Tuesday, December 25, 2012

In An Ocean Or In A Glass...

Cool water is such a gas. Unless it keeps pouring from the walls and ceiling.

A new plumber was here Monday for three hours to fix the leak and get us back in working order. He fixed "the" leak, turned the water back on, and then discovered another leak. He had to phone the insurance company for permission to repair that as well. He received permission and did so, and he then went home to enjoy his Christmas holiday. We were still concerned. Since the first deluge was proceeded by quite an explosion, we suspected there was a lot more damage done. But, we went downstairs for lunch and bumped into "F" (the building manager). He was heading to his parents' country home outside of town for Christmas. He gave me the number of the insurance company in case we had any problems while he was gone.

AFTER THE FIRST CLEAN-UP, WHILE FIXING THE SECOND LEAK.

Later that afternoon, San Geraldo noticed a leak in his bathroom. We turned off the water in there and the leak stopped. Then, San Geraldo noticed a leak in my bathroom. The high-polish stucco (which is so prized that we're not allowed to hang anything on the walls) had cracked and crumbled and water was dripping onto the floor. We turned off the water in there. I dialed the number "F" had given me, but instead of the insurance company, I reached the cable TV company. "F" had given me the wrong number.

DURING REPAIRS, DUDO UN-MADE MY BED AND THEN REARRANCED AND HID UNDER THE PILLOWS.

I phoned and twice texted "F." Our upstairs neighbor, Carlos, phoned and texted "F." No response to either of us. San Geraldo cooked a very nice dinner. He commented on a musty smell coming from the kitchen closet above the clothes washer. Another leak; water was running down the tile wall. So, once again, we turned off the main water supply. Before going to bed, I texted "F," told him about the kitchen, and wrote that we would need to get a hotel room until he got the problem resolved. We are so grateful to the manager of Espacio Azahar, a little hotel down the street, for giving us an incredible deal on a room. I'll expect "F" to be as grateful when I pass the bill on to him.

DUDO, AFTER THE PLUMBER LEFT MONDAY.
LULLED INTO A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY.

I'm glad we weren't cooking Christmas dinner. A former work colleague of mine is traveling Europe for the year with her husband. She emailed to say they'd be in Sevilla for Christmas and hoped we might have time to get together. They've been missing Mexican food, so the four of us had a traditional Christmas dinner of nachos and enchiladas near the Cathedral this afternoon. San Geraldo and I talked incessantly and had a great time. I hope we didn't send our friends running away screaming. They sure saved our Christmas.

IN A NEW SHOP WINDOW ON OUR WAY HOME FROM THE HOTEL.
NOT THE BEST OUTFIT FOR LOUNGING AMID THE PLASTER DUST.  BUT, GOTTA LOVE THE "HAT"!

As we headed to the hotel to get cleaned up before lunch today, "F" finally phoned. He had just then noticed his missed calls and the text messages... so he told me. He'll be back with the plumbers Wednesday morning. I have a feeling they're going to have to tear up a lot of walls and ceilings. The poor cats (not to mention San Geraldo and me). Maybe we'll be moving on sooner than planned!

28 comments:

  1. May the new year be a dry one for you !
    OOXX

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    1. Spo:
      And may it be a wet (no-rubbish bourbon) one for you!

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  2. SO sorry to hear about this on-going water issue. I know I'd be over the moon Alice! The cats seem to make it all seem OK! Lovely little kitties! Try to enjoy the festivities and food and put this major inconvenience to the back...if you can!
    Ron

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    1. Ron:
      It's annoying but wouldn't be half so bad if I were feeling physically better. I've been calling it "allergies" all week, but I think today it declared itself a rotten cold! Whine, whine, whine. Now I'll go cuddle a cat and feel all better!

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  3. It never rains! It pours!
    I fell so badly for you two/four. What the heck is causing all the bleeping leaks? Old infrastructure in the building?
    Hank in there and enjoy the hotel where it is dry and not musty!

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    1. Jim:
      Some work was done to the water system outside that morning which caused quite a bit of dirt to be stirred up from the pipes below ground. I think perhaps that clogged a line which finally caused a pipe to burst from the pressure (because the water was cloudy before the pipe burst). It really did sound like an explosion. I think that pressure caused damage up and down the line and then the added pressure of the air in the pipes when the plumber turned the water back on, I think, added more damage. My best guess. We're really expecting that they're going to have tear out a lot of walls and ceilings. What excitement!

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  4. Oh my, catastrophe upon disaster. What a huge pain to have to cope with - and the timing couldn't be worse, could it. And a cold to contend with as well! Poor cats, they must be confused. I don't blame them for taking refuge! I'm glad your Christmas was salvaged by your friends well-timed visit. Let's know what happens when the plumber (and the elusive "F") come on Wednesday.

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    1. Judith:
      Oh, it goes on and on... The plumber was here this morning and just returned after shopping for supplies and having lunch. He's a good guy. I have no idea what this is all going to take. And I really need a nap. Feliz navidad!

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  5. Geeeeze, so sorry to hear about this mess. And a cold, too! Do they have Mucinex over there in Sevilla? (It's been working nicely for my cold this week.)

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    1. Judeet:
      I thought we could get Mucinex here, but San Geraldo tried today and the pharmacy he went to had never heard of it. He got me something else called Vincigrip Forte. It's starting to help a bit. Thanks! Hope your cold is completely gone soon. (I'm at the "oh woe is me" stage!)

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  6. For some reason, I expected your Beach Boys version of Cool Water to be like that wonderful old cowboy song "Cool, Clear Water" by Sons of the Pioneers. I'm sorry you're having such a miserable holiday but things will be looking up. I suppose that compared to the miserable storm the Dowager Duchess endured, this ain't so bad!

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    1. Ms. Sparrow:
      You almost got Sons of the Pioneers but the Beach Boys song is what always comes to my mind, so I stuck with it. The Dowager Duchess still has quite a mess in her house. They removed the entire wood floor in one bedroom. But, they've been much more attentive to mold issues, etc. Not a word about that concern here. I just want to go back to the hotel and go to sleep, but I need to be here to talk to the plumber if needed and also his company will not allow him to be alone in the apartment. I did get to sit out on the plaza in the sun for lunch!

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  7. Sorry to hear about all the water problems. I hope you had a nice Christmas nonetheless. I love the photo from the shop window. Such glamour!

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    1. Someone:
      That shop is brand new; it's been empty since our arrival in Sevilla. It looks like it's really an antiques and collectibles store. I don't even know if the dress is even for sale or just a window display for Christmas. They've got a GREAT swooning sofa inside, which I'm sure would cost an arm a leg.

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  8. I sure hope things get sorted out soon. Leaks are right up there on my list of things that make be crazy.

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    1. Walt the Fourth:
      I agree leaks. There's so much hidden in the walls; I never feel confident the problem is completely solved.

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  9. OMG - Ouch! Worse and worse! And while you're tearing your hair out Dudo couldn't give a flying whatsit - just like water off a du....(Oops, sorry - I know, it's just NOT funny.)
    Sounds like this is going to be a Xmas to remember for all the wrong reasons. Hope you can get through it quickly enough to laugh at your dismal experience.

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    1. Raybeard:
      Oh, when the plumber is here, Dudo is stressed and bent out of shape (like now). He just recovers quickly. Moose takes longer. Definitely a Christmas to remember!

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  10. I don't know what all of the fuss is about. Simply wear festive red and green sou'westers, wellington boots and get on with it. You'll need umbrellas to eat under, of course, and freshly bought clothes and bedding each day ...

    What a time of year to have a plumbing surprise!

    Best of leak! I mean, best of luck!

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    1. Owl Wood:
      Very glad it doesn't freeze here! San Geraldo dropped off 5 huge loads of laundry at the "fluff-n-fold" today. Two loads are all of our towels. We don't have Wellies!

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  11. Try six leaks under our house...I've been in the crawl space more times than I care to tell you...mending, fixing, trying to get the stinky sewer water out. Discovered that the water coming out of Savannah's father's shower was because it had been put together with electrical tape...can you believe that?
    I now know what it is like to be in bowels of hell...and live to tell about it.
    Of course Jonathan is oblivious to all this because he is such a husky guy he would never fit through the access door to the crawl space...I have trouble maneuvering the entrance as it is barely two feet high.
    What we do to keep our houses in shape and our wits about us.

    saludos,
    raulito

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    1. Oh, Raulito, I could never get into one of those crawl spaces (and I've tried a couple of times). The dirt and bugs get me even more than the tight space. San Geraldo could tolerate the dirt and bugs, but not the tight space (husky or not). I've said it before: You are a better man than I!

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  12. Thank god for the Azahar! How was the hot water? The water leak is definitely a sign that it is time to start thinking about phase 2. Merry Christmas!

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    1. Cindy:Espacio Azahar has been a life-saver. No problem with hot water in either of the rooms we had (we didn't have the one you were in). That was a relief! Not much water PRESSURE, but we've had enough of that here at home this week! Feliz navidad to the whole family and more hugs to you and the kids (some scratchy bearded ones for Will)!

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  13. Oh dear, what a fiasco! Glad you managed to enjoy Christmas anyway. And Dudo doesn't seem bothered at all!

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    1. Knatolee:
      Don't let Dudo's pose fool you. He's not pleased when the workers are here (but he does get over it quickly).

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  14. This doesn't sound good … and F doesn't sound good either. I think an earlier departure might be needed. I mean, all the pipes are exploding all over your home??? NOT GOOD!

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    1. Jenners:
      Still a mess and profuse apologies from "F" yesterday. However, still no "F'ing" progress from "F" today. We are practicing patience. I might become a monk when this is all over.

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