This morning, Sunday, San Geraldo noticed an odd noise coming from the walls. Just after he told me to rise and shine, the walls began to shake. Then came an explosion. Soon, the sound of a fearsome waterfall. Water poured through the ceiling lights and down the walls, quickly flooding our interior hallway and kitchen. Could it be the end of the world? Would an ark help? (Where the hell was I going to find gopher barky-barky?) The cats, already in twosie-twosies, ran under the couch.
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| DID NOAH ACTUALLY TAKE FLEAS ABOARD THE ARK? (ANOTHER HOLIDAY FAIR. LA ALAMEDA DE HERCULES.) |
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| MAYBE WE SHOULD HAVE CHECKED TO SEE WHERE THEY TOOK THE CAMELS. |
San Geraldo and I got the water turned off and every towel, pot, and bucket in the house was put into use. They had to be wrung-out/emptied within seconds. With the aid of our upstairs neighbors, whose apartment was fine, we reached the building manager, who I’ll call “F.” After a second call by our neighbor, “F” (did I mention he’s a lawyer?) arrived with two insurance company plumbers in tow. The plumbers were both great and easily found the source. A broken pipe. Not the end of the world (literally or figuratively).
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| I’M NO EXPERT, BUT I DON’T THINK IT’S SUPPOSED TO DO THIS. |
“F” — whom we’ve suspected takes advantage of our good natures (and our ignorance of Spanish housing laws) — then told me his insurance company plumbers wouldn’t fix it; our insurance company had to take care of it because it was in our wall. The short of it, San Geraldo phoned our insurance company while I argued (very kindly and gently) with “F,” explaining the wall and pipe was not in fact ours and we were not responsible for it. I eventually won. He suddenly remembered that they had a second insurance policy to cover these situations. He even showed it to me (which didn’t earn him any points).
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| AFTER WE STOPPED THE DELUGE. |
So, it looks like we won’t need the ark afterall. But, we will be without water until Monday when the plumbers return. The cats are still a bit put out. The apartment smells (fat chance the owners will address potential mold issues). Fortunately, it’s a beautiful day and we can keep all the doors and windows open to air things out.
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| COWARDS! THEY’VE FINALLY SETTLED BACK DOWN. THE SITUATION MADE THEM NEARLY CRAZY-CRAZY. MOOSE (RIGHT) STILL CAN’T FACE IT. |
Oh, my heavens! I hope that none of your furniture or artwork or rugs or anything were damaged? Man! And, right before Christmas! What are you going to do until Monday, without water?
Judeet:
Nothing of ours was damabged. We removed our pictures and there was no furniture nearby. I am fortunate to have gotten to know the managers of a little hotel down the street. They gave us a room yesterday for a very cheap rate and we were able to use the facilities last night and this morning. Now we sit at home while the plumber works (although he appears to have disappeared)… Argh… Sure am glad we (San Geraldo) wasn't planning to cook Christmas dinner!
Mitchell,
You’re comic irony in the face of such domestic disasters has and continues to be a source of inspirations! I too hope that the only damage you guys received was to “the Landlord’s property”, for it is truly heart tugging to think any of your wonderful treasures may have been ruined. But then again you guys have those two lovely furry babies to cuddle and make things all better, they are a beautiful pair. Take care and hope all goes well with forthcoming repairs. – gary
Gary:
Thanks a million! Yes, the damage is only to the landlord's property (and it continues to look worse as today's plumber does his work). We thankfully don't have a lot of "stuff" anymore, but anything of ours was well out of reach of the water. The cats are a joy (and are really bent out of shape today).
Oh my! What a disaster! Like Judith, I hope none of your lovely things were damaged.
Judith:
Thanks, Judith. Our things are fine. The cats will survive (Moose under the couch and Dudo under the pillows on my bed — I'd like to be there, too)!
What a cheap "F"ucker that lawyer is. If it's not his fault the Insurance would take up the whole bill. But I suppose he skipped some extra costs to save money.
Hope you and the kids are alright, same goes for the art.
Luckely downstairs at El Sanedrin you can get something to drink and eat.
Peter:
It's good to know "F" doesn't just pull this on us. Our upstairs neighbors shared some stories last night. Actually, when I looked at the insurance coverage, it was very substantial.
Everything of ours in the apartment is fine. But, we pointedly did NOT go to El Sanedrín for lunch yesterday. "F" owns it!
Oh no, so sorry to hear this – and right before the holidays too! Hope all of your beautiful things didn't sustain any damage.
Love you both!
Carole
Carole:
Don't worry about us, and our things are fine. Fortunately, we're not hosting anything this week!
¡Que lastima! Onto every life a little rain must fall, but it's especially annoying when the rain is coming from the ceiling. I'm glad everyone is ok!
Michelle:
I've always wanted to live near a waterfall.
What a rude awakening! Like the others, I hope you didn't lose any artwork or collections and that there's no permanent damage. Looks like the cats either have already forgotten about it or maybe just they're just blocking it out.
Odd Essay:
The cats had definitely not forgotten and then a new plumber arrived this morning. So, they're a bit stressed. We're hoping the pipes will be fixed soon today. Who knows if the ceiling will have been replaced by the time you arrive in Sevilla!
They say when it rains it often pours, but this shouldn't happen indoors. I'm glad they finally took responsibility for fixing this, and that it will all be taken care of before Christmas.
Stephen:
Today's plumber cut away the ceiling. It's kind of cool. The entire apartment originally had the 12-foot scalloped ceilings. We have a glimpse of it now in the hall (and may have that glimpse for a good long time)!
happy christmas old bean! (s) x
John Gray:
This would have been told so much better had it been told by you. ( And who knows how many dead, and live, animals would have fallen out of your ceiling! Much better than it happened here.)
Things happen for a reason! Wonder what it is in this situation?!
Take care you two, four!
Jim:
Well, we did get to see the original scalloped ceiling in the hall. And I got a great photo of Dudo hiding under my pillows today.
Those cats are up to no good; I know plotting cats when I sees one.
Spo:
Oh, those poor guys are so traumatized. I think they just snuck into Jerry's bedroom closet.
I hope the ceilings and walls will dry properly and not have to be pulled down. There's never a good time but the holidays have to be the WORST. Best of luck!
Will:
Thanks. Some should be pulled down and replaced, but I'm sure it won't be done. We're planning our next move (still in Spain), so won't worry about it!
Oh Lordy! It never rains but……AND just at the worst time of year when one needs the experts! Hope that it's quickly got over with, completely dried out and put behind you – and that the pussies are happy once more, and as unconcerned as they ever were.
And the answer to the question under your first photo is "Probably" – if only to be food for all those thousands of species of spiders Noah and family had to collect up so assiduously – not to mention a pair of all those dinosaur-types and all their armour-skinned contemporaries. T*hey couldn't have had much time for sleep!)
Raybeard:
Today's plumber just finished and I'm hoping all will be well, except for the giant hole cut out of the ceiling, and the damaged floors and walls. The cats (I just can't bring myself to say "pussies") are not thrilled right now; San Geraldo has added insult to injury by using the vacuum cleaner. You'll love the upcoming photo of Dudo peaking out from under my pillows today (while Moose hid under the couch). Poor guys.
Can't wait to see it, Mitch.
As for 'pussies', there's always a wry tongue-in-the-cheek whenever I use that word, but I can well understand why it should be used sparingly.
That Flea-Circus ring master ("Ring Master" sounds like some machine available from JML and all good outlets; is it "Ringmaster"? Dunno!) – anyway, he looks like the creepiest circus bloke I've seen since my sister started dating.
Hope the floods are sorted! Never nice to have water features where none were planned. Pagan mid-winterfest feicitations!
Owl Wood:
Maybe I should start calling "Ow" for short… The ringmaster (I looked it up) I think is Satan when he's not ring-mastering. I wanted to check out the flea circus (I've never seen one), but haven't had a chance. Don't know if it's still there or if they all found local dogs.
So sorry this happened to you, especially just now. Yuck! (And most intrigued that you are planing your next move!) Hope the repairs are well and fairly quickly accomplished. I wish you and San Geraldo a joyful Christmas/Winter Holiday despite all. And your poor cats, too, who probably have little idea what has happened to drench their world.
Kristi:
Ah, not much to complain about. Just more stories to tell (and the saga continues). Thanks and wishing you the best Christmas.
Hope you, Jerry and household felines are comfortable over the holiday in spite of the disruption.
Ms. Sparrow:
I hope you're having a great Christmas. We're doing fine. Any excuse for stories is OK with us both. (Did I mentioned I've been sick all week to boot!?!)
Wet enough outside here Mitch, let alone indoors.
Hope you get your lounge shower sorted. All the very best for Christmas.x
Hola Chris:
As I sit here having a sneezing fit (just more to write about), I'm smiling and wishing you a year filled with happiness and wonderfully pleasant surprises.
Such an unwelcome discovery. Hope you and St G. and the cats enjoy a comfortable and lovely time for the festivities.
Cuby Poet:
San Geraldo will escape to a self-serve laundry tomorrow, while I (and the cats) keep the plumbers company. Hope your week is pure poetry!
Os deso una ¡¡¡ DULCE NAVIDAD!!! muchos besos
SOONKS:
Egualmente a tu. (¡Con mucho turron!)
Oh my … what a nightmare!! I can't believe F thought this was somehow your responsibility!! perhaps a move is in order??? Hope things dry out soon!