Our slow-combustion woodfire came with the house twenty-seven years ago, and it was definitely well past its use-by date. So we called the local BARBEQUES GALORE who sent out Nathan who ripped it out, and suggested we choose something nicer and newer.
So it's back to Barbeques Galore tomorrow morning with the chequebook and, always provided they have what we want in stock, back to Nathan to instal it just in time for those long cold winter nights in front of a blazing fire with a good book and a glass of steaming-hot Glühwein.
Better late in autumn than never!