Bella, please send me your Dachshund right away. I need small dog snuggles (can't fit 2 GSD and a Lab onto my lap).
I went to the shop. Yes, THE shop, the one with the post office inside it, the only shop in my village. I thought, "I know, I'll buy some of that nice red wine and some strawberries, top up DDs phone as promised, get her some treats, that'll cheer me up". I had no cash and couldn't get any thanks to the hot water debacle and being too late for the post office but it was okay, I had my debit card on me and there's money in the bank. So, off I strolled on the 20 minute trip from house to village store, thinking myself lucky that it exists as I have no transport.
I walked in, had a quick chat with the shop owner, picked up my groceries and went to the counter, opened my purse and pulled out my debit card.
"Oh, you paying by card?" chirped the lovely Sri Lankan guy behind the counter.
"Erm... yes... "
"Oh no. So sorry. BT machine down again. All phone and internet in village gone. I can take cash only".
For the second time in 3 weeks most of the village's phone system is down. Ironically mine is one of only about 20 houses in the whole village not to be served by that exchange. So, at least I can access the net to tell you how I nearly got wine and strawberries. But didn't.