Busy around the house
Frankly, I feel like I've been doing too much of the responsible adult thing lately. I'd like a break, but I still need to book the car service, the heating system is due for a check-up, and Mr8 is due to see the orthodontist.
Just before lock-down the washing machine died. Apparently 10 years is a good life for one of those, and the problem seemed to be electrical with spare parts no longer produced. So a new one was purchased. Not the one I intended, the supply line was already running dry and there were none of that model left in the country. So I got a slightly bigger one.
I'm still surprised by how much I can fit in to the new one, and how quickly it washes. Quieter as well. Only thing I miss about the old one is that I didn't have to worry about accidentally pausing the wash cycle with my butt when turning around near the touch-screen display.
We started lock-down with getting the rainwater tanks cleaned, which was very much needed. Unfortunately the metal one sprang a leak on the side (we were warned that given the age of the tank there might be problems with rust). Technically the tank is still covered by warranty against rust by a few months, but the group which sold it to us went bankrupt a few years ago, no one else wanted to come and look at it, so we decided we couldn't be bothered. David has plugged up the small hole, so far it seems to be holding.
The downstairs toilet started leaking (cistern into bowl, so not messy at least). First quote was ridiculous (pro tip: don't lie to people about how much a new appliance will cost or the availability of spare parts in the age of the internet). 2nd one was much better and we got that repaired.
During learning from home one rainy day, the ceiling in my office started to leak. We've done a number of ad hoc repairs to the balcony over the years, decided it was time to get it fixed properly.
Took longer than I would have thought to find someone willing to come and quote, but now it is all done. New tiles, waterproof membrane, and it even slopes away from the house instead of toward it.
We have to pay for the balcony repair, but insurance will cover the damage to the ceiling. That is now approved and will hopefully start in the next week or two.
One of the gas burners on the stove stopped working. Happily David managed to fix that one by clearing blockage with a pin, so that saved another plumber call.
I've finally bought a new mattress for the bed. The old one was over 10 years old and over-due for replacement. I didn't realise quite how bad it was until I started trying out new ones. It was collected by hard rubbish this morning.
All in all, we spent rather a lot in the last 3 months.
Just before lock-down the washing machine died. Apparently 10 years is a good life for one of those, and the problem seemed to be electrical with spare parts no longer produced. So a new one was purchased. Not the one I intended, the supply line was already running dry and there were none of that model left in the country. So I got a slightly bigger one.
I'm still surprised by how much I can fit in to the new one, and how quickly it washes. Quieter as well. Only thing I miss about the old one is that I didn't have to worry about accidentally pausing the wash cycle with my butt when turning around near the touch-screen display.
We started lock-down with getting the rainwater tanks cleaned, which was very much needed. Unfortunately the metal one sprang a leak on the side (we were warned that given the age of the tank there might be problems with rust). Technically the tank is still covered by warranty against rust by a few months, but the group which sold it to us went bankrupt a few years ago, no one else wanted to come and look at it, so we decided we couldn't be bothered. David has plugged up the small hole, so far it seems to be holding.
The downstairs toilet started leaking (cistern into bowl, so not messy at least). First quote was ridiculous (pro tip: don't lie to people about how much a new appliance will cost or the availability of spare parts in the age of the internet). 2nd one was much better and we got that repaired.
During learning from home one rainy day, the ceiling in my office started to leak. We've done a number of ad hoc repairs to the balcony over the years, decided it was time to get it fixed properly.
Took longer than I would have thought to find someone willing to come and quote, but now it is all done. New tiles, waterproof membrane, and it even slopes away from the house instead of toward it.
We have to pay for the balcony repair, but insurance will cover the damage to the ceiling. That is now approved and will hopefully start in the next week or two.
One of the gas burners on the stove stopped working. Happily David managed to fix that one by clearing blockage with a pin, so that saved another plumber call.
I've finally bought a new mattress for the bed. The old one was over 10 years old and over-due for replacement. I didn't realise quite how bad it was until I started trying out new ones. It was collected by hard rubbish this morning.
All in all, we spent rather a lot in the last 3 months.