Renewed energy

The time has come to re-route the electricity supply and move the meter to its new location in the "Link". After an initial "we'll do it in 12 weeks time" answer, the nominated (read monopoly) utility company decided they could do it somewhat quicker.

In preparation for a day without power, the construction company had managed to dust off one of their old petrol generators. All for the support of a single gold fish, fridge and freezer. And with the stuff moved out of the way in the kitchen, soon to become the Link, it was time for action.

With the mains intake exposed, the electrical engineers calmly announced they were going to cut the mains cable without isolating the supply. Now, these guys are pretty battle-hardened, but cutting into a live 250v cable is high risk, in my books.

An hour or so later, our new supply was connected, with proper earth, fuses and other safety kit all wired in. With an "ordinary" electrician hooking it all up, after five hours, we were back in action. Next on the list is a new consumer unit and complete rewiring of the existing house. That's set to create some major upheaval but at least we now have an intake which can cope with the rest of the kit.

Sparkles, the goldfish, oblivious to the fact that the petrol was running out on the "genny", will live to tell the tale.