I have convinced myself that if we are to be more self sufficient, we need a solid-fuel Rayburn cooker in the kitchen. Most people in my close and extended family think I am mad, particularly my teenage son, who is, without avail, trying to drag me into the ‘future’.
Everyone felt this way, until, the electricity went out in our hamlet and beyond for 8 hours straight, for the 3rd time in 3 months! No kettle, no microwave, no central heating, no cooker, no hob (not to mention no computer consoles, no PC computers, no tv and no phone chargers!) In these moments, I feel completely disarmed, without any tools in the kitchen and without purpose. These experiences, in the death of winter gave me some leverage with my son, who is now all on board with my ‘crazy’ idea.
My husband tells me I need to do my research, so my ears pricked up when I heard my Mum talking about her cousins, both almost in their 80’s and both owning Rayburns. I learn cousin number 1 has a gas powered Rayburn, so she escapes a visit…for now. Cousin number 2 is 82 and has always had a wood-fired Rayburn. She is my maternal Grandfather’s sister and has the same doughty, stalwart spirit of my Grandad. She chops wood and stocks the cooker herself-a strong, resilient woman. I want to be like her at 82. I imagine myself at 82, wheeling a barrow full of sticks and branches and stocking my Rayburn. However, in reality, at present, we can barely keep the open fire alight each night. We are continually running out of chopped wood, as it’s such a time consuming, physically demanding task. We havent got into the swing of keeping our sticks and logs stocked up. Maybe the Rayburn idea is premature, I muse. Maybe we just are not ready for this, more self sustained type of life?
Yet when I get into the house later that day, the kitchen is cold and the central heating doesn’t give that instant, direct, comforting heat a fire brings. I search ebay again and again, hoping by some miracle someone is going to offer me one for free. I need an idea to raise some funds for my idea. An idea, to fund my idea. And to perhaps fund other ideas. But what…?