Yesterday, after a month of waiting, we got broadband at our new house. Hooray!

Last time I was without net access it was fun - it was just for a two week holiday. This time the whole experience was frustrating, since it wasn't self-imposed: we were dragged into the labyrinthine machine of BT/Openreach and of course we didn't know how long it would take to get out. Eliane's got the gory details - all I have to add is that Eclipse Internet, our broadband supplier, provided excellent support every time I rang.

Still, it gave me the chance to practise lighting fires in the wood-burning stove.