Forth Bridge House Again

It's about 6 weeks since I first got the quote. I had 3 plumbing firms round but this one, although not the cheapest, impressed me most and I've been able to see examples of this firm's work as 2 of my neighbours used them. Both examples are exceptionally attractive and done to a very high standard.

I rang and said I was happy with the quote and would like them to do the job but he said October 27th was the earliest date as they were going on holiday for 4 weeks. Well, OK, it's not desperately urgent and it's worth waiting for. After all, it's taken me over a year to get round to arranging it, even with the leak. What with being ill and the long, long recouperation it was an effort to get the ball rolling so I wasn't going to put the brakes on for a matter of a few weeks.

He came again today, that's the plumber's father, with a tile sample and to fine-tune what I want. It used to be his firm and he was the plumber but there's no way he would ever get down under a sink now. He has the build of Cyril Smith M P at his heaviest and a very "wonky" knee. The first time he came, to measure up, he sat on the edge of the bath. I was rather worried that he would either crack the bath or fall into it - in which case I could never have got him out.

We've sorted out which bathroom suite, which shower, the wall tiles, the floor tiles, the wall mirror with a make-up light, all the accessories. The plumber (son) will install the suite, remove the old tiles and replaster where it's needed and the plumber's wife is their tiler and will do the walls and floor. It will take a week so they should finish the job on Hallowe'en. I'm so pleased with the idea now I can hardly wait but, if the loo hadn't started leaking slightly, I would probably never have got round to it.

I'm going to have a beautiful new bathroom, all glossy white and shiny chrome. Trouble is, it's going to make the rest of the house look in need of attention. Oh well, this is Forth Bridge House, after all.