Showing posts with label Handymen. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Handymen. Show all posts

Tuesday 15 December 2020

Tier 3 Handymen with Pies!

 
We have an electrician somewhere in the building.  He is 'finishing off' what he started some weeks ago.  'Finishing off' means 'repairing' as far as I can see, but I may be wrong.  He started in flat 2, has moved to flat 3, and is most probably in his van scoffing cheese sandwiches as I write.  I just wish he would come here, finish the job, and depart so I can get on.  
Ah!  Thumping in the stairwell, such banging can only indicate a professional is at work.  I have let him in and moved away so he can make a mess far from me.  I had better get the hoover out...
Yesterday I awaited another electrician, this one would change the electric meter for a 'smart meter' so I can save the planet and avoid struggling up and down the stairs into the basement.  I waited most of the day before he arrived.  He was friendly efficient and wasting his time.  These meters require a phone signal, which they cannot receive in the basement.  Further, being on the 1st floor meant the meter could not reach that far to the wee box that would give me a read out.  It was interesting to note the meter number the man had differed from mine!  I have only had the meter about 20 years, and he claimed it was the newest one there!  So that days wait was a waste.  Poor man was so helpful I felt for him wasting his time.   
With the worker arriving I thought I had better head to Tesco early.  A quick scoot around and I got almost all required, bar the things I forgot!  At the checkout two of the girls were getting anxious, they often do near me, but as the supervisor came over I noticed a drugged up chap heading past me for the door.  The girls stopped him and attempted to remove the bottle of 'Captain Morgan' rum and two beer bottles from him while next to me.  He was unwilling so I grabbed his arm and the rum and they got the beer as he ran for the door.  Complimentary words were ushered in his direction as he staggered out.  Attempting to rob while on drugs is not the best way.  Both he and his brother are often at it, well known to the stores here.  It's all rather sad really, it shows how desparate the boys are, it upsets the girls who have to intervene, but it did make me a wee bit more popular by aiding them.  No discount mind! 
So far it has been a busy week.  The church met on Sunday, masked, discliplined, "Don't touch the seat" even though you sit on them, no singing, and no conversation until outside in the rain!  
Jesus was there so it was worth it.  
Nothing has been 'settled' this week.  Always something online, email, handyman, or Christmassy to deal with.  I even missed Northern Irish football last night because of this!  
My life can be hard at times.
Now when the electrician returns, he has done a bit and will finish it in and hour - he says, and after that I have peace until Thursday when the new washing machine arrives.  If all goes well!
 
 
Of course it may be the imposition of Tier 3 on Essex may stop the vanmen delivering my machine.  I may remain smelling like a sewage dump for a wee bit longer if that is the case.  While all agree 'LockDown' is justified, and after the open invitation from the chancellor to 'eat out' spreading the infection it is not surprise people are sick.  Add to this those who gather in crowds claiming the virus is a hoax, and indeed the many Tory writers in the media lying in their teeth about the virus and its effects, yes Allison Pearson I mean you!  These things encourage people to be slack re distancing and meeting people with the inevitable result.  The ones who suffer are the grans and granddads trapped indoors unable to meet grandchildren, or those unable to get out and remain lonely with no-one to care.  The confusion as to what is allowed, shops open, gyms open, pubs serving takeaways, schools open even though many spread the virus...it's all a mess!  I accept such organisation is difficult but the whole thing is still shambolic and will remain so for some time.
 
 
Once again my 'settled' life is upset.  I ordered 24 Scotch Pies from Murdochs in Forres, and waited expectantly, with fridge and freezer door open and awaiting eagerly.  Today they arrived, or at least only 12 arrived!  One box, 12 pies while 24 paid for!  
I e-mailed them at once, hastening to the laptop while storing the goods away.   So far only an automatic 'your goods have been delivered' e-mail has been received.  I hope they reply soon or they may get an expensive phone call from an upset customer...
I bet they are laughing in Costa Rica...
 
 

Thursday 4 July 2013

Problems, Problems....




Problems indeed but not for me.  The woman next door fell through her kitchen floor again.  It has been repaired once but she managed to do it again.  This made her somewhat unhappy, although it was just her foot, no damage was done, and she failed to go through the ceiling below.  Our handyman boys came round, two bodgers hardworking lads, and fixed it this afternoon while she sat and sulked watching dumbed down telly.  This is a young couple who have a lot to learn about living in the real world.  No doubt they come from decent homes where all things were in good condition, this however is rent-a-flat-land, the real world if you like.  You get the best you can but it is never going to be what your dreams desire.  The chances of them ever buying a house is remote, you require around £150,000 at least and both need to be earning about £20,000 annually to obtain this.  No chance around here.  I wonder however if they will still be together in twelve months time anyway.  Kids today eh?

After fixing this little problem the boys noticed the first step at the bottom of the stairs was a bit damaged, this was quickly fixed.  (The phrase 'a bit damaged,' is not quite literal) While doing this the floor sagged somewhat also and on investigation the discovery of a leaky pipe resulted.  A slim crack had appeared on the joining bolt which was allowing water to gush out.  Naturally I was concerned - it might have been mine!  As it belonged to the downstairs chap I relaxed, awaiting his reading of his next water bill, just to see if he notices!  

So an afternoon was spent making tea for the workers, she wouldn't as she was in a huff, refusing to even offer a black bag for the rubbish, and I took the poor souls in for a break.  Mind you I have known them 20 years and have offered them many broken bits of this flat to repair, sometimes they have done this properly, sometimes I have to remind them that window is still stuck from the outside.  The landlord continues to drive his new Bentley, one of two I believe, having allowed all the Jaguars to rest awhile in the garage.  It sounds rough and ready here but it isn't really.  When I despair of accommodation and dream of a three bedroomed place with a sea view and a small garden I consider the places I lived before, at least one of which is no longer a slum -being torn down and rebuilt!  In many parts of the world people live in tin shacks made out of oil drums, and in North Korea they have Stalinist flats - only if the obey!  Now as the sun shines in revealing the inch of dirt on the window, I am content having a bright room, food inside, and internet contact with the real world.  A real world that has recently shown me several very nice friends indeed. 

Not a lot of people have such as this.     



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