First World Crisis

So, my boiler packed up on Sunday. Woke up to a cold house which is OK, but no hot water. Quelle horreur. It was totally pathetic – I stood there for ages trying to figure out how to overcome this crisis. I mean, I wanted to wash my hair for starters…. Yup, I finally came to my senses, giving myself a serious talking to. I remembered that I was after all born and bred in Lagos many moons ago. Out came the bucket and the bowl. A gazillion kettlefuls of boiling water later, and we were in business. It just made me consider how easily I have gotten used to my creature comforts, and how much I take them for granted. After receiving hysterical emails at work about not opening my NHS email address, this weekend really brought home to me that we are way too reliant on tech.

So, one Youtube video later, I managed to re-pressurise the boiler this afternoon. Then I ran the hottest, most luxurious bath, ever. Mountains of foam, my own special blend of bath oil… I was in heaven. That made me consider how many of my pleasures are really simple — a hot bath, Conde Nast Traveller and Country Living magazine, and I am in hog-heaven. I wallowed in the bath for 90 minutes! I confess, I am a true water baby – oceans, streams, ponds, rills, seas, brooks, you name ’em, I love ’em. I draw the line at waterboarding though. There are limits 🙂 Some of my fondest memories are of dancing in the warm rain in Nigeria. Warm rain is awesome; British drizzle makes me want to end it all. I was totally devastated when I read in the Book of Revelations that there will be no Sea in the new heavens and earth. Now, I have nothing against the crystal River of Life, but no Sea???? I’m traumatised. I suppose seeing as there is no moon, there are no tides etc, but still….

I have composed a poem in honour of the Sea and water in general. Apologies to Joyce Kilmer:

The Sea

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