thanks everyone:) loads to consider & interesting to see the alternative thoughts.

I'm very much the way of thinking to try a few things before committing to major investment, but I do want to move over to a WB/multi fuel stove rather than the bulky &, most probably, really inefficient open fireplace that is there ATM, not sure if I want/need to go with back boiler, to me back boiler to heat water might be better?? but then I'd need a cylinder…….

at present there are 2 gas boilers, on for the kitchen & one of the bathrooms (I think) & one for the other bathroom & the cooker is gas.

I have been mulling over bringing alternative cooking means i.e. halogen oven, small electric oven, slow cooker, bread maker etc  but again I'm overwhelmed with information, but did discover that the microwave is the cheapest form of cooking!

Fridge is electric I think.

We are over for about 2 weeks before christmas & will not be back till feb probably, so this visit is really to see how we go, but as we are driving down I wanted to bring what i could just in case we fly another time & have luggage restrictions.