Meanwhile, I should be grateful to have broadband - we spent 6 hours on Saturday without any power at all. We had just got back from stocking the larder (extra tins, cat food, loo rolls etc in case the Coronavirus takes off in our area - we will then just stick to our home locale as much as possible.) So, around 1.20 the power flickered and then went off. After ten minutes or so, we checked (using Tam's phone, which has signal here and broadband link) the Western Power line - power outage affecting 29 or so houses, expected back on at 3 p.m. By 3.15 pm the power outage was affecting about a further 100 houses (most of the parish I assume) and the update said, expect power back at 6 p.m. At 6 p.m. we were back down to the 29 houses (our little bit along the valley, pretty well our postcode) and 7.30 p.m. was the prognosis. Indeed, it was 7.30 p.m. when it came on again.
During daylight it was OK as we lit the woodburner and camped out in the living room. We lit candles and put them in front of the big mirror over the sideboard, and lit other candles and set them around the room, including the one in a church hanging sconce and we also turned on all the different fairy lights. It looked really cosy. We read by torchlight, and talked. I set a little pan of water with a lid on to heat on the woodburner but had to laugh as the fire wasn't going strongly and it didn't boil until . . . 7.30 p.m.!!
We have a collection of small torches, but Keith had invested in two big new ones from Lidl last week - they work on a beam or if you pull the centre out, then you have a big all round light. They also have a jointed magnetic end so you can attach them to a radiator. They are re-chargable. A good investment!
We made our evening meal by the light of one - rolls with cheese or chicken fillings, salad etc and then didn't need to cook later.
We coped, but were very glad when the power returned. 6 hours was quite long enough!
Back anon with a proper post - I got a walk in along the river earlier on - as it was SUNNY and dry for once!
