Rant

Don't say I didn't warn you...

I'm sitting in a pub as I write. Technology allows me to do this. I am using my laptop and the pubs delightful incentive of free WiFi access. EDF Energy allows me to do it as well. Rather EDF forces my hand. The Metropolitan Police further oblige my sitting here...
On Saturday morning I awoke to the sound of my battery powered alarm clock at a delightful 6.30am. It was still dark as those of you up at a similar time in North London will testify. Anyone? As a rule I like to see myself in the mirror when I shave so naturally I moved to switch on the light in the bathroom. No joy... "The bulb's gone" I think to myself. "That's a nuisance... Especially seeing as there are four bulbs that make up the lighting in our bathroom and I changed two of them last week..." After I make my way to the kitchen to find a lot of melted ice crawling it's way across the floor from the swiftly defrosting freezer I start to think that it might be an idea to check the fuse box.
Doing so reveals all fuses switched to "On"... Nothing amiss here, yet no sign of life in anything that relies on electricity either. I collect a torch and move outside to the electricity meter mounted to the front of the building, glancing briefly at the sad and un-lit Christmas tree on display in the hallway. As I open the front door I'm greeted with unnatural darkness.. The streetlight in front of the house is added to the list of casualties.. As I stand in my dressing gown and slippers I look to my left and right, up and down the street like Will Smith in Independence Day as it slowly dawns on him that there is an extra-terrestrial ship hovering overhead.
While I notice (to my relief) there is no untoward celestial body hanging in the sky, I do realise that the entire street is subject to something resembling a blackout.
I go back to bed.
Roll forward to the present moment - not only are we still without electricity (thanks EDF) and thus heating/hot water/food/light/google etc etc But we are also not even allowed in our houses - A frighteningly large fire has broken out next door and the Met have told us we won't be spending the night at home.
In fairness I can think of a worse way to spend three days - tucked inside a pub, being cooked for, free internet (not free food/drink I hasten to add) but still...
I can't even go for a night ride to warm the cockles as I managed to get a fucking flat earlier and didn't have any spare tubes lying around till I head out tomorrow.
It's quite a shock to the system to see how easy it is to take for granted something as simply as electricity and shelter for a few unexpected days.
So to finish on a suitably sombre note - spare a thought for those going without this Christmas - as I'm sure you all do.
Keep warm, ride safe.