Tuesday 24th Sept

I manage to get out of the door on time this morning, having got everyone’s breakfast on the table and cleaned up afterwards. The teenagers are off to school and Mrs P has gone to work. My walk to and from the library is very enjoyable, though I’m wondering how long I’ll be able to continue before I’ll need to wear a coat. On the way back I stop by the folk’s house, where the new kitchen installation is in full swing. The builders managed to damage a water pipe and cut off all water to upstairs for a few days, on top of which most of the wiring needs changing out. So the job is beginning to assume a life of its own, which the folks are not particularly happy about.

I’ve been bitten. At least that’s what it looks like. Having got through the summer unscathed, some parasite has now sucked into the back of my knee, and half my leg hurts. Throbbing, aching, rubbing. Once home I dig out an old pair of shorts to wear, so as not to inflame the bite. I look like something out of “It ain’t half hot mum.”

In the evening we all go round to the outlaws to say our farewells to Mrs P’s auntie, how is heading home to the USA tomorrow. Whilst there the old fella calls me to say they’ve lost all electricity in the house, and could I come and take a look? Talk about the blind, leading the blind. So I drop the family at home and go round. They have had a new fuse box fitted today and something must have shorted, or broken. After flicking various levers up and down in the dark, I manage to restore most of the power to the house. A victory, and one for which they are both grateful. I even surprised myself.

Yours thinking of charging for call-outs.

Jay