Patience on a Monument

No not about extreme card games but yet another penalty of a rural existence-waiting for the bleeding carrier. This time it is our contribution to carbon neutrality :a cast iron push-if-not-sing-along-mower. Made in the UK. No Chinese rubbish and no 12,000 air miles. Not much use in the broad hectares of the Old Manse garden where one mow of our meadows empties the petrol tank of a large motor mower and a hand mow would be a painting the Forth Bridge job, but ideal for the Small House in Duns. Unusually the company-www.cheapmowers.com or similar not only offered free carriage but also a number to call to arrange the delivery on the day that suits you. I rang. Agreed Monday. Morning or Afternoon? Sorry carrier can only agree the day. If out he can leave the mower in the boiler room by the back door. Sorry, no can do. Signature required. But..oh free delivery. Agree.

Monday wore on. Lovely sunny day. Risk 9 holes? Better not and the wife has to go out anyhow. Better hang around. Phone rings 'TNT here' Asks for directions to the Old Manse. Give them. Ask TNT is they are using a smallish vehicle because of Kirk Lane and its bad bend. 7.5 Tons they say. 'Could have a problem' I say. Might be difficult to reverse up or back down.. Suggest unloading at bottom of lane and trolleying up. After all very small mower. TNT lady sounds unconvinced. Where is the driver now? No idea but he will phone if he has problems.

No Problems as no phone? Alas. No show.

Today www.verycheapbutundeliverablemowers.com unobtainable. E-mail bounces and answer machine user unfriendly. Customer Satisfaction department on half term. Thick fog sent by the BBC Blether Centre reducing visibility to weather warning dimensions. Carrier will not find Hutton never mind Kirk Lane.

Can't play golf, can't leave the house. Might as well wait. If the Carrier does not come

Godot might

(It all reminds me of the old Soviet Union tale of a man having ordered a car was suddenly told (after a three year wait) that it was coming year after next. 'Morning or afternoon' He asked and added 'I hope it is the afternoon because the plumber is coming in the morning')

Labels: Godot, Old Manse, Waiting. Hutton

  ¶ 9:55 AM