Just before 5 o’clock I pulled into the estate where I live, and the thought occurred to me, that it was darker than usual – then I realised – no street lighting. No house lighting either. A power cut. To be honest it threw me for a minute as we don’t get those very often. All around house alarms were blaring and the air was still. In a few houses, the flicker of candlelight could be seen.
Inside my house, all was dark, and I fumbled for the matches to put on my candles. One of which was my little nightlight which I could carry upstairs to change out of my contacts by candlelight. Getting tuned into the local radio on my iRiver I discovered that, due to a problem with a high voltage power cable 18,000 from north of Oxford to Bicester were without power … apparently we would be switched to another supply within 2 hours – 3 at the most. I then settled back, thanks to my gas hob, to prepare tonights supper – spagetti carbonara – by candlelight. I was halfway through this when the power flickered back on.
This evening has taught me two things:
+ just how much we have become dependent on electricity in everything we do, and:
+ how peaceful and natural it was by candlelight. The electric light is harsh and brilliant.
Good thing you have a gas stove. We used to have gas, but down in Florida, everything is electric, so it’s really rough when the power’s out, especially during hurricane season, when one might not get it back for days….
I’ve been re-reading Cider With Rosie by Laurie Lee and sighing over his description of the candle-lit kitchen in which the family gathered every evening.