Water Pipe Repairs

Water Pipe Repairs, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

This has been my view from my balcony. The city is putting a valve in to be able to control water pressure better in the area. The noise of machines working as been a constant. And Friday, the water was switched off all day so the old pipe could be removed and the new section and valve could be put in place.



We filled pitchers, bowls, the bath and buckets to prepare. I know, some will think "firstworldproblem" - but we are used to having water available for cooking, washing and flushing. It was an inconvenience, not a disaster. Now we have to wait for the machines to come back to close this in so the pipes will once again be a hidden mystery under our city.

Road Work

Road Work, originally uploaded by susanvg.

Taken through my rain-streaked car window (I pulled over to get the shot). It's not easy to plot your route through the city. In our climate all roadwork has to be done after the ground thaws and before it freezes again. So we are often confronted with bright signs warning of work ahead. Highways, city streets both suffer from lane closures and detours. In the city our aging infrastructure needs replacement with streets torn up to replace water pipes. The freeze and thaw of the winter months also take their toll so roadwork is a constant. Oh well - might as well stop and enjoy the scenery.

Day 217: Road Narrows

Day 217: Road Narrows, originally uploaded by susanvg.

We travelled over 7000 km in the last month and are now home. We passed many of these cones narrowing the road to one lane. Many times it seemed that no roadwork was happening. Other times men were hard at work. Some caused no slowdowns; others created long lines of traffic inching through as the lanes went through the merging dance, jostling for position. I have seen my fill of RVs and 18 wheelers. At least for a few days I'm sticking to city driving and nesting once more at home.