Richard's Campfire

When you are ouside and want to have a campfire its really easy but you have to take some precautions.

First you have to do it in a safe place. Nowhere near dry undergrowth and not under very dry trees especially fir trees
Second, As much as you love them and trust them you can't really trust young people to light a fire. They don't think the same as adults. I once found a young scout about 14 about to throw a load of white spirit on a fire to light it. I only realised just in time and was able to stop him. They just don't see the dangers the way adults do.
Third. collect a pile of little bits of twig. Then a pile of slightly large twigs. Then some bigger pieces and then have a big load of old logs etc. Please never cut down a growing tree to use in the fire
Fourth. Roll up some newspaper and make a pile of paper and a good amount of twigs.
Fifth. Light the paper and keep feeding small twigs onto the fire. When it is going add bigger and bigger pieces until your fire is well lit. Be patient with the fire - it will get going. The trick is to have a really hot centre and then its lit.
Never, never never use accelerant like petrol or white spirit. These substances explode and can easily burn you. They also badly pollute the ground and the air you are breathing. They are also not very good at lighting a fire because they burn too quick.
Sixth. Make sure you keep the fire supplied with wood

When I emigrated to the US in 1957 with my Mum and Dad and my Brothers Adrian and Gerard we ended up in a town called Jackson Michigan where my father worked with the Consumer Power Company. My brothers and I attended the local Catholic school there. Within a very short time of our arrival we had a succession of people to the door bearing cakes and presents to welcome us to their community. They all became good friends and we are even in touch with one of them today.

The same happened when my wife and I moved to Wales from the London area in search of a better life. Almost the first people at the door were Richard and Menna with a bunch of scones she had baked. How great these visits are by the time you have reciprocated with a visit to their home and then their's to yours you are friends. They have been the best of friends for over 20 years until Richard passed on last year.

It has been fantastic to find that spirit alive and well in Squidoo. I have met some lovely people who I know already in a few months I would love to meet in Life - maybe for the future. There is the simple joy you get when someone visits and say they like your lens or your choice of movies or whatever. You visit their lenses and find some really interesting stuff so its not hard to say you like it. They revisit you and guess what you are friends or at least potential friends and part of the great community of Squidoo

Squidoo is an inclusive community stretching across the globe where you can meet the most wonderful people. In just a few months I know this is true. Its probably a little to do with writing because you can't help but put a bit of yourself in what you write.

That's not losing sight of the fact that many people try to sell things on Squdoo to raise money for charity or to help to make ends meet in these difficult times. Almost everything on my lens that is for sale can be bought by signing onto your own lens and buying them through you amazon link.

The only thing I am selling that is totally unique is weeks in my Spanish Villa. I hope one day that I can welcome one of you there.

I am looking forward to lots of visits and meeting more lovely people.