The biomass boiler stopped again at about 4am, this time due to chip piling up in the stoker auger preventing the burn-back flap from opening. We managed to sort that out and fire it up again, when a false alarm in the Oratory set the fire alarm off just before the Lauds bell. The boiler tripped again twice during the day, with the same problem. The ash also contains some unburnt fuel, which it shouldn't. So altogether it warrants getting someone out to make sure it's set up properly. The fire alarm was also triggered twice more, by steam or heat from opening the kitchen oven; and by dust from the delivery of wood chip.
But I wasn't there for the 'twice mores', as Ian and I headed down after Lauds to an inter-novitiate day in Oxford on "Why Community?" It was good to meet folk from other communities near and far, some old friends and new (to me) faces. There was a Great Wind during the night, and it was still howling when we returned. At Compline, it was beating on the prow of the Oratory, but everything holds firm.
* Verses often used at the beginning of Compline: "Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in your faith"
I remember the joys of multiple false alarms on Iona. It always involved the poor volunteer fire crew of island residents driving up in the shiny fire engine -rushing away from whatever they had been doing.
ReplyDeleteHope the biomass and you soon come to a proper understanding:)
Maria