So, first of all, yesterday we had the first seriously cold snap of the Autumn. Of course, I use the term "cold snap" in the southern English sense of the phrase which, 'as any fule do no', means that any hardy Yorkshireman might consider putting on his sleeveless pull-over, and any Jock might consider covering his naked, and usually hairy, chest with a string vest! Being a proper soppy southerner myself, I haven't stopped complaining about the freezing weather since yesterday morning.
Needless to say, that famous 'fickle finger of fate' instantly pointed at 'Chateau Duff' and the fan in the boiler broke! The plumber arrived and discovered the fault and promised to be back this afternoon with a new fan. If he doesn't hurry up I may 'do a Capt. Oates' and leave this ice-box of a house muttering as I do, "I am just going outside and may be some time."
Fortunately, in one way, I was doing my poor imitation of the good Samaritan by twice volunteering to drive an elderly neighbour to the hospital and then later to her dentist. I did so with a carefully hidden snigger because of course the thought of sitting in the car with the heater on full blast was enticing! Mind you, I did remember to tell the 'Memsahib' to wrap up warm as I left!
However, now I'm back and the house is still freezing and there's no sign of that bloody plumber!
ADDITIONAL: Well, the plumber turned up but - guess what? - the new fan was the wrong sort! He has promised to return tomorrow morning. I warned him that he might have to defrost me!
What! No whiskey?
Posted by: JK | Tuesday, 31 October 2017 at 16:11
Oh one other thing ... you called a plumber?
To fix the heat?
Posted by: JK | Tuesday, 31 October 2017 at 16:13
Don't you have a fireplace?
Posted by: missred | Tuesday, 31 October 2017 at 16:44
Did you at the very least fix Memsahib a hot water bottle?
Posted by: missred | Tuesday, 31 October 2017 at 16:48
You've always struck me as a great humanitarian, David.
Posted by: Bob | Tuesday, 31 October 2017 at 16:51
Boiler, icebox? Just put on a vest and sweater...tie not required. Send photo if tie is included.
Posted by: Whitewall | Tuesday, 31 October 2017 at 17:20
JK, 'over here' plumbers double up as heating engineers. As for the whisky, alas and alack, with all my medics I no longer drink.
Dear Miss Red, yes, we have a gas fire in our little parlour but that does not touch the rest of the house, least of all up here in the attic. And, of course, last night I did offer the 'Memsahib' the use of my body for the night but she declined and pulled the duvet up over her head. Honestly, there's no pleasing some people.
Thank you, Bob, you're a shrewd judge!
Posted by: David Duff | Tuesday, 31 October 2017 at 17:24
Boys, boys, boys, while your warm body is very nice, it cannot take the place of a hot water bottle. After all you would not ask a hot water bottle to do your duties now would you? Each to his own place you know.
Posted by: missred | Tuesday, 31 October 2017 at 17:29
Well David, I certainly hope y'alls licensing requirements are not at all similar to our's regarding the plumbing and the HVAC professions.
(Elsewise the apprenticeship period'd put the guy eligible for retirement before he could rise to journeyman. I shudder at the prospect of becoming a Master!)
Oh and Thank you exceedingly Missred - now I know what my ladyfriend was going on about two nights ago when Arkansas "enjoyed" its first hard freeze of the season. (Hopefully she'll begin replying to me again now.)
Posted by: JK | Tuesday, 31 October 2017 at 18:17
Yeah, was abit nippy here abouts too, JK. 28 degrees Fahrenheit/-2.2 Celsius.
Help is on the way for Thursday, JK, pushing 80F/26.6C.
Posted by: Up2L8 | Tuesday, 31 October 2017 at 19:00
Yeah figured you was cold Ups, matter of fact as my near location to your's has no "official NWS" reporting station I generally, take the mean between your town's and West Plains Missouri as, pert near, what I've experienced here.
Saw your 28° and then hit West Plains' and saw their 22° ... lemme see if I can "somewhat paste" (its off the 'three day history' from the NWS Doppler Mosiac site and, as it's about to roll off the three days ...
Air Dwpt altimeter(in) sea level (mb)
22 21 29.98 1016.2
http://w1.weather.gov/data/obhistory/KUNO.html
So I figured my town nearabouts 25° : -4°C which, according to the Ladyfriend, meant me needed to get her, a water-bottle.
I handed her my fifth of iced vodka which, wasn't appreciated.
But yep ... come Thursday!
Posted by: JK | Tuesday, 31 October 2017 at 20:16
I don't even know the exact temperature. I can only say that the tomato vines are setting fruit. We'll have fresh tomatoes for Thanksgiving. Huzzah! It was for this that we endured the summer heat in Texas.
Posted by: Michael F Adams | Tuesday, 31 October 2017 at 20:16
What it is David is, Ups is 34.4 miles west of me and West Plains Missouri is 35.2 miles north of me. My elevation exceeds both location's recording stations an' therefore ... well you know.
Posted by: JK | Tuesday, 31 October 2017 at 20:29
Here ya go Michael, stick your zip into the Search an' you'll get whatever "your official" is:
https://radar.weather.gov/Conus/index.php
(I had to strip all my 'maters off Saturday Michael - whyn't you UPS me a crate at 72576? They know me at the Post Office; used to have a picture I'm tolt.)
Posted by: JK | Tuesday, 31 October 2017 at 20:34
We must all pray, JK and 'Uppers' especially, that Barney Magroo's product is stacked safely in medium temps!
Posted by: David Duff | Tuesday, 31 October 2017 at 21:39
Not to worry David, Barney's operation (and living quarters) are located in a missile silo.
And it's perfectly safe David.
https://www.salon.com/2016/09/14/the-night-we-almost-lost-arkansas-a-1980-nuclear-armageddon-that-almost-was/
I promise.
Posted by: JK | Tuesday, 31 October 2017 at 21:50
What is all this moaning and groaning? It's almost 8 pm and the temperature outside is 80 deg(F). The trick or treaters are wearing shorts!
Posted by: TheBigHenry | Wednesday, 01 November 2017 at 02:41
You don't have to rub it in, Henry!
Posted by: David Duff | Wednesday, 01 November 2017 at 07:48
In fact, Henry, the least you could do is send me a food parcel!
Posted by: David Duff | Wednesday, 01 November 2017 at 08:35
David,
Just a bit of evil humor on my part. The downside, of course, is that I am (temporarily, I hope) trapped in "furshlugginer" California.
Posted by: TheBigHenry | Wednesday, 01 November 2017 at 18:07
"Furshlugginer" - Henry, you truly are an education!
Posted by: David Duff | Wednesday, 01 November 2017 at 18:16
David,
I have been a student for most of my life (and counting). But I don't think much of the current state of America's education system. So I try to do what I can to help out :)
Posted by: TheBigHenry | Thursday, 02 November 2017 at 03:22
You are up early, David.
Posted by: Up2L8 | Thursday, 02 November 2017 at 03:45