Well, some days after the rest of the country, snow arrived this morning, fine powdery snow, as the temperature is still 3-4C below zero. After breakfast, our new hot water and central heating system stopped abruptly, displaying an error message. We phoned Matt, the heating engineer who'd installed it back in January, who was able to inform us that the error message indicated that a pipe attached to the boiler which drains away water produced by the combustion process was most probably frozen outside in these prolonged extreme conditions.
He explained how the plastic outflow pipe was attached to a flexible hose beneath the unit, and was detachable. Within minutes, I'd worked the plastic pipe loose, allowing the accumulated water to be released, and the boiler fired up instantly, thank heavens. Clare wrapped a thin strip of cloth around the now-leaking plastic pipe, to wick away the water into a bucket below. Matt told us he already had ten rescue calls for the day, and was relieved not to have to visit us.
We walked to St John's Canton where I was due to celebrate our national Patron Saint's feast day. We had been warned that none of the regulars would turn up, but as we were out and about, we went anyway, just in case. Normally at St John's, I wouldn't suggest a service in Welsh, as worshippers are for the most part unfamiliar with the language or liturgy in Welsh. Since it was just Clare and I, we used the 1984 Welsh Language Eucharist, something I haven't often done over the years. Only when I was working for USPG and visiting Welsh language parishes did I learn the Welsh language rite. Although I'm rusty and still have trouble with pronunciation and the rhythm of words here and there, it seemed a good opportunity to do justice to the day.
Before lunch, we went for a bracing walk across Llandaff Fields before lunch, and although we were well dressed for the weather (I still use my 20 year old ski jacket), the stiff wind blowing from the east quickly chilled us to the bone, so we soon returned home. I took several photos while we were out, and more from indoors during the rest of the day, but there was no need to venture out again. So relieved and grateful it wasn't difficult to get the heating going again.
He explained how the plastic outflow pipe was attached to a flexible hose beneath the unit, and was detachable. Within minutes, I'd worked the plastic pipe loose, allowing the accumulated water to be released, and the boiler fired up instantly, thank heavens. Clare wrapped a thin strip of cloth around the now-leaking plastic pipe, to wick away the water into a bucket below. Matt told us he already had ten rescue calls for the day, and was relieved not to have to visit us.
We walked to St John's Canton where I was due to celebrate our national Patron Saint's feast day. We had been warned that none of the regulars would turn up, but as we were out and about, we went anyway, just in case. Normally at St John's, I wouldn't suggest a service in Welsh, as worshippers are for the most part unfamiliar with the language or liturgy in Welsh. Since it was just Clare and I, we used the 1984 Welsh Language Eucharist, something I haven't often done over the years. Only when I was working for USPG and visiting Welsh language parishes did I learn the Welsh language rite. Although I'm rusty and still have trouble with pronunciation and the rhythm of words here and there, it seemed a good opportunity to do justice to the day.
Before lunch, we went for a bracing walk across Llandaff Fields before lunch, and although we were well dressed for the weather (I still use my 20 year old ski jacket), the stiff wind blowing from the east quickly chilled us to the bone, so we soon returned home. I took several photos while we were out, and more from indoors during the rest of the day, but there was no need to venture out again. So relieved and grateful it wasn't difficult to get the heating going again.
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