Sitting by the Sewage FarmSuch is the title of an old Borders Ballad dating from the last century. Such was the phone call Huttonian received at Sparrow burp this morning from an electrician summoned by the wife to fix our electric oven-the vital stand in for Ray Burn when he is off colour which is increasingly frequent. Anyhow the said sparks was lost and needed directions to the Old Manse. I gave him the usual instructions, making sure his car was pointing Huttonwards, Sewage farm on the right: 'Ah 'He said ' You mean the big house behind the Church with the silver car outside?' 'Yes'I said. 'I have just been there an knocked on the front door, but no one in' I explained futility of that when us in kitchen and John Humphries shouting down John Prescott. Next time yank bell (installed 1872)
So he came. Found fault was the inability of Wife to switch oven on in aftermath of previous servicing by grandson (5) who is an inveterate knob fiddler. Call out charge £19.98. (in effect £20 as border sparkies don't carry 2ps for change) 'No tea, I'm fine, next time will yank old fashioned bell pull thus drowning out even Mr H, in full flow, good bye and thankyou' And so the slow country day moved on.
Don't try that at home-in Lunnon anyhow. And expect change from a £100 note. And thanks?