Kate has a pile of stuff to burn at the allotment nearly as tall as her, and our previous attempts to put a match to it have resulted in smouldering and disappointment. I figured what was needed was a chimney shape and was thinking about making it out of the pile of grass and other cut stuff, a sort of grass version of an earth kiln, that would burn from the inside out.

Boy am I glad I didn’t try that.

I bought a “furnace” from B&Q, which amounted to a metal bin with holes in and a lid with a chimney, and some firelighters. I chucked some wood and dry grass in the bottom of the bin and chucked a firelighter on top, and put a flame to it.

Dry grass burns rather well.

I think it’ll take weeks to burn all the stuff off. It’s a bit sad because if it had been cut before it went to seed it would have been good compost, and there is rather a lot of it! Still, Kate has her scythe now. Next I have to work out whether or not I’ve destroyed the blade with my sharpening method, as a sharp blade will be vital if we’re to avoid going to seed again next year.