My current reading material which being black and white will match the mini-theme of black & white images.
Today I got a phone call from literally around the corner of my abode to be the joiner present to gain entry to a deserted flat, which was the most likely candidate for a water leak to two flats below. The police have to be there if you have to break-in (otherwise I suppose you are breaking-in) and they would be round as soon as a joiner and plumber were there. That was 1:50PM because I thought "bang goes any thoughts of going up to the footy" - Falkirk v Aberdeen (it ought to be worth going to as we can't be involved in 3 dull games in a row).
The normal procedure is to force the door open with a crow bar - but (there is always a but) it was an identical setup to my own door having been renovated at the same time so I strongly suspected that the new doors and frames would not budge. I phoned a friend (!) to see if I could borrow his ladders. Why?? Much easier to secure a smashed window than a destroyed door. I hadn't even had a look at the door but the police were taking their time.
Customers often seem to have a laid back approach let's say, like they are putting the breaks on, forgetting you are at your work and need to get things done - so I had to inject a bit of energy into proceedings. I wanted to do as much preparation etc so I wasn't fumbling for tools keeping everyone waiting. So I had a look at the door I had to destroy and then came the CSI moment - that amazing fortunate 'break' which in real life happens once in a career but 3 or 4 an episode if you are a colleague of Hirashio - there was a glass skylight above the door and no metal bars behind it. I looked about for a camera but couldn't see one.
Once inside the plan was to chisel away at the frame to remove the lock keeper and open sesame! Let the plumber in to do his part.
Well kick-off came, 3PM; half-time came; 3:45PM, full-time came, 4:45PM and still no cops. I had to cancel my plans for the evening with Al and Kirsten. Agggh, trouble follows a joiner around like a cat and a saucer of cream.
Eventually a police car pulls up just as the Manchester United v Aston Villa game starts.
With an audience of four - beating a hasty retreat - the pressure on though - the front sheet of glass breaks OK, then the wire glass does the same. phew. Then I had to get into the room but feet first from standing on the top edge of a ladder, as there was an eight foot drop on the other side - heed first wasn't a very good option. But I did stretch and contort enough to get in. Inside it felt a bit eerie, as if it had been abandoned in another century or even millennium. Paradoxically it was also a little too well lived in, but it wasn't like I was in invited guest was it!
I thought I'd be a little hero and see if I could spot the leak - sure enough under the sink, the valve to the washing machine was dripping, swift turn and leak over. Plumber can go - without lifting a wrench.
Policemen were happy with the couple of dozen screws I boarded up the hole with.
Despite all the easy sitting around for the plumber and I, it was both our first break-in but all the time the unknown was hanging over us. Still it worked out in the end
As for the footie, Aberdeen scraped a draw 0-0 with Falkirk, not exactly setting the heather on fire. But I'm sure it was better entertainment than watching the scores coming up on the tele-printer.
The plastering was a success yesterday - starting to get a real buzz out of it -trying to line up another wall for next week.
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