Hi KC,...I shall write this so that you don,t have to lean closer to your PC..i would,nt want you straining your neck...Its not that firewood/coal is scarce...its just that over here its so damned expensive...here are some examples of cost...Kerosene heating oil...1000litres = $1112.6940....1 ton coal = $232,...1 ton firewood, can range from...$120 for soft wood...and up to $300 for seasoned hardwood...Natural Gas...is very expensive..as is Electricity...Our average bill for Electric is £800.per year...and propane gas for our cooker..works out at $50 for a 19kg bottle and we use 4 per year...but for me to get a big van load of furniture...approx 3 ton...which last for a couple of months is only $50...the above prices are based on a 2 bed small house...i,ve got a friend who has a big 4 bed..with 3 reception rooms, and he goes through 3000litres of kerosene a year..then there,s the Electric cost on top...average..$2500 per year....then there,s our petrol/ diesel which is $2.40 per litre.....So you see it is expensive to run a car and heat your home...on the + side...we have free medical care for life....free dental,free eye care..so there is some advantages about living here...