Igniting Conversation: An Encounter with James May

The Unexpected Masterclass

Forget the Royal Oak, this wasn't James May's Wiltshire local. Our rendezvous unfolded in the Cross Keys, a west London haunt near his second home. We'd snagged a chilly backroom games room, a space destined for warmth thanks to May's keen eye for a wood-burning stove.

Witnessing him build a fire was akin to attending a mini-lecture. He meticulously adjusted the stove door, explaining the delicate dance between oxygen and carbon dioxide – a complimentary masterclass in fire-starting, if you will. My gratitude was palpable.

“But I don’t think anybody really knows,” May admits, a hint of playful self-deprecation in his voice. “Well, actually, the Scandis do…” He pauses, leaving the thought hanging in the air, a testament to Scandinavian expertise in the art of combustion.

Scandinavian Secrets of Fire

May then elaborated on the Scandinavians' deep understanding of fire, hinting at their voluminous writings on the subject. This unexpected detour into the world of Nordic pyrotechnics further highlighted his inquisitive nature and penchant for quirky details.