And out went the lights!
OK, I am back! Everything was going well until 6.30am on Friday morning. The storm had roared outside since around 3am and the house really rattled. I heard a side gate blow open with a crash and some gusts were frightening. Our dog was petrified. But morning came and although it was still dark, I got up to shower. The lights then went out. A tree fell in my drive, blocking my car. Storm Eowyn had caught up with me.
It’s amazing how much we rely on electric. Suddenly, my front gate no longer worked. My garage door no longer worked. Yes, there are manual over-rides but still awkward. And there was no heat. There was no internet, that’s why there has been silence here on my Substack!
As Friday went along, the house got colder. The bedroom was like a fridge. Saturday morning came, still no power. At that point, I went out to buy a hot breakfast and have a hot drink. Power stayed off for the rest of the day and then - just like that - around 7.30pm, the lights came back on. Hallelujah!
I was thinking about those less fortunate than me who are STILL without power. There will be old people, living alone, who must be suffering greatly. There will be young families, with babies, who will find this awful. And I know of at least one man who needs medical equipment plugged in to keep him alive. His family were desperately trying to get a generator. I am grateful I suffered so little.
All of this made me think how without power, our quickly lives become unpleasant and harsh. I also couldn’t help but wonder if the authorities like these storms as a way to scare us into accepting their climate change rhetoric? Winter storms always happen, this was a severe one. But that’s all it is. Anyway, I am back!
I guessed as much. If we have a power cut I am reasonably self sufficient as the Aga runs on oil and so at least can cook and keep warm . I also have a small petrol Generator which can keep my computer and phone chargers going not to mention the fridge and lights but my friend went one further and has a generator that automatically kicks in and runs the house. Lots of people private and businesses have Jennys in Ukraine that do the same as the power is frequently off for long periods. Perhaps it’s worth thinking about 🤔
Our power went out around the same time on Friday. Back last night around 1730. Managed to get flasks of hot water and stew to an elderly relative, who still has no power.
Spent Friday night playing a crude card game one of the children had acquired. Cards for Humanity. And one or two glasses of cider. We got one of those range cookers about 20 years ago and thankfully picked one with a gas hob, so we boiler and fried away at whatever we could find in the cupboard and fridge.
Hope everyone else got by OK.
🙏🏻