January 19, 2007
Slatemare
My house is tall and old. And ever since I read the surveyor's report five years ago - doom-mongering about possible repair and replacement in the future - the state of my roof has been a cause for concern. All looks well from outside, but I have found myself from time to time standing on the opposite side of the road, looking up at the slates, and predicting 'one day we'll get some high winds and I'll lose some of them thar tiles." Well, the unthinkable has happened. Yesterday, the gales brought three slates spiralling to earth and there's now a fist-sized hole in the roof. After frenziedly consulting the terms of my building insurance (and scanning the epic list of conditions not covered by the policy), it turns out that I *am* covered for wind damage. Hurrah. A man is coming tomorrow to sort things out, and hopefully putting all my roof-related angst to rest in the process.