Heating and Hot Water: Central heating and hot water are provided by a GlowWorm boiler powered by courtyard LPG cylinders. Settings for both are controlled using a Hive thermostat. The Hive heating settings can be adjusted if needed during your stay. You won’t need to touch the hot water setting. Click the image for more information.
Cooking: Options include electric kettle, toaster, induction hob, convection oven. Please use the noisy exhaust fan when cooking to reduce condensation and open a window or door in nice weather. Click the image and read the instructions kept at the flat before you use the induction hob and oven. Induction hobs are responsive and fast, but need a saucepan base that is flat, smooth, clean and magnetic. If you have a pacemaker, don’t hang out near the hob when it’s on.
Cooling: Brighid the Fridge is the Goddess of the Hearth. Set at 3 to start – that should keep the freezer at freezing and keep her chill. She can’t defrost herself. When closing up the flat, turn her off and wipe her down and leave her doors propped open.
Bathing: There are two showers, but they both work in the same fashion. One knob (on the right with red button) controls temperature and one knob (on the left) controls pressure. They run off mains water heated from the boiler and work well. Both bathrooms have heated towel rail radiators and exhaust fans. Please use the exhaust fans when showering. The small bathroom has a wall-mounted Dimplex heater. The big bathroom has a tub. And there are towels and a hair dryer at the flat.
Sleeping: The bedroom has a double bed, and the sofa in the living room converts to a comfy sleep sofa. Sheets, comforters, and pillows are provided. Two ThermaRest camp mattresses are stored under the double bed, and they can also be used with the sleep sofa mattress if you need more cushioning. Remove them (and any bedding) before closing the sofa! The sofa upholstery is stain and water resistant, but please don’t eat or drink on the sofa.
Laundry and Cleaning: In the boiler cupboard you’ll find a friendly vacuum cleaner, broom, mop and bucket, and other cleaning implements. The flat has a combination washer/dryer. It’s likely different from the washing machines and dryers you’re used to using, so Click the image for more information, and read the instructions and suggestions at the flat.
Wi-Fi, Phone Calls, Music, and Television: The flat has high-speed Wi-Fi and a somewhat smart television. Click the image for more information. The guest Wi-Fi password is kept with instructions at the flat. Be sure you understand your cell phone plan international options before you leave the US. There’s a phone box round the corner at the St. Just bus station if you need it.
Firing Up: A small multi-fuel stove now sits proudly in the Victorian fireplace. The fireplace was fashioned from cast iron and Saint Anne’s marble (quarried in Belgium or France). There is no flue to open or close. Instructions for use of the stove are at the flat. Wood can be bought at the Co-op; and a couple of pieces of smokeless coal or other manufactured fuel can be added once the fire is established. There’s extra coal in the courtyard coal bunker.
Quirky Things: When water is running in a bathroom, it sounds like a drip in the kitchen – no drip, it’s an old mechanical water meter in the wall behind the kitchen sink. Condensation can be an issue thanks to weather and 1840s construction – open windows and doors when you can and use exhaust fans when cooking and showering. There’s a useful dehumidifier in the kitchen.
Flat Two 