You know you own a restful oasis of calm when not one, but two foxes decide that it is a suitable place for their regular nap in the sun. According to valkyriekaren she sees them quite regularly when she is at mine, but today was the first time that I saw them both while having my camera to hand. Unfortunately, they manage to sequester themselves quite neatly ( Read more... )

Shock and wonder - the cistern for my loo requires a non-standard flush handle. Neither of the two local 'sell-everything' hardware shops stock one which would work, and neither does the bathroom shop within walking distance - although he suggested that it might need a handle from the specific manufacturer ( Read more... )

This morning I demonstrated l33t domestic god skills (for a very minor level of demi-deity) and changed some fuse wire in my fusebox. Go me. The electrical sockets now work again (which is how I am online). Also, I'm going to see whether my local hardware shop sells MCBs (circuit breakers) which I can replace the wire cartridges with. [sigh] Given ( Read more... )

if (flats_owned == 0) flats_owned++;

EDIT: For those who are satisfyingly less geeky out there, I am now the proud owner of a flat in sunny Addiscombe, a mere three minute tram jaunt from East Croydon ( Read more... )