OUR home computer problem has finally been rectified.

The broadband people decided to come clean and admitted the difficulty was down to them and not the telephone company. A nice man was sent to the house on Tuesday and sorted things in a few minutes.

The General Manager said he explained what he was doing in computer-speak but she conceded it meant nothing to her.

We are delighted difficulties have been resolved — until the next time. But another problem has arisen, this time involving our television, which has a built-in DVD player. On Saturday evening we sat down to watch a comedy DVD the GM had purchased that very day. It was extremely difficult to view as it kept stopping and starting. The GM tried a couple of other DVDs but they did exactly the same.

The following day she telephoned a number on the receipt given by the store where the TV was bought less than a year ago. After being asked to go through a variety of press-button options she was eventually connected with the manufacturer’s helpline.

She explained the problem to a young man who said a courier would pick up the TV and it would be repaired. After being advised the procedure could take at least five days the GM told me she ‘expressed her concern’ a product under guarantee was to be repaired and not replaced. I have heard the GM ‘express her concern’ over the phone and feel certain the fellow would have been left extremely grateful she had not turned up in person at wherever he was based.

He accepted her displeasure and said he would make a note of her comments.

The courier is due to arrive at Gowar Towers today. We will learn if the TV will be uplifted for repairs or if the manufacturer will hand over a replacement.

If without a TV for a while the saving grace will be not having to flick through channels trying to escape tosh and nonsense such as ‘I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here!’ which starts up again on Sunday.