I know I'm late but I really didn't think I was going to create a post for today.
It's Blue Monday, but I didn't have anything blue to post...
...but then look who passed by in the lane!
It's Kevin the Coal Man!
(Seriously that's his name...you couldn't dream up this sort of stuff, honestly)
Now I realise that many of you may never have seen or known a coal man, or that they are still out there.
It's been many, many years since I've seen a Kevin coal man that's for sure.
No, I'm not going to try and guess how many because that's for me to know and you to wonder!
Anyway, I certainly didn't expect to see him come smiling down my lane in his truck or that I'd wave frantically at him to stop!
(I was having fun blowing all the fallen leaves at the time)
If you're a regular visitor here then you'll know that we have a wood burner, but we also have an open fire (in what will be the future studio) which could use coal as well as logs.
I do love to light this fire because unlike the wood burner you can actually hear it crackle, hiss and it smells wonderful.
So two bags full please Kevin!
But I didn't expect him to swing the load onto his back and walk them into the wood shed! I'd have thought Health & Safety would have been a biggy and this practice would have been superseded by some mechanical contraption to ease the load long ago.
But I didn't expect him to swing the load onto his back and walk them into the wood shed! I'd have thought Health & Safety would have been a biggy and this practice would have been superseded by some mechanical contraption to ease the load long ago.
I would have offered to help, but then he seemed so capable!
Phewph!
Personally, I think I'd have driven the truck right up to the door of the wood shed, but then he seemed to think it was okay to walk up the driveway carrying his load.
I wasn't sure if like a chimney sweep it would be lucky to shake his hand...
...so I did just to be on the safe side!
Now why not pop across to see Sally and the other Blue Monday posts?
I'm sure you'll have a very happy Monday if you do and they've probably took a lot longer to create their posts.
Happy Blue Monday to you all.
I hope you have a great week whatever you have planned!
Have fun...
I'm off to do the lottery just in case!
Kevin is a serendipity coal man dressed in blue! How fortunate for Blogland that you discovered him.
ReplyDeleteHappy Blue Monday!
He just came on my blue radar today and I couldn't resist capturing him ;D
DeleteHe was very comfortable about being sent out to Blogland. Bless
Happy Blue Monday to you too Sally...have a great week :D
I didn't know they still existed! My FIL used to deliver coal ages ago.
ReplyDeleteI didn't think so either Betty,
DeleteI remember a coal man delivering coal when I was a small child staying with my Grandmother. He used to shout loudly from his cart!
It was actually quite frightening I remember but then I was just a toot! ;D
Kevin the coal man certainly wasn't in the least bit frightening...he was lovely and jolly.
Thanks for stopping by and I wish you a happy week :D
That is a common procedure I guess in certain parts of the country. Poor fellow. Looks like it would be hard on his back.
ReplyDeleteIt certainly is an incredible weight to carry on your back but he seemed so jolly and not in the least bit bothered.
DeleteThey breed them tough up here in Scotland! ;D
Lovely to see you again...have a great day!
Hi Neesie
ReplyDeleteWhat a great blog, love it. Certainly makes a change from the Aussie heating equivalent a visit from the air conditioning Guy!!!
Can you ask Kevin if he delivers to Melbourne? I don't have a wood burning stove but with a delivery service like that I want one!!
Your little weather map on the side of your blog has it raining cats and dogs at your place today - hope you are in and cosy next to your fire!
Wren x
The AC guy would be a lot cleaner though Wren ;D
DeleteI'll check with Kevin if he is up for a delivery but by his reaction to just having his photo taken for my blog pals, he'd certainly be up for it. Can't imagine what the cost might be for a sack of coal though?
Well the weather map is showing a reasonable day now especially when you think we're about to enter November soon. We change the clock's this weekend, so I don't think I'm going to like it. I think we'll be plunged into darkness.
I might just hibernate as an easier option.
We're hearing all the reports about the fires and the hot temperatures so keep safe.
xoxo
I've never seen a coal man or even sat by a coal burning fire so this was very enlightening to me. Looks like hard work but he seems quite capable. I know you will be enjoying the fire this winter.
ReplyDeleteDarla
I love the fire but it is a case of survival Darla,
DeleteWe'll have the wood burner, Aga and central heating so I think we might be okay this winter. Oh yes and the thermals!
There's also the hot water bottle option too ;D
I knew as soon as I saw the coal man that it might be entertaining and something that people might never have seen before and that's why I asked could I take his photograph. I didn't expect him to stand still with the heavy load on his back but he did and he smiled!!!
Thanks for popping by...have a great day :D
xoxo
Oh how charming he is!!!! The art of hard working labor is being lost on machines. We saw a chimney sweep in Switzerland years ago on a vacation and I was mesmerized.
ReplyDeleteann
There's no doubt Kevin works extremely hard. I'm not sure how much damage is being stored up for his back in the years to come but he seemed happy ;D
DeleteWe have to have our chimney's swept every year but with being away I haven't seen our sweep for awhile. I'll certainly try to capture a photo of him when he comes to call.
When you saw the sweep in Switzerland were you too mesmerized to shake his hand or not?
No matter I wish you luck Ann :D
Have a great week and thanks for stopping by.
What a life you have - love the pictures and I sure wish I could go and visit you. We could have a cup of tea or a pint or two!
ReplyDeleteSandy
I wish you could visit too Sandy...but it isn't all peace and pastures!
DeleteI now know just how much work and time this place takes but it would be nice to sit awhile with a cuppa and have a natter.
(You little dark horse...a pint eh?) ;D
Have a great week...just let me know when you're on your way and I'll pop that kettle on. There might even be cake too!
What an interesting daily life you have! I'm familiar with wood/coal burning furnaces but even in the far northern part of this country ( up by canada) they do not have the open coal burners that you do over there. Kevin, the coal man looks so amused that you want his piccie. Well, our little taste of fall is over. The nights are back to 72 and days run into the 90s (F). Ah heaven! Hugs from the warm side. :)
ReplyDeleteIf that was your fall Nan...that's just not fair! ;D
DeleteIt's very kind of you to send warm hugs...I really appreciate them.
Keep them coming. Not too bad today but I'll store them away until I need them as I know I surely will.
Have a wonderful week and enjoy the warmth.
Oh look there's a rainbow...so even with the bad you can always find some good! :D
xoxo
Wow it's gone to a double now ~ how special is that?
Well, I haven't seen a coal man for a while, but I did see a chimney-sweep only today! In France, where my daughter lives, it is a legal requirement to have your chimney swept at least once a year.
ReplyDeleteBut did you shake his hand Mark? ;D
DeleteWe have to have our chimney's swept annually too, so when the sweep comes to call I'll try to get photos...well I just can't resist!
Have a great week and enjoy your under planting experiment (hehe) :D
I love these beautiful photos! It is a very hardworking coal age!
ReplyDeleteIndeed Leovi,
DeleteI just have to smile everytime I look at his face. He was so happy even though it obviously is hard work ;D
Thanks for visiting and I hope your day is going well. Enjoy!
Hi Maam Neesie,
ReplyDeleteTY much for coming and visit Stockholm. Oh yeah. GH is a bit lazy after moving all the outdoor furnitures. He couldn't move his arm... and it was pretty cold though.
Awww... I won't shake his hands either, LoL* specially when I just get a manicure.
Happy mid-week.
Greetings from Stockholm,
/CC girl
Hi CC girl and Stockholm,
DeleteIt was my pleasure to visit you.
I now know how GH is feeling after all of his hard work...I collected all the fallen leaves here yesterday and now my arms won't work either! ;D
Have a great day and a wonderful weekend.
Waving from Scotland!
Brilliant to see an old-fashioned coalman
ReplyDeleteIsn't it just...I really had a surprise to see him drive down the lane and was so happy when he stopped.
DeleteThanks for stopping by here too Gerald ;D
Have a great day!
He certainly looks quite able and showed up just in time for Blue Monday!
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your kind comments re my great niece. She's in Calif and I'm in GA, so I cherish these photos.
His arrival was perfectly timed because I had nothing blue to enter for Blue Monday.
DeleteI think I may have surprised him with my enthusiasm not only for the coal that would keep us cosy in the coming months, but also that he saved the day with his blue overalls! ;D
When distance separates families it's always difficult...I had 12,000 miles between me and my family until we recently moved back to the UK. But with modern technology it's far better to keep in touch than it used to be. I skyped a friend in Melbourne this morning and it was like we shared our cuppa over the kitchen table. The miles just disappeared! :D
Thanks for visiting my place.
It's nearly the weekend...so let the fun commence!
Oh yeah, I'm old enough to know what a coalman is but I didn't think you were old enough:):)
ReplyDeleteAt last you had a pic for Blue Monday!
You're too kind Jesh,
DeleteUnfortunately even though I think of myself as only 19...and have done for the last (cough) 30+ years...I'm not! It's all in my head ;D
But that's strictly between you and me of course!
The weekends nearly here so have a fantastic Friday and an even better weekend :D
What a gift ~ the coal man in blue ~ great photos ~ thanks, carol, xx
ReplyDeleteI couldn't organise it better myself if I'd tried Carol ;D
DeleteThanks for stopping by...have a fantastic Friday and a fun packed weekend!
I enjoyed this post about Kevin the coal man. We have trains running through our time many times daily. If they are headed north they travel rather quickly on the rails because they are empty. But if they are heading south, they are slow and cumbersome, every car filled to the top with coal. Thank you for sharing this interesting experience that is the norm for you but not for me.
ReplyDeleteThat's good to hear Barbara,
DeleteI thought bloggers would like to see Kevin and what a hard physical job he does...all with a smile :D
I don't suppose you can flag a train down to purchase a bag of coal!
I have visions of a steam train now whistling through your town...but I suppose that was many years ago.
I'm glad you enjoyed the post...now enjoy your Friday and the coming weekend! Yeeha! ;D
xoxo
I admire a man with long-life profession like Kevin. Very interesting shots.
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping by. Enjoy your day, Neesie :)
I'm not sure how long he's been doing this particular job but it was very abmorable to see someone work so hard...and smile!
DeleteIt's an extremely tough job!
Thanks for stopping by my place and I hope you have an enjoyable day too Lina...have fun! ;D
I too remember the coal man...& he was dressed in blue... that's a bonus..Keep warm..Hugs May x x x
ReplyDeletePhewph...morning May,
DeleteI've been south of the boarder for the weekend so really late replying to you.
I can't believe we're at Monday once again.
I've got lots on the plan so I'll have to get a wriggle on...thanks for stopping by.
I hope you haven't been hit too badly by the storm. It's all quiet and bright here this morning.
Catch up with you soon xoxo
I have never ever seen a (Kevin) Coal Man before! I've seen Milk Men in Britain, but never a Coal Man. Thank you for showing - how fortunate you were to see him coming!
ReplyDeleteI've heard about the grey squirrels conquering the brown European ones in Britain, but we only have brown ones in Sweden. I understand it was planted in Britain, such a stupid thing to do!
Wish you a great weekend, I was supposed to go and see friends but my cold forces me to stay at home :-(
I'm happy to have found a Kevin the Coal man for you Anni,
DeleteThey are a rare species these days ;D
I hope I'm lucky enough to see a red squirrel one day. There's a sign up in our woods, so I think there may be some nearby. I'll just have to keep my eyes open and hope!
I can't believe that I'm answering your lovely comment from last week and here we are at another Monday already! I better get a wriggle on to get through everyone before I nip across to this weeks links.
By the way, I hope you are well over your cold by now :D
Have a great week and I'll see you soon
xoxo
Happy Blue Monday... oops, almost time for next week's party. Ah, well... better late than never :D Hope you are having a great weekend, Neesie! ~Pernilla
ReplyDeleteHehe...well it is now Pernilla,
DeleteWhere did that week go?
I'm always a tail end Charlie so never worry about visiting me late...I just love that you can fit me in ;D
I've had the great weekend thanks...so your good wishes worked.
So I'll return the compliment and wish you an even better week :D
Thanks for stopping by...I'll visit you as soon as I get my act together!
xoxo
I grew up in the Minneapolis suburbs with a furnace in the basement. A coal man seems quite exotic to me. :)
ReplyDeleteHmm...exotic isn't quite what comes to my mind but I know what you mean ;D
DeleteI love it when I can show you something that you've never seen before.
I hope your week has started well and that it just gets better.
xoxo