A GOOD OLD DUVET

There is nothing like crawling into bed and pulling a duvet over you. It settles down without the restrictions of anything tight around you. What could be easier than getting up in the morning, giving it a shake and the bed is made.

I found myself sleeping under a duvet some years ago when living abroad. I couldn’t believe anything could replace the top sheet and blankets. It was comfy, warm and light without losing the sense of something covering on you.

They are literally ‘flat sleeping bags’ with a removable cover you can toss in the washing machine.

Here’s what I learned about a duvet: They go back to the 16th Century and were introduced by the Vikings. They were filled with eider down (eiderdown?) which came from the breast down of a female eider duck.

The modern duvet is filled with wool or cotton or silk or a synthetic alternative such as polyester.

Author’s comment: The best to me are those made with duck or goose feathers. These bring a certain lightness to the duvet, yet redirect the heat from your body without losing a sense of warmth. Heavier duvets work well in the winter months; lighter ones for other times of the year.