Sir, – Thanks to Fionnuala Ward for her paen to hot water bottles, which must rank among humanity's greatest inventions (An Irishwoman's Diary, December 29th). I would question her recommendation that they be placed between the covers, "nestled between pyjama top and bottom" prior to dispatch to the bottom of the bed, however. The optimal strategy is to place the hot water bottle in the middle of the bed, around waist level, with the pillow plonked on top of it. Getting into bed then, your pillow is warm, the middle of the bed is too while you place your feet by the source of heat itself. Thus your entire body is immediately warm. The feeling almost justifies having an Irish winter. – Yours, etc,
BRIAN O’BRIEN,
Kinsale,
Co Cork.