Lofty issues

We had a bit of a situation with the loft hatch a few days ago.  The hatch-cover is/was really quite heavy and great care needs to be taken when opening it to ensure it doesn't over-swing and hit the door to the sewing room . . . . 

Sadly this is exactly what happened, one of the hinges ripped off the hatch and it was left swinging precariously.

Now, I have already had issues with this loft.  Soon after we moved here, I nearly lost the end of my ring finger when the loft ladder slid open on it's own (it was incredibly heavy and cumbersome and had a mind of it's own), and since then I have had a complete phobia about using it.  So this second loft incident prompted us to take action.

Firstly N made a new loft hatch, and a very nifty job he's made of it, too.  It just goes to show that odd bits of wood, accumulated over time for a 'just in case' moment, really do come in useful.  Then a new lightweight loft ladder was bought, and there followed an interesting couple of hours while we attempted to fit it.  A little patience was required, and several practice attempts, but we got there in the end.  And I'm now confident that I can gain access to the loft without fearing for my fingers, which is certainly something of a bonus!

All I need to do now is have a declutter in the loft . . . 

I need to mention the weather.  It seems to be raining a lot lately.  Pouring, in fact.  Last week the roads were flooded again, drains unable to cope with the volume of surface water.  I seem to remember it was like this for a lot of last winter - wet and windy almost all the time.  And we've had thunder and lightening far more frequently than usual (last night, again).  I'd much rather have a dry, cold winter than a wet and windy one but I don't think I'm going to get my wish, somehow.