I'm not safe out on my own!

If you read yesterday's Journal Entry you might have noted that one of my minor accomplishments was the emptying of the embers from the Log Burner. This needs doing every few days to ensure that it burns well. The embers can be very hot so they're shovelled in to a metal bucket, which is left in the carport while the embers cool to ashes.

The cooling time is a key point and I clearly remember reminding 30% that the bucket needed leaving for a couple of days before it was tipped in the dustbin.

Unfortunately I didn't heed my own warning ... let me explain. 

Alan was due to arrive around lunchtime to collect the Series 2. So, for the fourth time in the past few days, I again needed to clear the garden chairs, barbecue etc from around the Land Rover so that it could be winched out and on to a transporter. 

The bucket of ashes was sat in the carport and I chucked them in to the black wheelie bin without a moment's thought.  The area around the vehicle was now clear and I headed indoors to continue with my day.

All was well until there was an urgent knocking on the door. On opening the aforementioned portal I found Josh, one of our workmen, looking a little flustered. "You've set your bin on fire" he advised, and he almost managed to conceal a grin.

I went outside to investigate and I had done a proper job. The black bin was melted from rim to base, and its contents were spilling from a 10" wide wound. The adjacent recycling bin fared slightly better, but it too was going to need to be replaced.

I am such a tool!

Having ensured that the bin fire had been extinguished, I then spent a merry twenty minutes on the internet and phone arranging for the two bins to be replaced. The cost of my idiocy; sixty three of your Great British Pounds.

Nursing my bruised wallet, I spent much of the day injuring my bank balance even further. The 5 Series insurance and warrantee were renewed and it also needs an oil service, so that got added to the list of work that will be done when it goes to the local dealership on 5th February.

Obviously the Series 2 did get dragged off the premises at lunch time and Alan did his best to make my bank balance look a little healthier by paying the outstanding balance on the car.

So that was my day; Arson, Administration & Automotive Antics.