The Dark Ages!

At first it was quite a novelty. I’d been outside when the storm hit, massive flashes of lightening lit up the surrounding area, deafening roars of thunder made the building I was in feel as if it literally shuddered with the power it produced. The dogs fled amongst the hay bales, hiding in terror. The horses, standing outside in the yard, ate their hay completely unconcerned.

It wasn’t much of a surprise to come back into the house and find the electricity had gone off. Out in rural Ireland brief losses of power are something we are used too. I treated myself to a cooked breakfast, boiled hot water for my coffee on the gas hob. There were lashings of hot water for the rare treat of a long soak in the tub. I read the newspapers and then started on one of my books, ready for rewriting. After a while, it grew dark. I lit candles. It was cosy beside the open fire, but the cold, impenetrable darkness beyond the room was very unappealing.

The power was still off the following morning. The house was achingly cold. Boiling a saucepan for hot water for my coffee was losing its novelty factor. I retreated to the pub to work, charging my phone and a walker’s head light, while assuming the power would be on soon.

The day stretched into afternoon. Suddenly as the darkness began to fall the lights came on. Breathing a sigh of relief I danced my way upstairs accompanied by the sound of the central heating and the washing machine kicking in. As I came out of one of the upstairs rooms the light faded and then vanished, plunging the house into darkness again.

Eschewing offers of a bed for the night I set off to eat out, unable to face small talk and kindness while I felt so grubby and miserable. Returning home I could see lights on the hillside. The power was back on. As I got closer the lights stopped. My village a black hole surrounded by the mocking gleam of electricity from houses with power.

A text came as I got out of the car. Any news? No. I replied. Still dark here. I trudged miserably to the house. As my key went into the lock light flooded the garden. It was back. Never had there been such utter joy at the sound of the central heating firing up and at the sight of light filling a room.

Frightening how reliant we are on something that can so easily vanish.