Timeline: Thursday 12 July: We’ve now got our new ouvertures, or openings for the windows and tomorrow, Friday the 13th,
the delivery of eleven double glazed purpose made timber windows is due. I
received a phone call latish in the evening from the delivery chief saying he
would be here early next morning at 07h00, but modified this to a range of
between 07h00 to 07h30 when he sensed some surprise in my voice! Fortunately, I
was up and had cleared a large space in the workshop in time to hear a large
truck pull up outside the gates at 06h50, so was able to surprise the delivery
chief by opening up ahead of time. He was a most jovial chap who had friends in
the village and having inspected the space I’d prepared, informed me that he’d
need some four times the floor area of my precious workshop!
However, by 07h20, all was
safely stowed away in my original space and we retired to the kitchen for the
paperwork and coffee. My new friend then reminded us of the GP Retro race event
being held in the village the following weekend as he thought we might be
interested having seen the TR3 in the workshop and said he would look out for
us. He also asked if Paul was my dad with and with a cheeky grin, called him
papa! Paul called him a cheeky blaguer,
or something similar!
Anyway, all was now ready
for the installation team and we even got some ivory topcoat paint on the more
difficult to reach windows when they’re installed.
Monday the 16th arrived, but
window fixers did not, same thing on Tuesday and Wednesday morning, so
Wednesday afternoon saw me at Lapeyre with a smile on my face and their written
confirmation in my hand of delivery and installation dates, informing them that
their fitters had gone AWOL. They seemed upset with this news and took my
situation very seriously and two of their people started ringing the numbers
for their sub-contractor and eventually got through and didn’t seem at all
happy with the excuses they were getting. Apparently, there was a problem with
an ouvrière, or worker. Frankly, I was expecting some problems with the ouvrières as Saturday the 14th was
Bastille Day, the most important national holiday and major party across the
country. I was however a bit miffed that they
were still seemingly not yet over a Saturday night party by Wednesday!
I left the shop however,
with a firm indication that the windows would start to be fitted the next
morning and by the time I drove home. Paul said that the phone had been ringing
almost constantly, with 8 missed calls. I answered the 9th and the
window chap was apologising all over the place and said he’d be with us by
10h00 the next day. Hmm, still not recovered from the Bastille Day party then,
but at least I could have a lie in!
The windows were all fitted
rather well in a day and a half and the quality of the windows is outstanding
and should give a lifetime of pleasure. Only one item was missing and that is
due in early September and I hope they turn up when they say they will this
time, haha.
A bientôt,
LC
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| Pas mal !! |
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| Stair balustrade is now made, just awaiting paint and fitting |
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