I haven't written on the blog this work week because I was frozen and problem solving how to defrost and feel comfortable.  The houses here are not heated to our standards.  The older houses are not insulated and few have central heat.  People use heat pumps, space heaters, and fireplaces.  They say that there is a lot of asthma here because of the cold homes.  So why not install efficient heat?  I didn't want to complain because I am a guest in this country, and trying to adapt; however, when the weather turned cold, and I was up all night shivering, and the extra bedrooms felt like iceboxes, I started to wonder how I was going to make it through the winter.  Everyone planning a visit: get out your thermal underwear.

 This is the heat pump in the wall that warms underneath it very nicely and keeps the hallway an acceptable temperature.  You have to stand on a chair to turn it on and off.  The landlady thinks that the remote was lost 2 tenants ago and can't be replaced.

 These are samples of the space heaters in our bedroom.  The one on the left worked well until this week.  The one on the right just has a loud fan.  Another broken one was taken when we moved in, and not yet replaced.

 This is a wall unit in the "lounge" (family room) that we (and the landlady) can't really figure out how to operate (regulating the temp settings and timers); but it gets the TV room warm (where Kaylee sleeps at night).  The corner of her bed is in the pic.





So of course we could look for another house, but the chances of finding a short term rental that is available, furnished, accepts dogs, and has adequate heat ???
Hoping to soon acquire functional space heaters and an electric blanket.
Mike A, no worries, we'll have it sorted by the time you arrive in 2 weeks.  (like my kiwi lingo?)
Cheers