Whatever next? After this mornings effort, I thought you'd not be seeing any more of me for a while, but this is too good not to share...
When I came downstairs at eight o'clock-ish this morning, I turned the thermostat up from the lowly number four I have it set on overnight, to a slight more friendly five and promptly forgot all about it, as I rattled away on the keyboard after breakfast. One poem, two loads of washing and one lunch time later, I became increasingly aware that something was amiss on the heating front.
Now, I pay what seems like exorbitant amounts to British Gas each month, for them to come and service my boiler once a year to keep it happy, and the engineer completed this task only last week. Not exactly reassuring when something goes to pot a few days later. I have my suspicions it may be the thermostat, as the boiler seems to be heating water, just not doing the warm air part.
Luckily, I have a gas cooker, so have turned the oven on to provide warmth in the kitchen, and there are gas wall heaters in two of the bedrooms. But here at my computer in the living room, it's a different story, and I'm not sure whether I wish you could see me or no...It's not a pretty sight. Over my all cotton T-shirt, and all synthetic fleece(!) I have now added my all wool crocheted poncho, and, obeying keep-warm-instructions-for-old-wrinklies, have now place my all wool, felt fedora on my all white, sparsely haired head.
Eccentric? Moi? What ever gives you that idea...
The 365 day, 24 hour cover British Gas Home Care people, when I eventually got to speak to a human being, have booked me in for an engineer's visit on Tuesday, between 8 am and 6pm. What's the betting he arrives at 5.55 ?
Good job I'll have your love to keep me warm.
You might have to try the old army trick..
ReplyDeletestuff lots of newspapers under your clothes and just be careful not to light a match near yourself. If you carry a lot of extra weight that is also good for keeping warm. I do, just in case of a situation like this even though I live in the desert.
not a good time for this to happen. just as the fridge only breaks in summer... murphy!
ReplyDeletejinksy isn't it all too astonishing!!!! the repair. the malfunction. the cold weather. the need for heat! stay warm!!!! steven
ReplyDeleteArrggh those repair people give such long windows of time. I find they sometimes come earlier. And you're supposed to drop everything you're doing.
ReplyDeleteOh, Jinks...I'm horrified...and so very, very sorry!! Please be as eccentric as you like!!! JUST STAY WARM!!!!!!!!!!!!! Love you so much!!! Janine XO
ReplyDeleteOh that is really bad news.
ReplyDeleteHope you manage to keep warm. Loads of layers seems to be the answer.
So much for the 24 hour service that you are paying for.
The worst part is having to strip for a shower/bath. Thats how it used to be before central heating was invented. Brrrrr.
Nuts in May
Surely someone could take a photo of you so that we can see you in your glory!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to see you, jinksy...twice a day....three times a day...never enough for me.
ReplyDeleteI'm sooo sorry my friend... The temps everywhere are frigid. I am so glad that you have something to keep you warm...and do receive a warm hug from me....uhmmmm. Hang onto it until the British Gas Home people get there. (Put a bug in their ear that your friends from across the pond are keeping tabs on them to make sure they take good care of our friend...)
Warm hugs,
Jackie
5:55 for sure!
ReplyDeleteOh Jinsky you don't need this do you, but then again who does......please stay warm, lots of layers and a wee bit of patience is what your going to need.......:-) Hugs
ReplyDeleteOh stay warm!! I'm sitting here layered myself in two sweathers, my coat, with two space heaters in my LR!! Too cold for florida!
ReplyDeletethat's horrible, you would think they would have a few for real emergencies like yours. Hope they get there early. And be careful using gas burners and ovens, unless they are vented properly, you just might accidentally gas yourself. Right now our temp has gotten to 20 degrees F,but I'm about to freeze sitting here at the computer. I've noticed as I've gotten older, it takes more to make us feel warm in the winter and less AC to keep us cool in the summer. LOL
ReplyDeleteI'll keep all your keep the bod warm for the next ice storm as we have an all electric house. Last year during the ice storm we had no electricity, but running water.
ReplyDeleteYes the toilet flushing was like a well loved hymn on Sunday....not sure what kind of hyperbole that is. Leave it to you to sort out!!
Oh, Brrr! I am shivering with you! I hope the BG folks come early in the day to fix whatever it is that's amiss.
ReplyDeleteDespite the cold, you have brought us several lovely poems in the last couple of days. I very much admire your soliloquy. You have "the gift."
Ah, Jinksy, I'm sorry you too are cold and uncomfortable as I. I hope its corrected quickly. I haven't checked any weather maps but apparently the cold is spreading everywhere. SIL says it was 21 deg in Live Oak, Florida and Miami-Brrr. Houses don't have a heating source there. So we are all suffering from it. Come on Spring is my mantra today.
ReplyDeleteI know now there is competition out there with my 'fashionable' attire. Keep warm any way you can and keep those posts coming, faster and faster! I love them. Such a good rhyme today. Was that just off the top of your head - if so, get published quickly. I just remember; my aunt created poetry this way. Boggled me. Oh, how I miss her laughing nature.
Heating problems are no fun at all. I wish you well.
ReplyDeleteThis is when I wish your blog wasn't photo-free! I can just picture you all bundled up. Stay warm and if you have to resort to a teaspoon of brandy we'll understand!!
ReplyDeleteOh yuck. I can't imagine that they wouldn't be working on overtime during a cold snap like this. Didn't you growl at them?
ReplyDeleteJust don't go to the loo between 8am and 6pm because THAT is when the BG man will knock impatiently on your door! 'Tis true!
ReplyDeleteSurely being the frail, elderly, senior citizen, lonely old lady...no one to turn to... lay it on thick to make them feel guilty. Joking aside, we oldies should be a priority. Hope he comes prompt at 8 in the morning. Keep snuggled in the woolies meantime.
ReplyDeleteLove Granny
I so hope you are staying warm Jinksy...we are expected to go up a few degrees in a day or two, but right now it is too cold not to have heat.
ReplyDeleteenergetic housework is apparently quite good for keeping warm..... Typical British gas though, I'd say....
ReplyDeleteI get out of the house as much as I can so I appreciate the warmth more. I also pile on the layers before switching the heating on or up.
OK...here's the trick
ReplyDeleteYou Tube (France 2).. Santa Esmerelda.. Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood
If you jump around to this music it should get you hot and bothered or at least give you a good laugh!
Oh, good grief! I see there are more posts above, with titles like 'The Gasman Cometh' so I hope you now have your heating fixed!
ReplyDeleteStay warm!