Barlow's brief

| Submit CommentSubmit Comments | View CommentsView Comments(2)

advertisement

Blitz spirit alive and well in Sutton

Vic Barlow
31/ 1/2007

I'M WRITING this week's column on my laptop and hoping the batteries hold out.

Yesterday afternoon the window in my home office was shattered by hurricane force winds. The double glazed unit exploded like a bomb sending shards of glass across the landing. I try not to imagine the injuries had I been sat at my desk.

Currently we have no heating, water, phones, or lights; fortunately Mrs B has a wondrous collection of scented candles and last night they were put to good use.

We lit a huge log fire and sat by candlelight eating cheese salad with Tesco Champagne left over from Christmas. My Orange mobile, the only network to have decent coverage on our windswept hillside, suddenly went dead. Deprived of phones, TV and Internet we lost contact with the outside world.

Reminiscing about our childhood, we discovered how intertwined our lives had been. I had no idea I once passed my wife's family home on my driving test. We could have dated back then. (We could, but he would have had to take me out in my pram: Mrs B)

I was mortified to discover my mother-in-law and I attended the same school; a fact my wife has promised to withhold pending the delivery of an expensive item of jewellery.

We played a silly singing game and I laughed my socks off when Mrs B did her Bay City Roller impression.

Discussing our grandparents, we realised how normal our predicament would have been to them and, as the last embers glowed in the hearth, we retired to bed, dived under the duvet and... sorry, my batteries have gone.


| Submit CommentSubmit Comments | View CommentsView Comments(2)


Most recent 2 of 2 user comments

   Thank you Vic for your humour, and bringing a little bit of light into our lives. Thank you.
Victoria, Macclesfield.
3/02/2007 at 13:53
   What a lovely story!! Apart from the bad weather which I might add is no different to what we experience during the hurricane season. It hurts over here more because some of the houses aren't built substantial enough. I hear there has been building damage over there though. It really makes me wonder youngsters would be able to manage in a crisis - no supermarkets or off licences or garages open. No electric for phones or ipods or computers - would they be able to cope. Have we raised a generation who are only interested in things rather than the basics. Or would they flip???? Whatever happened to the art of conversation with them Mr Barlow???? Hope you've got the window fixed. Anyone for ICC Cricket World Cup I still have accomodation vacant. Well Done to Paul Ince he's welcome anytime!!!
Sue Thorley (Barker), Barbados ex Macclesfield
31/01/2007 at 12:39
Have your say
 
Have your say Got an opinion you want to share?
Register now and have your comments heard.

Register now


 
Personal Finance
 

Customers with a 'good' credit profile
Company Typical APR
Platinum Exclusive Loan 7.8%
Bank of Scotland (Semi-exclusive) 8.6%
Halifax (Semi-exclusive) 8.6%
Alliance & Leicester 8.7%
Sainsbury's Personal Loan 8.9%
HASH(0x2abf2093f1c0)
Provider AER*
ICICI BANK
HiSAVE Savings Account 		5.50%
SAINSBURYS FINANCE
Internet Saver 		4.00%
FIRST DIRECT
Everyday e-Saver 		2.75%
ALLIANCE & LEICESTER
Online Tracker 		6.00%
ABBEY
Instant Access Saver (Special Issue 2) 		6.00%
ING DIRECT
Savings Account 		6.00%
ALLIANCE & LEICESTER
eSaver - Issue 2 		6.30%
ABBEY
eSaver Direct 		6.00%
POST OFFICE
Instant Saver 		3.75%
Fees may apply