h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Bob knows. But none of the companies who have managed this complex since I moved in more than 15 years ago have decided to spend the money on fixing it Except for one, who installed a new water heater several years ago.

That would be the one that broke down on Christmas Day

And true to their word, there goes the water.

"After handling uncooked chicken be sure to thoroughly wash your hands, cutting board and knives to avoid cross-contamination and possible salmonella infection."

Well, I'd love to but...

So... THAT's how one makes Chicken Gunya!




Or, alternately...



So... THAT's how one makes Chicken Pürel.

It's not until you can't simply turn on the tap when you need to rinse something like a saucepan to use it again that you realise how really, really useful it is to be able to simply turn on a tap and rinse something like a saucepan so that you can use it again. I'm getting through my stock of water at a rate of knots

Also true to their word, at precisely 4pm the water came back. Credit where it's due, even when given begrudgingly.

Boiler's taking it's time to heat the water though.

If I owned my own home... and had the wherewithal to fit it out to my satisfaction I would have one of those instant on hot water systems. The water is heated at the tap on demand. They're so much more efficient than traditional hot water tanks, no wasting energy keeping a tank full of water hot while you're at work or asleep or away on holiday.

The problem is the upfront cost and installation. If I had the wherewithal, I'd have an on demand hot water system, energy efficient double glazing, a grey and rain water irrigation system, solar panels on my roof, an electric motorcycle (Brammo!)...

and I'd have a posse of sycophants and harlots!

Ya know....

If I had the wherewithal

What you're talking about there is well known to a lot of Brits as an Ascot heater http://farm1.static.flickr.com/33/43352633_12a88f0561.jpg?v=1126730801 Those who didn't want to use the proprietary name called them geysers I think. We had one in our kitchen when I was a kid. Some people had them in the bathroom, if I can just find that Gerard Hoffnung cartoon... http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZSXuiokqQCE/URo1fPPrt2I/AAAAAAAAD6M/PQLC5poVP7A/s1600/Hoffnung+Last+Encore.jpg (they didn't dispense tea, unfortunately, but it would have been splendid if they did ).

And we have a pair of industrial strength ones at work Boy, do they put out some hot water!

I've just come back from the supermarket. Walking through the outer environs of Castle Gosho what do I see?

The plumbers' van. Yep it's going to be one of those days There are two scheduled this week - today and Thursday. Thankfully I'll be at work for the second of those. And hopefully, after that, there'll be no more

I don't believe it

Whatever

"We want to thank everyone for their continued patience and understanding during our emergency water shut off today. We were able to repair the water pipe and restore water to the property this afternoon.

We are still working on a slab leak, located under one of our buildings. In order to continue working on this issue, we will have to schedule a hot water shut off. The cold water will not be affected.

Please be advised that the hot water will be shut-off:

Tuesday, March 1st at 9am.

We anticipate to have the water back on at approximately 4 pm."

Oh terrific. Now they're digging up the swimming pool, which is almost opposite Castle Gosho. And there's a mechanical digger with a bloody great spike on the end of the arm trying to pound through the reinforced concrete. And they were there yesterday until it got dark (after 6.30pm). And at the rate they're going it'll take them about two weeks to get through the whole thing

Or they could just spend the money fixing the ing water pipes

Oh, for BoB's sake.

Presumably they're going to build a new one, because on the railings that run alongside the road, where they put all the flags and balloons and the banners proclaiming what a wonderful place this is to live , like a (and I quote) "bark park" (that'll be the smelly fenced-off area that was underneath my balcony at Fort Gosho where people brought their dogs at all hours of the day and night), there's one that says we have a salt water pool

Yesterday they had the decency to wait until around 10.30 before they started hammering, although it went on until after 6.30pm.

Today - 8.50am

Mind you, that's practically lunchtime compared to building sites around these parts. The two that have affected Fort Gosho and Castle Gosho in the past three or four years routinely begin operation at 7am and go on until some time between 6pm and 7pm, Monday to Friday, 7am until 5.00 or 6.00 on Saturday, and occasionally on Sunday for six to eight hours. They have been known to begin as early as 6.30am during the week.

6.50pm, almost dark, jackhammer still going. As far as I can make out they've only had a 30-minute break all day. But I guess that's rampant free-market capitalism and a ready supply of cheap Mexican labour for you.

Water's off, no notice

I thought we were done with this cobblers

Reviving an old conversation.

Cold shower this morning When I was washing some dishes yesterday afternoon I thought to myself that the water didn't seem to be getting as hot as it usually does, but this was well before the maintenance people went home so I figured that even if there was a problem with the water heater it'd be fixed toot sweet.

Nope. And just because this conversation has been quiet for a couple of years doesn't mean there haven't been problems with the water here, oh no. Up until about six months ago I'd get an email every three or four weeks, sometimes a couple of times a month, warning of an impending water shutoff, sometimes for an hour or two, sometimes for up to six hours, to replace yet another valve. I haven't had one of those for a while now, but they always seemed to come on one of my days off, and usually when I had to do some cooking.