Hot water!!

We have adjusted the pump (that lives in the deathtrap barn) so that the pressure various from 2 to 3 bar instead of 1.5 to 3 bar (I never thought I would be so interested in how water pumps work...) because the 'death boiler' didn't seem to like the variety in pressure and so switched the gas supply off every time the pump fired (about every 30 seconds if you are having a shower...).

It isn't ideal as the boiler must be about 30 years old and rather far from complying with current regulations. In addition we have discovered that the tank that the water from the source is collected in is only about 160 litres (500 or 700 would be more realistic) so we have to be very careful as the pump dies if it runs dry.
On top of this, due to the marvelousness of the electrics, if we run any other appliance (eg dishwasher or washing machine) the fluctionation in the power supply affects the pump power which means the boiler decides to cut off the gas. So no showering while anything else is going running...

It doesn't show well in the photo but this is looking in the hole at the side and out the hole at the top. The plumber nearly died laughing when he was looking at this bit, probably even if we spoke French we wouldn't have understood what he was saying through the hysterics (although he did kindly adjust it for us while stressing we were using at our own risk...)

Someone has to watch the boiler while the other showers so it is not a very long term solution but it is better than the bucket for now.

The planning process has decided we should speak to the plumber this week or next about future plans.