Need to know

Chemical Toilet The toilet comprises a simple thunder box in which a bucket resides.  It is gravity-fed when the user takes up a seated position.  Bog roll and hand sanitiser are provided.

Please bury the contents of the chemical toilet in the field opposite, well away from the hut and the track.  The task is not as noisome as you might imagine.  The ground is quite soft and will take a spade easily though for obvious reasons it’s best to avoid any areas that look freshly dug.   A square hole with sides of 2 spade widths and at least a foot/30cm deep is ideal, though other shapes are permitted.  Please make sure you cover your deposits with the turf you lifted. 

Please rinse the bucket at the small stream by the hut and pour the swill onto the other side of the track - NOT in the stream.  Recharge the bucket with 5cm stream water and a third of a cup of green Elsan fluid (in store room).  Instructions for this are also on the cubicle door. 

Coal Stove The stove was installed in 2022 and is brilliant but can be slow to get going.  You can light just half the stove to save fuel if it's not that cold.  For the best combustion experience, start with a small piece of firelighter, ideally a few sticks of kindling, and just a few briquettes.  Once it's gone critical you can gradually add more briquettes.  Riddle regularly using the poker or tongs and when cold, empty the COLD ash into the metal bin in the store shed.  Full stove instructions are on the notice board and in the stove manual on the shelf.  Please handle the stove and glass door gently.  

Not guaranteed - but there may be kindling in the wheelie bin in the store shed

Cookers The cookers do not have auto-ignition, so you need to light with a match or lighter.  To do so turn and depress the cooker knob, light, and keep depressed for a few seconds.  Please try to keep the cookers and grill pan as clean as possible. The cookers have gas shut-off valves to prevent gas escaping if the flame is extinguished.   

Gas supply The gas shut off valve is in the hut on the wall opposite the door.  The gas bottles do not need any maintenance so please don’t try to open the cages.  The gas cookers have their own isolator valves. Please ensure all valves are turned off before you leave. 

Hut Electrical System The hut has a 12 volt system powered by a solar panel and battery.  Each light has its own switch so in low-sunlight times please try to conserve the battery by turning all unnecessary lights off.  

The main switch is opposite the door in the corner.  When switched on a red LED indicates power for the lighting and a blue LED power for the water UV system.  Please use these as a reminder to switch off when you leave.  . 

Rubbish Combustible non-plastic rubbish may be burned in the stove.  Please take all your other rubbish, recycling, and spare food away with you when you leave.  Any food left in the cottage just encourages rats and mice.  The next occupant may though appreciate any spare unopened beer, wine, or whisky. Please put excess COLD ash from the stove in the metal bin in the store room. 

Security The door key also fits the padlock on the store shed door.  The windows have bolted shutters.  Store the shutters indoors in the porch and keep the bolts safe on the window sills.  Please do make sure the shutters are firmly bolted when you leave. 

Washing Facilities are limited to the one cold tap and personal hygiene standards may fall below the national average.   This is not normally an issue even with a full hut and is easily remedied on departure.  There appear to be no long-term adverse effects. 

Water supply The water stop-cock is under the sink.  Please make sure you turn it off when you leave.   

There is a single cold tap in the hut fed from the stream above the hut.  Water is filtered and passes through a UV steriliser (installed August 2024) that will activate when you turn on the tap, provided the blue LED by the main electricity switch is illuminated.  

Until we have tested the water quality provided by the new system please continue to boil all water used for drinking, teeth cleaning, colonic irrigation, or any other invasive treatments.  There is a large billypot with its own gas burner, and plenty of kettles to help.  The top of the stove is also a good place to keep a kettle on the go, or just to take the chill off tap water before boiling on the cookers..  

Wi-Fi and mobile The cottage is Wi-Fi free, zero G, and contactless.  This means you will enjoy your life more at Cwm Eigiau.