Fire

I started my new job last Thursday. I think I’m really going to enjoy it- my colleagues are lovely and the work is varied (and at least vaguely related to my degree!). I’ll be glad when I’ve got the hang of things and don’t have to keep asking questions. I came home after my first day tired and with a head full of things to remember.

We decided to get fish and chips that evening (well actually sausage and chips as usual), as I was tired and didn’t fancy cooking anything. When we got back from collecting dinner I nipped to the loo and was just pouring our drinks while we decided what to watch. I heard a strange crackling noise coming from behind the kitchen wall. I thought it sounded like flames, but when I put my hand to the wall it was cold so I assumed it was just a noise from next door.

Almost immediately, John said that he could smell burning plastic and I agreed. I went to the bathroom to find that there was smoke emerging from the extractor fan. Not good. Then I returned to the kitchen to see some very black smoke pouring out above the microwave. Definitely not good. We shut all the doors and turned off all the fuses before grabbing some coats and leaving. John rang 999 from his mobile while I banged on our neighbour’s door, thinking this was probably affecting him too. Unfortunately I dragged him out of the bath but he didn’t mind.

We all went outside and waited for the Fire Brigade. I saw smoke emerging from the kitchen window and willed them to hurry up. They arrived very quickly, within about 5 minutes- 2 fire engines and probably about 6 firemen. One of them went up to assess the situation and before long the hose reel was brought out, and they all donned masks and oxygen tanks. When people need to do this to go into your house it isn’t encouraging.

At this stage we weren’t being told much- they were just getting on with their job and asking us a couple of questions. Fairly early on the smoke alarm in our hallway started going off. Neighbours gathered outside to see what was going on, and I’m not sure how much time passed. Once the firemen had it under control, they began to focus a lot more on us, letting us know what had happened and askng us if we wanted to call in Victim Support etc. They said we should inform the insurance company straight away.

I think the phrase one of the firemen used was “I’m afraid we’ve made a bit of a mess of your bathroom.” Judging by the smoke coming from all the windows, I thought things were looking pretty bad. As it turned out, they’d used a hefty fan to get rid of the smoke and this made things appear worse from outside. I think I prepared myself well, because I was pleasantly surprised when we were taken in to see the damage.

The bathroom, which was previously various shades of cream, is basically black all over. The extractor fan fell off the wall and into the bath and melted a big hole through it. The firemen had to bash away at some of the wall to get access to the fire. Smoke had made its way through the ventilation system which ran through the kitchen, so that got its share of smoke damage. The living room, which is connected to the kitchen by an archway, received just a light smattering of soot. The hallway and bedroom were unscathed apart from a horrible burnt plastic smell and some firemen’s footprints. I’ve put some photos here. Fortunately the gerbils made it out alive too.

The firemen told us that closing the internal doors (which are fire doors) saved much of the flat from damage. If I had to choose a room to be destroyed, I’d choose the bathroom- it’s got the least personal stuff in it. The bathroom and maybe the kitchen will need to be replaced and it’ll be 2-3 months until we can move back in. Apparently the flat will be completely cleared of everything so it can all be properly cleaned and they have space to work.

We’ve been staying at my parents’ house in Winchester since the fire- it’s been great to have them close by. The insurance covers us to stay somewhere else until everything’s sorted. We’re moving to the Holiday Inn near home tonight so we can be close by for all the meetings that are happening this week. Soon we’ll be transferred to some sort of temporary accommodation- hopefully a flat or somewhere we can at least self-cater.

It wasn’t quite the quiet evening I was hoping for after my first day at work, but I did manage to make it in the next day. I think the main thing I have learned from this experience is just how effective fire doors can be- keep them closed as much as possible, especially at night. It could’ve been so much worse and we’re being very well looked after by our lovely family and friends, for whom we are very grateful.

Amazing Grace

Seen 28/3/07 ****

I’m quite into historical dramas at the moment. I thought this film was well made and I found it educational. I was compelled into reading more about the subject matter afterwards, which is surely a good thing.

Children of Men

Rented 3/07 ***

I was really looking forward to seeing this film, but in the end I was disappointed. Perhaps I had raised my hopes too high. I didn’t enjoy all the violence and I thought that the plot moved too quickly so that I didn’t feel immersed in the story. Still, the premise is very interesting- maybe I should try reading the book.

The Break-Up

Rented 3/07 ****

I never like to stereotype, but I thought this film was quite accurate in its portrayal of the differences between the sexes. The not-quite-conclusive ending is something that would usually annoy me but I didn’t mind it here; I’m not sure why that is.

Ice Age 2: The Meltdown

Rented 3/07 ****

LOL. Rather disjointed plot though.

Getting into town

On Thursday I decided to take the bus into town rather than driving. I thought I’d compare these two transport alternatives using a number of factors.

A return bus fare into town costs £3.00. A little steep, I thought, but on further consideration perhaps it’s not so bad. By car, I’d travel about 5 miles from home to where I normally park- a 10 mile round trip. I’ve been trying to work out how much this costs in petrol and it seems quite difficult. I can’t find a quote for “pence per mile” for the Nissan Micra we have, but I found one for the most recent model: 33ppm. Assuming this figure isn’t too inaccurate, it costs about £3 in petrol to make a trip into town and back.

Even if my estimate is too steep, there are still parking charges to take into account. I was in town on Thursday for over 2 hours, which would have cost £2.40 in the car park. I could’ve stayed until the last bus out of town at no extra cost.

Then there’s the relative hassle of each method. Obviously a car can get you exactly where you want, when you want. However, a bus makes the trip between my road and the town centre every 20-30 minutes, and I don’t have to find somewhere to put it when I get there. It was also quite nice to be able to read a book and not worry about traffic- the journey itself was a lot less stressful.

I think journey times for the two methods are roughly the same, at 25 minutes or so, especially when parking time is included.

I appreciate that some people value the privacy and comfort of travelling by car, and I can’t argue with that. But public transport has its upsides too. I forgot to collect my change from the driver and another passenger alerted me to it, which gave me that warm “aren’t people nice?” feeling. On the journey home, I was sitting near two girls who gave me some info on violence at their college and the current trends in piercings. They were talking very loudly- I really wouldn’t call it eavesdropping. I was also sitting on the upper deck which gave me a lovely view.

I suppose travelling by bus might prove difficult if you bought something really huge. With a car you’ve still got to carry it to the car park (unless it’s from John Lewis), but once you get home it’s easier to get it inside (depending on the location of your nearest bus stop of course).

Last, but definitely not least, is the fact that using public transport saves the planet a bit. This issue is very important to me (as those who know me are no doubt aware), and it’s becoming increasingly recognised. According to Walk It (a brilliant tool which claims only to work for London but actually does anywhere if you know the postcodes), the car journey produces around 3kg of CO₂ and the bus journey more like 1kg. I figure the bus would’ve been making the journey anyway and I can’t have weighed it down much.

Right, I think I’ve pretty much exhausted all factors. Any other suggestions would be most welcome. I think I’ve counterbalanced my initial “yikes” at the bus fare :o)

Casanova

Rented 17/2/07 ***

This was quite good. Enjoyable but unremarkable

Biking Fun

I’ve just tried out the journey to work. A little premature since I’m not starting til next term, but it was a lovely sunny afternoon and I thought I’d get out in it.

I bought a second-hand electric bike a few months back (one of these), having been inspired by Ray’s lovely folding electric bike. It’s not been getting regular use but I’m going to use it to get to my new job. The trip is only 1.5 miles and takes about 10 minutes. The route is fairly flat but it still really helps to have a motor, especially for getting away at junctions. I also use the bike for getting to my allotment, which is a hilly journey.

Hot Fuzz

Seen 15/2/07 ****

LOL. That sums it up really. I didn’t like Shaun of the Dead but this is less dark. It’s pretty tasteless in places but it’s full of laughs.

Employment at last

Deary me, haven’t blogged for aaages. I’ve just accepted a part-time science technician job at Wildern School, Hedge End. I’m very excited- I’ve always been keen to work in education and in the local community, and I get to do some science too :o)

Unfortunately we have to wait for my CRB check to clear before I can start, so I may be delayed until after the Easter holidays. But that’s ok- I think it’ll be worth the wait. My self-esteem has taken a huge leap.