Woken by a power cut

 

The "look" of the current market . . .  How I would love that painted window here . . .

I heard the door bell when I was asleep on the sofa (bad night again), and immediately leapt into action, thinking someone was at the door.  There wasn't.  Crikey I thought, it's some gale if it can ring the doorbell!  (Please, no comments as to how poorly my brain was functioning!)   I went to the fridge to get some milk for a cuppa, and it was dark in there.  My initial thought was, "carp", it's finally had it - it's quite an age now.  I removed everything that was piled beside it to try and get to the plug - note to self, if it ever DOES go, you ain't gonna reach that plug!  Then my brain finally started functioning, and I thought, power cut, and went to try the lights.  Nothing worked.  Strangely though, the central heating boiler still did.  So at least in a power cut, I'd stay warm. I checked the Fusebox, all ok. Doorbell went again but nothing came back on.  Went to check on mobile, where I had to phone to report an outage.  Battery on computer at 100% so that would last a while.  I also informed Tam.

I think they may have the stuffed eels some time . . .

Then, ding-dong, everything back on again. Tam's got me to register with the National Grid as I am a pensioner with chronic health issue (asthma).  Meanwhile I have put the phone on to charge, started a loaf off (hope no more power cuts) and already knew where the torch, matches and candles are.  If it does go out again, for any length of time, I will be prepared.  I've done a big flask of boiling water too.

Storm Bert is making its presence felt anyway and we've had plenty of rain, which has cleared the last of the snow.  I've been down to town for washing powder (will get a much bigger box when I'm in Llandod next) and my Saturday paper, and also went for a nosey around a new Antiques and Collectables shop which has opened up.  Well, I don't hold out much hope for them - it was like stepping back in time - some pleasant pieces of Victorian furniture by way of sewing tables, a Grandfather Windsor chair SO worn down on the legs that the seat was level with my knees (making it a bedroom chair only), some very ordinary "pictures" on the walls, a few bits of silver and glass.  There were a couple of stripped pine chests which were more likely to find buyers but they were very very pale and not with any patina to speak of -   nothing I could see that would be likely to fly out any time soon.  You have to keep up with fashions and trends in the antiques world - at the moment people are buying a "look" and the unusual.  See photo at top.

The antibiotics seem to be working, but - and it is a BIG but - I slept awkwardly last night.  Lulu had forgiven me and was jammed into the small of my back to keep warm.  Pippi was, for some time, under the top quilt at the front of me.  This morning my back was SO painful it had me crying out loud if I moved badly or even moved at all.  I have had to take Ibuprofen and will sleep on my own tonight.  Right, back to The Magus of Hay, as the trees thrash around outside and whilst I still have power . . .

Two photos I forgot to add from our visit to the Garden centre - a lovely roof of sedums and similar above, and below, a great display on a fabulous old "truck".