looking forward

The weather stills seems to be a problem in Shetland with the worse gales since 1993, making it very difficult to travel by ferry. These South easterly gales are a bit unusual, but it seems the Outer Hebrides are getting even worse winds as it circles around the isles. In Sheffield the wind does not really affect us alot, but occasionally we do get flooded. You have to feel sorry for those people in Somerset, cut off for weeks and little hope of something happening to lift the gloom. Several years ago I was cut off near Meadowhall when the river rose and broke its banks, I had to stop at work until the small hours. During its height the water was flowing up to 6 feet down the road, destroying cars etc, it was unbelievable really, Diane was sat at home unaffected as we live high up on a hill , watching the flooding on the TV. Several day later after the clean up it was hard to imagine that it had happened, our minds cut it out, and the same will happen in Shetland as the winds will drop back to normal, the birds start singing and the flowers slowly begin to grow. We might even be able to witness this.

This week has carried on from last week which proved expensive. No let up with the weather with 90 mph winds hitting Sheffield on Wednesday which caused roof damage to our house. The ridge tiles blown off, two landed on the garden next to the car while a third stuck in the gutter directly over the doorway. Our friend came out to sort out the dangerous one but could not actually repair the damage until yesterday.A roof was blown off one care home near us so we cannot complain.

More cost though as things still went wrong and added to this the car went on the blink, it looks like the BSI unit controlling all the electrics has gone. I took it into the local citeron garage on Wednesday and he ran a full check which seem to clear the faults - constantly running wipers, lights and warnings about brakes, seat belts, anti pollution filter and other things. No problem bringing it home then i looked out of the window to find the wipers going as well as the light being on, this is without the key being in the ignition.I disconnected the battery rather than having a flat.

                                                                                            Rain and more rain

Contacting the garage once more they put me onto an electrical specialist who said straight away that it has become a problem with all French cars. They said they could have the unit repaired and then reprogram the radio etc but it would be out of action a week. They may have a car I can borrow sometime next week . More expense that we could do without.Last night this all changed, I was out doing some portraits when the car started to make a odd sound, so I stopped it and took the key out only to find the engine was still running and there was a burning smell. I quickly disconnected the battery and it stopped. I then had to wait over an hour for a recovery truck which took me down to Aughton to the electrical specialist who waited for me. I then managed to get a lift home from Ron, who was good enough to come out in the wind and rain. It would have taken me about 2 hours by bus and would have to change buses three times.Looks like the car will be off the road for about a week.

                                                                                Could have done with some hot food

Back to the move well that's been on and off all week with no one being able to contact the buyers and their solicitors have only just been in contact today after being chased for three days by the estate agents. Fingers crossed and all that.