Hotchley Hill was not built with a fireplace, so there's no chance of roasting chestnuts on an open fire, and no mantel from which to hang our stockings. The chimney is much too small to climb down. There is supposed to be a stove in the corner, but it was smashed years ago and new ones are expensive.
...so in the Titfield Thunderbolt tradition, we made off with the donations box from Ruddington Visitor Centre. That being a Romesse Flat-Top with a coin-slot in the top. Alas it contained no money, but was generally sound, and we were able to find some replacement parts.
There is a new(ish) paving slab on top of the chimney to keep the rain out. We were kindly lent a 'proper' hammer-drill, and delicately cut a six-inch hole in the concrete. An admittedly-modern silicone flashing seals around the pipe, and a hat on top should stop pigeons finding their way in.
The stove was straightforward to assemble, and that just left cautiously lighting some old cardboard to see that the smoke goes up the flue, and nowhere else. You'll be pleased to hear that it does!
All that leaves is to string up some fairy lights and wish everyone a Merry Christmas. We will be back in the new year!
