Scribblings from the Mitchy Side

Last night I went with a bunch of work colleagues up to Prezzo's in Stevenage for a combined leaving do for 2 colleagues who have managed to escape our clutches. We were at the "finally figured out what we're eating, at the bar getting drinks" stage when the power went out. "That's novel!" we said and waited, and waited, and waited. We had no information from the staff or manager, beyond the fact it wasn't the restaurant's fault, as there were a small cluster of restaurants on the leisure park with the same problem.

When we got the word that the power company website estimated it would take two hours to repair the problem, we left. I felt so sorry for the staff, we were a party of 35 and that's a lot of tips to lose, but what else could we do? They couldn't serve us because they couldn't take payment and didn't know IF they'd be able to take payment. Also, not safe, even with the emergency lighting. I will go back tomorrow and pay for the drinks I had (I'd just been served when the power cut), although I heard they'd comped the drinks served at the table. Still, I'll pay for mine, fair do'.s

Anyway, most of us headed over to town and went into a Whetherspoons, where food was finally scoffed and booze could be quaffed in suitable quantities. A good time was had by all. I had a mahoosive mixed grill that was pretty darn good, and there may have been cider, although I only had 2 all night. And then I got a lift home and settled in to watch Wales v England, the first game in this year's Six Nations Championship. The game had been on the TVs in Whetherspoons - you're not going to believe this, but I managed to get out of there without seeing the final score! I suspected we'd won but I wasn't sure, so I was able to watch the game in ful more or less unspoiled :D Hee! And we won! WOO HOO!! *boogies on down*

On the not so good front, when I got home last night I turned on the heating...and nothing happened. Again. For the second time in 8 days. *siiiiighs* So now 'm stuck in this afternoon waiting for the engineer to show up. But at least I got an appointment for today, I was thinking I'd have to wait until Monday. Brr!! *burrows into sofa with hot water bottle and mug of tea*

So I have heat - for now. Engineer guesses a week at most (assuming I use it every day, I guess. I might stretch it out if I'm careful). Problem is there's too much air in the system and that's not an easy or quick or cheap fix. Yes, a sealed system might work but it would require running pipes through the kitchen. Be a lot of work and wouldn't look pretty but it should do it.

The engineer chap who came today very kindly didn't mention the air problem on his report - he simply put in a new thermostat receiver, which I did need, and that's all he put on his report. Otherwise I'd have had to pay for the call out as the air issues will no longer be covered by my Home 100 agreement with British Gas. So I'm going to have to bite the bullet and get something sorted if I don't want to freeze for the rest of winter.

Chap promised to raise a request with his manager for a senior engineer type who specialises in problems like this to come out and have a look and make some suggestions. And then i can start getting quotes and what not. In the meantime, if I bleed the radiators when the system is off, I might be able to prevent the air building up but it's going to fail again eventually, it's just a matter of time.

I am very fortunate that I can afford to do this because I have savings. I shudder to think what it would do to the average person faced with this sort of repair because it's easily going to be 4 figures. So I'm counting my blessings that I have a house and hot water and some heat at all, and accepting that when you're a home owner, you just have to deal with the bad things that happen.