Blog Archive: March 2016 | Reinis Fischer

Postcards from Mtskheta

31 March, 2016 | | 8 seen

Mtskheta is small and lovely town located some 20 km from nation' s capital Tbilisi. Some will find a lot of similarities in Mtskheta with town of Sighanghi, while others will enjoy architectural and religious pearls of Mtskheta. Svetitskhoveli church, Jvari monastery or Samtavro are just a few to name.

In today' s Piece of Life series - Mtskheta as we saw it on International Women' s day (March 8)

Cobbled street in Mtskheta

With the famous Svetitskhoveli cathedral at the end of the street

Svetitskhoveli cathedral

Mtskheta and surrounding mountains

Mtskheta definitely is a photographers paradise

Group of tourists gathered near cathedral

Panorama of Svetitskhoveli cathedral

It is the second largest church building in the country, after the Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi (Sameba), and is listed as an UNESCO World Heritage Site along with other historical monuments of Mtskheta.

Massive fortification walls of Svetitskhoveli cathedral

Highway in Mtskehta

To the city centre

Souvenirs for sale at Georgian yard

Samtavro Monastery

31 March, 2016 | Churches and Monasteries | 24 seen

Samtavro Monastery together with Svetitskhoveli cathedral and Jvari monastery are one of the main sights of historical town of Mtskheta, located some 20 km from nation's capital Tbilisi.

Official nam of this place is Samtavro Transfiguration Orthodox Church and Nunnery of St. Nino in Mtskheta, Georgia. It is believed that church were built in the 4th century by King Mirian III of Iberia. Nowadays Samtvaro is very popular tourist destination in Mtskheta with much greater popularity among Georgian believers - it's always crowded here. The nuns living and praying here speaks very good English, and don't allow photograph inside.

Samtavro monastery in Mtskheta

Tombs near the church

Visitors at Samtvaro monastery in Mtskheta

Beheaded angels sculpture at Samtvaro monastery

Church photography has always been interesting for me.

Prayers candles

The famous Georgian monk Gabriel is buried in the yard of Samtavro Church.

Archimandrite Gabriel born Goderdzi Urgebadze is one of the most renowned orthodox monks in Georgia. He was born to Vasili and Barbara Urgebadze on 26 August 1929, in Tbilisi, Georgia. He was baptized as an infant in St Martyr Barbara’s Church, in Navtlughi district by the former “Sister of Mercy” Tamar Begiashvili. The communist regime was furiously violent then; religion was persecuted; churches were destroyed and closed; innocent people were murdered and deported. Goderdzi was about two years old when his father, Vasil Urgebadze, was murdered in uncertain circumstances. After that his family members called him Vasiko in honor of his father. Learn more: Archimandrite Gabriel Urgebadze

Prayer candles and icons at Samtvaro monastery

Inside church

At this stage a nun approached me and informed in plain English it's forbidden to photograph inside the church, I told her, OK, I understand, but I'm not using a flash - making some damage to icons or disturbing nuns or other visitors, but she was bold in her statement - any photography is prohibited inside the church. Sad :(

Guest House / Restaurant 'Āķa Gals' in Pāvilosta

30 March, 2016 | Restaurant reviews | 15 seen

If there is a reason I would love to return to Latvian coastal town of Pāvilosta - cuisine served at restaurant Āķa Gals will be probably at top of my priorities.

Cozy tavern located in the dunes of Pāvilosta, only 100 meters from the sea, is a great place for celebrations, relaxation and recreation with family and friends.

Guesthouse / Tavern Āķagals in Pāvilosta

Visitors both of simple and refined tastes will enjoy traditional Latvian dishes and international cuisine served in pleasant atmosphere by kind staff.

Salmon cream soup - a traditional Latvian dish

Here you can taste dishes cooked from the local fishermen fished fishes.

Potato pancakes with salmon

One of mine all times favorite traditional Latvian dishes

Creme brulee

Āķagals in Pāvilosta is a must have dinning place, highly recommended!

Pāvilosta piers and Lighthouse

30 March, 2016 | Tourism objects | 14 seen

If planing your trip to Latvian coastal town of Pāvilosta don't forget to plan a trip to Pāvilosta piers, grab your camera and make some stunning sunset photography here.

I first visited the piers of Pāvilosta and the town at the end of Summer 2015, and let me express my desire to acquire a small summer cottage here, thus I you plan to make some investments here - hurry up, a lot of foreigner have already bought real-estate at this Latvian coastal town and the prices might be up (haven't checked actually).

It might sound a little bit overstated, but allow me to say - Latvians have their own Portofino (hmm, should we call it part of Latvian Riviera?)

Pāvilosta pier

Pāvilosta is a popular destination for surfers as well - I'm not a surfer dude, but seems locals are pretty excited about wind and waves here. You can try to lend a yacht if you prefer more calmer relaxation.

Boat decks in Pāvilosta

Much of the Pāvilosta history and foundation is related to harbor here - Information about the history of Pavilosta dates back to the period of Duke Jekabs (1642-1682) when ships could enter the Saka River and Pavilosta served as Aizputes harbor. This harbor was used to export wood, grain and other products to various other harbors in the Baltic Sea and the North Sea. Trade agreements with Danish merchants were especially prosperous.

White Sand beach near Pāvilosta

After the war between the Swedes and Poles in 1660, the Saka River was dammed per the Swedish occupants to guarantee the growth and development of Riga’s harbors. Boulders were placed on the ice during the winter months. In the spring when the ice melted, the sunken boulders narrowed the path for sea vessels.

Pavilosta piers

In 1855 during the Crimean War, Russian boarder guards built their cordons in Pavilosta to protect this strategic location.

In the winter of 1878 the German Baron Otto fon Lilienfeld, owner of a large portion of land in this region, commissioned the building of the first wooden pier. The pier cost 8000 gold rubles. That spring when the river thawed, the extreme melt water dredged the river’s bed enough that the first large ships could harbor in Pavilosta.

Pāvilosta lighthouse

With the building and grand opening of Pavilosta Marina on May 20, 2006, the harbor has been reborn and a new and meaningful period in Pavilosta’s history has begun.

Yacht between Pāvilosta piers

Gujari Restaurant Museum in Mtskheta

29 March, 2016 | Restaurant reviews | 118 seen

Gujari restaurant - museum is another absolutely brilliant restaurant I have lately discovered. Located in the historical and picturesque town of Mtskheta, some 20 km from nation's capital Tbilisi.

Discovered again - by accident - after just wandering around town of Mtksheta, After visiting Svetitskhoveli cathedral I decided it would be great to walk around Mtskheta and find some non-touristic places. And wuola - instead of tourist attractions - another great restaurant.

Giraffe at Gujari restaurant in Mtskheta

This restaurant features a very good landscaped territory, equipped with a lot of interesting garden elements - I had a chance to take some ideas for our upcoming home remodeling tasks here

Menu at Gujari restaurant

The menu consists mostly of local Georgian cuisine, prices at first seems well above average, but portions they are serving here are at least double if compared to Tbilisi restaurants.

Large table at garden

Double portion of cucumber/tomatoes salads and freshly baked shotis puri

Grilled fish

An excellent meal - expensive (20 GEL) but worth of it.

Veal barbeque

juicy and delicious.

Grilled vegetables

Now, it was a total failure - much overdone and looks ugly. Tasted so/so... I wouldn't order for 10 GEL another time grilled vegetables here.

Dining hall at Gujari restaurant museum in Mtskheta

Gujari restaurant - museum is a large complex, featuring many dinning halls, lovely garden. Speaking of the museum elements - you will find some archeological artifacts from Georgia (dating back to 6th century) hanging on the walls inside. I wouldn't call this place actually a museum. But restaurant featuring rich museum elements - yes, why not.

Bronze axes

Georgian cognacs and wine featured at Gujari restaurant museum

Speaking of cognacs - Sarajishivlli brand is mostly featured here.(Well, it's the most known Georgian cognac)

Clay pots (ketsi)

Visitors of this restaurant - museum can take some master classes in preparing Georgian bread (shotis puri), prepare khinkali, observe chacha distillation process and other.

Large complex territory at Gujari Restaurant in Mtskheta

At top of it you can see Jvari monastery.

The Bottom Line

Gujari restaurant was like a nice surprise during our recent wanderings around Mtskheta town. Our total bill here 80 GEL (which is pretty much above the average). All food (except grilled vegetables) were great. We spent here about 3 hours, both enjoying our meal and wandering around restaurant - museum territory. Highly recommend. See Gujari restaurant on Facebook

Georgian Yard (Kartuli Ezo) in Mtskheta

29 March, 2016 | Restaurant reviews | 37 seen

Restaurant "Georgian Yard" is located in the central part of Mtskheta - the ancient capital of Georgia, near the Cathedral Svetitskoveli in the territory of the central square of parking.

This restaurant is famous among tourists and guests serving delicious traditional Georgian dishes, medium prices, interesting and pleasant environment.

Georgian Yard in Mtskheta

Restaurant "Georgian Yard" unites few companies - "Fast Food," where you can enjoy delicious meals as well as hot and cold drinks; "Wine shop" where you can taste for free and purchase the desired type of alcoholic beverage - wine, brandy and "Chacha"; 3. The most important thing - the restaurant, which is famous mainly for Georgian traditional dishes.

Wine shop Enoteka in Georgian Yard / Mtskheta

Seems this wine shop is owned by Winery Khareba - if you are not familliar with their wines and wine making traditions, I highly recommend to take you another trip to Wine Tunnel near Kvareli.

Shotis puri

Mmm a loaf of freshly baked Georgian bread - shotis puri - can anything be better than that?

...perhaps something stronger?

How about Georgian national beverage - CHACHA?

...even a tripod needs a rest

That said - Georgian Yard / Kartuli Ezo is a great all in one place in Mtskheta - you can buy your souvenirs here, enjoy delicious meal and try some chacha. Wonderful place. Visit qartuliezo.ge to learn more.

Saka Baptist Church

28 March, 2016 | Churches and Monasteries | 11 seen

An interesting church I discovered driving Aizpute - Pāvilosta road, back at the Summer 2015 - Meet Saka Baptist church in the middle of nowhere. Thus the church was closed, I was amazed of how well the territory around Saka Baptist church was landscaped.

Saka Baptist church

There is an inscription plate above the main entrance doors at church saying this church was built in 1888, although there is written in strange (old?) Latvian - Bap.Basniza, which would translate as Baptist church, thus there is no such word as Basniza in modern Latvian, instead there is Baznīca.

Priest's house at Saka church

We didn't met any people here today, but as I told above, I was really surprised of seeing very well landscaped territory, freshly cut lawn, flower garden and more.

Mole repeller

Awakening garden in Aizpute

28 March, 2016 | Tourism objects | 8 seen

Almost in the city center of Aizpute, on Atmodas street is located Awakening garden (Atmodas dārzs, in Latvian). It's created by group of people from cross-art organization 'Serde' ('Core')

The second life is given to empty water bottles in which tomatoes, cabbage, strawberries, mint and many other popular plants are grown.

Awakening garden in Aizpute

I really love such sustainable development ideas, Less is more. Some time ago we planted veggies at our rural house in wooden boxes and got really good harvest.

Veggies in plastic bottles

Dirt cheap way to have a mini garden. Each plastic bottle is with a little tube at the bottom, making it effective way to water plants and save resources. Love it.

Svetiskhoveli cathedral in Mtskheta

27 March, 2016 | Churches and Monasteries | 72 seen

Svetitskhoveli Cathedral is an another must have tourist attraction site not to miss when traveling to Georgia. Located in historical and picturesque town of Mtskheta some 20 km from nation's capital Tbilisi.

Rumor has it - Jesus robe (mantle) is buried exactly here - well, there are at least three official church versions of Jesus robe destiny, and among them Svetitskhoveli stands out as well:

According to the tradition of the Georgian Orthodox Church, the chiton was acquired by a Jewish Rabbi from Georgia named Elioz (Elias), who was present in Jerusalem at the time of the crucifixion and bought the robe from a soldier. He brought it with him when he returned to his native town of Mtskheta, Georgia, where it is preserved to this day beneath a crypt in the Patriarchal Svetitskhoveli Cathedral.

There is even an official holiday dedicated to this event, and is named Mtskhetoba (Svetitskovloba), which happens on October 14.

Svetitskhoveli cathedral in Mtskheta

Together with Jvari monastery Svetitskoveli cathedral are one of the main sights in Mtksheta.

Cathedral has been built in the 4th century, but has been damaged several times during history, notably by the invasions of Arabs, Persians, and Timur and latterly during Russian subjugation and the Soviet period. The building has also been damaged by earthquakes. In the 11th century, the present Svetitskhoveli Cathedral was rebuilt (from 1010 to 1029) in the Cross-Dome style.

The cathedral is surrounded by a defensive wall, built of stone and brick during the reign of King Erekle II (Heraclius) in 1787.

Svetitskhoveli Cathedral

The interior walls are painted with frescoes, most of which have not survived in their original state. In the 1830s, when Czar Nicholas I was scheduled to visit Mskheta, the frescoes were all whitewashed, although in the end the Czar never came. Today, after much careful restoration, some few remnants survive including fragments of a 13th-century Beast of the Apocalypse and figures of the Zodiac.

The walls are decorated with many Christian Orthodox icons, most of which are not original (the originals being in the national museums of Georgia). The decoration of the church stonework also features carved grapes (as in many churches of Georgia), reflecting the country's ancient wine-making traditions. The large figure of Jesus at the altar was painted by Russian artist in the 19th century. The majority of the icons here date to the 20th century. Some are copies of older icons and frescoes from other churches throughout Georgia.

Panorama of Svetitskhoveli Cathedral

Tips for getting here - if you don't have your own vehicle and you are not traveling with a tour guide - you should take a taxi from Tbilisi (I recommend using Taxify app, so it will be cheaper, faster and safier) and the price should be around 15-20 GEL. For me getting here I took a marshurtka to Tbilisi Mall at first and then from there I negotiated a taxi for 7 GEL to Mtksheta. For getting back to Tbilisi - again - taxi's or local marshrutkas (there are some going to Didube station, and the price is just one lari (as of 2016)

Plaza Hotel in Batumi

27 March, 2016 | Hotel reviews | 34 seen

Are you looking for a budget friendly hotel in Batumi? I can highly recommend one - Plaza hotel, located next to the Batumi bay.

Plaza Hotel is located close to Batumi Port and in very short distance from city center. We booked Plaza hotel using local Georgian coupon site - hotsale.ge and got a lovely room with balcony and access to the Olympic swimming pool for just 50 GEL per night (with breakfast included).

We stayed here for two nights at the start of March 2016.

It was already late night when we arrived to Batumi (with rail from Tbilisi) - and just shortly we checked in to our room I decided to make a lovely night photography - so I installed a tripod (on balcony) and got following night scenery from our room:

Batumi by night

By now I felt super tired and went to sleep, next morning I repeated the same scene.

Batumi in day

Now it was time to try in the rooftop pool

Rooftop swimming pool at Plaza Hotel in Batumi

Wow- an Olympic swimming pool offering great views to Batumi

View towards Batumi bay from roof

From here you can take Batumi aerial tram and enjoy even more spectacular views.

Floor plan at Plaza hotel

Plaza hotel is located in the upper floors in shopping mall. Well speaking of shopping here - nothing fancy or interesting here - some barber shops, iPhone store, cheap watches e.t.c. For the price they are offering stay at this hotel here - I would convert all building into a hotel - and it would rock. Why they have decided to run a small boutique stores in first floors - I have no idea, on the other hand - there were a lot of folks wandering to buy next generation iPhone or at least a cheap watches.

Simple but tasty breakfast at Plaza hotel

It was the same thing for two mornings - eggs, sausages, cottage cheese, tea, coffee, some flakes.. for additional 3 lari you can order a cappuccino, but it tastes the same as the free coffee. Regular stuff.

Our room in Plaza hotel

It featured a balcony, flat screen TV, a queen size bed, air conditioner and decent bathroom (shower)

Plaza hotel building in Batumi

About Plaza hotel

Located in the city centre of Batumi, a 2-minute walk from Batumi Bay, Plaza Hotel features an indoor swimming pool, a spa and wellness centre, a sauna, massage services, and free Wi-Fi access throughout the property. The modern and air-conditioned rooms here are equipped with a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a balcony, and a private bathroom with a bath or shower. Other hotel facilities include a fitness centre, a bicycle rental, a 24-hour front desk, an on-site mini-market, a bar, and a beauty shop. Tbilisi Square is a 2-minute walk away, Batumi Art Museum is a 12-minute walk, and the Statue of Medea is a 10-minute walk from the hotel. Plaza Hotel is a 10-minute walk from Batumi bus station, 3.5 km from Batumi Train Station, and 6.5 km from Batumi Airport.

Book now on Booking.com

Day Trip to Kakheti in Georgia

26 March, 2016 | Travel guides | 17 seen

Day trips to the region of Kakheti in Georgia are quite possible and I would actually recommend taking one if you have a chance. I have explored the region of Kakheti in different ways (mostly by marshrutka and car). I prefer a personal car with a driver. If you feel you are indie or rough traveler you might try marshrukta leaving from Tbilisi.

Today I'll show you one of my favorite Kakheti day trip routes which is accessible by car.

This route will take you from Tbilisi to Telavi, then to nearby Kvareli and in the evening back to Tbilisi. (You should plan this day trip as early as possible)

It might seem like an easy route, but it will take all your day (especially if you will take your time to take pictures at these sites). You will visit a few really interesting Georgian Orthodox Churches (Nekresi monastery complex is among my favorite), a wine tunnel (you can have a wine tasting here, for additional money), you will see a Giant Plane Tree (more than 900 years old and about 12 meters wide/ 46 meters high). I would suggest trying local Telavi khinkali at Zodiako bar, and if you will be lucky enough (the day won't be over yet) you could make a stop at David Gareja Monastery complex.

I was able to manage such day trip for about GEL 80 + gas and food expenses for my driver.

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Enjoy your travels in Georgia!

Meet the New Roof (Pictures Before and After)

26 March, 2016 | Home Remodeling | 12 seen

Yesterday we told Goodbye's to our old roof by setting up a large bonfire. Today we are saying hi to the new roof. Although officially major roof works were done a few days before - today is the day when final images of new roofing appear.

We still have some unfinished roof related works to do, but the final roof construction is here. To make a better understanding what's going out - see before and after.

What we got (before)

Moss covering the roof

Not only moss is covering roof, the construction is skew and what's major the right side of roofing is leaky. For a complete photo story of what we got, please see: home remodeling - how it all starts

What we turned to (After)

Metal roof installed

Yes, we lost one chimney, see:replacing roof - part 3: removing the old roofing (losing chimney) . The new roof is not only almost linear, but gives a much attractive and lively overall view.

What we got (Before)

Back view of the house

What we turned to (After)

New roofing

OK, I agree, with that uncut crosswind sheet it looks a bit ugly, but you got the idea.

Speaking of second floor for this house, were gray planks can be see now, I'm planing to install a huge window stretching full height and maximum weight (plenty of daylight inside). A huge outdoor terrace is planed back at the house. Will see, how it gone work out. There is still a lot of work to do - like changing bearing beams inside house and replacing walls. Yes, I know it's going to be a lot of hard work to do. Let's say this - house is safe now, it's protected from rain water and future works can be started soon.

How to Make Traditional Italian Pizza

25 March, 2016 | Food blogger | 42 seen

An Italian pizza was the reason for our latest travels to Italy, it was at the start of November 2015, I was kneading dough for pizza, when my beloved told me - hey, we should visit Italy and try real Italian Pizza. So we did - we spent about a week in Italy, traveling a lot and trying real Italian cuisine.

Speaking of Italian pizza in Italy, here is the craziest pizza topped with a lot of prosciutto I ever have tried - Restaurant Antica Drogheria in Lucca, Italy, those guys just rock, if you are in vicinity of Lucca (the most famous landmark of that area probably is the leaning tower of Pisa), make sure you check this place out.

We returned home back to Georgia with a lot of new ingredients, including salami, prosciutto and many cheeses. In today's food bloger series I will show my perfect Italian pizza recipe.

Making pizza is not hard at all, the hardest to make ideal dough for pizza (you could of course buy already made dough, but that wouldn't be the same - I really love and enjoy dough creating and kneading process - it's mind freeing hobby - clear your thoughts and focus on things that matter - pizza)

Here are ingredients for my perfect pizza dough:

For making one large pizza in standard large pan

8 tablespoons flour;
6 tablespoons of warm water;
2 tablespoons olive oil;
1/2 teaspoon salt;
1 teaspoon sugar;
1 teaspoon dry yeast.

Take a large bowl, and all dry ingredients at first, I start by adding flour, salt, sugar, yeast and just at the end wet ingredients - water and olive oil

Ingredients for pizza dough

If you love to take photos of your kitchen experiments I suggest using 100mm lens for taking interesting food photography. See - Digital photography school

Now, the fun part starts here - kneading the dough - at start it took me some 40 minutes to get it right, but for know I have mastered my kneading skills and usually I make perfect dough in 10 minutes.

Once kneading process is finished and your dough is ready, cover bowl with a kitchen towel and put in the warm place for some 40 minutes, so the dough can rise up.

Dough rolling

I must admit it took some time for me to learn how properly roll out ideal round pizza, I had a good chef giving me a nice tip - roll dough from three sides - first move rolling pin forward, then to the right side and the to the left side. Repeat until you have nice round flattened pizza base.

Don’t take shaping your pizza dough too much seriously, let the shape just kind of end up the way it naturally should have been. See: How to Roll & Shape Pizza Dough

Toppings for pizza

Before adding actual toppings to pizza I daub base with a tomato pasta or sometimes (when it's the season) with blended tomatoes. Speaking of toppings - it's all about your taste and imagination - you can add as pizza topping literally anything. But for standard use - I would recommend cheese, salami, ham, mushrooms, pineapples e.t.c.

Today I prepared salami/prosciutto pizzas from ingredients we brought back from Italy.

Now, preheat your oven (~180C) and put your pizza to oven for some 5-7 minutes.

Freshly baked pizza straight from the oven, sliced with pizza knife

Mmm, yummy...

Vake Park in Tbilisi

25 March, 2016 | Tourism objects | 70 seen

Nestled in the Vake district of Tbilisi, Georgia, lies a historic recreational area known as Vake Park. Since its opening to the public in 1946, the park has undergone numerous transformations, becoming a popular destination for both ex-pats and locals.

Visitors can enjoy various free and paid kids playgrounds, carousels, ice cream shops, upper-end restaurants, and cafes located near the park.

Vake Park is home to significant landmarks, such as a monument of Victory built during Soviet times and a beautiful staircase with cascading fountains. The park's beautiful landscapes, including hundreds of thousands of conifers, fruit trees, and shrubs, make it a green oasis in the heart of Tbilisi.

First opened to the public in 1946, it was built in the former wastelands. The park has gone through many reconstructions ever since

Designed by architect K. Dgebuadze and dendrologist N. Tsitsishvili a lot of work on the drainage and landscaping with the use of blasting was carried out, created soil, planted hundreds of thousands of conifers, deciduous fruit trees (successful experience of mass transplanting adult specimens) and shrubs. The creation of the park was the largest tree-planting project in Tbilisi back at the time.

If you had traveled to Yerevan, Armenia, you will find some similarities with Yerevan Cascade

Seems these gazebos are popular place for birthday events or just for old-timers playing chess.

From Chavchavadze avenue, overlooking the park at 7 meters, the park conducted a monumental staircase with cascading fountains, theater, restaurant, park pavilions.

Vake park is popular among expats and locals. Popular place to visit with kids or dogs. There are many children playgrounds located in the Vake park. Some are free some are paid.

I'm not very enthusiatcis about such paid playgrounds in public spaces, but at least they exsist. The fee GEL 15/h per 1 kid (price as of 2023)

Statue of Victory

In Soviet times, park was called Victory Park. Glory memorial complex was created with a 28-meter statue of Victory (1981, architects V. Alexi-Meskhishvili, K. Nakhutsrishvili, sculptor G. Ochiauri).

At Vake Park

In the vicinity of the park on one of the peaks of the Trialeti Range is located Turtle Lake

Fire, Water, Burn - Goodbye Old Roof!

24 March, 2016 | Home Remodeling | 11 seen

It was time to make a bonfire and burn wood shingle (what use to be a roof cover). At the end of Summer (2015) our bonfire place ready to be set on fire, also it was very large. I still decided to wait for a rainy day, to minimize fire risks.

I negotiated with our construction worker, who turned out to be a semiprofessional industrial burner (10 years in forestry), called to the local fire station and asked for permission, informing about precise location. They have local watch towers, and just to make sure there is no misunderstanding it's good to inform local authorities (it might be even requested by law).

For me, it seemed like a simple task - pour with petrol that large pile of shingle and it's done. My burner told me - that instead of pouring all pile you need to start small and direct fire to the rest of pile, or more correctly transship the pile to the bonfire. I trusted him and meanwhile built a doghouse for Bob.

Bonfire place

Located next to the small pond, set on fire on rainy day

Start small

Instead of starting to burn that large pile all at once, burner did set a fire on much smaller bonfire, latter he took coals and inserted at the end of larger pile, and then from the other end of pile moved shingle to burning side.

Done

At the end of the day - it was done. Thus continued to smolder for couple of days.