Fuel and Fire...

Living in the Campo presents many opportunities for collecting fuel for the winter. In a previous post I wrote about how the forestry commission cut down the pine trees and re-plant on a regular basis. This is to create fire breaks in the woods and reduce the risk of an all out inferno due to the extreme heat in the summer and the careless ciggy end thrown away....

This means that pine wood is cut every year and is freely available to all the local villagers. We have seen locals with trailers collecting logs/sticks and the odd scooter fully laden with bags of pine cones (ideal for lighting fires and BBQ'S) This year we invested in a Jeep Cherokee, a thirsty monster but ideal for the purpose of exploring the woods and reaching places that would normally be to far to carry big lengths of pine wood from.

Pine wood is tinder dry and great for the summer BBQ and winter fires, it is also much easier to light your stove for the evening with pine because olive and almond wood is very hard. Olive and almond lasts much longer but the initial stage of getting it going requires artificial lighters, plenty of paper and much observation - with pine you just throw a match on and go and do something else. A good mix of hard and soft wood will keep you toasty warm throughout the winter and into the bargain its free and you will be doing the forestry guys and the environment a favour.

Dont forget the neighbours... a half hour trip to the wood for your friends results in a friendly get-together and a few beers!