A final and very thorough clean of the flue and Rayburn, always a messy job, and it has been necessary to do this once a month, followed by a total clean of the kitchen. Top to bottom - and that is despite using lots of dust sheets.
Cleaned, polished, ready to be moved on to another home. All those pipes at the side are normally hidden by the drawers which have had to be removed to facilitate the removal of the Rayburn.
The upper chimney/flue/China man's hat, removed from the roof. The inside was as clean as the outside, shows what a great job we made of cleaning it - well, we have had plenty of practice over the years!
Heave-ho and away he goes. Five men manhandled it out and onto a pallet.
...beautifully. Perhaps you were a little temperamental at times - when the wind was in the wrong quarter, or if you were being fed seasoned willow when you really fancied seasoned ash, but even so, you made life comfortable.
How would I rate you?
Definitely a great big 8/10, I would rate you 10/10 were it not for the mess of the big clean down.
Now on to the next big cooking adventure, when I finally make up my mind about what is to replace you in the cooking department.
Another fun day tomorrow, the heating engineer will be coming to fit the boiler, etc. etc.
On the plus side, the dead rat which I had told my husband (several months ago) that I could smell, has been discovered by one of the young plumbers. It seems that electronic ring of protection, plus the two cats, were no match for that chappie.
Another plus - at least I don't have to cook tonight.
What will you replace it with?
ReplyDeleteIt will be a range cooker, Sue. Gas burners, electric oven, with a gas combi-boiler to provide instant hot water and heating. We also have a log burner at the other end of the kitchen. Out here, it is always a good idea to have a range of options, especially in winter when we occasionally get cut off from civilisation.
DeleteWhat-a-job!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteVery interesting set of photos.
A lot of work and expense. Not even mentioning the mess. But you must have gotten "a pretty penny," for the Rayburn. ,-) They must be in demand.
All of this will be wonderful, after completion. And a wise move, to have been made, while it's still a choice.
Enjoy your pizza! ,-)
An expense we could certainly have done without, but when we were in our very early 50's we didn't think long enough and hard enough about how it would work as we got into our mid/late 60's...we had no idea that it would end up being such hard work, not the stoking of the fire, or the hauling of the logs, it was the need to sweep the chimney and lift the very heavy cast iron top off the Rayburn to sweep all the soot off the cooker and out into the ash box. Then clean up the kitchen and ourselves, scrub the floor... It wore us out.
DeleteNo pizza, no oven. No takeaways around here, Luna, no chance to just pick up the phone and order something. Sandwiches are the order of the day, luckily I make exceedingly good sandwiches, fruit and cheese for pudding. I doubt we would have the energy to eat much more anyway!
Not long after we moved into the smallholding in 1992 we had the Very Very old Rayburn taken out , as they began the job of moving it over the door step the whole lot fell to pieces in a great big heap of rust!
ReplyDelete( we put in a reconditioned one as a replacement and it kept going for the next 20 years)
Only people who have used a wood fired Rayburn know the meaning of the word DUST! I don't miss the dust at all.
Good luck with the next stage
Thanks, Sue. Good to know that I am not simply being a wimp! They are wonderful workhorses, but no one warns you about the mess, only the country dream! Of course it would help if I were rather more keen on doing housework. ;)
DeleteWell, congrats on getting rid of that stinky dead rat! I know removing the Rayburn was bittersweet for you. :: hugs ::
ReplyDeleteThank you. Decaying rats stink, it must have died during the winter, so the worst of the smell had dissipated when I went up there in the Spring. My snout caught the smell, his didn't...therefore I was imagining it!
DeleteWhat an intensive cleaning job. You should be proud of the results.
ReplyDeleteIt really is heavy, five men to carry it out!
Is it going on to be the heart of another home?
Five men, four could probably have managed, we had taken the really heavy hotplate from the top, plus the doors, off. All being well, it should be off and into another kitchen very soon. Despite the years of use, it is in very good condition, no chipped enamel, little short of a miracle, for I am clumsy.
DeleteSuch a good idea to have other options rather than just electric that would invariably be cut off regularly during the Winter months. Hope all goes well .
ReplyDeleteThe village can be cut off by flooding, or by snow, the one road which runs through is prone to problems at either side of the village. Quite fun when it happens, as long as you are prepared. The lane goes silent, people walk and visit one another, offer stores, supplies, and conversation. Quite wonderful, as long as it doesn't go on for more than a week or so!!
DeleteIt sounds painful! I imagine the cleaning aspect was grueling, but it's hard to say goodbye to an old, reliable friend. There is something special about wood. Have you decided on what will replace your Rayburn? I'm glad it's being passed on.
ReplyDeleteIt was a difficult decision, Susan, but eventually common sense and practicality has to rule. I think I have found a replacement, a range cooker, which should make life easier as we head into our dotage!
DeleteI think you gave up too easy, your as old as I am and my wife would not have let it go. Good luck with the new Kitchen
ReplyDeleteI can see why you may think that, Bill, but that is because I don't share all the facts on this blog. No new kitchen, there is nothing wrong with the old one. It is not age, but failing health, which is driving these changes.
DeleteMore adventures
ReplyDeleteOnward and upward, find a solution and run with it. Don't look back!
DeleteInteresting piece, and comments too. I look forward to following along to see how this all turns out.
ReplyDeleteOnce all is returned to normal you will scarcely notice the difference, Chip. We are simply facing up to what the future holds, making the changes while they are still possible.
DeleteBeautiful range. As I age there are some things that even though I could do them it just doesn't seem worth it. A few things here have also had to go but sometimes even knowing that it best without them there is almost always a bit of sadness as they go. I think that if I would have had to not keep that wonderful range I would have had to shed a few tears in private.
ReplyDeleteHello Lilacrosesandthemoon, It wasn't an easy decision to make, but practicality and health matters forced our hand. The 'replacement' arrives today, once it is in place most people would hardly notice the difference - and I will adapt in time. The process has meant a lot of upheaval, expense and hard work, but we are almost there now. Nice to meet you.
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