Scribblings from the Mitchy Side

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.

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*

Meee! I've got heating again! Hurrah! The only monthly payment I never begrudge is the one for British Gas Home Care. Saved my bacon yet again. And the engineer chap was not only early and efficient but, after he expressed disgust at the appalling way the heating system was put together and sympathised with me mightily, actually made a practical suggestion for getting it sorted long term. Nice guy.

Bonus was because he got here at 12.30 and was done by 1pm, I was able to go back to work which meant I ended up not having to use any annual leave for the whole afternoon. This made me almost as happy as having hot radiators :D

Major props to my colleagues at work too, on a day when we were rather short handed all round, for juggling rota duties and covering gaps to let me get home to sort things. I was glad I could go back in the afternoon, to be honest, and help out. I was even productive! :D

And now I have a 3 day weekend, courtesy of the day off on Monday I've booked to enable me to get sufficient amounts of sleep after the SuperBowl on Sunday night/Monday morning :D Ahhhhh, life is good!

Heating's packed in. Just as the temps drop and we're threatened with snow. Timing is everything.

I knew there was a reason I paid British Gas for Home Care Membership - they're coming tomorrow afternoon. I'll have to grovel extensively to work for the short notice and I'll have to blow half a day's leave, but needs must!!

I am starting to wonder how much it would cost to rip the currant system out and replace it. At this point it might be a sane investment.

Soooo, the heating decided to start working. *eyes it warily* I thiiiink I have to control it with the thermostat because it really doesn't seem to recognise the on/off switch, but we have heat! So I cancelled the engineer visit this morning, on the grounds that there were probably people in far worse situations than me that could be visited instead. I will, however, book an appointment in the New Year for a full inspection and assessment, with a view to overhauling the entire central heating system.

The work's Christmas Dinner was lovely! The food was very tasty indeed - I had ham hock terrine to start, followed by the most delicious loin of pork in a mushroom sauce, with the usual vegetables and then vanilla ice cream with crushed biscotti and a hot espresso chocolate type sauce. Oooooh! Clean plates all round :) And my Sekrit Santa did me proud - two large bottles of MerryDown Vintage Cider and a very large box of Roses Chocolates :) That's me sorted!

And I have a shiny, shiny new fridge freezer! Ooooh she's lovely! The delivery guys did a fabulous job wrangling it into the flat (there's a couple of tight corners to navigate around) but it didn't fit into the gap left by the old fridge, because the skirting board took up the room. So we went with plan B, to put against the other wall. For now. And then a mousey acquired a hammer, two screwdrivers and a manic glint in her eye and lo! The skirting board mysteriously vanished and the shiny, shiny new fridge was slotted neatly into place.

Gotta wait a few more hours before I actually plug it in, it has to settle apparently. But sooooon refridgerated goodness will be mine. Oh yes! There may even be pics :D

The weather is pretty vile - the delivery guys told me the roads were absolutely awful. I'll have to go shopping tomrorow but no way will I venture out until I'm sure the roads have cleared a bit. It was bad enough today - the main roads were ok, but the side roads were a nightmare. *eyes her flist* You all be careful if you drive this weekend, mmkay?

And now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go gloat over my new fridge freezer. Again :D

Looks like the heat's packed in. *siiiigh* It WOULD wait until we get temps of -2, wouldn't it? *muttergrumblesnarlmuttergrumble* The boiler's working because I've got hot water but when I flip the switch for the heating, nothing happens. Boosting the thermostat does nothing. Boiler flame is lit but not enlarged like it would be if the heating was on. I'm leaving it on in case it's just being exceptionally slow but it looks like I'll have to call an engineer. *muttergrumblebahgrouse* thessalian can't be in tomorrow (job interview! Yay!). so I'll have to blow one of the holiday days I was saving to carry over into next year. *snarls*

*makes offerings to patron saint of cold dormice* Pleeeease work, heating, pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease!!

ETA: Nuffink *sigh* Called a British Gas engineer, should be around Friday morning. In the meantime, I'll be under this duvet with the hot water bottle if anyone wants me :P