18 cubic metres of firewood

Last Thursday, the lorry arrived in our yard with the firewood we had ordered. Tailgate open, tipper up — and within minutes, 18 cubic metres of dry, split birch lay in front of our little woodshed. I had estimated its capacity at just under 20 cubic metres, while we reckon we need around 14–16 cubic metres a year for the house and sauna. I am expecting a long, cold winter — the migratory birds left our region noticeably earlier than in recent years — and I like to have a little in reserve. A lorry can carry a maximum of 18 cubic metres, so deciding how much to order was easy.

Putting all those birch logs away took rather longer. Every single piece had to be “personally” carried to its place. By Saturday, everything was stacked away, just in time for the approaching drop in temperature.

During those hours of rather meditative work, I found myself smiling at memories of life in Switzerland, when I used to buy firewood for the fireplace at petrol stations, at astronomical prices…

Here in the North, a reassuring supply of firewood is no luxury. Our log house is very well insulated, but temperatures below −30°C are still something to reckon with! There is also a very different sense of warmth from the one you get with central heating, knowing that every log we burn has already passed through my hands several times.