At least I assume that’s what it is. Today I had set aside for ironing my stuff. When I switched the iron on at the plug it went PFFFSSSSTZZZ. So I switched it off, and left it a few seconds, then on again. No more spitting, but a strong smell of burning. Switched it off again, brief but productive conversation with hubby, and have ordered a new one to arrive tomorrow.

Then when I was drying my hair I realised that it’s been a couple of weeks since it’s smelt of burning when I switch on the heat, so I’ve been drying my hair with cool air. Yeah.

This morning I had toast for breakfast with marmalade. I like my toast nice and dark, so I always turn the setting up. But the toast came out very pale and only half done on one side. Then I couldn’t remember if I’d turned the setting up or not, because it’s such a habit.

So. I have in my “basket” at my favourite shop a new hairdryer, and a new toaster. Next time I do toast I will take careful note of the setting, and see if I need to order said toaster.

Sigh.

I’m going to label the power cord on each new thing when they arrive with the date so we can see how long things last.

On Friday and Saturday nights we watched two documentaries about the fire at Notre-Dame de Paris. The first one was interviews with various firefighters, at all levels, including their big boss, and with various other folk involved. I was so impressed with their honesty, their obvious care for each other and the cathedral, and the team work. The only thing that irritated me was Rector Chauvet. He talked about himself. What a wonderful parish priest he thinks he is, popping into all the local shops for “un petit verre”, and how dreadful this was for him personally. It was all about him. Oh, and he was very pleased (proud) that President Macron and he went into the cathedral together when it was safe (ish). Where’s the humility? compassion for others? Eventually he managed half a sentence about the dangerous work and risk to life, but only just. Hmph.

The second one was about the restoration. My goodness, the detail, the research, the history, the work that is going on to ensure that it is as well restored as is possible. Architects, historians, carpenters using medieval tools, specialists in stone, I could go on. Each carpenter building the original had left his personal mark on the wood! it’s like looking at a job finished yesterday. Very very interesting and moving. And what’s more, the knowledge of the properties of stone and wood even all those hundreds of years ago was pretty damn good. Lighter stuff on the roof, stronger denser stuff for the pillars – how did they know all this? and there are many, many good ideas for the finished project.

Finally have an appointment with the opticians on Wednesday. My day to day varifocals haven’t had the prescription updated since May 2018, my computer glasses since May 2017. I can tell that they really need updating. The delay is because of the double vision I have which suddenly got much worse, so I was referred to the eye clinic at the hospital to make sure nothing else is going on. They finally discharged me and eventually sent me the letter containing the information the optician needs. Hooray! I have ideas for my new frames already . . . .