Log fire at Stags Head during Dunster by Candlelight in West Somerset, Exmoor
Inns with log fires or any other sort of open fire are my favourite places to spend a sociable evening chatting. Log fires seem to lend themselves to conversation because they are so alive. They spit bits of wood, they burn brightly, they need refilling with logs and easily promote conversation.
Last weekend, I was at Dunster by Candlelight which is a very popular late night shopping event in West Somerset, UK. It was very cold but dry. the Morris Men were dancing in the streets and there were lots of free street entertainers keeping the crowds happy when they weren’t shopping.
Eventually, we found ourselves at the far end of Dunster in West Street at the Stags Head Inn which had a lovely wood fire giving out just the right amount of heat. We stood for a while talking but then a couple who were sitting by the fire gave up their seats to us because they were leaving. The lady told us she was the Treasurer of Williton Social Club and we should visit them sometime, which was very nice. Getting into conversations with strangers seems more possible sitting around an open fire in a pleasant village inn.
Log fires are also very green these days too because, as the trees grow, they mop up carbon dioxide in the atmosphere which, when it is released by burning the logs, makes a sustainable renewable cycle providing heat and quite a lot of pleasure to those sitting by the log fire.
More about my favourite English Inns – and perhaps some more open log fires – soon.
Bye for now
Rob
