Monday, March 09, 2009

Men in the roof

The job of insulating the roof has, so far, been fated not to happen. The first arrangement for the fitters to come was cancelled on the morning they were to arrive. Bear in mind that we were told they would arrive between 7.00 am and 3.00 pm. It means we have, at least, to be conscious around 7, or have them knocking on the bedroom window, trying to arouse us. At any rate, at 8 am, the company rang to say that the men had called in sick, so would not be coming. The job was put off for a few days.

The second time, they arrived about lunch time. They climbed up in the loft and then came down, scratching their heads, and looking embarrassed. The roof was supposed to have been cleared, they said. The OH said that it had been cleared, except for a boat – everything else up there was insulation material; he suggested they just lay the new lot on top of it. There seemed to be some misunderstanding about what was permissible to be left and what had to be removed. They didn’t stay to discuss it. They went; we cleared the loft; it took an hour and a half. The new appointment was last week. They arrived and they were satisfied. The started bring in rolls of lagging (insulation material) and stacking them in the hall. Then after they’d had a cup of tea, one of the fitters appeared – the other one had had a severe nose bleed; he went to sit in the van for a few minutes, refusing offers of cotton wool. Soon his mate reported back that he had chest pains too. The OH escorted them to the casualty department of our local hospital, and, apparently they spent most of the afternoon there. We hope to see them again this week.

Last Thursday was a bitterly cold day. We awoke to find the electricity off, so no heating. There had been a power cut, and the electricity company told us it was widespread, from us to Croydon and Gravesend. I turned on the radio, thinking it would be on the news if half the south’s electricity had been wiped out. But there was no report on it, and when I rang Irene, to chat, I found there was no power cut in Guildford five miles away. I was able to have a shower, as that had heated up before the cut. And fortunately, power was restored by midday, and I was able to deal with cooking for a visit of my brother in law in the evening.

Our talk went ahead on Saturday, and we had a responsive audience. We were happy with our scripts and hope we can use them again for another occasion. I was also very pleased to get a card from a friend – one who I don’t see very much of. She said:

Just a quick note to let you know how much I enjoyed reading ‘Tainted Tree’. I have to admit I borrowed it from Camberley Library without registering the author’s name – just because I found the blurb interesting.

I was pleased that she hadn’t noticed and had been inspired to read it just the same.

Yesterday, M and I visited his aunt and took her out for a Chinese meal. She is a remarkably youthful 91 year old, and has family descending on her all the time, because she is fun to be with.

I’ve been reading Crow Lake for the reading circle, and writing my comments, as I was the person who recommended it. The story is based in Canada, and I found myself comparing it with Anne of Green Gables, which takes place in Prince Edward Island. I was not surprised when I discovered that the author (Mary Lawson) was a distant cousin of L.M. Montgomery, the writer of the Anne books. I loved them when I was young and recommended them to my own daughter, who also loved them. And Crow Lake had the same qualities. People who you warmed to, a wonderfully described environment, a carefully woven plot, structured in a way I approve of, as a writer – and generally a good read. I’m all for good reads. That’s how I’d like my own book to be viewed.

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