the finale of the amateur version isn't steamed here until tomorrow.

SqueakyDinosaur · 30/11/2023 22:24

Any winter-lovers might like to check out the annual thread which is a real-time read-through of Nigel Slater's Christmas Chronicles, with lots of cooking and chat, even if you don't have the book. I'm also enjoying the Poncetastic Christmas thread.

BinturongsSmellOfPopcorn · 30/11/2023 23:45

Grr. I think we have a mouse. There are noises in the understairs cupboard.

Vegemiteandhoneyontoast · 01/12/2023 08:14

The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp

Love that film too and have watched it many times. Glad you're keeping cosy and staying comfortable.

Original poster
Kucinghitam · 01/12/2023 09:31

BinturongsSmellOfPopcorn · 30/11/2023 23:45

Grr. I think we have a mouse. There are noises in the understairs cupboard.

I could lend you a NotMyCat?

OP posts:
BinturongsSmellOfPopcorn · 01/12/2023 09:47

I may need to take you up on that. The cat who was determined to move in last time we were bemoused has since shunned us as cat-rejecting monsters.

DeanElderberry · 02/12/2023 16:37

I've missed most of this thread and will have to go back to the beginning and catch up, but wish to register a complaint about COLDNESS and particularly the unfairness of having to WASH MY HAIR in this weather. ugh.

I have definitely got soft with age, I remember 50 something years ago being amused when my hair froze solid into little personal-to-me icicles on my way home from St Augustine's swimming pool in Norwich. Teenagers are weird.

Vegemiteandhoneyontoast · 02/12/2023 16:53

@duc748 you could ask MNHQ for it to be moved to Chat, they ought to be okay with that.

Vegemiteandhoneyontoast · 02/12/2023 16:56

Very cold here too, Elderberry. -2C about 7am and then the display on the weather station showed the temperature gradually dropping to -4C over the next few hours. It hasn't even reached 0C here today. BUT, there are festoons of icy cobwebs and they're very pretty.

We had a visit from Mr Veg's cousin so I made a big pile of sausage rolls to have with tea. Thought there would be some left for later but we scoffed the lot.

DeanElderberry · 02/12/2023 17:38

It got above 0 here for a couple of hours mid-afternoon so it's 'warmer' than yesterday, but the forecast for overnight is down to -5. uggy ugh.

duc748 · 02/12/2023 17:55

Some actual snow here this afternoon. Just a light dusting. My resolution for go down the pub tonight may well be tested; hard to leave the fireside.

Britinme · 02/12/2023 20:41

We're still just above freezing here, and no snow in our area yet, which is fairly unusual for this time of year in Maine. Gulf Stream packing up?

VictorianBigot · 02/12/2023 22:04

I’ve been along the coast today. Went to get in my car to go home this eve and got a nice satisfying ‘crack’ as I yanked the door open and broke the ice. There was freezing fog and the fog horn was bellowing. The visibility was awful on the way back but it was also very pretty and a bit magical. On days like today I wish I lived in a lighthouse.

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