kii said:

buffy said:

kii said:

It seems that Google coughed up the answer. Scented firestarters are a thing. You can even make your own or buy cute ones from Etsy.
The neighbours had their backyard landscaped over summer, then had their engagement party a month or so ago. The firepit was part of that work..
I can imagine they received gifts that might have included scented firestarters from Etsy.
The smoke was not sandalwood*, it was a floral and musky scent.

*despite roughbarked’s insistence that he knows better than dumb dumb idiot me

Floral and musky sounds like patchouli.

Nope.

I used to wear patchouli or sandalwood.
I have used essential oils daily for various hippy rituals, since I was a teenager.
Many years ago I had weekly massages with an aromatherapist when I was stressed out by my work in early childhood services.
I know my aromas. In fact I have a very acute sense of smell.

What do you reckon it was? I’m not really up on the incense varieties now and I think I’ve only ever bought it from Indian shops. I do rather like to start the woodheater with some gumleaves in the mix so I can shoot outside and smell them burning.