tamaranth | Friday, August 24th, 2007

What's that quotation about how quickly civilisation would decay without electricity? (Have been googling for some time: suspect it's phrased differently.)

I got home yesterday to find that nearly all my electricity had been cut off. The lights still work, but that's it: plug sockets, oven, boiler, all non-functional.

My fusebox is in the hall of the upstairs flat, to which I do not have a key. The builders do, though. And the lack of electricity is almost certainly due to something they've done, whether switching off the wrong switch or blowing something Important.

Rang the letting agency's emergency line: no, they couldn't do anything as they didn't have keys to upstairs either.

Walked off my bad temper (this took some time), came home, compiled a mental list of things I'd have done if I had power (eaten a hot meal, had a cup of tea, done the washing up, put on a load of laundry, had a bath, checked email, ranted on LJ, uploaded Lille photos, ripped new CD, listened to new CD [ok, could have done this in the car], watched DVD, charged mobile, drunk cold wine), went to bed with candles, a book and tepid pink drink.

Luckily the swimming pool opens early, so I had a swim and shower pre-werk.

The letting agency, to whom I have spoken three times so far today, are very apologetic and will compensate me for food in fridge/freezer; will provide a key so I can access the magic box; are sending someone round to sort it out; will do their best to ensure it doesn't happen again.

One day I would like to wake up (to Radio 3, rather than the shrill twittering of my PDA alarm) and have nothing to sort out.