So long, farewell...

So, tomorrow the builders start work in the sitting room. This old fireplace has now burnt its last - in a week or two it'll be housing a sleek and stylish wood-burning stove.

We never liked the fireplace - contemplated ripping it out as soon as we moved in, but I'm glad we didn't. I think we'll appreciate the elegance of the stove all the more for having had the opposite for eight years. I won't miss it, that's for sure!