Do you have a look outside when there is a power cut?

[PyongyangKipperbang]

Did it myself and felt a bit foolish until I saw next door doing it too!

We are currently sitting in candlelight (until about half ten according to National Grid) and the first thing I did when the power went off was to stick my head outside the front door to check it was the whole street and not just us. DD thinks I am a bit mad for doing it, I think it is perfectly normal!

Also, I open the curtains as you do get some light in that way from the moon, she also thinks that is mad as its dark outside. Wont concede that the lounge is a little bit lighter with them open, even though it clearly is!

I think it’s normal.

Thank you! I am trying to explain that we need to know for sure that it isnt just us, to make certain our electrics arent knackered, and not just assume its a power cut!

I think looking out makes perfect sense. Let's you know if the problem is yours or if its a power cut. I'd think most people would do that.

I wouldn't open my curtains though. Looking out into the dark gives me the heebie jeebies

I always check the rest of the street to make sure its not just me 🤣🤣

Ah but its darker in my lounge than it is outside, so I can actually see more out there than I can in here!

I would. Also you see the most amazing stars if the whole village is off and it's a clear night.

Always open the front door to check the rest of the street, if the WhatsApp group hasn't already pinged, that's normal I thought?

I'm not going into the cupboard to flick switches if it's all of us as it's a mission to get to them.

But you're still looking out into the dark. I just cant 😂😂

Of course it's normal to look outside! I would normally report it to the power distribution people, and would feel a bit silly if it was just something that had tripped in my house!

We've had 4 or 5 in the last week (they haven't lasted long) but all in daytime so no, just checked the fuse box and suddenly realised how dependent I am on wifi/laptops/phone/the kettle/microwave! I didn't know what to do with myself!

How old is the little know it all? She's an adult isn't she or at least an older teenager??? or have I miss remembered??

Of course is natural to look out to make sure it's not just you. Pointless digging about with your electrics if it's the whole street, but useful to look into it if it's not.

I think opening the curtains just depends on how light it is out compared to how darker is inside. I don't have curtains, which will freak @Redglitter out 🤣🤣, I don't think many years ago when I did I would have opened the curtains though, just wouldn't have occurred to me really, I'd have lit candles.

I read on the Wil Photography Facebook page the other day that the full moon (it nearly is tonight) creates 6 times more light on Earth than when it's a quarter moon, so it does make a difference!

Yes. We have overhead electricity supply cables from the street rather than underground cables.
We once had a power cut caused by a squirrel chewing through the cables in the next street.

We have a really active community facebook page so I just check there - modern day version of looking outside!

Yes. Partly to check that it isn't just me. And partly, if it's a clear night, to look at the sky without the light pollution.

Yes, it's good to know if it's a local outage or a fault in my home. Is it not standard to check?

I don't have to... a neighbours burglar alarm goes off during a power cut so we can hear when the electricity is off.

And annoyingly we also lose phone signal, so can't even check to see what the issue is.

Why did you feel foolish! It's totally normal to look to see if everyone's lights are out, in fact who doesn't do that?

Is it the first power cut you've ever had?

She is the youngest of 6, so 13. She hasnt really had that many power cuts when she has been old enough to not already by asleep (why do they always fucking happen at night?!)

Only felt foolish after I got the "Why are you doing that?!" face from DD!

And they have just updated....midnight. Still on the candles as DD took the LED lamp up to bed with her.

Its quite cosy actually!

i have about 4 headlamp touches on my side satchel as and when i need them because when it was winter i used to go in the garden and the faff with a normal touch was a pickle so i invested in the headlamp ones

We had a phase of them happening in the day, so impossible to check outside, but the WhatsApp group full of WFHers was going mad.....

At night it's totally normal to look outside!

Funnily enough, DD has a couple of head lamp beanie hats. We ordered replacement batteries earlier and they will be delivered....tomorrow!

I know I shouldnt laugh at this but it is quite funny