Joan, Wellington.

For those with fireplaces/woodburners who do not know what to do with their ash: Ash can be dumped in the garden to add alkalinity. I use it to absorb oil from pots and pans and then wash, also on stovetops to absorb splatters, then just wipe clean. I got this tip from an Indian lady who says for places with no water, this is how they clean their kitchen utensils.