It has been a strange year, with many ups and downs.

 The most recent of which was our chimney fire.

Without the dog waking us it could have been a very different tale.

 



 Propping up the chimney stack to assess the damage safely

 

 Mantlepiece removed

 

 New beam ready to go in.

Upcycled about 4 years ago.

We were visiting a friend who was going to put it in a fireplace and changed his mind.

He was about to take it to the tip, so in the back of our van it went.

Hubby was going to use it as a door lintel in the barn, it was the exact size for this job!

 

 Easing the old one out.....carefully!

 

 Out it comes

 

 New one in

 

 The old ones

 

 Hole blocked for the night

 

 Cutting a new register plate.

Again recycled!

Steel plate that has been on site for 13 years.

 

 Getting that hole cut in the correct place was no easy task.

 

Fire back in and working, safely.

Just need a new mantelpiece.

Watch out - we might be after that bit of wood you have lying around!

 

It makes you think what could have happened.

And how lucky I am to have a husband who put the fire out without too much damage and was able to fix it again.