Last year we embarked on our search to seek out the farthest flung Aga range cooker or Rayburn range cooker! Here is our leaderboard so far (as the crow flies)!
- Portland, USA - 4775 Miles
- South Texas, USA - 4770 Miles
- Massachusetts, USA - 4484 Miles
- Milton, USA - 3468 Miles
Josephine got in touch this week, and we loved her story, she has generously gifted it to us to share. This is Roger and the story of the cooker follows...
This green beauty, lovingly tended to, takes 3rd position on our NEW leaderboard, clocking up 4671 miles. It is however our most northerly cooker. Over to Josephine -
"Dear Blake & Bull
Somewhere in one of your newsletters I saw a picture of an Aga range cookers in Michigan with the comment that you are seeking Aga range cookers far from home. I think we can outdo Michigan since we are in Victoria, Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Victoria is the most southern and most western capital city in Canada?
About 12 years ago my husband was looking in the local newspaper for a 2nd hand car when he spotted an ad for an Aga range cooker – it turned out to be a 30 year old in filthy condition, in a very rural house. The new home owners didn’t really know what it was, and wanted it out, fast! We paid very little for it, but then spent double that on having it dismantled, moved to our place where it was stored for a year whilst we prepared the kitchen, and then reassembled and installed. Not really sure how qualified or experienced our service man was, but all went well. We were fortunate in that although we live in the country we are on one of the few roads outside the city that has natural gas so that is what we use. Previously it ran on propane. We were not allowed to install the system for heating hot water, largely I think because the local council didn’t have any experience of this, and being on city gas the whole job had to be passed by them.
We are originally Londoners but have been here for 45 years and never dreamed of the possibility of an Aga range cooker. We both grew up with grandparents in Ireland and rural England who had Aga range cookers and both had fond memories of lovely warm kitchens. After spending about a week solid with a blademy husband cleaned off the guck and our green beauty came to life. I can honestly say it has changed our life here and we love it dearly. Canadian and American visitors are astounded by it, whilst our British friends cuddle up to it in a nostalgic haze.
The attached photo was taken quickly tonight without any special cleaning or tidying – this is how it looks every day. I noticed your photos often feature a doggy so Roger obliged!
We are very pleased to have found your blog and website, and look forward to learning more.
Sincerely, D & J"
