Let there be light!

And behold, there is light! In our kitchen. After several weeks of making do with a table lamp. The light fitting went phut! back in December ... or was it November? Things that go phut! are always a problem here as Tevye would be the first to admit he is severely technically challenged (as in can't tell the difference between a boiler and a hot water cylinder challenged). First we tried replacing the tube, then on our neighbour's advice the starter motor (I think that is what it is called) ... still no light. Finally our kind neighbour replaced the entire light fitting for us, and we are now basking in its glow. Joy! I will now be able to see what I am cooking.

On a less cheerful note, we have had to admit that our ancient, obsolete gas boiler has reached the end of its useful life. It has been living on borrowed time for several years. The final straw came last week when our downstairs radiators stopped working. The repair man blamed gunk in the system, and said he would normally recommend having it flushed out ... "but in your case the sludge is probably holding the boiler together, so better not". He has turned the pump up to maximum to try to drive the sludge round the system more effectively, but there is really nowhere else to go but a new boiler. And a hefty bill.

An I the only person who fantasises about living in a house where everything always works.