Okay the background...prior to the annual boiler (CH/HW) servicing on Friday, 26th November, I had previously reported that the boiler sometimes "locked-out" (on safety), thus disabling the Central Heating and Hot Water supply.

The Servicing Engineer completed the servicing, and it seemed to work fine, but the next day it locked out again - and I couldn't get it to switch back on. So onto British Gas once again!

On Sunday morning (28th November), another Engineer visited and this time noted that a couple of parts had to be replaced, the Switch, some wiring etc. and subsequently ordered this for replacement on Monday.

Monday, 29th November, another engineer visited and this installed the replacement parts. The boiler seemed to work fine, but again during the evening after the engineer left, the boiler "locked out" again.

I phoned again on Tuesday, 30th November, and another engineer came out the same day. This time, noting that the fan had gone and ordered a replacement, this time also including the metal cover of the boiler (which was 'just hanging on'). It was expected that the parts would be delivered on Wednesday.

THEN the weather turned for the worse (I was snowed in!) on Wednesday and Thursday - unfortunately no parts were delivered to the Engineers on both days, so no visits were arranged. So finally, on Friday, 3rd December, an engineer visited again (5th time if you are keeping up), to finally fit the fan pump and make good the boiler cover with a replacement too. I was thinking this was it, but I must have wished too early...he left, and it worked fine for the evening (I was advised to leave it on, low, to give the boiler a chance to run its course) - but early morning, I was cold again, and had a quick look and yep you guessed it the boiler had "locked out" once again!

I phoned today, Saturday, 4th December and another engineer inspection is due on the morning of Monday, 6th December!

I am starting to lose patience now!!! Grrr or should that be brrrr!!! Thank goodness that I am on the British Gas Home Care 200 - which means everything (so far) is covered by the Maintenance scheme - phew! I wonder how long it will take before they stop servicing the boiler!

Oh, and I have managed to take a couple of showers during the week and wash my hair in the sink a few times during the week - not pleasant, but at least "I'm clean". Relating to heating, luckily I managed to bag two fan heaters from Sainsbury's to keep me warm in the Sitting Room and the main Bed Room. But it remains FREEZING!!!