We Have Sleepless Nights, But We Have Buses Again! Woohoo!!!:)
By Darkwing
@Darkwing (21583)
April 14, 2008 9:20am CST
Since the 18th October, there have been hoards of workmen and heavy plant in our Street. For four months or so, the bottom of the Street was closed off, as they upgraded the storm drains and sewage system, but they ran into problems. They had to close various sections of the Street at a time as they dug ditches in the road. Our buses couldn't get round and took a route whereby I had to walk half a mile to the bus stop. Also, we kept losing our electricity and phones where they slipped with the digging! 
Eventually, they decided to put a temporary system in, before boring beneath the ground from behind the pub to the car park out the side of me, and finished that last week. Then... and wouldn't you just know it... the publican complained that if they did the work behind the pub, and along to the car park now, they'd ruin his summer trade. So, they had to halt work until September, to avoid having to pay him compensation.
Where does this come in? I haven't slept properly in over a week, because in their wisdom, and in order to pump the sewage until the end of August, they sited three, large pumps outside my place, in the layby, which have an eyesore of a temporary fence around them! These pumps turn on about every half hour, throughout the day and night, and not only sound like a pneumatic drill, but they also rattle, badly, keeping me awake half the night. If this has to go on until the end of August, or September, then I'm going to end up a wreck! I guess we get used to things, but this is louder than the traffic on the A23 and the bells of the church put together! It makes me jump when it comes on!
However... there is some good news, in that the buses are back!!! Woohoo... I can just go out front and catch a bus at last! So now, I only have to suffer the nights really, because I can go off somewhere on the bus and get away from the constant clatter of the pumps! I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the bus this morning!
So, there's two positives that have happened over the past few days, and I'm optimistic that there will be more. Plus, when I catch those workmen, they're going to get a flea in their ear!!! 
Have any of you had to adjust your lifestyle and sleeping habits because of mistakes that others have made, or upgrades which have to take place in your community?
Oh wow!!! I must be sending out psychic messages... two guys from the Parish Council, and a surveyor are outside, contemplating the pumps and fencing!!!
Eventually, they decided to put a temporary system in, before boring beneath the ground from behind the pub to the car park out the side of me, and finished that last week. Then... and wouldn't you just know it... the publican complained that if they did the work behind the pub, and along to the car park now, they'd ruin his summer trade. So, they had to halt work until September, to avoid having to pay him compensation.
Where does this come in? I haven't slept properly in over a week, because in their wisdom, and in order to pump the sewage until the end of August, they sited three, large pumps outside my place, in the layby, which have an eyesore of a temporary fence around them! These pumps turn on about every half hour, throughout the day and night, and not only sound like a pneumatic drill, but they also rattle, badly, keeping me awake half the night. If this has to go on until the end of August, or September, then I'm going to end up a wreck! I guess we get used to things, but this is louder than the traffic on the A23 and the bells of the church put together! It makes me jump when it comes on!
However... there is some good news, in that the buses are back!!! Woohoo... I can just go out front and catch a bus at last! So now, I only have to suffer the nights really, because I can go off somewhere on the bus and get away from the constant clatter of the pumps! I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the bus this morning!
So, there's two positives that have happened over the past few days, and I'm optimistic that there will be more. Plus, when I catch those workmen, they're going to get a flea in their ear!!! Have any of you had to adjust your lifestyle and sleeping habits because of mistakes that others have made, or upgrades which have to take place in your community?
Oh wow!!! I must be sending out psychic messages... two guys from the Parish Council, and a surveyor are outside, contemplating the pumps and fencing!!! 4 people like this
7 responses
@deeeky (3667)
• Edinburgh, Scotland
14 Apr 08
Progress huh! the things we have to put up with for moderisation. With all the technology that we have why cant, they build noiseless pumps and drills.
They should have put you in a five star hotel (with free internet access of course)
1 person likes this
@Darkwing (21583)
•
14 Apr 08
Well, I suspect it's more than just upgrading, but there you go. The point is, as far as the workmen are concerned, they think the pump is noiseless, and your mentioning drills has reminded me of three consecutive days, when my flat vibrated so much, I could feel my bed moving!
Still, these things are sent to try us, and try us they do! Brightest Blessings my dear friend... unfortunately, there are very few hotels near here, especially five star ones, so that's out. I can see I'm going to have to go off on one of my little treks down west. Thank you for your contribution, and take care. x
@Darkwing (21583)
•
14 Apr 08
Yes, I guess one does get used to things at times, as I got used to the church clock. This is something new I have to get used to though and I guess it will take time like everything else did.
Brightest Blessings, my dear friend and thank you for your contribution. xx
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
16 Apr 08
Oh no that is terrible the only thing that sometimes keeps me awake here is when those Idiots with those loud exhausts decide to run up and down the Street at 1am and they really rev the car up and if that is not enough their Music is blaring out to
Big Hugs to you xxx
@Darkwing (21583)
•
16 Apr 08
Yes, that happens here too, but they are soon gone by. This goes on all night, my friend. You haven't heard the latest yet!!! 
Soon after I'd written this discussion, two guys from the Parish Council and one from the firm doing the work, were outside, discussing the fencing, pumps and noise. They were out there for about forty minutes.
Then, yesterday, two workmen arrived, surveyed the area, loosened a panel of the fence, dragged it away from the pumps, had a drink, and waited to see if the rattling had ceased. Nope! But what did they do? They put their stuff on the truck and drove off! So, the noise and clattering went on through the night.
Today, two more workmen arrived... surveyed the area, stood at the top of the bank to see if the fencing could be moved back, away from the pumps, and when they decided it couldn't, they undid the offending panel and started beating it with a hammer, in an attempt to bow it, so it didn't touch the pumps! This done, they replaced the fence, and waited for the pumps to start up. Guess what? It rattled even more! They walked around it a couple of times, then gathered up their tools and cleared off again!!! I'm going to start another discussion on this! How many men? ha ha ha.
Brightest Blessings, and thank you for your contribution. xxx
Soon after I'd written this discussion, two guys from the Parish Council and one from the firm doing the work, were outside, discussing the fencing, pumps and noise. They were out there for about forty minutes.
Then, yesterday, two workmen arrived, surveyed the area, loosened a panel of the fence, dragged it away from the pumps, had a drink, and waited to see if the rattling had ceased. Nope! But what did they do? They put their stuff on the truck and drove off! So, the noise and clattering went on through the night.
Today, two more workmen arrived... surveyed the area, stood at the top of the bank to see if the fencing could be moved back, away from the pumps, and when they decided it couldn't, they undid the offending panel and started beating it with a hammer, in an attempt to bow it, so it didn't touch the pumps! This done, they replaced the fence, and waited for the pumps to start up. Guess what? It rattled even more! They walked around it a couple of times, then gathered up their tools and cleared off again!!! I'm going to start another discussion on this! How many men? ha ha ha.
Brightest Blessings, and thank you for your contribution. xxx
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
14 Apr 08
That's great that at least a few things have been done away with and your able to catch the bus right outside your front door :)
I have not had to go through anything like this and hope never to LOL I don't think I could stand a lot of noise at night and would probably make a fuss about it too.
1 person likes this
@Darkwing (21583)
•
14 Apr 08
I've ascertained that the fence has been situated against the side of the pumps, so when they vibrate, they rattle against it. Honestly, the mistakes they've made since they've been here, are ludicrous. We've had power cuts and telephone service cuts... you name it, they've boshed it! I've seen six of them standing round a hole talking whilst one is doing all the work. Hey!!! what's going on here?
I think a few people will complain, especially where I am. If the landlord wants them to hold fire until September, then why don't they stick the pumps outside his bedroom window!
Brightest Blessings, my friend, and thank you for your contribution. x
Brightest Blessings, my friend, and thank you for your contribution. x
@Darkwing (21583)
•
14 Apr 08
I know I'm not, as I was discussing it with another last night. I think what the problem is, is that they've put the fencing too close to the pumps, and the vibration is causing it to clatter against the side of the machine. I'm sure there will be plenty of complaints going in!
Brightest Blessings, my friend, and thank you for your contribution.
@faith210 (11224)
• Philippines
14 Apr 08
Hi Darkwing! Oh that must be terrible! But at least there is something good things happening just like those precious buses. I hope they will finish with the work soon so you could have a good night sleep dear friend. I used to have sleepless nights one week each year when I was still living with my parents because here in our country, we have this tradition every Holy Week. This tradition is an all day and all night singing of the Passion of Christ. I am not really against practicing the tradition but each year at my father's house, one of the speakers is directly placed infront of our old house. We can't do anything about it no matter how much we ask them politely, beg them because all the speakers are all around their little stage and one is directly towards our house. Well, we just have to bear and grin it and just take it as a sacrifice to be done each Holy Week. Lucky for me, I have moved out of my father's house a long time ago. Just my thoughts dear friend! Take care and have a nice day!
1 person likes this
@Darkwing (21583)
•
14 Apr 08
Wow... that must have been quite irritating, for a whole week. How come they were right outside your family home, and not at the church? As you say though, we have to make sacrifices for tradition, I guess. That's what communities are all about.
Brightest Blessings, my dear friend, and thank you for your contribution. x
1 person likes this
@wickedangel (1636)
• Dominican Republic
14 Apr 08
Oh I definitely relate to this, you poor thing! You should check the noise levels of the pumps - if it is above a certain level, they will have to do something to either dampen the noise or compensate you in some way. Do you have double glazing? If you have to put up with this for such a long period of time then they will have to find a way to help you 'live' a normal life. Don't let them get away with it. You have just as much right to a good quality of life as the publican (his right is to earn money too!)
Glad to hear about the bus service. There is nothing worse than having public transport and then having it taken away and having to walk miles to the nearest bus stop. I love living here in the Dom Rep where you just stick your hand out and the bus just stops anywhere! There are no numbered buses they all just go in the general direction of where you are going and drop you off if at the place where you can get another one!
When I lived in London we moved to Pimlico which we thought was wonderful, until night time and the trains that left Victoria station.... took mum and I a very long time to get over that noise. Then we had to move because that flat had water coming in and the Council couldn't figure out where so they moved us to a house on the busy main road (Vauxhall Bridge Road). Well it had a primative sort of double glazing but the noise was just horrendous. It took me weeks to be able to sleep. Then they threatened to widen the road and bring the traffic even nearer to my bedroom window (and I was 6 floors up!). Needless to say we fought and won - extra traffic = extra noise to unacceptable levels, they were going to destroy trees that had been planted along the roadside etc., etc.,
So yes, I know the feeling of being put upon by others. Just make sure you get someone to check out the noise levels and to ensure that there are plenty of health and safety precautions so that none of the sewage can leak out. Poor you. But at least you can leave the house now. On your bus rather than on your bike!!
1 person likes this
@Darkwing (21583)
•
14 Apr 08
Yes, I have double glazing but it's not very efficient where sounds are concerned. One of my neighbours told the workmen about the noise, a few days ago, and all they said was, it shouldn't make a noise. However, they did give her a number to call if it was making too much noise, so perhaps she can help me out there.
Thank you for such a detailed contribution, my dear friend, and Brightest Blessings. x
