Denise: Phone call, yesterday afternoon, from our guests just arrived at Askernish: No hot water. As in no water coming out of the hot taps.  Oh dear: that means only one thing – frozen feed to or supply from the hot water cylinder, up in the roof.  J puts on boiler suit, collects equipment from the store in Eriskay and then drives to Askernish.  Sets up two 500W halogen lights in the loft, directed at the two pipes and leaves them there – will check again in the morning. Guests seem happy that at least something’s being done.  This morning they phoned to say the water was running again, so J went round to clear away the lights and ladders. Another job for next year: improve insulation around and over the water tanks (but eliminating any insulation underneath).  This wouldn’t have happened at all had the house been in use throughout this cold spell, due to the warmth leaking from the hot water cylinder. Best way to look after any house is to live in it!