Power Cut

Posted on 2002/10/28 11:11:56 (October 2002) by john.

What do you do when there's no electricity?

Yesterday there was a power cut where I live. In effect I spent the whole day without power. Apparently, it went off at 7AM, so there was no power when I got up (if you get up any earlier than 7 on a Sunday you're SICK, OK?), no power when I went to bed, and no power inbetween. I could have turned this post into a rant about the terrible service the electricity companies give, but, in fact I don't think that would be fair. There were extreme weather conditions to deal with, and I'm pretty sure they did their best to get the lines up and running again as soon as possible. It was a little bit annoying that there wasn't really any information available - I phoned up the electricity company's power cut line and just got a recorded message to say that they were doing their best, but, again, to complain may well be unfair. The engineers involved are dealing with very irregular and unpredicatable situations (i.e. British weather), and so it would be really difficult to give out even rough estimates of when they expect to fix it.

I think what I found frustrating was more the dependency I, or indeed most people, have on electricity. The domestic applicances in my flat, for example, were all totally useless. Although I have a gas powered boiler, the controls are all electric, so it just shuts off altogether when there's no electricity, and there are no mechanical overrides. Unfortunately I have an electric cooker, so I couldn't even heat up a pan of water on the hob. I had no source of light, and my contract actually states I'm not supposed to use candles in the house. Bugger that, I thought, there's no way I'm sitting in the dark as well. No boiler meant no heating as well. Luckily it didn't seem to get as cold as I'd expected, and a nice thick jumper plus a few glasses of my favourite single malt seemed to sort that out. As for food, the other half of the village did still have power, so I got takeaway. Having eaten out twice the previous day though, I was a bit loathed to lay out this additional expense. Plus, the only real takeaway on offer was Indian, which I'd already had the day before. Never mind though, it was hot, so I shouldn't complain.

Entertainment was the real problem. While it was still light, I went out for a very nice walk in the surrounding countryside, something I hadn't got around to doing since I moved to my new home. That bit was really nice. But as soon as it got dark, walking kind of loses its appeal. After scrabbling around in old boxes, I discovered I still had the batteries for my portable stereo that I'd bought for our new year's eve trip to Exmoor. So I thought I'd spend some time listening to the radio. Radio seems surprisingly crap these days. It's only Radio 4 and Jazz FM that are really worthwhile, all the other stations are just noise to me. However, for no apparent reason, I could only pick up Jazz FM in my kitchen, which was a bit awkward. I wound up going to bed fairly early, about 9:30, as there just wasn't anything else to do.

So I guess in the end it wasn't too bad, just a bit boring really. Thinking about it, I've made several visits before to Bardsey Island, where there is no electricity. I always seem to have a great time there, despite, or even because of this fact. I suppose the difference is just the people. On Bardsey, I'm surrounded by friends and family, whereas at home yesterday, I wasn't. So it does beg the question as to whether we end up using all these mod cons - computers, televisions and so on, as a substitute for human interaction, which I'm pretty sure, for me at least, is far more rewarding and far more enjoyable.

I'd have to agree about the power thing, however, in mate speak, I would like to add something.

If you ever find yourself bored and alone, give your mates a bell. I always enjoy our little conversations and would have been happy to pick you up and drop you back off again. I just sat and watched Videos / DivXs (The Prisioner and Blade 2). It would have been great to see you, so if you're bored and fancy some entertaining, I might be in the same boat. So gimme a ring and we can entertain each other!

Posted by Rob Lang at 2002/10/28 11:30:20.

Thanks Rob! Yes that's what I should have done, however, it was a combination of two things. Firstly, not wanting to "impose" on anyone, as my grandmother always puts it, I think I just tend to assume people are always busy and I didn't want to put anyone on the spot. Secondly, my mobile's battery ran out part way through the day, meaning I didn't have anyone's phone number! For some reason I am reminded of the article I posted a while back about backing things up...

Posted by john at 2002/10/28 11:53:34.

It was on in Theale. Until 7am (ok, so I'm sick) when it flickered a bit and tripped the RCD (Residual Current Device) for the entire house. It didn't last though... and I will add to Rob's comment that we're only 10 minutes down the road YOU ARSE! There is no such thing as imposing on your mates - at least I don't think so. Any of you lot are welcome - in fact I'd love it if people didn't have to organise to drop round. Just turn up!!

Posted by rowanboy at 2002/10/28 13:46:34.

Having said that Tom-me-old-cocker, the last time John and I just 'turned up', you didn't half look surprised. You've now given us open bloody season on turning up at your gaff!

Posted by Rob Lang at 2002/10/28 15:22:07.

"Catch Tom off guard". With a bit of work, I think I could finally realise my life long ambition to create a new olympic sport.

Posted by john at 2002/10/28 16:00:13.

That's conjured a really surreal image of a huge olympic bandstand in the road outside Tom's house, full of eager spectators cheering on a bunch of athletes persistently knocking on the door at awkward moments, and Mr. Rowan getting quite irrate as a result.

Posted by john at 2002/10/28 16:03:03.

I can feel a webpage coming on.

Posted by Rob Lang at 2002/10/28 17:01:06.

The neighbours might object to the bandstand though..

Posted by rowanboy at 2002/10/29 09:30:33.

But they won't object to the huge amount of fame that will go with it.

Posted by Rob Lang at 2002/10/29 11:02:43.

Every bloody time I come up with a new olympic event, your selfish sodding neighbours have to go and spoil it, Tom.

Posted by john at 2002/10/29 11:55:49.

Yeah. Bastards.

Posted by rowanboy at 2002/10/29 15:29:21.

We could olympic torch them so that John's new sport goes through. Nice cocktail a la molotov, I think.

Posted by Rob Lang at 2002/10/30 14:53:38.

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