Aground

Leo, the Zibro-type stoves in your original picture are very common here in France (and, weirdly, in Japan). There are two variants: mains powered and unpowered; the powered ones have a fan to circulate the hot air and are amazingly efficient, the unpowered ones work by convection and, while less effective, are great for smaller spaces (a summerhouse?). Both types run on paraffin which varies considerably in price, the more you pay the less it will smell; 33- euros for 20 litres up to 50- euros for 20 litres, the price and the pong are up to you. I hope that helps. Aground.

If you go onto the German site hytta.de you will find a “Spirituskocher einflammig” at 89 euros and a “zweiflammig” at 129 euros. I don’t speak German but I reckon that these are the sort of thing that you are looking for. Not cheap but less than the Origo. As for postage and import taxes I can’t comment. I hope that helps.

I have a Bosch 1800 Watt, 35cm chainsaw which has been superb. With care it can cut logs of far greater diameter than that recommended by Bosch. Since I last used it several months ago it has sat in its cardboard box and has not leaked a drop of oil. As I only use it at home where I have mains power I will not be going back to petrol. I hope that helps.

According to the ABOK the main rope and the individual strands are best temporarily secured with a constrictor knot which is more compact and quicker to tie than a whipping. Also, when making the tucks of the splice the second and third tucks should be made with the strands untwisted so that they lie flat. On the other hand, Ashley did not have access to Duct Tape, heat-shrink wrapping or plastic cable ties.

Try the Lifesaver system (see iconlifesaver.com). They have a range of products from filter bottles for individuals to tank-based systems for a whole village. I have used the bottles while trekking in the wilds and can confirm that I have lived to tell the tale.

For the rotating cowl try Smokie Joes, £35-quid a pop.

We live near Carcassonne and have suffered from Tiger mozzies for the last two years. We have not tried the Attractant/Suck-'em-in/Dessicate them variety but when sitting outside the only thing is to cover-up or use DEET insect repellent; UV lights, citronella candles etc. do not work. At night, while sleeping, the UV electric zappers work moderately well but individual buggers do get in and prefer us to self-immolation. The plug-in liquid chemical ones do work but who wants to breath that stuff in all night for months on end? We use them for guests who are only here for a week or two but we have resorted to an over-bed mozzie-net which works a treat. You have to find whatever works for you.

My older UV zappers had mini flourescent tubes which definitely needed replacing (one of them actually came with a spare tube). My latest purchase has LEDs instead of tubes and, so far, its effectiveness had not diminished over time.

To go back to one of the original suggestions - Go Outdoors sell a gas heater that runs off cartridges/cannisters for £30-. As for its safety on board, that is for you to decide.

Air filters (especially HEPA ones) do work but you have to keep closed the windows and doors of the cabin where it is situated - not ideal in summer in a steel narrowboat/roasting tin.

I seem to recall that Ashley actually recommends that the strands are untwisted so that they lie flatter and create a smaller increase in the diameter of the finished splice.

Another vote for the Julius K-9, the dog seems to find it comfortable and it (the harness!) is built to last.

As an alternative you could have a look at mrdscookware.co.uk No connection to the company but friends who are keen campervanners recommend them.

I have no knowledge of this particular make/model but I have used several 3-way fridges and currently have one in my camper van. My experience is that when on 12V the fridge will stay cool while the vehicle is in transit but to get it cool in the first place it has to be on mains or gas. It would appear that they are not designed to be operated continuously on 12V. Also, when we reach a camp site it has to be switched to mains or gas, if left on 12V it drains the leisure battery in no time.

I can see that an LCU would be useful in that part of the world. I've never been to Knoydart but was once landed by LCU in Dumfries & Galloway for ten days of rain, mud and midges - Happy Days (I think!)