Well, yesterday started out well (pun). Actually, it was Monday night when it started. We had had visitors come to see Jack, the Alarm Cat, and then took us out to dinner which was very lovely and thank you again! Then, when we returned home all the lights were out and the power was off. I did the usual things, checking kettles and connections, and finally tracked the problem down to the water pump in the well…
Which meant no water on Tuesday morning. Luckily we had some in a big bottle outside and Habib at the supermarket had delivered us four cases the day before. But still, no water is a tad inconvenient at any time but especially so when we have a house guest arriving on Thursday. Anyway, I popped over the road and found our landlord and, with lots of arm waving and universal sign language plus some Greek spoken in a funny accent (me) and some Symiaka spoken in a funny accent (Andreas), I was able to explain that the pump had broken. I’d already taken advice from a man who knows about such things and who had warned me that this was not going to be cheap.
Our pump is (was) great. It’s down in the sterna, so you never hear it. It’s attached to the world above ground by a rope and its cable so when you need to change it you simply haul it up. Then, I am told, you just undo some joint thing and attach the new pump and lower away. I have no idea and I didn’t intend to find out. So, Andreas went off to phone an electrician (Frances’ husband, Vasilis, who wired the house when it was renovated). A little while later there’s the sound of Vasilis’ truck outside and some greetings from Andreas, who has a loud voice, is always happy and gesticulates like a tic-tac tic-tacker. A little while after that the doorbell goes and we’re off into the magical world of water pumps.
Vasilis quite calmly checked the fuse box, took the front off, stuck his screwdriver into the wires with alarming abandon, pulled them about without killing himself (he knows what to do, he was well trained… by Andreas who was head of the island’s technical college or something) and after a while confirmed that it was the pump and we needed a new one. He then acted as an interpreter for us and between us all we agreed that we and Andreas would go halves on a new pump as they are not cheap. A new one had to be ordered from Rhodes and, as write this now (on Tuesday) that’s been done and we’re hoping it will be here and installed on Wednesday at the cost of at least €400. Yikes. I know, but it gets better…
While Vasilis was here was also looked at the electricity meter. We’ve been here since February and our bill has been really low. I was kind of complaining to the landlord that we were not paying enough. I know, but you don’t want to end up with a large bill if/when you discover you’ve been paying the wrong bill. And guess what? We’ve been paying the wrong bill. We have been paying for Andreas’ house opposite (who clearly lives by candlelight as we’ve only paid something like €100 in eight months) and, with a little detective work on all sides, we discovered that someone else has been paying ours. Thing is, the wrong meters have been put to the wrong bills and our real one, estimated, is €16.00 in credit. Except it is not as we’ve used nearly 3,000 units more than the estimated amount. So, guess who is going to be getting a large bill next time round? I’ve no idea how much it will be, it depends on various things – how much you’ve used and at what time – but that’s going to be something to look forward to right before Christmas and right after our European trip. Hey ho! But, I am glad we have it all sorted now and am very grateful for all of Vasilis’ help.
Now then, as I write this, Neil has just photographed some more refugees who have been rescued and brought ashore by the port police. And that reminds me that on Friday evening at Pedi (Apostolis taverna) there is a gathering and party to which everyone is invited; drinks etc. for €10.00 which is a donation towards Solidarity Symi.
And that also reminds me to let you know that I am off to Rhodes for Wednesday and back on Thursday, leaving Neil in charge of mother (or vice versa) and so there will be no blog for two days. How will you manage? Well, I always suggest you check out Adriana’s Symi blog if you don’t already. I’ll be back soon when hopefully I will be able to wash.
