First proper test of the stove next week

The weather is going to turn -- we're looking at close to frost temperatures next week. Keep fingers crossed the woodburner will cope with it. It's doing well so far -- it's 23 degrees in the living room while it's getting on for 6 degrees outside. Everyone said it: today was the first day that had a real chill in the air. Winter's on the way.

Our bag of own-grown Egremont Russets is shrinking quite fast: I've been eating up to three every day, possibly the reason why, for the first time in many, many years, I seem to have managed to fight off a cold.

Tasks for next week:

* carve Halloween pumpkin (ours will be green this year)
* get Halloween sweets for the little visitors
* dust off Boris the Skull
* bake apple cake