Bar-b-q Season Approaches.

Be Prepared, That's what Baden Powell has taught me and what better way is there to prepare for the first days of outdoor cooking than by the production of charcoal.

Last years efforts to use this highly advanced charcoal production facility



produced some fine ash on the first attempt, the second attempt fairing little better, with this measly quantity resulting from hours of hard work filling the apparatus with cut branches.



The difficulty is shutting all the air out at the right time (when the smoke changes colour, although that's all very subjective). After some high tech modification, (a bit of fire proof material and a couple of pieces of wire) Saturdays attempt could, at best, be called underdone. However, it is black, lighter than it was and something I can place in the bar-b and set fire to....



Needless to say, we'll be enjoying tommorrows bank holiday with a bar-b-q lunch. Mrs VL's convinced is going to light, burn with a good flame and dissapear inside 5 mins. If you don't hear anymore on this subject, that's probably what happens!!

Groundskeeper Willie was involved in the last attempt, and will surely advise that it's so cheap to buy it's not worth the effort. The Saw Sharpner and Peggys Aunt are visiting week after next. He's bound to have some good advice, when he's done with the saw, we can set to work and have another go....