nishatalitha

We ran our six hours without essential electricity drill today. We left the fridge going, the hot water cylinder, allowed the dryer to finish when it was still running at 3:00pm, and turned on the outside light so tamarillow didn't walk into the barbeque when she got home in the dark.

Things we discovered:

1. Potato and kumara take about an hour and a half in the fire and taste absolutely delicious, particularly the kumara, which caramelises slightly;
   
2. The fire will sufficiently heat butter so garlic butter can be made for garlic bread;
   
3. Tea light candles do not in fact give off much light, even if you're using about 20 of them;
   
4. The tall candle tapers need not to be in the heat or they slump;
   
5. Putting mirrors behind the candles increases the level of light;
   
6. Embroidery by candlelight is hard - how to ruin your eyes 101;
   
7. It's so quiet;
   
8. Don't put lots of tea light candles on a metal baking tray on a glass table (we didn't crack the table, which is good, but note for next time);
   
9. If it's miserable weather, like tonight, arrange things so that the person barbequeing is standing in the shelter of the front door, rather than in the rain;
   
10. Electric light is awesome.

We were actually fine in terms of supplies. Things we would like to get include another torch, particularly a free-standing upright one to use instead of gazillons of candles, and some actual candle holders, rather than using jam jars, small dishes and plates. But those are all along the lines of creature-comforts, rather than necessities, so I feel fairly good about our state of preparation.

Of course, we have a huge mess to clear up now, but we are all taking a break, checking the internet (oh, the addiction) and having a hot drink.