Sometimes, the wood burner can a pig. Yesterday, for example. LA laid it, lit it and it went out. So, I re-laid it, re lit it, and it went out. Again. Third time lucky, and with a load of firelighters (cheating) it went. Reluctantly.

Other times, it's a joy. this evening, 18 hours after yesterday's fire had been abandoned for the night, there was still a tiny glow in the embers. A few pieces of kindling later we had a fire. Now it's roaring away. No matches, no firelighters, yesterday's fire, still burning.